How to make money on Youtube — without making videos

Making a little extra money online with a YouTube project sounds like a great deal. But what if you don't want to make videos yourself? There are other great ways to cash in on digital content roles from the video app. Let’s dig in.

What is a content creator?

If you're an enthusiastic member of a fandom or a creative digital artist, becoming a content creator like MrBeast or Emma Chamberlain might be a dream. You probably know that as a content creator, your job includes posting blogs, photos, or images on social media sites like Instagram or TikTok. But that’s not all — YouTube is also a powerful platform to upload content and get paid. Teens in particular can protect their privacy online but still engage in content creation and curation via YouTube. By tapping into existing content on the web and putting your own spin on it, you can make money as a content creator.

Step 1: Start your YouTube channel 📽️

Be a financially smart family!

Be a financially smart family!

From saving for the future to understanding credit, see how families are thriving with Greenlight.

Try Greenlight today

Starting your channel is the first step to making money on YouTube. You'll want to choose a catchy channel name and a niche topic to cover. Design an appealing channel layout with branding that makes an impression.

Craft an engaging channel description and About section so that viewers know exactly what to expect from you — and get excited about subscribing to your channel.

Step 2: Curate and organize your content 📱

YouTube work is still a viable option even if you don't want to be the star of the show. How? You can curate and organize pre-existing content. Once you pick a niche topic for your channel, find high-quality videos to curate. Look for the best options by exploring trending and popular videos in that category. YouTube search filters and algorithm recommendations can help you find these.

Then work on creating playlists and organizing curated videos around a central theme. You can add your own unique touch to these curated playlists, perhaps with a recognizable branded banner on the videos or helpful text explanations in the video description.

Step 3: Optimize your YouTube channel for monetization 💲

Monetizing your channel is the most straightforward way to see dollars stacking up in your debit account. Once you meet eligibility requirements — which requires a sizeable audience — join the YouTube Partner Program and set up AdSense to generate revenue.

You can also set up affiliate marketing with third-party partners. Say you post a video reviewing a novel. In the description, you can share a link to a bookstore so your viewers can go buy it. If you partner with the bookstore, every time someone uses your link to buy the book, the bookstore will give you a cut of the proceeds.

Step 4: Grow your channel and attract viewers 🙋

Your channel needs to catch some eyes if you want to see real growth and attract more viewers. Follow some common practices for standing out, including:

• Create compelling titles and thumbnails for curated playlists

• Write engaging video descriptions and add relevant tags

• Lean on social media to promote your channel

• Collaborate with other YouTubers to get exposure to their audiences too

Step 5: Maximize revenue opportunities 📈

Once you have a following, it's time to expand your revenue opportunities. Make even more money on YouTube by combining several streams of cash flow related to your channel.

Explore sponsorships and brand collaborations. This is when a company will sponsor a piece of content on your channel or pay you to feature their product. 

If you sell merch related to your channel like T-shirts, participate in YouTube Shopping. You can advertise your products on YouTube and make it simple for viewers to shop right from your channel.

To get support directly from your viewers, consider tapping into crowdfunding platforms like Patreon or Ko-fi. This can be a great option to connect directly with your supporters. In this same vein, you can offer channel memberships and exclusive content that viewers pay extra for. This personalizes the experience for the audience while you earn more.

Ready, set, upload.

YouTube offers multiple opportunities for you to express your creativity and make some cash on the side. Just make sure you don't get yourself in a tight legal or ethical spot. 

Remember to respect copyright and fair use guidelines. Always give proper credit to the original creators. Not only are these the right things to do, but they will help you avoid things like copyright strikes that could put your channel in danger. Abide by YouTube's community guidelines and policies so that you can make the most of your opportunities on the platform.

YouTube is one of many great platforms to grow your passions into income — but it's not the only one. Looking for more ways to earn money? Check out the Greenlight blog for more ways to stack up your cash. 💸