YouTube allowed any channel to join its partner program immediately after it was launched. However, some began to take advantage of the system. In response to this, YouTube had to make changes to ensure the legitimacy of the channels. YouTube Partner Program Eligibility Conditions were devised as part of these changes.

According to the conditions, the minimum eligibility requirements to join YouTube’s partner program are these—

• You must have clocked at least 4,000 hours of viewing time in the past 12 months to apply for monetization of your videos.
• You need a minimum of 1,000 subscribers on your channel.
• YouTube’s Partner Program also requires that you are at least 18 years of age to apply for the program.

These requirements can be met in any time frame. Once you meet these requirements, you can start making money from YouTube through its monetization model.

However, to get paid on YouTube, you must create an AdSense Account.

Note that you can apply to Adsense only after you meet the above-mentioned eligibility requirements. This is the only way to make money through YouTube ads.

The next step involves configuring the monetization techniques available to you.

Note that there are many ways to start making money from your YouTube channel once you’ve been accepted into the YouTube Partner Program.

• YouTube Ad Revenue: 

In order to start earning revenue through ads, you must turn on YouTube ads. By doing this, you ensure that the ads appear when users view your videos. This could result in you being paid. But then you should pay attention to your CPM metrics. These are important indicators of how much earning you could make as per the views on your videos.

• YouTube Red (Premium) Revenue:

Under this model, whenever your videos will be watched by YouTube Premium accounts, you’ll be paid a small amount of their subscription fee. While this is not an excessive amount of money, it does not require extra effort to make it happen.

• Channel Memberships: 

After your channel has at least 1,000 subscribers, you may set up channel memberships for viewers. This allows you to charge a monthly fee from your subscribers for allowing them to view some of your exclusive content. You can also offer other perks to your viewers.

• Launch your merchandise shelf: 

This depends on how many subscribers you have. With a merchandise shelf, you will be able to put merchandise up for sale right below your videos. It works similarly as an ecommerce site. This is great for YouTubers who have a catchphrase or saying that resonates with their followers.

• Super Sticker and Super Chat: 

This interactive feature enables users to purchase “super chat” and “super stickers” in order to be seen on your streams. You can have this feature as long your channel has at least 1,000 subscribers.

Although there are many ways to earn from YouTube, there are certain clear dos and don’ts that you need to follow. 

Remember, you will be able to continue creating content for YouTube, as long as you don’t violate their guidelines. YouTube guidelines prohibit you from using any spam/deception, misinformation, banner ads, sensitive or dangerous content, violent content or regulated goods in your videos.

Plummeting YouTube earnings

YouTube channels make a lot of money by showing ads before, during, or after their videos. Viewers might not like these interrupting ads, but it is these ads that keep your favorite YouTube channels alive.

YouTube follows an ad revenue model called AVOD or ad-based video on demand. AVOD works on a simple principle—Enable users to watch free videos, and earn money from advertising.

Yes, YouTube advertising revenue is a great source of additional income, but it can be hard to make a living out of it. Why? Because you can never have a steady income. After all, it’s a 3rd-party platform that controls the fate of your brand and content.

It’s worth noting here that YouTube’s ad revenue, although the most popular, is the least rewarding video monetization model, with the lowest returns for content creators.

Why is relying on YouTube for an earning through content creation risky?

As discussed above, YouTube AdSense is not open to everyone. To be eligible, you must have more than 1000 subscribers. Also, you must be part of the YouTube Partner Program. You should also follow all YouTube’s community guidelines and channel monetization policies.

Besides, YouTube takes a share of the ad income, which is nearly half of the creator’s income from advertising revenue. We provide white label OTT Platform

Another factor to consider is that your content will need millions and millions of views before you can earn a solid income from your channel. Hence, it’s extremely difficult to turn your YouTube channel into a reliable source of livelihood. 

Also, there are chances that you might get demonetized. And this demonetization might happen randomly. With YouTube, it’s not just that you have no control over your income, it’s also that you have no say over the decision-making process. YouTube demonetizes videos at its own discretion. What else? The advertising algorithm keeps changing from time to time.

What all this means to content creators

According to a lot of YouTubers, YouTube’s revenue model is unreliable. Every day creators worry about whether or not their income will grow next month. The fluctuation in revenues can be caused by too many factors, which are not under the control of content creators.

There is also a lot of uncertainty with regard to the future. During the peak Pandemic time, most people were glued to their screens. As a result, YouTube video consumption grew dramatically. We Provide Cheap OTT Platform

To take advantage of improved viewership, YouTubers worked harder than ever. But sadly, they were still making less. This is because advertising rates plummeted by almost half during the pandemic. 

Many creators saw their earnings drop despite witnessing an increase in the number of views.

Now, why did that happen? The Pandemic caused many businesses to trim their marketing budgets, which had a negative impact on creators. 

Even the most popular YouTube channels were not immune to the pandemic’s effects. Hank Green and John Green, YouTube creators and siblings, are behind some of YouTube’s most popular educational channels such as SciShow, CrashCourse, and other top-rated videos. They reported a drop of 30% in their CPMs during the peak of the pandemic.

Thankfully, there are better alternatives to YouTube for content creators. You can continue creating amazing content and still be able to afford your bills. What more? You struggle less and get adequately paid for all the hard work you do.

Wondering what alternative we are talking about? Well, we are talking about owning a video streaming platform. Too many YouTube creators have gone on to achieve even greater success, earning thousands of dollars per month with this move.

With your own video streaming app, you can stop relying on YouTube ad revenues for survival. If you want to continue YouTube, you can do so as it will be a cherry on top.

With your own OTT app, you will not just have greater control, but also content exclusivity, and subscription cost flexibility. Let’s talk about each of the benefits individually—

• Greater Control

You can create content recommendations for users and mine viewers’ data by having your own OTT application. Everything is in your hands when you own your app. This is unlike sharing your content on a third-party platform, where you must comply with their terms and conditions.

• Exclusivity

You can ensure that your customers become loyal to you by providing unique and original content via your OTT app. Make sure they can’t find content like yours anywhere else. This will bring new customers to your platform and will put your brand on a path to growth.

• Flexibility in subscription costs

It may take some time before you find the right price point where customers are willing to pay for your app. But then you do reach an agreeable price. You can adjust your subscription fees according to the performance of your app. With a little trial and error, you’ll quickly find the optimal subscription fee.