Every time we hear the words "1000 subscribers," getting monetized on YouTube is the first thing we think about. We're willing to bet most creators have the same thought!
But to earn the most money from your videos, you need to reach the highest milestones for YouTube monetization: 1,000 subscribers and either 4,000 watch hours or 10 million YouTube Shorts views. Then, you can join the YouTube Partner Program and earn money from fan-funding and advertising revenue.
It sure sounds exciting, but what does 1,000 subscribers get you in earnings? The reality is that the amount varies a lot and depends on several factors.
A handful of factors will influence your earnings on YouTube, and in the video above, we discussed the big three. So, fellow content creators, let's take a look at what those are.
Read More: How to Get 1,000 Subscribers on YouTube
YouTube hosts many different niches, which can affect how much you earn. Channels about finance or tech tend to bring in more income compared to lifestyle or entertainment channels. Advertisers in these areas are often willing to spend more money.
In this comprehensive guide, VloggerPro talks about the most profitable YouTube niches in 2023. If you don't know what kind of content to make or want to spice things up, check it out. You'll get an understanding of what works on YouTube.
Plus, here are some YouTube niche ideas that viewers like!
Read More: The 54 Best YouTube Niches, According to Viewers
Knowing the basics about your audience can make a big difference. Information like age, gender, and language offers clues about who is watching. This data helps you create content that resonates with your fans and can bring in higher earnings.
But, when it comes to revenue, the only relevant data here is the geographical location of your viewers. Channels with a majority of viewers from the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom tend to make more money.
YouTube rewards videos that keep viewers watching for long stretches. If your content encourages people to watch more videos one after another, you’re in a good place. More watch time often means more ad opportunities and higher income.
Highly engaging videos that keep viewers watching for longer periods can result in more ad placements, thereby increasing your earnings. This usually results in improved video engagement metrics, such as an increased number of likes, comments, views, and watch time.
YouTube earnings are usually measured with RPM, which shows how much you earn for every 1,000 views after YouTube takes its fee (usually 45%). RPM covers income from ads, fan-funding support, and other sources, giving you a clearer idea of your real earnings.
Read More: Understanding YouTube RPM and Your Channel's Real Revenue
For instance, if you have an RPM of $5, it means you get around $5 for every 1,000 views across your videos. This number includes income from both ads and features like Super Thanks, Super Chats, and Channel Memberships. A channel with 20,000 views a month would earn roughly $100 at that rate, while a higher RPM can boost your revenue significantly.
According to Statista, the average CPM, or how much money advertisers paid YouTube per 1,000 views, averaged $9.63 according to Statista.
Based on these numbers and reports from creators, the average RPM generally stays between $3 and $7. In certain niches with higher ad rates, it can reach $15-25 or more.
In our detailed analysis video, we highlight creators who shared their actual earnings on YouTube after getting 1,000 subscribers. And, by the way, these earnings represent one month of uploading on YouTube!
Mikhaxl's finance channel has 8,690 subscribers — a small channel by most creators' standards. But this hasn't stopped them from making hundreds of dollars with just 1,000 subscribers. This goes to show that hot niches like finance are more valuable in the market and can result in higher RPMs.
Watch the video below to hear their story:
Irina Dee's growth channel has a few focuses on YouTube, from housing to personal growth to teaching content creation. We typically advise creators to focus on one niche, but it looks like Irina is earning more money through experimentation!
Watch the video below to hear their story:
Tu Ngo's gaming channel runs a gaming channel, and this topic is pretty popular on YouTube. But it looks like companies aren't paying a lot of money to advertise on gaming videos — at least, not like finance or real estate ones. This channel's RPM of $4.93 is among the lowest on the list, but it's more realistic for most creators.
Setting realistic expectations for making money on YouTube is crucial from the get-go. While reaching 1,000 subscribers is a significant milestone, it's just the beginning. And it'll likely be a while before you see significant numbers on your paycheck, especially if you're limited to ad revenue.
In the video above, Rob also highlights the importance of diversifying your income on YouTube. Affiliate marketing, sponsorships, and merchandise sales are excellent ways to supplement your YouTube earnings.
With fan-funding, YouTube has opened up the game for smaller creators. All you need is 500 subscribers to access Super Chats, Super Thanks, and Super Stickers, and earn money directly from the people who love and support your content.
By following the tips we've mentioned above, you can enter the YPP by meeting the monetization requirements in as fast as 28 days. You may find it hard to believe, but many creators have done it recently across a wide range of niches. Our YouTube expert, Dan, will teach you how to do it if you watch the video below.
Before you start earning money on YouTube, you must hit some basic numbers. You need 1,000 subscribers along with either 4,000 watch hours in the past year or 10 million Shorts views over 90 days. Once you reach these marks, you can join the Partner Program and start earning.
Remember, subscribers do not pay you directly. They simply help you qualify for the money-making features. Your income comes from ad views, Super Chats, Super Thanks, channel memberships, and other features YouTube offers.
Hitting 1,000 subscribers is just the starting point. Your earnings tend to grow with your audience. Here’s a rough idea:
• 1,000 subscribers: $50 to $700 monthly
• 10,000 subscribers: $200 to $2,000 monthly
• 100,000 subscribers: $2,000 to $10,000 monthly
• 1,000,000 subscribers: $10,000 to $50,000+ monthly
These are estimates based on ad revenue alone. Many creators earn extra through sponsorships, merchandise, and other deals. For instance, a finance channel with 100,000 subscribers might pull in $5,000 from ads and another $10,000 from sponsored work and partnerships.
When you check your YouTube earnings, you might see the terms CPM and RPM. Here’s what they mean:
CPM (Cost Per Mille): This is the amount advertisers pay per 1,000 ad views. The average sits around $9.63, though it can change based on your niche, where your viewers live, and the time of year.
RPM (Revenue Per Mille): This is what you actually earn after YouTube takes its portion. Your RPM reflects earnings for every 1,000 video views.
For example, if your CPM is $10, your RPM might be about $5.50 after YouTube’s cut. That’s why channels in higher-paying niches can see better earnings even if they have the same number of views.
As we mentioned before, the answer isn't straightforward because your niche, geography, and video performance play a significant role. Be prepared to accept that this takes time to build, and it's best to think of your channel as a long-term business. Cultivating a growth mindset is essential for success.
By getting 500 subscribers on YouTube, you can unlock fan funding on YouTube. This gives you access to monetize through Super Chats, Super Thanks, and Channel Memberships.
RPM (Revenue Per Mille) represents your earnings per 1,000 views after YouTube takes its cut, while CPM is the amount advertisers pay per 1,000 ad impressions.
YouTube does not pay you for having subscribers. With 1K subscribers, you might see $50-$700 a month. This range depends on your niche, where your viewers come from, and how engaged they are. Channels focused on finance tend to earn more than gaming channels.
Average RPM on YouTube usually comes in under $9. However, the rate can vary a lot by niche. Finance channels might earn between $15 and $25 per thousand views, while gaming channels generally earn about $4 to $8.
YouTube pays based on views and ad impressions, not just for having subscribers. Subscribers are key to accessing monetization features, but your income comes when your audience watches ads.
If you average an RPM of $5, you would need roughly 200,000 views to make $1,000. The exact number can change depending on your niche, the location of your viewers, and how engaged they are. Some niches, like finance, might need far fewer views.
Niches such as finance, business, technology, and real estate usually pay the most. In these areas, RPMs can reach between $15 and $25, whereas entertainment or gaming often falls into the $4 to $8 range.
The time frame varies widely. Many dedicated creators reach 1,000 subscribers in 3-6 months with regular, quality uploads. There are cases where channels hit that mark in as little as 28 days with a focused approach.
In addition to being an avid movie and gaming enthusiast, Uttaran Samaddar is an experienced writer who has lent his creativity and unique perspective to various publications. He loves hearing and telling stories.
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