How to Monetise YouTube

At Lillian Purge, we specialise in Local SEO Services and guide you through how to monetise youtube—including requirements, tools, and real-world strategies for channels of every size.

Monetising YouTube means turning your video content into a source of income. Whether you’re a business using YouTube for marketing or a content creator looking to earn from your videos, there are multiple ways to generate revenue. YouTube rewards quality content, audience engagement, and consistency, so success depends on both creativity and strategy.

This guide explains the key methods for monetising YouTube and practical steps to start earning.

1. Join the YouTube Partner Programme

The most common way to monetise your channel is through the YouTube Partner Programme (YPP). Once you meet the eligibility requirements, you can earn money from ads displayed on your videos.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the YouTube Partner Programme, you must have:

• At least 1,000 subscribers.

• 4,000 valid public watch hours in the last 12 months, or 10 million public Shorts views in the last 90 days.

• A linked Google AdSense account.

• Content that complies with YouTube’s monetisation policies.

Once accepted, you can start earning from different types of ads, such as display ads, overlay ads, and video ads.

Tips for Success

• Focus on creating consistent, high-quality videos that encourage viewers to watch longer.

• Use keywords in titles, descriptions, and tags to attract organic views.

• Avoid reusing copyrighted material, as this can affect eligibility.

2. Enable Channel Memberships

Channel memberships allow subscribers to support your channel with a monthly fee in exchange for exclusive perks such as badges, emojis, and members-only videos.

This feature helps build a loyal community while providing recurring income. It’s especially effective for creators with an engaged audience who want access to additional content or recognition.

To enable memberships, you need:

• At least 1,000 subscribers.

• A verified channel with no community guideline strikes.

3. Use Super Chat and Super Stickers

For creators who live stream, YouTube’s Super Chat and Super Stickers features let viewers pay to highlight their messages during live chats. This creates an interactive way for audiences to support creators directly while enhancing engagement during live streams.

Super Chat is particularly effective for gaming channels, Q&A sessions, or live tutorials where audience participation is high.

4. Earn from YouTube Premium Revenue

When a YouTube Premium subscriber watches your content, you earn a share of their subscription fee. The more Premium users who watch your videos, the more you earn. This monetisation method rewards creators who produce high-quality, binge-worthy content that keeps users engaged.

Premium revenue is automatic for channels already in the YouTube Partner Programme no extra setup is required.

5. Sell Merchandise and Products

YouTube allows creators to promote and sell merchandise directly through their channel. With the merchandise shelf feature, eligible creators can display products such as t-shirts, mugs, or branded accessories beneath their videos.

If you run a business, you can also link your online store to your channel. This turns YouTube into a marketing and sales platform.

To succeed with merchandise:

• Design products that align with your brand or audience interests.

• Mention your store in videos and descriptions.

• Use call-to-action phrases like “Shop now” or “Grab yours today.”

6. Use Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing involves promoting other companies’ products or services and earning a commission on sales made through your unique referral link. You can include affiliate links in your video descriptions or mention them during videos.

For example, a tech reviewer might link to products featured in their videos, while a fitness creator could promote workout gear.

Tips for success:

• Only promote products relevant to your audience.

• Disclose affiliate relationships transparently.

• Track link performance using analytics tools.

7. Offer Sponsored Content

Brands often pay creators to feature or review their products in videos. Sponsored content can be one of the most profitable forms of monetisation, especially for channels with a loyal audience.

To attract sponsorships:

• Build a clear brand identity and niche.

• Maintain professional-quality videos and sound.

• Approach brands that align with your content style and audience.

Sponsored content must comply with YouTube’s disclosure rules, so always label paid partnerships clearly.

8. Promote Your Own Services or Business

For entrepreneurs, YouTube is a powerful marketing tool for promoting services or expertise. You can create videos that showcase your work, share tutorials, or provide educational content that attracts potential customers.

For example, a local business could use YouTube to promote their services within their community, driving both traffic and sales.

9. Crowdfunding and Patreon

If your audience is supportive and invested in your content, consider using crowdfunding platforms like Patreon or Buy Me a Coffee. These services allow viewers to support you directly through one-time or recurring payments.

Mention your Patreon or donation links in video descriptions and use end screens or pinned comments to remind viewers. Crowdfunding works particularly well for educational, creative, or niche channels.

10. Licence Your Content

If your videos go viral or contain high-quality footage, you can license them to media outlets, brands, or production companies. Websites like Jukin Media and ViralHog help connect creators with potential buyers looking for viral clips.

Licensing provides a way to earn passive income from older videos while expanding your brand’s reach.

How to Maximise YouTube Revenue

To make monetisation sustainable, focus on long-term strategies that build audience trust and engagement.

• Post consistently to maintain viewer interest.

• Optimise videos with strong titles, thumbnails, and descriptions.

• Encourage viewers to subscribe, comment, and share.

• Analyse performance data in YouTube Analytics to understand what works best.

Avoid shortcuts like clickbait or repetitive content, as these can damage your credibility and violate YouTube’s policies.

Final Thoughts

Monetising YouTube successfully requires time, creativity, and strategy. From ad revenue to sponsorships and affiliate marketing, there are many ways to generate income once you build an engaged audience. The most successful creators combine multiple monetisation methods while focusing on producing content that adds real value.

At Lillian Purge, we help creators and businesses optimise their online presence, from SEO to content marketing. By understanding how platforms like YouTube fit into your wider strategy, we can help you grow your visibility, attract the right audience, and turn your content into consistent income.

We have also written in depth articles on how to make my youtube channel private and How to promote your local business on YouTube as well as our YouTube Hub to give you further guidance.