Last updated on:

This post contains affiliate links, and we will be compensated if you buy after clicking on our links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

📓 Read our review guidelines

How To Make Money On YouTube Without Making Videos

Prodvigate - We promote your YouTube channel
9.4/10Our Score
  • get real traffic from people who are interested in your content
  • easy to use
  • an official Google Partner
  • can cancel at any time
  • no bots or low-quality views

GET 10% OFF USING PROMO CODE "7112ACEB95"

Making Money On YouTube Without Making Videos

When I closed my brick-and-mortar business, I spent far too much time chasing ways to make a living online. I experienced freedom and flexibility in owning my own business, and I wasn’t about to give that up. Maybe you have that same dream.

I’d long been a fan of watching videos on YouTube, but never put much thought into creating content myself. After all, I didn’t have any experience making videos — and isn’t that a necessary component of finding success on the platform?

Actually, not necessarily. The number of YouTubers making a five-figure income increases by 50% from year to year. Surprisingly, not all of those folks make their own videos.

Here’s everything you need to know about how to make money on YouTube without making videos.

How Much Do YouTubers Make?

Sure, everyone uses YouTube, but how much money can you make? Isn’t the market saturated? These are excellent questions, and yes, even though there are 50 million people (as of 2018) creating content on the popular site, there is room for you.

An audience exists for your content; it’s just a matter of reaching them and retaining their views.  Making money on YouTube isn’t as complicated and magical as it sounds. Once you know the formula, you will be able to count yourself as one of the people successfully making a living from this diverse YouTube world, catching the attention of its 30 billion daily viewers.The amount of money a YouTuber makes depends on a lot of factors. While there is no set amount a YouTuber is guaranteed to make, it is possible to earn a few hundred dollars per month to millions of dollars per year. It all depends on strategy, content quality, and planning.

How To Make A YouTube Channel

You might be surprised how simple it is to start your own YouTube channel for your business or brand. As you begin, you will need to decide whether to create a personal YouTube channel or a business channel.

If creating income is an essential aspect of your efforts, a business or brand channel is the way to go. To get started, visit the YouTube website and complete the following steps:

  • Sign in to YouTube with your Google email account
  • Select your profile image in the top right-hand corner
  • From the dropdown menu, select “create a channel.”
  • Follow the pop-up instructions at “get started.”
  • Name your channel
  • Enter the brand account name on the following page
  • Hit “Save.”  You’re IN!

Sound impossibly simple? (I know, right?) Now comes the fun part — using your creativity to establish a presence on YouTube that distinguishes you from other brands. What do you want to say, and how will you say it?

Offering content that creates value for viewers is necessary to make money on YouTube as a non-video content creator. As you develop your content and build your business (or brand), keep in mind that it is vital to have a business strategy in mind. 

Expand Your Reach

The more you plan, the better you’ll do on your new channel. This may require you to branch out beyond YouTube to market yourself. Even if you’re not sure how to get started, there are a wide range of tutorials on linking your YouTube brand to other content streams and marketing endeavors. 

As we explore how YouTube and different social media mesh, you will most likely find that these varying business and marketing methods fit together quite naturally. Creativity and business savvy are a beautiful couple!

Making Money On YouTube Without Making Videos Tutorial

So, you know the viewers are out there. You know there is money to be made. You have your channel built, you have some ideas, but then comes the realization, “I don’t want to stand in front of a camera and make videos!” 

It may seem as though the only way to make money on YouTube is to get in front of a camera and entertain. Truthfully, not all of us are entertainers, and most people would rather die than participate in public speaking. 

Fear not, new YouTuber, you can learn how to make money on YouTube without making videos or becoming an Internet celebrity. YouTube is diverse enough for you to find a niche without needing to perform.

Choose a Target Keyword

A crucial part of getting noticed on YouTube is using the best keywords that will show up on the search engines for your business or brand. There are many ways to do this. A simple way to get started is to think about what you are trying to accomplish with this content and work backward to identify the keywords that will lead viewers to your content.

Screen Shot 2020 10 26 at 22.45.26
Many free resources are available to assist with learning keyword use.

Another idea for establishing a solid keyword list is to ask around. Ask people who are in-the-know about your business, stakeholders, clients, colleagues, and friends who understand what you are trying to build. 

As you start to mine the minds of those in your circle, you will come up with a diverse list of words and phrases that speak the messages of your brand. This action will help create what is known as a ‘seed list.’ 

Know The Questions

Explore the questions prospective viewers might have to gather ideas about what they might ask of you (with your given expertise). That information can help you develop some wording that can be adapted into keywords for your content. 

Keywords are essential because that is how your viewers will find you to begin with, and your content will keep them watching your channel. During this keyword research phase of your channel building, be sure to check out relevant competitors. 

See What Others Are Doing

Checking out competitors doesn’t mean you are going to copy their style or mimic their content. It can help you understand their brand to differentiate your own and learn what may or may not be working for other YouTubers. 

As you determine the topics that will be relevant for your brand, be sure the keywords you are compiling make sense with your content. We’ve all clicked on links that take us to content that has nothing to do with what we were looking for, so frustrating, right? Don’t do that to your viewers. Consider it the Golden Rule of keywords. 

Republish Creative Commons Licensed Videos

Try not to let the legalese-sounding verbiage get you rattled. Creative Commons Licensed videos are nothing more than a fancy way of saying, ‘content that you can’t get into legal trouble for using it.’ 

Screen Shot 2020 10 26 at 22.47.22
YouTube Help offers detailed guidance about Creative Commons licensing.

Anyone who creates original content on YouTube can mark the content Creative Commons, which enables others to use the content but allows the creator to retain copyright. Others who use the content need to abide by the terms of the license. If you have content that is not 100% original, you cannot mark it as Creative Commons, as someone else has ownership of that material. 

As a creator, you have access to all those Creative Commons videos. There were 4 million Creative Commons videos of 2012 and even more in the past eight years, as YouTube has grown. That’s a lot of free material for you to repurpose and an excellent way for you to create a revenue stream.

Get Maximum Traffic

Think about your YouTube channel as a product. If you were trying to get lots of people to pay attention to and buy your product, you would have to use different types of  marketing strategies to reach your consumers.

To grow your channel, you will need to establish an audience. So, how do you drive traffic to your site? A few digital marketing skills can take you a long way when it comes to YouTube. Here’s what to focus on: 

  • Invite people to subscribe. At the close of each video, invite viewers to “like and subscribe.” When viewers subscribe to your channel, you are establishing a built-in audience who already appreciates your content. The greater your subscriber list, the more credence your channel has, which entices even more viewers.
  • Create content regularly. When viewers see that you are consistent in content development, they are more likely to invest time viewing your channel periodically and subscribing. 
  • Collaborate with other YouTubers. Everyone who has a YouTube channel is in the same situation needing viewers and subscribers to make money. Creating a collaborative project can be mutually beneficial and drive traffic to both sites.
  • Advertise on other social media platforms. YouTube is a form of social media. The same viewers who are tuning in to your channel are also using various other social media, such as Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Advertising on other social media sites is a great way to tap into viewers who may also choose to share your content as your brand grows.
Screen Shot 2020 10 26 at 22.48.39
Maximize traffic through widespread social network presence, either manually or through a management company like this one

Monetize Your Videos

When you start your YouTube channel with your Google account, you automatically have access to the platform Adsense. Set up your Adsense account with the help of this tutorial, which shows helpful step-by-step instructions.

Screen Shot 2020 10 26 at 22.49.52
Adsense tutorial from Online Business Realm can simplify the process.

Monetizing your video requires an ad-friendly format. YouTube Help explains the different messaging types you may notice on your videos to let you know whether your video is monetized, limited, ineligible, or entirely on. Creating ad-friendly videos can help increase monetization, which means more opportunity for your brand’s growth and more money for you.

Another way to attract visitors to your YouTube channel is to create a blog linked to it. The more avenues you can start to draw viewers to your channel, the greater the amount of interest and revenue you are likely to create. 

If you create content that is attractive to advertisers, your content is more likely to earn better monetization rates. The process requires a delicate balance between developing material that promotes your brand and appeals to advertisers. 

How Many Subscribers Do You Need To Make Money On YouTube?

It takes 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 hours of views within the first year to qualify for the Partners Program. YouTube Help offers specific guidance for content creators on different ways to earn money, based on standards that YouTube established that hold channels accountable for quality content. 

Screen Shot 2020 10 26 at 22.51.28
YouTube Help offers five methods of making money on your channel in the Partner Program.

While there is no specific amount of money a channel is guaranteed to make, there are estimates based on the typical rates-per-click. A YouTuber can anticipate around $18 per 1,000 ad views and about $5 per 1,000 content views

When you begin to use the many avenues for advertising, establishing your brand, merchandising, and marketing your channel, the traffic to your site will grow, and so will your revenue.

So, how many subscribers do you need to make money on YouTube? Not quite as many as you might think. If you have a video with 10,000 views, you’ll make $50. While that might not sound like much, it adds up over time if you create a lot of content.  

Is Making Money On YouTube Hard?

In these uncertain times, self-employment never looked so good. But is it hard to make money on YouTube? The answer is no, it’s not difficult, but it will require some out-of-the-box thinking and strategizing:

  • Always be on the lookout for ways to market your channel
  • Create content that you feel good about, that offers value to viewers
  • Use tools like keywords, adsense and monetization to draw in subscribers

Remember, it takes time. Overnight wealth from YouTube is impossible, but with a solid strategy and ad-friendly, valuable content, you will start to see your income increase. If you play your cards right, you can become a high-ranking YouTuber and earn a lot of money.

What Next?

YouTube is not only a venue for people who want to be in front of a camera. Now that you know how to make money on YouTube without making videos, you can construct an entire business with minimal overhead. Even better, you can earn without directly competing with the top internet celebrities.  

Use the resources available to you online and among your peers to build your YouTube brand.  Create a broader viewer base by coordinating blogs, podcasts, and monetizing your work. Before you know it, you can create engaging content that attracts views and earns significant revenue.  

ImageOnline Money Making WayLevelLearn More
Become A Vlogger

Become A Vlogger

Beginner

Learn More
Receive Amazon Direct Ship Freebies

Receive Amazon Direct Ship Freebies

Beginner

Learn More
Watch YouTube Videos

Watch YouTube Videos

Beginner

Learn More
Become A Coder

Become A Coder

Beginner

Learn More
Learn Freelance Skills

Learn Freelance Skills

Beginner

Learn More
Sell Used Socks

Sell Used Socks

Beginner

Learn More
Sell Feet Pics

Sell Feet Pics

Beginner

Learn More
Become A Virtual Babysitter

Become A Virtual Babysitter

Beginner

Learn More
Become A Virtual Santa

Become A Virtual Santa

Beginner

Learn More
Complete Online Surveys

Complete Online Surveys

Beginner

Learn More
Short Term Gig

Short Term Gig

Beginner

Learn More
Join Paid Focus Groups

Join Paid Focus Groups

Beginner

Learn More
Become An Online Juror

Become An Online Juror

Beginner

Learn More
Social Media Evaluator

Social Media Evaluator

Beginner

Learn More
Play Chess Online

Play Chess Online

Beginner

Learn More
Play Video Games

Play Video Games

Beginner

Learn More
Become A Digital Marketer

Become A Digital Marketer

Beginner

Learn More
Become A Reddit Influencer

Become A Reddit Influencer

Beginner

Learn More
Start An Authority Site

Start An Authority Site

Beginner

Learn More
Start Blogging

Start Blogging

Beginner

Learn More
Start A Podcast

Start A Podcast

Beginner

Learn More
Become An Instagrammer

Become An Instagrammer

Beginner

Learn More
On YouTube Without Making Videos

On YouTube Without Making Videos

Beginner

Learn More
Become A Pinterest Influencer

Become A Pinterest Influencer

Beginner

Learn More
Join Affiliate Networks & Programs

Join Affiliate Networks & Programs

Intermediate

Learn More
Freelance Your Skills

Freelance Your Skills

Intermediate

Learn More
Find A Remote Job

Find A Remote Job

Intermediate

Learn More
Start A Marketing Agency

Start A Marketing Agency

Advanced

Learn More
Become An Amazon Influencer

Become An Amazon Influencer

Advanced

Learn More
Sell eBooks On eBay

Sell eBooks On eBay

Advanced

Learn More
Amazon FBA

Amazon FBA

Advanced

Learn More
Online Store Without Inventory

Online Store Without Inventory

Advanced

Learn More
Create A Shopify Store

Create A Shopify Store

Advanced

Learn More
Become A Multi-Level Marketer

Become A Multi-Level Marketer

Advanced

Learn More
Website Flipping

Website Flipping

Advanced

Learn More
Dropshipping On eBay

Dropshipping On eBay

Advanced

Learn More
Domain Flipping

Domain Flipping

Advanced

Learn More
Build Wealth

Build Wealth

Advanced

Learn More

Ways To Make Money Online

Online Business Owners Net Worth

How To Make Money Online With GetPaidTo

How To Make Money Online Step By Step

The 5 Best Affiliate Networks & Programs To Join Other Than Amazon

The 2 Best Remote Job Websites

Photo of author

AUTHOR

After being forced to shut down my brick and mortar business, I built my online business Be Your Maverick from scratch. Wasted way too much time researching ways to make money online. My mission is to help ambitious individuals cut through the scams and make better informed decisions getting started with an online business.