Success Advice

11 Creative Ways to Make Money Using YouTube

Published

13 years ago

Mar 25, 2013

Joel Brown (Founder of Addicted2Success.com)

Image Credit: Unsplash

The next time your puppy chases your child’s pet frog, your baby has a funny look on their face, or you witness an unidentified flying object, you may be an upload away from YouTube fame and fortune.

“Thousands of people are cashing in on youtube“, reveals the Head of YouTube’s Partner Program, Bing Chen. Today, like never before, makeup enthusiasts, Pilates instructors, music DJ’s, and people from just about every walk of life are making money off of each viewing of their YouTube video.

What is so astonishing is that 99% of the most successful individuals on YouTube are the average everyday people who happened to have a bit of nerve, good timing, and talent thrown in for good measure.

So here’s our 11 Creative ways to make money online using YouTube.

How To Make Money Using YouTube

1 – Sell your own Products

The channel for fitness, Blogilates, and Pilates teacher Cassey Ho has 16 million views along with an e-commerce feature where she sells her own Pilate exercise clothing line and gym bags.

Cassey Ho says she makes a six-figure income now, all thanks to the #1 video sharing platform, “YouTube”.

2 – Tutorials

Michelle Phan is a 25 year old who creates makeup tutorials and teaches women how to purchase cosmetics. Miss Phan’s vivacious persona and sharp tutorials made her an instant sensation with over 3 million subscribers and more than 647 million video views.

Michelle Phan has been asked by Lancôme to become their authorized video makeup artist. She is just one of many that have made some serious cash from creating a successful tutorial youtube channel.

3 – Create a Series

Brother’s Benny and Raffi Fine made their You Tube “Kids React” series profitable. With over 360 million views, it is easy to see why. The videos show teens and children responding to pop-culture and other viral videos.

They have had so much success they can now afford to hire a team of ten employees to work with them.

4 – Reviewing affiliate programs

An easier, faster and probably the most effective method of making money on YouTube is by promoting affiliate products and then linking them in your description field. To get guaranteed sales through this method, all you need is to show how the product is used to get results. This way you will be able to make a lot of sales.

5 – Create a Hit Single!

South Korean sensation Psy showcased his song “Gangnam Style” on YouTube and the rest is history. Not only has he clocked up more than 7 million likes and over 1 and a half billion views, Justin Bieber’s manager has added Psy to his roster, his single reached pole-position in the iTunes charts in at least nine countries, and he’s now a multi-millionaire just from google ads on his YouTube video!

Teen artist, Rebecca Black also cashed in on her millions when her single “Friday” went viral on YouTube. She can thank TV host Jimmy Fallon after he shared her “Friday” video clip on late night TV across America resulting in a domino effect of stardom.

6 – Let your voice be heard!

Ted Williams was homeless and down on his luck until a fortunate encounter with a videographer from the Columbus Dispatch. Ted’s speaking voice was so mesmerizing, his YouTube video went viral. After more than 20 million YouTube views Ted has been on countless TV shows and offered voiceover work from well-known companies for TV commercials and radio.

So, if you have a voice with an interesting quality, tone, or twist to it, let it be heard!

7 – Become A YouTube Partner

Currently there are more than 15,000 YouTube partners throughout the world, and online video advertising has reached a staggering $3.4 Billion in 2012; it is expected to reach over $5 Billion in 2013. Most of them make a career out of their videos, with some managing to make 6 figures or more in a year. Partners in this program share income generated from rentals and InVideo overlay ads. They also get opportunities to participate in branded entertainment openings. The YouTube partners are usually featured on YouTube’s homepage, meaning that they enjoy more views and more chances of making money.

It is important to note that, to get into YouTube Partner Program is not easy and requires one to gain subscribers even before applying for the program.

8 – Start A YouTube Competition

Mariah Carey’s Fan Club Remix proposed a remix competition to market a new song. There were 45,000 views within two weeks. The winner’s video claimed the 1st spot from 1,200 entries. Now, this individual has a career as a DJ and video-mixer due to YouTube’s exposure and the competition from the singer’s fan club.

If you can make your competition fun, exciting and with a great reward, you will be able to generate enough exposure for your project or company, so hit the drawing board and come up with a great, legitimate competition out there that will be a win win for you and your contestants.

9 – Sell Links In Your Video Description

Primarily, this method focuses on directing or converting YouTube visitors to another webpage or source. Here, you do not have to make ads in your videos to make money, just a link placement in the description box below.

Your main target is the small percentage of visitors that convert to real customers.

10 – YouTube Rentals

This is one of the most recent ways of making money on YouTube. In this method, content creators are allowed to offer their content for rent and then share a portion of the profits made with YouTube. However, YouTube has not yet clarified whether the service will be available to all or just certain types of users.

This will definitely provide a whole new method of making money on YouTube, as users will be charging rental fees for their videos.

11 – Just Ask for It!

One good success deserves another, and exposure on YouTube helps to sanction start-ups, assisting them with raising the venture capital they need. In addition, YouTube has been assisting nonprofit organizations for fund-raising ventures as well.

The International Fund for Animal-Welfare and Greenpeace has worked with YouTube along with struggling filmmakers. If you are running a non for profit then this may be the platform for you, just make sure that the video is compelling and produced at a high enough quality to really present to the world your good cause.

Summary

Overall, in order to build a following on YouTube the beginning video maker must frequently produce fresh work. This will keep curiosity seekers returning to see what’s new, which in turn spreads the word in cyberspace about what’s trending on YouTube. In addition, video novices must title their video so that anybody searching for its content will easily find it.

If you need a little more info on how to stand out on YouTube visit this link here: 8 Ways To Create A Popular YouTube Channel.

Article By: Joel Brown & Jack Jay | Addicted2Success.com

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Boost your focus, confidence, and results with 11 powerful habits successful people use every day.

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Almar Tagara

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Successful people love to help beginners. They have an incredible work ethic and rarely complain. As a result, others naturally look up to them and want to follow in their footsteps.

But here’s the truth: there’s no success without sacrifice. You’ll need to give up comfort, excuses, and sometimes even social approval to accomplish your goals.

Value comes from solving problems, and these 11 powerful tips will help you become more productive, successful, and confident, starting today.

1. Take Short Breaks After Finishing a Task

Psychology shows it’s important to reward positive behaviour.

After completing a big task or finishing a book, take five minutes to walk, stretch, or simply breathe. This quick reset helps your brain recharge and strengthens focus.

Many great writers swear by morning walks, solitude, and reflection can unlock creativity.

But if you refuse to take breaks, don’t be surprised when burnout hits. Your brain needs recovery time just as much as your body does.

2. Schedule Your Most Important Tasks First

Multitasking kills productivity. If you want to get more done, try time blocking, a method where you dedicate set periods for specific tasks.

Productivity expert Caitlin Hughes explains, “Time blocking involves scheduling blocks of time for your tasks throughout the day.”

For example, if you’re a writer:

Research your topic at night.
Write your first draft in the morning (don’t worry if it’s rough).
Edit in the afternoon, great writing comes from rewriting.

You can’t buy more time. Use it intentionally and without regret.

3. Eliminate Distractions from Your Workspace

Focus is the foundation of success.

According to Inc. Magazine, it takes an average of 23 minutes to recover from a distraction. That’s nearly half an hour of lost productivity every time you check your phone.

Put your phone away. Close unnecessary tabs. And yes, limit your Netflix binges.

Meeting deadlines consistently is one of the fastest ways to stand out and earn respect.

4. Take Full Responsibility for Your Life

Entrepreneur Derek Sivers once said, “Everything is my fault.”

This mindset doesn’t mean self-blame; it means self-ownership. Stop pointing fingers, making excuses, or waiting for others to change.

If your habits (like smoking or drinking too much) hold you back, it’s time to make better choices. Your friends can’t live your dreams for you; only you can.

5. Invest an Hour a Day in Learning New Skills

Knowledge compounds over time.

Whether you read books, take online courses, or practise a craft, consistent learning gives you a competitive edge.

I used to struggle with academic writing, but I improved by studying the work of great authors and applying what I learned.

Your past doesn’t define you; your actions do. Every new skill adds another tool to your arsenal and makes you more unstoppable.

6. Develop a Growth Mindset

Psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck introduced the concept of fixed vs. growth mindset.

A fixed mindset believes success is based on natural talent.
A growth mindset believes success comes from effort and learning.

Choose the growth mindset. Embrace challenges. See failures as feedback. In today’s fast-moving digital world, adaptability is your biggest advantage.

7. Learn Marketing to Reach People Who Need You

I once believed marketing was manipulative, until I realised it’s about helping people solve problems.

If your work provides genuine value, marketing is how you let others know it exists. Even Apple spends billions on it.

Don’t be ashamed to promote your skills or business. Without visibility, your ideas will never reach the people who need them most.

Creative professionals who understand marketing and sales have an unfair advantage.

8. Ask Your Mentor the Right Questions

Good mentors can fast-track your growth.

While mentorship often costs money, it’s one of the best investments you can make. Great mentors don’t care about titles; they care about your progress.

If you don’t have access to a mentor yet, books are your silent mentors. Read the best in your field, take notes, and apply what resonates.

9. Build Confidence Through Action, Not Affirmations

Author Ryan Holiday once said, “I don’t believe in myself. I have evidence.”

Confidence doesn’t come from shouting affirmations into the mirror; it comes from proof. Doing hard things, keeping promises to yourself, and following through.

When you consistently take action, your brain gathers evidence that you can handle whatever comes next. That’s real confidence, grounded, earned, and unshakable.

10. Focus on Your Strengths

Your strengths reveal where your greatest impact lies.

If people compliment you on something often, it’s a clue. Lean into it.

A former professor once told me I was creative, and that simple comment gave me the confidence to go all in. I studied creativity, applied it daily, and turned it into my career advantage.

Double down on your strengths. That’s how you build momentum and mastery.

11. Identify and Challenge Your Limiting Beliefs

Your beliefs shape your reality.

For years, I believed I couldn’t be a great writer because of my chronic tinnitus and astigmatism, sensory challenges that made concentration difficult. But over time, I realised those struggles made me more disciplined, observant, and empathetic.

Your limitations can become your greatest motivators if you let them.

Avoid shortcuts. Growth takes time, but it’s always worth it.

Final Thoughts

Becoming productive, successful, and confident isn’t about working harder than everyone else. It’s about working smarter, consistently, and intentionally.

You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. Start small: take a break after your next task, schedule your priorities, or spend one hour learning something new.

Every habit you change compounds into long-term success. Remember, true change comes from practising new behaviours.

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