Okay, the most obvious way to make money on YouTube is through advertising. However, it is not the only—or, to be honest, the best—option.

(Spoiler alert: there are a lot of methods to make money on YouTube.)

YouTube accounts for half of the internet, with 1.9 billion monthly users. Nonetheless, every minute, 500 hours of video are posted to the site.

So you already know that this article isn’t going to be about how easy it is to buy a Swiss watch using ad income generated by your YouTube views. (Though you could certainly rent one if you have millions of video views.) Don’t do it.)

Continue reading for ways to monetize your YouTube channel, replete with step-by-step instructions.

How to make money on YouTube

1. Join the YouTube Partner Program

Regular YouTubers can gain access to unique YouTube features through the YouTube Partner Program.

To make money on YouTube, you don’t need to be a partner (simply setting up an AdSense account and receiving views will enough), but becoming a Partner makes things a lot easier.

YouTube Partners have access to a variety of revenue streams, including video adverts, YouTube Premium subscription fees, and services like Super Chat, channel memberships, and the goods shelf that directly tap into your dedicated fans’ wallets.

2. Sell your own merch

Perhaps you consider yourself a content producer first and an entrepreneur second. (Keep in mind that even Drake has a t-shirt line.)

Alternatively, if you’re an entrepreneur first and a video producer second, you’ve most likely already created a product and are planning your YouTube marketing strategy to promote it.

In any case, selling items on YouTube is a practical method to make money.

3. Create sponsored content

To be an influencer, you don’t have to be on Instagram. You don’t have to give YouTube a percentage of your earnings if you use the #sponcon approach. You deal with the brand directly, and they pay you directly. It’s no surprise that it’s a popular way for YouTubers to earn money.

Brands are likely to be interested in hearing from you if you have a large and/or engaged following and your material is relevant to their target market.

In the men’s lifestyle area, for example, YouTuber Aaron Marino, a.k.a. Alpha M, is a major name. How big is it? His brand partnerships are so large that even his videos explaining them have brand partners.

4. Become an affiliate partner

Look for organizations who invest in affiliate marketing if your YouTube following is loyal and engaged but not quite there in terms of numbers.

Businesses’ YouTubers encourage their viewers to visit the brand’s online store or specific product pages. They get paid a portion of sales made through their affiliate links, as you might have predicted.

Affiliate agreements are similar to sponsored content deals in terms of setup and logistics.

5. Get your fans to pay you directly

This YouTube money-making plan comprises a few distinct revenue streams, but they all have one thing in common: you must make it simple for your followers to express their gratitude by using their credit card.

6. Use crowdfunding

Soliciting donations via the internet has become widespread. Many YouTubers gain money through crowdfunding, whether it’s to build a steady stream of income from a pool of tiny monthly donations or to fund a personal, channel-related project.

7. License your content to the media

When a video becomes viral, every news organization wants a copy so that they can show it to their audience. Established media companies, on the other hand, are well aware that they must pay for what they utilize. And there you have it: another way to earn money on YouTube.

Making sure you’re easy to find as a content creator can help you license your most successful work to the media.