YouTube channels are not just a hobby anymore, they’re becoming thriving businesses and sources of personal success. According to Neal Mohan, YouTube’s CEO, the platform has grown at an incredible pace over the years.
Speaking at YouTube Brandcast, Mohan last year highlighted the explosion in content creation, with India now being YouTube’s largest market, housing over 11,000 channels with more than a million subscribers.
YouTube’s explosive growth
The rise of YouTube Shorts has also played a key role in this massive growth. With trillions of views on Shorts alone, YouTube’s short-form video format has contributed significantly to increasing engagement and driving more subscriptions. YouTube also experienced a 4x increase in viewership through Connected TV (CTV) last year, showing how diverse the platform’s audience has grown into.
The shift to content creation
As YouTube continues to flourish, more people are choosing to create channels instead of following traditional career paths. The flexibility, creativity, and monetisation opportunities that YouTube offers have attracted millions to become full-time creators. Whether it’s for personal expression, business promotion, or a passion project, the rise of digital content creation has changed the way people think about their careers. Channels provide an opportunity to create something meaningful and engaging while building a dedicated audience that can lead to income.
How to monetise your YouTube Channel
Monetising a YouTube channel can be incredibly rewarding. The most popular method is through AdSense, where creators earn revenue from ads displayed on their videos. However, there are other ways to generate income on YouTube, including:
Channel memberships: Fans can become members of your channel for a monthly fee in exchange for perks like exclusive content or badges.
Super chat and Super Stickers: During live streams, viewers can purchase these to interact with you.
Sponsorships: Many creators partner with brands for paid promotions, which can be a lucrative way to earn.
Merchandise sales: If you’ve built a strong following, selling branded merchandise is another option to boost revenue.
How to start your own YouTube Channel
Getting started with YouTube can be done in just a few easy steps:
- Sign in to your Google Account: Start by signing in to YouTube using your Google account. If you don’t have one, creating one is free and easy.
- Create your channel: Go to your YouTube settings, click Add or manage your channel(s), then choose Create a channel. Fill in your channel’s details and make sure it reflects your personality or brand.
- Customise your channel: Add a profile picture, a catchy banner, and an engaging bio to attract potential subscribers. This is your chance to make a great first impression!
- Upload content: Once your channel is set up, start uploading videos. Consistency is key-regular uploads help keep your audience engaged.
- Promote and engage: Share your content on social media, interact with your audience in the comments, and ask viewers to subscribe. The more you engage, the better your chances of growing your channel.
- Optimise for SEO: Use relevant titles, descriptions, and tags to ensure your videos are discoverable. The right keywords can help your content reach a wider audience.
