Ever since I uploaded my very first vlog, I’ve been curious about how do the youtubers make money. Between spilled coffee, late-night edits, and that frantic rush of seeing my subscriber count tick up, I’ve picked up a thing or two about turning passion into profit. Pull up a chair, grab your favorite snack, and let me guide you—straight from my own experience and coaching sessions—to build your vlogging empire. Don’t forget to check out How to make money with Vlogging 2025 for more in-depth insights.
Understanding Core Revenue Streams
Jumping into how do the youtubers make money, you’ll find a handful of reliable methods that, when stacked, felt like unlocking cheat codes for my channel growth.
Ad Revenue
Do you remember that first time an ad popped on your video? I was ecstatic—and I earned a grand total of $0.18. Still, that small win taught me the value of views. YouTube shares 55% of ad revenue with creators. So, each time an ad rolls before or during your video, you earn a slice of that pie.
Honestly, my breakthrough came when I focused on boosting watch time and retention. I tweaked my intros, trimmed down my rambling, and watched my RPM climb—teaching me exactly how do the youtubers make money in this way.
Sponsorships and Brand Deals
Honestly, when a brand first paid me $750 for a short mention, I thought I was dreaming. Sponsorships often outpace ad revenue for channels with engaged audiences. Companies look at views, likes, and who’s watching—so when you understand how do the youtubers make money via brand deals, you realize it’s all about relationships.
In fact, I make it a point to pitch honest stats: average views, audience age, and what my viewers love. That transparency has led to partnerships I genuinely believe in.
Subscriber Counts and Income
Let’s talk numbers, but in a friendly way—no intimidating jargon here.
- 1,000 subscribers: You unlock the YouTube Partner Program. I remember the day I hit 1,000, celebrating with a midnight dance party in my living room.
- 100,000 subscribers: Silver Play Button time! That milestone felt surreal and opened doors to better sponsorship rates.
- 1 million subscribers: This magic number attracts media attention, huge brand deals, and sometimes even a Netflix cameo—okay, I’m kidding about Netflix, but you get the idea.
How Many YouTube Followers to Make Money?
From personal experience, you need at least 1,000 subscribers to join YPP and start earning ads. However, real momentum hit me around 10,000 when brands started sliding into my DMs.
Quick Coaching Tip: Engagement beats subscriber count every time. Brands pay more for lively communities than big, but quiet, followings.
How Much Does a YouTuber with 100K Subs Make?
When I reached 100K, my breakdown looked like this:
- Ad Revenue: $600–$1,500/month
- Sponsorships: $700–$2,200/video
- Affiliate Income: $300–$900/month
So, how do the youtubers make money at 100K? It’s a cocktail of ads, deals, and affiliate links that keeps the cash flow steady.
YouTube Premium and Memberships
There’s more to this story. Let’s look at extra features I love.
YouTube Premium Revenue
Premium viewers quietly boosted my monthly earnings by about 12%. It wasn’t a windfall, but it was a welcome surprise—proof that how do the youtubers make money includes viewers who pay a flat fee.
Channel Memberships
Enabling memberships (once I hit 30K subs) opened a new chapter. That first $300 in recurring revenue felt like a warm hug from my community. I hosted members-only live chats and bonus behind-the-scenes clips—they loved it.
Merchandise, Affiliate Links, and More
Time for some creative streams:
- Merchandise: I designed mugs and shirts based on inside jokes with my audience. Seeing my mug in someone’s video call screenshot? Priceless.
- Affiliate Links: I naturally mention gear I use—like my favorite mic—through Amazon Associates. I earn a small commission if someone buys.
- Crowdfunding: Shoutout to Patreon for letting my super-fans fuel my next big project.
When you know how do the youtubers make money, authenticity shines through. Stick to products you genuinely love.
Payout Schedules and Thresholds
Managing money feels less scary when you know the rhythm:
- $100 AdSense Threshold: That’s your green light for pay.
- YouTube Payout Window: Payments drop between the 21st–26th for the previous month.
Tip: I keep a simple spreadsheet to track payouts from AdSense, affiliates, and Patreon—no surprises!
AdSense and Other Monetization Platforms
Want to master how do the youtubers make money with ads? Here’s the scoop.
When and How to Apply for AdSense
I hit 1,000 subs and 4,000 watch hours one sunny afternoon—then navigated to YouTube Studio > Monetization, linked my new AdSense account, and crossed my fingers. After verifying my ID and tax info, I waited about 10 days to see “Monetization Enabled.” That moment? Pure joy.
Once live, my AdSense dashboard became a daily habit—tracking RPM, estimated earnings, and payment dates (21st–26th of each month, once I’d hit $100).
Alternatives to AdSense
Since I love experimenting, I tried other platforms:
- Media.net: Great for niches like finance and tech.
- Ezoic: Automated ad tests that boosted my RPM with smart placements.
- PropellerAds: Pop-under and native ads for global audiences.
- Amazon Native Shopping Ads: Effortless product showcases.
- Sovrn //Commerce: Auto-linking products I mention.
- Patreon & Ko-fi: My fans fund projects directly.
Mixing AdSense with these options taught me even more about how do the youtubers make money, and it helped me sleep better at night.
| Subscribers | Avg. Monthly Earnings | Main Revenue Streams |
| 1,000 | $10–$50 | Ads, basic affiliate links |
| 10,000 | $200–$800 | Ads, affiliate links, small deals |
| 100,000 | $1,000–$4,000 | Ads, sponsorships, memberships, merch |
| 1,000,000 | $10,000–$50,000+ | Premium deals, merch, memberships |
FAQs
How many YouTube followers to make money?
You need at least 1,000 subscribers for YPP, but real momentum often hits around 10,000.
How much does a YouTuber with 100K subs make?
Creators with 100K subs generally earn $500–$1,500 from ads, plus sponsorships and affiliate sales.
How much do YouTube streamers make?
Streamers can pull $1,000–$5,000 monthly from Super Chats, ads, and deals—depending on audience size.
What is the income per month for 1 million subscribers on YouTube?
At 1M subs, expect $10,000–$50,000+, thanks to ad revenue, big brand deals, and merch sales.
Are YouTubers rich?
Some top creators earn seven figures, but most vloggers make a solid living. It boils down to consistency and multiple income streams.
Feel free to reach out if you want more personal advice on how do the youtubers make money—Or Follow me on YouTube for more tips
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