YouTube has grown from a place to watch funny pet videos to a real job for many people, with over 2 billion monthly active users. From gamers to vloggers, Pewdiepie, MrBeast, Smosh, and many others have made a living doing what they love by learning how to become a YouTuber and building their channels step by step. YouTube is without a question the place where aspiring creators, entertainers, and influencers go to get their start. So many people want to start a YouTube channel and use their creativity to make money full-time, building a successful job as a content creator.
The earnings of a YouTuber can vary widely. Some creators make a modest side income, while others earn millions annually. Income depends on several factors, such as the number of views, audience engagement, niche popularity, and additional revenue streams like sponsorships, merchandise, and memberships. The key to maximizing earnings is to build a loyal audience and consistently provide valuable, engaging content.
For example, ad revenue is a significant income source, but factors like CPM (cost per thousand impressions) and watch time affect how much you earn. Additionally, diversifying your income through brand deals, affiliate marketing, and selling your own products can further boost your revenue.
If you want to become a YouTuber, this is what you need to know: a channel with 1 million followers tends to make £60,000 a year.
From deciding on a niche to building a community, here are the steps to follow if you want to become a YouTuber and start making money on YouTube.
Select a topic that you're passionate about and that has a potential audience on YouTube. Whether it's cooking, gaming, education, fitness, or fashion, focusing on a niche helps you attract and retain viewers who are interested in your content. Narrowing down to a specific sub-niche can also make it easier for you to stand out. For instance, instead of "fitness," you might focus on "home workouts for busy moms."
Determine what you want to achieve with your channel. Are you aiming to educate, entertain, or inspire? Are you hoping to build a brand, sell products, or simply share your passion with like-minded people? Having a clear goal helps shape your content strategy and keeps your messaging consistent. Your goal will also influence the way you interact with your audience and how you measure success.
Research other channels in your niche to understand what’s working and where there might be opportunities. Analyse their content style, video titles, thumbnails, and how they engage with their audience. Identify gaps that you could fill by providing unique perspectives, higher-quality production, or covering topics that haven't been addressed. This analysis can also help you avoid content oversaturation in your niche.
Consistency is key to YouTube growth. Whether you choose to upload once a week or twice a month, creating a consistent content schedule helps keep your audience engaged and ensures they know when to expect new videos. It also signals to YouTube’s algorithm that you’re an active creator, which can improve your visibility. Plan content themes or series ahead of time to ensure you always have ideas in the pipeline
You don’t need to invest in expensive gear when starting out, but having the right basic equipment can significantly improve your content quality:
Set up your channel by choosing a memorable channel name that reflects your niche or personality. Write a compelling description that tells viewers what to expect, using keywords that your target audience might search for. Design an eye-catching banner and profile image that reflect your brand and niche.
Don’t wait for perfection—just start! Upload your first video even if it’s not flawless. Focus on delivering value and being authentic, as viewers appreciate genuine content. You will improve with time, so take the first step and learn as you go.
SEO plays a crucial role in getting your videos discovered. Use relevant keywords in your video titles, descriptions, and tags. Craft engaging thumbnails that encourage viewers to click on your videos, and write descriptions that summarize the content clearly while incorporating keywords. Tools like TubeBuddy and VidIQ can help you with keyword research and SEO.
To start earning money through the YouTube Partner Program, you’ll need:
Once you meet these requirements, apply for monetization to start earning from ads displayed on your videos. Additionally, consider other revenue streams like affiliate marketing, sponsored content, and selling merchandise.
Building a loyal audience requires genuine engagement. Respond to comments, ask for viewer feedback, and create content based on your audience’s interests. Community engagement fosters loyalty, encourages viewers to share your content, and can even boost your video’s algorithm ranking.
Building a loyal audience requires genuine engagement. Respond to comments, ask for viewer feedback, and create content based on your audience’s interests. Community engagement fosters loyalty, encourages viewers to share your content, and can even boost your video’s algorithm ranking.
If you're looking to diversify your income, consider other side hustles like freelance writing, online tutoring, or matched betting. Diversifying your income streams can provide financial stability while you grow your YouTube channel.
Becoming a successful YouTuber takes time, dedication, and creativity. Focus on delivering value, engaging with your audience, and staying consistent. Whether you’re looking to create a full-time career or just a rewarding side hustle, YouTube provides an incredible platform to share your passion and make money doing it.
Ready to start your YouTube journey? Grab your camera, plan your content, and let the world see your creativity!
Begin by choosing a niche you're passionate about, setting up your channel, and consistently creating content that provides value to your audience.
Earnings vary greatly, depending on factors like views, ad revenue rates, sponsorships, and merchandise sales. You could earn anywhere from a few dollars to millions per year.
If you're passionate about your content and enjoy engaging with an audience, becoming a YouTuber can be both personally and financially rewarding.
Absolutely! Many successful YouTubers started with no prior experience. Dedication, consistency, and a willingness to learn are key.
There's no specific number of views required, but you need to meet the YouTube Partner Program requirements of 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours.
You need at least 1,000 subscribers to qualify for the YouTube Partner Program and start earning ad revenue.
Yes, YouTube pays creators monthly, provided they reach the minimum payment threshold, typically £100.