I’m going to show you how to make money on YouTube from day one! Imagine starting your YouTube channel today and making money as soon as tomorrow.
Normally, YouTube makes you wait until you have 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 hours of watch time before you can even start earning. But who even has time for that anymore??
In this post, I’m going to show you a smart and easy way to earn money on YouTube, even before your channel is officially monetized.
If I uploaded a regular video on a brand-new channel right now, I wouldn’t make any money because it’s not monetized yet—but with this method, you can skip that wait and start earning right away!
Let’s jump in and get you started!
Create Your Google Account
Before you begin your YouTube journey, you need a Google account. If you don’t already have one, setting it up is simple:
- Go to Google Account Signup and select “Create Account.”
- Choose “For Work or Business” if you’re serious about making money from YouTube.
- Enter your name, birthday, and phone number for verification.
- Choose a strong password and consider using a password manager like Bitwarden to keep it safe.
Got your Google account all set up? Awesome, you’re ready to roll my friend – literally!
No more excuses……no more sitting around wondering, “should I start a YouTube channel?” because the answer is a big, LOUD, absolutely unmissable Y-E-S! Got it? Awesome! Let’s do this! 🎥✨
Set Up Your YouTube Channel
Now that you have a Google account, it’s time to create your YouTube channel.
Follow these steps:
- Go to YouTube and click on your profile picture in the top right corner.
- Select “Settings” and click “Create a new channel”.
- Choose a name for your channel. Make sure it’s memorable and related to your content.
Pro Tip: Choosing a Channel Name
If you’re stuck on a name, don’t stress! Use tools like ChatGPT to generate creative ideas for your channel name. Just give it a few details about your niche, and it will come up with suggestions.
For example, if you’re starting a horror channel, you could end up with something cool like “Fear Factory Files”.
Make sure to check the availability of your chosen channel name across YouTube and other social media platforms to ensure its unique.
Customize Your Channel
Customizing your channel is the next important step. This is where you make your channel visually appealing and professional.
Here’s how:
Profile Picture
Your profile picture is one of the first things people notice, so make sure it’s clear and represents your brand.
If you don’t want to use your face, no worries! You can create a custom logo or design using free tools like Snappa.
Your channel banner is like your YouTube storefront. It gives your channel a professional look and sets the tone for your content.
Use Snappa to create a banner that fits YouTube’s recommended size (2560 x 1440 pixels).
Your banner should reflect your channel’s theme and purpose. For instance, a horror channel might use a dark, spooky design.
Watermark
You can also add a small watermark to your videos. A simple “Subscribe” button in the corner of your videos can remind viewers to follow your channel. Every little reminder helps!
Unlock Key Features
To make the most out of your YouTube channel, you’ll need to unlock some extra features. These features help you stand out and attract more viewers.
Go to YouTube Studio by clicking on your profile picture and selecting “YouTube Studio.”
- In Studio, go to “Settings” > “Channel” > “Feature Eligibility”.
- Verify your phone number to unlock essential features like custom thumbnails.
Thumbnails are crucial because they’re the first thing people see when they’re scrolling through videos, so make sure yours stand out!
Optimize Your Channel for More Views
Now that your channel is set up, it’s time to optimize it to get more views and rank higher in YouTube’s search results. Here’s how:
- Add Channel Keywords
Go to:
YouTube Studio > “Settings” > “Channel” > “Basic Info”
Then add keywords related to your content.
For example, if your channel is about making money online, use keywords such as:
- earn money
- passive income
- side hustles
These keywords simply help folks find your videos easily.
- Upload Defaults
Save time by setting up default settings for your videos.
Go to: “Settings” > “Upload Defaults”
Choose things like the default language, video category, and description format. This way, every time you upload a new video, these settings will already be in place.
- Featured Sections
In YouTube Studio, go to “Customization” and add a “Popular Videos” section to feature your best-performing content.
Featuring your top videos will help increase views and show new visitors what your channel is all about.
Plan Your Content
Planning your content in advance is key to staying consistent and growing your channel.
Here’s a simple way to plan your videos:
- Research your niche and come up with 30 video ideas.
Start by searching for popular videos in your niche. Look for videos with over 100,000 views and take note of what’s working. - Use tools like VidIQ to find trending keywords in your niche.
These keywords will help you get more views by targeting what’s popular.
Best Niches for YouTube in 2025
Certain niches perform better on YouTube because they have higher ad rates and a bigger audience.
Here are some of the best YouTube niches in 2025:
- Make money online
- Health and Fitness
- Personal Finance
- Technology
- Education
If you’re just starting, consider picking one of these high-paying niches to maximize your earning potential.
Create Content (Even Without Showing Your Face!)
Not everyone is comfortable being on camera, and that’s okay! You can still start a YouTube channel without showing your face.
Here’s how:
- Stock Footage Channels
Some channels, like Brainy Dose and World According to Briggs, use stock footage to create videos.
You can find free stock clips on sites like Pixabay or Pexels, or you can pay for more options on websites like Storyblocks.
- Animation and Whiteboard Videos
Another option is to create animated videos using tools like VideScribe or Animaker.
These are perfect for educational or explainer videos and don’t require you to appear on camera at all.
- Editing Tools
There are plenty of free and paid video editing tools to help you put your videos together.
Some popular video editing tools options include:
- Adobe Premiere – advanced editing for professionals. $23/month (USD).
- CapCut – a free all-in-one video editor for everyone to create anything, anywhere.
- iMovie – a free video editing app by Apple for Mac, iPhone, and iPad.
Make Money from Day One (Before You’re Monetized)
Most people think they need 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours to start making money on YouTube.
But did you know there’s a faster way to start earning? Yuppers, you guessed it, affiliate marketing folks!
Affiliate marketing allows you to make money from day one!
Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing lets you promote products in your videos and earn a commission on each sale.
Sign up for affiliate programs like ClickBank or Digistore24 and choose products related to your niche.
Include your affiliate link in the video description and mention the product in your video.
Example Strategy
Let’s say you run a fitness channel.
You could promote a fitness program or supplement, add an affiliate link in your video description, and earn money every time someone makes a purchase through your link.
This way, you can start making money before you’re even monetized!
Upload Consistently
Consistency is key to growing your channel. Here’s a good plan to follow:
- Upload at least 3 videos per week when you’re starting out.
- Aim to create 30-60 videos.
Most successful YouTube channels need at least this many videos before the algorithm picks them up.
Pro Tip: Content Creation Assembly Line
If you don’t have time to create all your content yourself, consider outsourcing tasks like video editing, thumbnail design, and production on platforms like Upwork.
Many successful creators hire a team to streamline their video production process, making it easier to stay consistent.
Analyze and Improve
Once you’ve uploaded your first batch of videos, it’s time to analyze how they’re performing and make improvements.
Track Audience Retention
Go to:
YouTube Studio > Analytics > Audience Retention
Now, you can see where viewers are dropping off.
If you notice a dip in viewership at specific points, adjust your content to avoid those mistakes in future videos. Easy as 1-2-3 😉
Click-Through Rate (CTR)
Check your CTR (the percentage of people who click on your video after seeing it) and compare it to your channel’s average.
If a video has a lower CTR than usual, consider updating the thumbnail or title to make it more appealing.
Bonus Tips for YouTube Success
Here are a few extra tips to help you on your YouTube journey:
- Give Value: Focus on either educating or entertaining your audience. Study successful videos in your niche and find out what viewers love. Then, incorporate those elements into your content.
- Choose High-Paying Affiliate Products: Don’t waste time promoting products that only earn you a few dollars. Focus on products with high commissions (like $250 or more) to maximize your earnings.
- Set Realistic Expectations: Building a successful YouTube channel takes time. Commit to uploading at least 30-60 videos before you judge your success.
- Study Your Competitors: Analyze what other successful channels in your niche are doing. Pay attention to their content, thumbnails, and titles, and see how you can do it better.
- Don’t Give Up: Many creators quit after just a few videos because they don’t see immediate results. Stick with it!
Most successful YouTubers have uploaded hundreds of videos before finding major success.
Get Ready to Monetize
Once your channel reaches 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours, you can apply to the YouTube Partner Program and start earning money through ads. This is a huge milestone and a great way to bring in additional revenue.
Stay Notified When You’re Eligible
To make sure you don’t miss your chance, go to the “Earn” tab in YouTube Studio and select “Email me when I’m eligible”.
YouTube will notify you as soon as you hit the requirements.
While working toward this goal, continue to:
- Promote affiliate products
- Build your audience
- Improve your content
Maya’s Last Words
Here’s my advice in 5 simple words folks!
Start Your YouTube Channel Today!
Starting a YouTube channel in 2025 is easier than ever, and it can be more profitable than you think. My best advice? Just start!
This guide has showed you how to successfully create a YouTube channel and start earning from day one.
So, what are you waiting for guys?
Follow these simple, step-by-step instructions, and you’ll be on your way to YouTube success!
