If you’re a video creator who wants to make money online, joining the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) is one of the best ways to do it. On a basic level, the program lets creators monetize their content with advertisements, and in turn, earn a profit as solid as their work ethic.

YouTube and its creators are part of a revenue-sharing model, and that helps both parties stay in business. For example, when a creator enables ads on their YouTube videos, and viewers watch those ads, the revenue is split between YouTube and the creator. 

The latter receives 55% while YouTube takes the remaining 45%.

That may seem like a big chunk of money for YouTube, but with hard work and dedication, your 55% share could be millions of dollars — as is the case with creators like 

the monetization model for YouTube Shorts creators is different

, with only 45% of the total revenue going to the creators and YouTube taking 55% in this case.

Are you ready to join the YPP and start building a career on YouTube? Here’s a complete guide to bring you one step closer to applying.

YouTube Partner Program: Minimum Requirements to Apply

Before you can apply to the YPP, you need to accomplish a few milestones first.

, and more, here are the minimum requirements to join the YPP:

3,000 public watch hours in the previous 12 months 

 3 million public YouTube Shorts views in the last 90 days.

YouTube Relaxes its Monetization Rules: Only 500 Subscribers Needed!

Minimum requirements for fan funding through the YouTube Partner Program

, here are the minimum requirements do that:

4,000 hours of public watch time within a 12-month period 

 10 million public YouTube Shorts views within a 90-day period.

graphic of how to get monetized on YouTube 

The good news is that once you're in the YPP, you're in. Even if you entered the program with 500 subs and 3,000 watch hours, you don't need re-apply after hitting 4,000 hours and 1,000 subs. You'll simply unlock the revenue tools you didn't have before.

If you need help reaching any of these milestones, we have an excellent guide for earning 

And if you're a Shorts creator, learn which 

 will help you get 10 million views fast!

How to Apply to the YouTube Partner Program

When you’re ready to apply to the YPP, you can complete the application in the YouTube Studio. Just click ‘

’ in the studio’s left navigation menu. 

That’ll bring you to the YPP application page, which requires four steps:

Review and agree to the YPP’s Terms of Service.

 to your channel (This is how you'll get paid).

Enable 2-step verification on your channel.

Wait for YouTube to review your channel and inform you of its decision.

YouTube's monetization page showing how close your are to applying for the Partner Program

How Long it Takes to Get Accepted to the YouTube Partner Program

After applying to the YPP, you may be wondering how long YouTube will take to review your application. The official answer from the platform’s 

 is about one month. However, plenty of creators have been accepted before then, so keep checking your email.

In our experience, we were able to monetize two of our channels in 

. YouTube reviewed both applications over a weekend, which we weren’t expecting. For more information on what that was like, watch the video below:

Admittedly, our smooth experience was probably due to the vidIQ YouTube channel already being monetized. We were trying to get a Russian and Spanish language channel into the YPP, and they’re both branded as vidIQ.

Not getting into the YPP is disappointing, but don't worry. You can always re-apply to the program. 

, though, so review the details below carefully!

If you apply and are rejected for the first time, you’ll have 21 days to appeal the decision. Then you'll have to wait another 30 days before re-applying.

If you’re rejected a second time, you’ll still have 21 days to appeal, but you can only re-apply after 90 days.

While this may seem harsh, it’s a balanced approach because YouTube is prioritizing new applicants over repeat ones. Use the time to fix anything unsavory on your channel, such as multiple 

 or videos that violate YouTube’s Community Guidelines.

How the YouTube Partner Program Benefits Creators

The YPP is great for boosting your income, but that’s not the only benefit of joining. The program also gives creators access to a copyright match tool and the platform’s creator support teams. The copyright tool helps you find and flag stolen video content, and the creator support teams help you get more value out of YouTube.

 - Monetary donations from viewers that are only sent to creators during live streams.

 - Monetary tips of $2, $5, $10, or $50 that viewers send to support individual videos.

 - Paid, multi-level memberships where creators offer exclusive content to viewers.

 - YouTube Premium is a monthly subscription service offering several perks to loyal viewers. When a Premium subscriber watches your content, you’ll receive part of their subscription fee.

 - A carousel of branded merchandise creators can display below their videos.

Your level of access to these tools depends on your subscriber count and other factors.

Overall, applying to the YPP doesn’t take much time. But even if you run into a snag or get stuck somewhere in the application, you’ll be glad you started the process. Getting into the YPP is the first step to making money on YouTube, so keep creating valuable content!



But if you just can't wait, here are five ways to monetize your content outside of the YPP.

Phone with YouTube logo sitting on top of cash

Are you ready to apply to the YouTube Partner Program? Follow our step-by-step guide to learn how to monetize your channel.

How to Join the YouTube Partner Program and Monetize Your Channel in 2024

Every creator wants to know how to get brand deals. They want to know what it’s like to work on a lucrative campaign and why they haven’t reached that magical point. Until it happens, they imagine having an overflowing bank account and plenty of sponsors.

The Truth About Getting a Brand Deal on YouTube

 side – what brands wished creators knew. It’s a better approach, especially if you want to discover what makes a brand say, “You’re hired.”

, product marketing specialist at TCL Communication. As a public relations expert, Hornick works with influencers to make brand deals happen. Now he's helping creators understand what brands are truly looking for.

If you’re wondering how to get brands to sponsor you, here are five things to know before sending a pitch.

1. Brands Don’t Always Care About Subscriber/Follower Count

Did you know that selling products isn’t the goal of every campaign? Some brands want to raise awareness so people know they exist. They also want to collect content from creators and repurpose it on social media.

There are different campaign types, and brands need different kinds of creators to make them successful.

Someone with 500,000 subscribers can drive awareness, but what about other, more concrete goals? If we’re talking about email sign-ups and purchases, 

companies need the best creators for those outcomes

. And that’s not always a mega influencer.

Plus, brands are cautious when seeking prominent, successful creators.

“No shots intended, but there are plenty of people out there with [lots of followers], and I can tell you that 90% of them are all bots,” Hornick says.

It’s OK to start where you are with the subscribers you have. 

There will always be brand deals for small YouTubers and other creators.

To reach different campaign goals, brands look for:

Nano-influencers (1,000-10,000 followers)

Micro-influencers (10,000-50,000 followers)

Macro-influencers (100,000-1,000,000 followers)

2. Your Tweets Can Make or Break a Brand Deal

Most people don’t realize, but cringey tweets from the past are easy to find, Hornick says. All it takes is an advanced Twitter search and 

: Everyone knows your worst takes and opinions.

A non-creator doesn’t have to worry as much, but anyone building a brand on YouTube, TikTok or Instagram does. Creators get searched more because brands want to know who they’re sponsoring ahead of time.

“If we’re doing a deep dive on you, and you’re popping off and saying some pretty gnarly stuff – and I don’t mean having political opinions," Hornick says. "It doesn’t matter if you’re left, right, middle. I don’t really care in that regard. But if you’re dropping racist epitaphs and saying some really awful things, then….”

At that point, Hornick fell silent and sucked his teeth against the mic, as if to say, “No more sponsorship.”

3. You Can Be Honest About a Brand and its Products

Brands aren’t perfect, and neither are their products. It’s OK to give your honest review of something, 

even if you’re getting paid to make the company look good

. On YouTube, you are responsible to your audience first and brands second.

Admittedly, not all companies will understand. That’s why partnering with the right brands leads to better sponsorships. Your audience will appreciate you for sharing the truth, and the brand will improve through consumer feedback. Everyone wins.

“I ask for fairness, and I ask for honesty,” Hornick says. “That’s it. I want you to highlight the things we do well, and in fairness, you need to highlight the things we maybe don’t do well – maybe the areas we need to improve – and then be accurate and truthful.”

Public relations specialists get hundreds of emails.

Standing out from the competition takes more than a good subject line. The body of the email has to be persuasive, too, because that’s where you’ll pitch brands.

 even for those just seeking products to review:

Not emailing the right person (find the press center or public relations specialist)

Not sharing important information, such as who you are, what you do, details about your audience, and your 

If you want to get a paid brand sponsorship

Ideas around how you’d center the brand in sponsored content

The value you bring by sharing the brand with your audience

Examples of past campaigns and how they performed

11 Companies Matching YouTubers with Amazing Brand Deals

5. Sometimes You’re Not the Best Fit for a Campaign. It’s Not Personal.

 who’s extremely vocal about hating Samsung Galaxy phones. You own plenty of iPhones, and most of your videos are about Apple technology, not Android. What are the chances you’ll get sponsored by Samsung?

A brand won’t contact you if your messaging doesn’t align with theirs; it just doesn’t make sense. Assuming your audience feels the same as you, the brand would be targeting the wrong consumers.

Of course, Hornick says there are more reasons people don’t get brand deals:

Their audience isn’t quite “there” yet in size and engagement.

There are limited samples to give creators for reviews.

The brand doesn't have the budget to pay certain rates.

No matter what, just keep networking. Show up in YouTube live streams, take the stage in Clubhouse rooms, and join conversations in Twitter Spaces.

After all, getting sponsored comes down to three things:

Being where brands and their representatives gather

You must be visible online to do all those things!

Want to know the top 10 mistakes people make when pitching brands? Read this post to increase your chances of becoming a paid influencer.

We know you want a brand sponsorship for your YouTube channel. But have you considered what brands want from the deal? 

Getting Sponsored by Brands: 5 Things Companies Wish Creators Knew

. These partnerships are the secret sauce fueling the creator economy. As you make videos, you get to advertise products in exchange for cash on social media.

But pitching brands is hard work. Before you do anything, you need a media kit for branded content. You’ll also spend lots of time crafting emails, figuring out your rates, and avoiding sponsorship scams. Meanwhile, you still have YouTube videos to film and edit.

Getting a Brand Deal on YouTube - 10 Terrible Mistakes to Avoid

Sometimes it’s easier to go in the opposite direction. Instead of looking for companies that sponsor YouTubers, find companies that match creators to brand campaigns. Then you can earn money via product reviews, affiliate marketing deals, and more. All of this is possible with 

How to Get Sponsored by Brands: 11 Companies That Can Help You Out

Are you ready to make money in the influencer economy? Here are 11 companies that connect creators and brands for awesome collaborations.

 is a comprehensive growth service for creators. Go to the website, and you’ll find different “plans” for 

, including services for creating, distributing, and monetizing content. The company will even resolve YouTube strikes for you.

Even with all those perks, we’re most excited about income services at Air Media-Tech. This department barters brand deals for creators, making the YouTube journey a million times easier.

Semaphore specializes in brand integrations, matching brands with digital entrepreneurs. The company has a long list of brand partners, including Disney, Audible, and Nintendo. 

 to see if your channel is a match for Semaphore's services.

 helps creators earn a reliable income through brand sponsorships. According to the website, Makrwatch connects “hundreds of YouTube creators with brands looking to sponsor content.” And that’s every single month. You also can review sponsorship offers and track your earnings with a free Makrwatch account.

Want to forge lasting relationships with brands in your niche?

Tracking the progress of brand sponsorships

Before you sign up, you’ll need to connect your YouTube channel and verify your identity. You also need 

, but the website encourages micro-influencers to apply.

 is for creators who make food, fashion, beauty, or lifestyle content. You’ll partner with brands in those specific niches, making it easier to find authentic sponsorships.

Sign up for a free account, then create a profile.

Add your rates and some information about your personal brand.

Bid on brand opportunities whenever you receive an invite from marketers.

 is a directory for brands looking to partner with creators. It’s mostly for marketers who want to run tons of searches and find channels for specific campaigns.

That might sound tedious, but Channel Pages has many search filters. Anyone can search by niche, channel size, target audience, monthly viewership, subscribers, and more.

Don’t leave any cash behind; make sure your channel is listed in this popular directory for brand campaigns.

Are you tired of looking for brands that will sponsor you? Give 

 a try. This company connects video creators with brands that endorse family content. Imagine a Cheerios ad that features a mom, dad, and two siblings, and you’ve got the right idea.

While the website targets clients (aka brands), Trending Family does have a “creator group” it uses for campaigns.

“Trending Family-Approved creators have all been rigorously vetted against our ever-evolving standards for content quality, digital presence, and influencer fraud. And it should go without saying that our influencers only share content that parents can feel good about co-viewing with their kids.”

We recommend reaching out to Trending Family to learn more.

The website also mentions micro-influencers, so do check it out if you’re seeking 

. That could be a game changer for small channels and nano-influencers.

Spacestation has a cosmic aesthetic, but it’s not a cheesy gimmick. The company genuinely wants to lift creators to new heights via paid sponsorships.

Take a look at the featured collaborations on 

 partner with brands like Polar and Skillshare, respectively. When you’re ready, scroll down a bit farther to submit an inquiry to Spacestation.

Did you know there’s a marketplace just for creators? This digital job board – built by Aspire – is a place for searching and applying to active campaigns. 

Click here to join Aspire’s Creator Marketplace

 connects brands to influencers, and it’s free to sign up and create your profile. Like TapInfluence, Izea specializes in food, fashion, beauty, and lifestyle.

Izea also has Shake, a marketplace for creators of all types. When you sign up as a seller, you can create “Shakes” – ads that showcase your skills and digital services. From there, buyers can view your Shakes and (fingers crossed) purchase your services.

The last company on our list is YouTube itself. The platform has a monetization service called 

, which pairs video creators with brands and their campaigns. The only downside is that 

. That’s going to change in the future, though, so keep an eye out for updates.

In the meantime, make sure you meet the entry-level requirements for this program:

A clean YouTube record (no active Community Guideline strikes)

Additionally, you must be over 18 and live in Canada, the U.S., or the United Kingdom.

These 11 companies will help you get paid brand deals with common YouTube sponsors like Skillshare, Audible, and Blue Apron. But that’s just a tiny sample. 

80% of marketers believe in influencer marketing

, so more companies will embrace YouTube sponsorships.

Now that you know how to get brands to sponsor you, learn three alternative ways to monetize YouTube content.

For some YouTube creators, getting sponsored by brands is a challenge. These 11 media companies are bridging the gap by connecting influencers to paid brand deals. 


There’s never been a better time to join the creator economy – especially for YouTubers. If you’re making decent money from your channel, 

imagine how your income will balloon after joining more platforms

. Posting videos on additional sites (Instagram, TikTok, Patreon, etc.) creates more cash through bread deals, donations, and subscriptions.

Is Your YouTube Channel on Track to Become a Business? Here are 5 Positive Signs

Those are common ways to make money, but maybe not the best. The creator economy rewards awesome content 

“I believe one of the opportunities creators should think about is not relying 100% on their income from just a YouTube channel or Instagram account or TikTok, but to create an ecosystem and companies around their social media,” says Vira Slyvinska, head of global business development at 

It sounds like a lot of work, but it doesn’t have to be. You already have the most important asset: dozens of YouTube videos to repurpose and remonetize across the web.

. Her advice comes from years of experience at Air Media-Tech helping creators monetize their popularity.

Ready to create an ecosystem for your content? Here are three ways to repurpose YouTube videos for extra cash.

1. Build a Mobile Streaming App for Loyal Subscribers

Imagine what would happen if, one day, your YouTube revenue dropped 50%. You would be out of luck (and upset) if YouTube was your only source of income.

But that’s a preventable problem. Building a streaming app is the perfect way to control your assets, from repurposing new videos to remonetizing old content.

, you can launch an app that houses exclusive content or videos from your YouTube channel. You decide how to monetize the app by charging a one-time fee, displaying ads, or offering in-app purchases. Best of all, Appy Pie is a drag-and-drop app builder that requires 

? He has nearly 4 million subscribers on YouTube and created a fitness app, Heria Pro, to expand his business. It offers workout plans, a goal tracker, Heria’s YouTube videos, and more. The app is free to download but has in-app purchases to diversify his income.

Technically, you don’t have to leave YouTube to start a subscription service. The platform already offers this with 

, which require more than 1,000 subscribers to unlock.

Still, all of your income shouldn’t flow from YouTube. That’s risky when you’re building a content ecosystem that will 

Your best bet is building a website to house your entire brand: the courses you offer, the products you sell, and any 

 you provide. Depending on your expertise, creating a subscription service that costs up to $25/month is a great income booster.

Of course, this is another opportunity to 

One example we love sharing is how co-hosts Krystal Ball and Saagar Enjeti monetize their 

. The visual episodes appear on YouTube, but the editors cut several scenes for brevity. If viewers want to see the uncut version of the show, Ball and Enjeti offer a paid membership for super fans.

Podcasting on YouTube - 7 Tips to Get Subscribers on a Paid Membership

3. Consider NFTs, But Proceed With Caution

NFTs (non-fungible tokens) use the same blockchain technology that birthed cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Dogecoin. However, NFTs are not a form of currency; they’re digital assets existing on a blockchain. For now, it seems people are most excited to buy digital art NFTs.

However, Slyvinska says NFTs might not be the best long-term investment. Prices are speculative due to bidding, and there’s no guarantee you’ll make money selling one. But as always, a supportive audience and good marketing improve your chances.

But how do video creators make money from NFTs? Well, last year, rapper Latashá made thousands of dollars 

Now imagine releasing a YouTube video with a “deleted” scene. 

Would your audience buy that missing piece of content as an NFT?

 That’s one idea to jumpstart your NFT project and repurpose YouTube content.

When you’re ready, visit these creator-friendly platforms to sell NFTs:

And while you’re at it, look to the metaverse for opportunities. Experts predict 

you’ll need cryptocurrency to shop in this virtual marketplace

, so it can’t hurt to explore the possibilities for video creators.

The examples above are not-so-common ways of boosting YouTube income. 

Want to keep things traditional? Start here with 10 tips for landing YouTube brand deals.

Have you done all you can on YouTube? It's time to repurpose your videos to make more money via mobile apps, subscriptions, and even NFTs.

Creator Economy Cash: 3 Unique Ways to Repurpose YouTube Content


What’s your ultimate YouTube wish for 2022? For the aspiring entrepreneurs out there, we have a pretty good hunch. 

Eventually go full-time and start a business

Want to Make YouTube Your Full-Time Job? Master These 5 Skills

, we interview a tech creator who reached that milestone: Jacklyn Dallas of 

If growing a YouTube channel feels hard, turning one into a business must seem impossible. Still, you may be further ahead than you think.

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