Last updated: June 2025
Let’s get real for a second. You probably spend hours on YouTube, right? Binge-watching your favorite creators, falling down rabbit holes of gaming streams, DIYs, or hilarious skits. But what if I told you that you could flip the script? What if *you* were the one creating content and actually getting paid for it? And I’m not talking about some far-off dream. I’m talking about you, right now, starting a journey to make money with YouTube. It’s not about becoming an overnight millionaire (sorry to burst that bubble!), but about building something awesome, sharing your passions, and earning some serious cash along the way. I was shocked myself when I saw teens younger than me pulling in money just by being themselves on camera. Think about it… you could be next. This isn’t just another boring guide; we’re going to break down the REAL, practical steps—from getting your first subscriber to seeing that first dollar hit your account. We’ll even look at ways to make money with videos you create. So, grab a snack, get comfy, and let’s dive into how you can start your YouTube empire.
Forget everything you *think* you know. You don’t need a fancy Hollywood studio or a million followers from day one. Some of the biggest stars started with just a phone and a good idea. Take Emma Chamberlain, for example. She started with relatable, low-fi vlogs and created an entire brand around her personality. It’s about authenticity, connecting with an audience, and being smart about monetization. We’re going to cover everything from the basics of the YouTube Partner Program to an inside look at how you can earn cash from your content. We’ll also talk about the stuff no one likes to think about, like staying safe online and understanding the rules. This is your ultimate playbook to make money with YouTube, designed specifically for teens like you. Ready to get started?
How to make money on YouTube for beginners
So, you’re a total beginner. You’ve got a phone, an internet connection, and a head full of ideas. PERFECT. That’s literally all you need to start. The first step to make money with YouTube is… well, to start making videos! Don’t get stuck in the “it has to be perfect” trap. Your first videos probably won’t be your best, and that’s okay. The key is to find your niche. What are you obsessed with? Is it Minecraft, makeup tutorials, book reviews, or maybe you have a weirdly specific talent for making pancake art? Whatever it is, that’s your goldmine. A great starting point is to explore different platforms and guides for teens to start on YouTube.
Once you have your niche, it’s all about consistency. Think of it like your favorite TV show—you know when a new episode is coming out. Try to post on a regular schedule, whether it’s once a week or every two weeks. This builds an audience that trusts you and keeps coming back for more. As you create content, focus on providing value. That could be entertainment (making people laugh), education (teaching a skill), or inspiration. And remember, be yourself! The cringey, goofy, amazing you. That’s what people connect with. It’s like that TikTok meme where the creator is just vibing in their room… sometimes, the most relatable content is the most successful. Don’t stress about the money part just yet; focus on building a community first.
Getting Your Channel Ready
Before you can think about earning money from views, you want to installation your channel for success. This way creating a fab channel banner, writing a compelling “About” segment, and making a catchy channel trailer. Think of your channel page as your non-public storefront. You want people to land there and immediately get what you’re approximately. Use loose equipment like Canva to layout expert-searching photographs. Your channel name should be memorable and, if possible, related to your content material. A username like “GamerGirl99” is satisfactory, but “PixelPioneer” sounds way extra pro, right?
Your First Few Videos
The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, and your YouTube journey begins with a single upload. For your first few videos, focus on learning the ropes. Experiment with different video formats (vlogs, tutorials, listicles), practice your editing skills (you can use free software like DaVinci Resolve or CapCut), and pay attention to what your viewers are saying in the comments. This early feedback is pure gold. It tells you what’s working and what’s not. Most importantly, have fun with it! If you’re not enjoying the process, it’ll show on camera. Your energy is contagious, so bring the hype!
YouTube Partner Program
Okay, let’s talk about the big one: the YouTube Partner Program (YPP). This is the official way creators get to make money with YouTube through ads. Think of those pre-roll or mid-roll ads that pop up during videos. When you’re in the YPP, you get a slice of the revenue from those ads. But wait… you can’t just sign up on day one. (Can you believe it?) There are some requirements you have to meet first. This is YouTube’s way of making sure you’re a serious creator who’s building a real audience.
To be eligible for the YPP, you need to have at least 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 valid public watch hours in the past 12 months. Alternatively, if you’re a Shorts creator, you can qualify with 1,000 subscribers and 10 million valid public Shorts views in the last 90 days. I know, those numbers might seem HUGE right now, like trying to beat the final boss on the hardest difficulty. But trust me, with consistent effort, it’s totally achievable. Once you hit those milestones, you can apply for the program. YouTube will then review your channel to make sure you’re following all their policies (no spam, no hateful content, etc.). As a teen, you’ll also need a parent or legal guardian to help set up the AdSense account to receive payments, since you have to be 18 to have your own.
Beyond the Ads: Other YPP Perks
Being in the YPP isn’t just about ad revenue. It unlocks a bunch of other cool monetization features. You can enable Channel Memberships, where your biggest fans pay a monthly fee for exclusive perks like custom emojis, badges, and members-only content. There’s also the Super Chat and Super Stickers feature for live streams, where viewers can pay to have their comments highlighted. It’s a great way to interact with your community while also earning some extra cash. Think of it as a virtual tip jar for being an awesome creator. Getting into the YPP is a major step in your journey to not just make money from home, but to build a sustainable career.
How to earn money from YouTube views
This is the question everyone asks! But here’s a secret: you don’t *directly* earn money from views. Instead, you earn money from the *ads* that are shown on your videos to those viewers. The amount you earn is often measured in RPM, which stands for Revenue Per Mille (or revenue per 1,000 views). RPM can vary WILDLY depending on several factors. It’s not a simple one-size-fits-all number. It’s a bit like a real-life video game where different levels give you different rewards.
Factors that influence your RPM include the topic of your video (finance and tech videos often have higher RPMs than comedy sketches), the geographic location of your viewers (advertisers pay more to reach audiences in countries like the US or UK), and the time of year (ad spending usually spikes during the holidays). So, while one creator might earn $2 per 1,000 views, another in a different niche might earn $18. The key takeaway is to focus on creating high-quality content that attracts a dedicated audience. A smaller, engaged audience in a high-value niche can often be more profitable than a massive, less-engaged one.
How much money does 1,000 views on YouTube make?
Let’s break this down because it’s probably the most asked question ever. As we just talked about, there’s no magic number. But for a general idea, most creators report earning somewhere between $1 and $10 per 1,000 views through the YouTube Partner Program. This is your RPM. So, if your RPM is $5 and your video gets 10,000 views, you’d make around $50. If it gets 100,000 views, that’s $500. Not bad, right? But remember, this is an average.
For American teenagers, your audience is primarily in a high-value advertising region, which is a big plus! Your earnings will also depend on the type of ads shown. Some ads pay more than others. The goal isn’t just to get views, but to get *monetized playbacks*—views where an ad was actually shown. This is a crucial distinction. As you grow, you’ll get access to more data in your YouTube Studio analytics, which will help you understand your specific RPM and figure out how much you can make.
How many views do you need to get paid on YouTube?
Technically, you need just *one* monetized view to get paid… eventually. The real hurdle is the payment threshold. YouTube, through Google AdSense, will only send you your earnings once your account balance reaches $100. So, let’s do some quick math. If your RPM is, say, $4, you would need to get 25,000 monetized views to hit that $100 threshold. It might sound like a lot, but a single video that takes off can get you there surprisingly fast. I remember a friend who posted a video about a new feature in a popular game. It went viral in his small community and hit 50,000 views in a week. Boom—first paycheck!
So, the focus shouldn’t be on a specific number of views, but on creating content that people want to watch and share. A video that solves a problem, is super entertaining, or taps into a trending topic has a much better chance of getting the views needed to cross that $100 mark. And once you cross it once, it gets easier to do it again and again.
How to earn money from YouTube Shorts
YouTube Shorts are the platform’s answer to TikTok and Instagram Reels. These vertical, short-form videos are HUGE right now, and yes, you can absolutely make money with YouTube through them. In early 2023, YouTube rolled out ad revenue sharing for Shorts. It works a bit differently than for long-form videos. Ads are shown in the feed between Shorts, and the revenue from these ads is pooled together. Creators then get a share of this pool based on their percentage of the total Shorts views on the platform. It’s a bit more complex, but the bottom line is: more Shorts views = more money.
This is an incredible opportunity, especially for beginners. Creating Shorts is often faster and requires less production effort than a full-length video. You can test ideas quickly and see what resonates. A viral Short can bring in a massive number of subscribers and views, helping you qualify for the YPP faster. Plus, it’s a great way to showcase your personality and connect with a new audience that prefers snappy, quick content. Don’t sleep on Shorts—they could be your fast track to YouTube success. For more ideas check out these 27 genius ways to make money on YouTube.
How to make money on YouTube without making videos
Wait, what? Make money on YouTube… *without* making videos? It sounds like a cheat code, but it’s totally real. This is for those of you who might be a bit camera-shy or prefer working behind the scenes. One of the most popular ways to do this is by creating “cash cow” channels. These channels use stock footage, voiceovers, and text to create videos on topics like “Top 10” lists, meditation music, or educational explainers. You can hire a voice actor on a platform like Fiverr or even use a high-quality AI voiceover tool. The key is creating valuable content, even if your face isn’t on it.
Another method is to become a YouTube channel manager or video editor for other creators. As YouTubers grow, they often need help managing their upload schedule, creating thumbnails, or editing their videos. If you have skills in graphic design or video editing, you can offer your services. This is a fantastic way to learn the ins and outs of the platform while getting paid. You’re essentially leveraging someone else’s audience to build your own income stream. It’s a brilliant way to be part of the creator economy without being the one in the spotlight.
Other Ways to Monetize Your Channel
Relying solely on ad revenue is a rookie mistake. The smartest creators diversify their income streams. Once you have an audience that trusts you, there are so many other ways to make money with YouTube. Let’s explore some of the best ones.
Affiliate Marketing
This is a HUGE one. Affiliate marketing is when you promote a product or service and earn a commission for every sale made through your unique link. For example, if you have a gaming channel, you could become an affiliate for gaming chairs, headsets, or even the games themselves. You talk about the products you genuinely use and love, drop your link in the description, and earn money when your viewers make a purchase. It’s a win-win: your audience gets product recommendations from someone they trust, and you get paid. Platforms like Amazon Associates are super easy for beginners to join.
Selling Your Own Merch or Products
Have you built a strong brand and a loyal community? It might be time to launch your own merchandise! This could be anything from t-shirts and hoodies with your channel logo to digital products like e-books, guides, or presets for photo editing. Platforms like Sellfy or Spring make it incredibly easy to design and sell custom merch with no upfront costs. It’s an amazing feeling to see your fans repping your brand in the real world. This is a great topic you can find more information about on various free blogging platforms where creators share their experiences.
Brand Deals and Sponsorships
This is where the big money can be. A brand deal is when a company pays you to feature their product or service in your video. This could be a dedicated review, a quick shoutout, or a more integrated placement. As your channel grows, brands may start reaching out to you. You can also proactively pitch to brands that you think would be a good fit for your audience. Be authentic and only work with brands you genuinely believe in. Your audience’s trust is your most valuable asset—don’t trade it for a quick paycheck. For more strategies, check out this guide on 5 Ways to Get Paid.
Comparison of Monetization Methods
To help you decide which path is right for you, here’s a quick comparison of the different ways to earn cash.
| Method | Effort Level | Income Potential | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube Ads (YPP) | Medium (Need 1k subs/4k hours) | Low to Medium | Consistent creators with a growing audience. |
| Affiliate Marketing | Low to Medium | Medium | Creators who review or use specific products. |
| Merchandise | Medium | Medium to High | Channels with a strong brand and loyal community. |
| Brand Deals | High | High to Very High | Established creators with an engaged niche audience. |
| Channel Memberships | Medium | Low to Medium | Creators who want to offer exclusive content to fans. |
Conclusion
So there you have it—the ultimate breakdown of how to make money with YouTube as a teen in 2025. It’s not a get-rich-quick scheme; it’s a journey that takes passion, consistency, and a bit of savvy. We’ve covered everything from getting started as a beginner and understanding the YouTube Partner Program to exploring awesome income streams like affiliate marketing and brand deals. The most important thing is to start. Find your voice, create content you love, and build a community. The money will follow. This is your chance to turn a hobby into a hustle, and who knows? You might just be the next big thing. And we will keep you updated on all the new ways and platforms, so make sure you check back for new information on our website, zana.website.
Now it’s your turn! What kind of channel are YOU going to start? Drop a comment below and let us know your big idea! And don’t forget to share this article with a friend who also dreams of becoming a YouTuber. Let’s get this bread!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many views do you need to get paid on YouTube?
You don’t get paid per view directly, but through ads. To start earning, you must first join the YouTube Partner Program, which requires 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours. After that, you need to earn at least $100 for YouTube to send you a payment. The number of views to reach $100 varies greatly but can range from 20,000 to 50,000 views depending on your niche and audience.
2. How much money does 1,000 views on YouTube make?
The amount of money you make for 1,000 views, known as RPM (Revenue Per Mille), varies widely. On average, creators can expect to earn between $1 and $10 per 1,000 views from ad revenue. This rate depends on factors like your content’s topic, the location of your viewers, and the time of year. For example, videos about finance or technology typically earn a higher RPM.
3. How many views on YouTube do you need to make $2000 a month?
This depends entirely on your channel’s RPM. Let’s assume your RPM is $5. To make $2,000 a month, you would need 400,000 views ($2000 / $5 * 1000). If your RPM is higher, say $10, you would only need 200,000 views. This illustrates why focusing on a profitable niche and an engaged audience is just as important as the view count itself.
4. How can a beginner earn money from YouTube?
A beginner’s first step is to focus on creating consistent, high-quality content to meet the YouTube Partner Program requirements (1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours). Once accepted, you can earn from ads. Beginners can also start with affiliate marketing by recommending products they love in their video descriptions. It’s a great way to start monetizing before you have a massive audience.
