How to make money on YouTube in 20 easy ways (a simple and practical guide)

When people think about earning on YouTube, they usually think of ad revenue. Ads matter, but they're only one piece. Many channels earn more from what happens around their videos: products in the description, a community, a course or a brand deal.

This guide covers 20 ways to make money on YouTube. The first group uses features built into YouTube itself; the rest are income streams you control, so they keep working even if views go up and down.

The YouTube Partner Program lets eligible channels earn a share of the revenue from ads shown on their videos. Eligibility requirements are set by YouTube and change from time to time, so check the current rules in YouTube Studio.

Longer, evergreen videos tend to keep earning for years. A tutorial that answers a common question can keep collecting views and ad revenue long after it's published.

Channel memberships let viewers pay a monthly fee for perks like badges, custom emojis, members-only posts or members-only videos. It turns casual fans into regular supporters.

Keep the perks simple and sustainable. A monthly members-only live or an early look at new videos is easier to maintain than a promise of daily bonus content.

During a live stream or premiere, viewers can buy Super Chats and Super Stickers to highlight their message. Channels that answer questions live and interact with the chat tend to benefit most.

Try a regular weekly live, like a Q&A or a behind-the-scenes session. Viewers who know when you'll be live are more likely to show up and participate.

Super Thanks lets viewers pay a small amount to thank you on a regular video, and their comment gets highlighted. It works well on especially helpful tutorials.

A short, sincere reply to each Super Thanks comment shows that support is noticed. That recognition encourages others to do the same.

Channels in the Partner Program can also earn a share of ad revenue from YouTube Shorts. Shorts are also one of the fastest ways to reach new viewers.

Use Shorts as both income and discovery. A 40-second tip that links to a full tutorial can bring new people into your long-form videos, where other income streams are easier to introduce.

Where it's available, YouTube Shopping lets eligible creators tag products in videos, Shorts and lives, including their own merch or products from partner brands. Viewers can see and click the product without leaving the video.

Check whether the feature is available in your country and for your channel. If it isn't yet, a clear link in the description does a similar job.

Brands pay YouTubers to include a segment about their product in a video. Because videos keep getting views for a long time, sponsorships on YouTube can deliver value well beyond launch week.

Only accept brands you'd recommend anyway, and label the sponsorship clearly. Viewers forgive ads; they don't forgive feeling tricked.

Put affiliate links in your description for the products you show or recommend. Shopee, Lazada, Amazon and many software companies offer affiliate programs.

Review and 'what's in my bag' videos are naturals for affiliate income. A pinned comment listing the items in order makes it easy for viewers to find what they need.

Templates, checklists, presets and guides are perfect for YouTube because they extend what you teach in a video. The viewer gets the idea for free and pays for the ready-made tool.

For example, a video about planning a monthly budget can link to the spreadsheet used in the video. With Ferry, the link opens a one-page checkout that accepts VietQR and bank transfer, and the file is delivered automatically.

Your free videos show what you know; a course gives people a structured path to a result. Many YouTubers find their most popular videos point straight to the course they should build.

Look at which videos get the most 'can you go deeper?' comments. That's your course topic, and those videos become the marketing.

Comments are public and fleeting. A paid community on Discord, a private Facebook group or a Zalo group gives your most engaged viewers a place to talk, ask questions and support each other.

Keep a simple rhythm, like a weekly thread and a monthly live call. Ferry can sell the membership and automatically connect buyers to tools like Discord through its integrations.

Some viewers want personal help with their situation. Offering paid calls or review sessions is a simple way to earn from your expertise even with a small channel.

A channel about starting a small business, for instance, might offer business plan reviews. Each session also reveals common questions that can become new videos.

Merch lets viewers show they're part of your community. It works best with designs tied to your channel's personality, not just your logo.

Start with pre-orders or a small batch so you don't risk money on unsold stock. Announce it in a video and a community post, then feature it naturally in future videos.

A live online workshop is a quick way to earn and to test a topic before building a full course. People pay for the live interaction and the chance to ask questions.

Record the session and sell the replay afterwards. Discount codes for your subscribers or members make the launch feel like a thank-you.

News programs, brands and other creators sometimes want to use a clip from your channel. Licensing lets you charge for that use instead of giving it away.

Viral clips, travel footage and unusual moments are the most likely to be requested. Add a contact email in your channel info so people know how to reach you.

Beyond YouTube's built-in features, some viewers prefer to support you directly. A tip page or a VietQR code linked in your description gives them an easy option.

Mention it briefly and sincerely, for example at the end of a video that took extra effort. People support creators they feel connected to.

Editing, thumbnail design, scriptwriting and channel audits are all services other creators need. Your own channel is proof that you know what works.

Start by offering a small, clearly defined package, like editing four videos a month. Clear scope makes pricing and delivery much easier.

In-person workshops, fan meetups and live recordings turn online viewers into real-world ticket buyers. Even a small event with a few dozen people can be profitable and memorable.

Sell tickets online and send QR-code tickets for easy check-in. Ferry issues QR tickets automatically after payment, so you can focus on the event itself.

YouTube decides who sees your videos; your email list doesn't depend on an algorithm. Offer a free resource, like a checklist from a popular video, in exchange for an email address.

When you launch a course, workshop or new product, your email list is often where the first sales come from. Ferry's Campaigns lets you send campaigns and automated sequences to your subscribers and buyers.

One YouTube video can become Shorts, TikToks, Facebook Reels, a blog post and a newsletter. Each platform brings new viewers and sometimes its own monetization options.

Repurposing doesn't mean more filming. Cut the best 30 seconds, add captions and point viewers back to your channel or your product page.

You don't need a huge channel to earn on YouTube. Start with one YouTube feature and one income stream you own, such as a digital product or a paid community, and build from there.

When you're ready to sell your first product, ticket or membership from your video descriptions, Ferry lets you start free with no monthly fee, Ferry only charges 5% per successful order, and the money goes straight into your account.