Table of Contents
Introduction
As a short-form creator, you may be wondering how you can monetize your YouTube Shorts, just like long-form creators monetize their videos. The good news is that YouTube offers several options for monetizing short content. In this guide, we will explain all of your monetization options and how you can make money with YouTube Shorts.
YouTube Shorts Monetization Requirements
To monetize your Shorts, one of the best ways is through the YouTube Partner Program (YPP). This program provides access to various money-making tools, such as placing ads on videos or monetizing your audience through fan-funding. There are two ways to join the YPP:
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Gain 500 subscribers, upload 3 public videos in the last 90 days, and get 3,000 public watch hours in the last 365 days or 3 million public Shorts views in the last 90 days.
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If you create both Shorts and long-form videos, you can choose option 2 or 3 to join the YPP.
Once you are in the YPP, only eligible Shorts will earn advertising revenue. To stay eligible, follow these guidelines:
- Follow YouTube’s Advertiser-Friendly Content Guidelines.
- Avoid using unedited clips from movies and TV shows without rights.
- Do not upload another creator’s content without adding a new perspective or transforming the content.
- Do not pay for automated or fake views.
Monetizing YouTube Shorts Through Ads: A Quick Rundown
Monetizing Shorts through ads is a bit different from monetizing regular YouTube videos. All Shorts ad revenue is split between different parties, including the creators and music publishers. Here is a quick rundown of the process:
- YouTube pools all of the Shorts ad revenue on its platform.
- YouTube calculates how much money goes to the creator pool, based on views and music usage across all Shorts.
- If creators use no music in their Shorts, they retain all of the revenue at this point. If they use music, the revenue is split between the creator pool and music publishers.
- YouTube distributes the ad revenue to monetized Shorts creators, based on their total share of Shorts views on the platform. Creators keep 45% of their revenue share.
Can You Monetize YouTube Shorts Without 1,000 Subscribers?
If you are just starting out on YouTube, you can still monetize your Shorts without having 1,000 subscribers. By gaining 500 subscribers, you can access fan-funding tools and monetize most of your content, including Shorts. Here are some ways to monetize your Shorts without 1,000 subscribers:
- Earning Super Thanks: With just 500 subscribers, you can collect Super Thanks revenue on your YouTube Shorts. These are “video tips” ranging from $2 to $50 that your fans can send to support individual videos.
- Collecting Super Chats and Stickers: Super Chats and Stickers are another option, especially if you love streaming on YouTube. Viewers in the live chat can reward you with monetary donations ranging from $1 to $500, appearing as colorful comments or fun digital animations on the screen.
- Earning from Channel Memberships: Channel Memberships offer exclusive perks to your super fans, and you can also monetize your Shorts through channel memberships. Shorts count as videos, so you can make them exclusive to your members.
How Much Money Will You Earn from Shorts?
Making money from Shorts can be a sustainable venture, depending on the views and revenue generated. While it may be challenging to earn a significant amount from Shorts alone, recent updates on advertisements have increased revenue for Shorts creators. Advertisers have found success in the Shorts ecosystem, leading to a surge in revenue for creators. The RPM (Revenue Per Mile) for Shorts has seen an impressive 150% increase, with creators earning an RPM of $0.10 on their Shorts. This increase has been seen across various channels and is a promising sign for monetizing Shorts.
Brand Deals and Sponsorships
Apart from joining the YPP, there are other ways to make money from Shorts, such as brand sponsorships. Brands are eager to partner with short-form creators, and you don’t necessarily need millions of views and subscribers to get a brand deal. As long as you have the right audience and a strong YouTube resume, you can attract brand sponsorships. Many marketers plan to invest in short-form content, making it an excellent opportunity for creators to collaborate with brands. Flexibility in creating different types of content is highly valued by brands, so showcasing your versatility can increase your chances of securing brand deals.
Final Thoughts
Monetizing YouTube Shorts is an achievable goal for creators, and there are various avenues to explore. By joining the YouTube Partner Program, you can access ad revenue and fan-funding tools. Additionally, brand deals and sponsorships offer an opportunity to make money from Shorts. While it may take time to build up your subscriber count and watch hours, with persistence and quality content, you can succeed in monetizing your Shorts. Remember to stay updated with YouTube’s guidelines and explore different monetization options to maximize your earning potential. Good luck on your journey to making money with YouTube Shorts!
