The internet has given people worldwide access to an enormous platform, and YouTube is one of its biggest stages. It doesn’t matter what you’re interested in – music, politics, even chess — YouTube has videos of it and other people dissecting it.
If you’re interested in making YouTube videos and turning them into a source of income, there are a few things you should know.
Printing Merch
One sure-fire online business model is selling merchandise to fans and supporters. YouTube is a free platform, so you can’t charge them to access videos, but you will find many buyers if you offer thoughtful merchandise.
The best Canadian print on demand platforms let you choose from hundreds of products, from traditional things like t-shirts and hoodies to mugs and tote bags. It’s a Green approach, as there’s no waste in the business model.
Plus, because the platform will handle dropshipping and order fulfillment, you can make money while focusing your energies on creating your next video. Just like the content of your videos is meant for your audience, merchandise gives them a creative part of you that helps to cement a long-term connection.
Sponsorships
Sometimes a company will approach you to make a deal to promote their product. The way you handle this choice will depend on the nature of your videos and what your end-goal is.
For example, if you’re a fashionista, you can take sponsorships and still make videos about things like street style or high-end fashion. However, disclose your financial relationship with the company to your audience. Issues surrounding conflict of interest on YouTube get thornier if you’re commenting on removing corruption from politics, and you’re seen taking money from somewhere shady.
How you navigate this issue depends on the subject you’re covering and a matrix of the values that surrounds that topic. Some benign topics like cleaning your home are not fraught with corruption but can be lucrative.
Advertisements
Getting a cut of the ad money is another common way YouTubers make money, but there is more than one approach. If you’re taking a certain amount of money per view, the amount will depend on who you are and your pull in the industry.
You can sign up for monetization with the site, and it’s that simple. But if you don’t have a large following, this approach may not yield a fortune right away. Posting hateful content is obviously bad for its own sake, but YouTube also removes such videos.
Which fork you decide to take on the road to advertising dollars is up to you. Like other things in business, it will depend on your relative position and how much you can command and what your end-goals are.
People have had to stay mostly at home for over a year now, so YouTube is a natural way to connect with the community at large. Whatever you’re using the platform for, it’s good to know that you can make some money from sharing your passions, so consider the options and do what’s best for you.
