Okay, let’s be real. You’ve probably spent countless hours scrolling through YouTube, watching your favorite creators, and thought, “Wait a minute… I could totally do this.” And you’re not wrong! The idea to make money with youtube videos isn’t some far-off dream reserved for celebrities. It’s something that *so* many people, including teenagers just like you, are doing RIGHT NOW. But here’s the thing the get-rich-quick gurus don’t tell you—it’s not about some secret hack. It’s about being smart, being safe, and being YOU. I was shocked myself when I learned it’s less about viral luck and more about a solid plan.
This isn’t going to be one of those boring, out-of-touch articles. We’re going to break down everything, and I mean EVERYTHING: how you actually get paid, what you need to start (spoiler: you probably already have it), the different ways to earn cash beyond just ads, and how to do it all without getting overwhelmed. We’ll even cover the stuff people are too scared to ask, like how to figure out how much you can make and what to do if you don’t even want to show your face. So, grab a snack, get comfy, and let’s talk about how to turn your video ideas into actual dollars.
Before You Start: The Super-Important Safety & Reality Check
Before we even DARE to talk about money, we need to have a serious chat. The internet is an amazing place, but it can also be… a lot. Your safety is number one. Non-negotiable. To make money with youtube videos, you have to play by the rules, both YouTube’s and your parents’. First up, age restrictions are a big deal. To have your own Google Account (which you need for YouTube), you have to be 13 or older. But to manage your own AdSense account—the tool that actually pays you—you need to be 18.
So what does that imply? Simple. You NEED to have your parents or a dad or mum over 18 on board. They will have to help you set up and manipulate the financial side of things. Think of them as your business supervisor! This is not only a rule; it’s a protection net. They permit you to spot scams and make sure the entirety is legit. Also, let’s speak about privacy. It’s brilliant tempting to share the whole lot, however please, please, PLEASE do not proportion private info like your complete call, your school, your cope with, or your telephone range. The net does not need to recognise all that. And now for a fact test, introduced with love: you will no longer get wealthy overnight. It’s a marathon, no longer a dash. Remember that “This you?” meme in which someone expects on the spot achievement? Yeah, do not be that person. Building an target audience takes time and consistency. It’s about building a real community, not just chasing views. Check out this ultimate guide for teens starting on YouTube to get the basics down.
How to make money on YouTube for beginners
Alright, you’ve had the safety talk, you’re ready to put in the work—let’s get to the fun part! Starting a channel is genuinely exciting. It’s your own little corner of the internet where you can share what you love. For anyone wondering how to make money on YouTube for beginners, the journey begins with these simple, practical steps. Don’t overthink it; just start.
Step 1: Find Your Niche (What are you *actually* into?)
A “area of interest” is just a flowery word on your channel’s subject matter. And the excellent niche is some thing you are honestly OBSESSED with. Seriously. If you try to make movies about something just due to the fact you think it’s going to get perspectives, you will burn out so fast. Are you a gaming god? A make-up wizard? A comedy genius? Do you build insane things in Minecraft? Do you unbox and assessment tech? All of those are excellent niches! Think about my pal, Alex. He’s a total nerd for finances tech and commenced a channel reviewing low-priced headphones and keyboards for college students. He wasn’t looking to be the following MKBHD; he turned into simply sharing what he knew. And because he became so passionate, human beings related with it. Your ardour is your superpower right here.
Step 2: Creating Your Channel (The easy part)
This is the least scary part, I promise. If you have a Google account, you basically already have a YouTube channel. You just need to activate it. The key here is branding. Think of a catchy name that’s easy to remember. Then, create some simple channel art. You don’t need to be a graphic designer! Tools like Canva have free templates that you can customize in minutes to make a cool banner and profile picture. Keep it clean, make it reflect your niche, and you’re golden. You might even consider starting a companion blog on one of the best blog platforms for beginners to cross-promote your content.
Step 3: Making Videos That Don’t Suck (Even with a phone)
You DO NOT need a $2,000 camera to start. Your smartphone is more than powerful enough. Seriously. The secret ingredients to a good video are LIGHT and SOUND. Film in front of a window for awesome, free, natural lighting. And try to record in a quiet room. You can even use the microphone on your headphones for clearer audio. For editing, mobile apps like CapCut are free and incredibly powerful. You can cut clips, add text, and even throw in some trending audio. Focus on making your content engaging and providing value—whether that’s a laugh, a tutorial, or a great story. That’s how you’ll eventually make money with youtube videos.
How to earn money from YouTube views
This is the question everyone asks first. When you think about how to earn money from YouTube views, you’re probably thinking about the ads that play before and during videos. This is the most well-known method, and it happens through something called the YouTube Partner Program (YPP). Getting into the YPP is like unlocking the first major achievement in your YouTube career. It’s the official way YouTube lets you monetize your content. You can find the official rules on how to earn money on YouTube right from the source.
The Big Four: YPP Requirements Explained
To join the YPP, you need to hit four key milestones. First, you need 1,000 subscribers. These are the people who’ve hit that subscribe button to officially join your community. Second, you need 4,000 hours of public watch time in the last 12 months. This one sounds intimidating, but let’s break it down. It’s the total amount of time people have spent watching your public videos. It’s YouTube’s way of making sure people are actually engaged with your content, not just clicking on it. The third and fourth requirements are that you have to follow all of YouTube’s Community Guidelines (be a good person, basically) and have an AdSense account set up (with your parent’s help!).
So… How Does It Actually Work?
Once you’re in the YPP, you can turn on monetization for your videos. This means YouTube will start placing ads on them. You get paid a portion of what those advertisers pay YouTube. You don’t choose the specific ads; YouTube’s algorithm does that based on your video’s topic and the viewer’s interests. Your earnings show up in your AdSense account, and once you hit the payment threshold (usually $100), the money gets transferred to your (parent’s) bank account. It’s a pretty amazing feeling to see that first payout, no matter how small!
youtube income per 1,000 views
Okay, let’s bust a major myth. There is no magic number for youtube income per 1,000 views. You’ll hear terms like CPM and RPM thrown around, and it can sound super confusing, so let’s make it simple. Think of it like a pizza. CPM (Cost Per Mille) is the total price an advertiser pays for 1,000 ad impressions (1,000 times their ad is shown). That’s the price of the *whole* pizza. But you don’t get the whole pizza. YouTube takes a slice (about 45%). What’s left for you is your RPM (Revenue Per Mille). This is your actual earnings per 1,000 video views. It’s the number you should actually care about.
Why Your RPM Can Be Wildly Different
Your RPM can be all over the place, and I mean WILDLY. A gaming channel might have an RPM of $2, while a channel about personal finance could have an RPM of $20 or more. Why the huge difference? It comes down to a few things. First, your niche. Advertisers will pay way more to put their ads in front of an audience interested in finance or expensive tech than a general entertainment audience. Second, your audience’s location. Advertisers pay more for views from countries like the United States and the UK. Third, the time of year. Ad spending usually spikes around the holidays. So, don’t compare your RPM to someone else’s—it’s your own unique number.
how much money do you make on youtube with 1,000 subscribers
This is a trick question, and I’m going to be brutally honest with you. If you’re wondering how much money do you make on youtube with 1,000 subscribers, the direct answer from ad revenue is… ZERO. Zilch. Nada. Having 1,000 subscribers is a HUGE milestone, don’t get me wrong! It’s one of the two main keys you need to unlock the YouTube Partner Program. But subscribers themselves don’t equal dollars.
Think of your subscribers as your community, your true fans. They are the people who will actually watch your videos, leave comments, and support you. They are essential for hitting that 4,000-hour watch time requirement. But until you are accepted into the YPP, you won’t make a single cent from ads. The real value of those first 1,000 subscribers is that they prove you have an audience and give you the ticket to start monetizing. But wait… this is where the story gets interesting, because ads are NOT the only way to make money with videos.
Beyond Ads: The Coolest Ways to Make Money With YouTube Videos
Relying only on AdSense is like trying to build a table with only one leg. It’s shaky! The smartest creators diversify their income. This means they have multiple ways of earning money, so if one stream dries up, they’re still okay. This is where you can get really creative and start earning even *before* you qualify for the YPP. Here are some of the absolute best strategies to make money with youtube videos that go beyond basic ads. For more ideas, check out these 27 genius ways to make money on YouTube.
Affiliate Marketing: Your Fave Products Pay You
This is my favorite method for beginners. Affiliate marketing is basically recommending products you love and getting a small commission if someone buys them through your unique link. Think about it—you’re probably already recommending stuff to your friends. Now you can get paid for it! You can sign up for programs like Amazon Associates. Let’s say you have a gaming channel; you can link to your keyboard, mouse, and headset in your video descriptions. It doesn’t cost your viewers anything extra, and it can add up to a nice, steady income stream. It’s an ideal way for those looking to make money from home with YouTube.
Selling Your Own Merch (It’s easier than you think)
Got a cool catchphrase or an inside joke with your community? Put it on a t-shirt! Selling merchandise sounds like a huge undertaking, but it’s not. Platforms like Printful or Teespring are “print-on-demand.” This means you create a design, upload it, and they handle ALL the printing and shipping. You only make money when someone buys something, so there’s zero upfront cost or risk for you. You don’t need a massive audience for this, just a loyal one.
Channel Memberships & Super Chat
Once you’re in the YPP, you can unlock these features. Channel Memberships allow your biggest fans to pay a small monthly fee (like $4.99) for special perks like exclusive badges, emojis, or behind-the-scenes content. Super Chat lets viewers pay to have their comments highlighted during your livestreams. It’s a way for your community to directly support you and show their appreciation.
Here’s a quick comparison of these methods:
| Monetization Method | Effort Level | Income Potential | Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ad Revenue (YPP) | Medium | Low to High | 1k Subs & 4k Watch Hours |
| Affiliate Marketing | Low to Medium | Medium | A loyal audience |
| Merchandise | Medium | Medium to High | A strong brand/community |
| Sponsorships | High | High | Engaged audience (any size!) |
How to make money on YouTube without making videos
This sounds like the ultimate dream, right? To get all the benefits of YouTube without the stress of filming, editing, and being on camera. While it’s not exactly a “get rich for doing nothing” scheme, there are legitimate ways to learn how to make money on YouTube without making videos yourself. This is for the people who are more interested in the strategy and production side of things. It’s a fantastic way to make money online from home if being an influencer isn’t your vibe.
One popular method is using Creative Commons (CC) footage. These are videos that creators have marked as free to reuse. You can find them on YouTube by filtering your search. People create compilation channels—like “Top 10 Funniest Cat Moments” or “Best Gaming Fails of the Week”—by editing these clips together. BUT—and this is a huge but—you have to be *extremely* careful to follow the CC license rules and add your own significant value, like original commentary or heavy editing. If you just re-upload other people’s stuff, YouTube will likely demonetize you for “reused content.” Another path is creating “cash cow” or “faceless” channels. These are channels that produce content using stock footage, animations, and a hired voiceover artist on topics like history, psychology, or celebrity news. You act as the producer and scriptwriter, but no one ever sees your face. This is more like running a small media company than being a YouTuber, and it takes a lot of organizational skill.
Your Action Plan: From Zero to Your First Dollar
Feeling hyped? Good. Now let’s turn that energy into action. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by all this info, so here’s a super simple action plan to get you started on your quest to make money with youtube videos. Don’t try to do it all at once. Just focus on step one. Then move to the next.
- Brainstorm Your Niche (Tonight): Grab a notebook and write down 10 things you’re passionate about. Circle the top 3 you could talk about for hours.
- Create Your Channel (This Weekend): Pick a name, use a free tool to make some basic art, and write a one-sentence description of what your channel is about.
- Film Your FIRST Video (This Weekend): Don’t overthink it. Use your phone. Talk about something you love from your niche list. Keep it short, maybe 3-5 minutes.
- Learn Basic Editing: Download CapCut or another free editor and play around. Learn how to do a simple cut. That’s it.
- THE CHALLENGE: Post one video a week for the next month. Four videos. That’s your only goal. Don’t even look at the view count. Just focus on the process of creating.
Remember the famous MrBeast quote: “Your first 100 videos are for practice.” He’s right. You will get better with every single video you make. Consistency is more important than perfection.
Last updated: June 2025
Conclusion
So, there you have it. The real, no-fluff guide to make money with youtube videos as a teen. We’ve covered everything from the crucial first steps and safety rules to the nitty-gritty of how you actually get paid through the YouTube Partner Program, affiliate links, and merch. The most important thing to remember is that this is a journey. It takes time, passion, and a whole lot of learning. But it is 100% possible. You have the tools, you have the creativity, and now you have the knowledge. Don’t let the fear of not being perfect stop you from starting.
What kind of YouTube channel are YOU going to start? Drop a comment below and let us know your ideas!
If you found this guide helpful, do us a solid and share it with a friend on TikTok or Instagram who’s also dreaming of becoming a creator. And stick around, because we’re always posting fresh guides on the best ways for teens to earn online.
For the latest updates on platform rules, new monetization tools, and creator tips, make sure to check back with Zana.website regularly!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many views do you need on YouTube to make money?
There’s no set number of views that equals money. You make money through the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), which requires 4,000 hours of watch time, not a specific view count. Once you’re in the YPP, your earnings per 1,000 views (your RPM) can vary wildly based on your video’s topic and audience. Focus on creating engaging content to increase watch time, not just views.
2. How much does YouTube pay per 1000 views?
YouTube doesn’t have a fixed rate. Your payment per 1,000 views is called RPM (Revenue Per Mille) and can range from under $1 to over $20. It depends heavily on factors like your content niche (finance pays more than gaming), the geographic location of your viewers (U.S. views pay more), and the time of year. So, the answer is always: it depends!
3. How many views on YouTube do you need to make $2000 a month?
This is all about math. To figure it out, you need to know your RPM. Let’s say your channel’s RPM is $5. To make $2,000, you would need 400,000 monetized views that month ($2000 divided by $5 equals 400, and 400 x 1000 = 400,000). If your RPM is higher, you’ll need fewer views; if it’s lower, you’ll need more.
4. Can I watch my own YouTube video to get 4000 watch hours?
Absolutely not. Please do not do this! YouTube’s algorithm is incredibly smart and can easily detect this kind of artificial activity. Watching your own videos over and over is a violation of their fake engagement policy. Doing so will not only fail to count toward your 4,000 hours but could also get your channel penalized or even terminated before you ever get started.
