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How I Earned $389,822 A Year On YouTube
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
One of the best things about YouTube is its incredible potential to earn you income. With multiple ways to monetize your channel, an unlimited income ceiling and direct access to a network of targeted viewers, YouTube channels have the potential to not simply be just a hobby or even a stream of additional income — but to be their own profitable business with multiple streams of income and unlimited earning potential.
When I started my channel in 2020, I was utterly clueless about the potential that was about to be unlocked. My channel quickly grew to be an essential component of my online income, and I want readers to understand how powerful a well-run YouTube channel can be in creating revenue, building passive income and converting viewers into sales. I’m going to break down for you exactly how much my channel earned through three different income streams, including one you can start implementing right away even if your channel is not yet monetized.
Related: 3 Ways to Make Money on YouTube With Less Than 1,000 Subscribers
Identify a content gap
I started my YouTube channel in 2020, and since then, I have received over 13 million views and over 82,000 subscribers. When I started posting regular content, my channel was a formerly deceased side project with just 37 subscribers. After identifying a content gap — a problem people needed help solving, I worked hard to create helpful content which solved their problems and provided free high-quality information. My channel grew to 1000 subscribers within one week, and I was monetized within less than a month.
Related: How to Identify the Pain Points That Make Customers Decide What They’re Going to Buy
Monetize
Once monetized, the most obvious way to earn income on YouTube is ad revenue. YouTube monetizes your channel once you receive at least 4000 watch hours and 1000 subscribers or 10 million views on your YouTube shorts within 12 months. Once monetized, you can allow Google Ads to place ads in your content. You receive a cut of the ad revenue each time an ad is viewed.
In my second year on YouTube, my channel received 10,357,608 views. I posted 337 videos, did 58 live streams, and published three shorts that year. In that one year, I received $168,233.85 from YouTube ad revenue. My highest earning day during this period was $1,184 in a single day. For every 1000 views of an ad shown on my videos, advertisers paid an average of $24.42 to have their ad shown in my videos. That amount was split half to me and half to YouTube. While my ad revenue was wonderful — especially for someone with a relatively new and small channel — YouTube was not the most profitable income stream from my videos.
Sponsorships
Next, let’s look at my second stream of income from my channel — sponsorships. This is when a brand reaches out and offers to partner with you, or if you reach out proactively to that brand and pitch a partnership, they might pay your channel to share their products and services. In one year, I earned $13,925 in sponsorships.
Related: 5 Tips for Using Corporate Sponsorship to Drive Brand Visibility
Affiliate income
Lastly, I want to show you how much I earned in the most interesting stream of income because this is one that you can start on your channel from day one, and it was also my highest earning stream of income from my channel: affiliate income.
Affiliate income occurs when you share a direct link tied to your affiliate account for a brand, for their products or services. You receive a commission once someone watching clicks on that affiliate link and makes a purchase. Joining large affiliate networks and platforms or reaching out and partnering directly with brands resulted in me earning $207,664.
In total, my YouTube channel earned $389,822 in just one year.
But there’s an important thing to remember here: There are even more ways to monetize your channel than these three ways alone.
What really blows your mind as a new YouTuber that starts earning income is when you realize there is no income ceiling from what you can do with your monetized channel. As you move away from streams of income that directly trade your time for payment and move on to more passive sales and sales funnels, you realize there is no ceiling on your income limits.
I want to be clear here: YouTube is not fast and easy money. A lot of work goes into growing your YouTube channel. Still, once you create evergreen content that continues to get views even when you’re not publishing, as well as affiliate links and sales funnels that feed sales and commissions from those views, you can move towards more passive income streams.
I want to encourage you to consider what starting a YouTube channel could do for your business and your income. Do you have a product or service that needs a stream of targeted buyers? Do you offer an online course, coaching or digital product? Do you have informative, helpful or entertaining content ideas? Have you solved a problem that others may also need help solving?
No matter what the focus of your channel is, I want to encourage you to start it today. You could be missing out on a highly profitable new stream of income.
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Cut Costs, Not Features with This Microsoft Bundle Deal
Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you’ll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners.
Software subscription fees can quickly add up, and for small-business owners, entrepreneurs, or freelancers, these costs can eat into profits. Businesses spend approximately 29% of their IT budgets on software, according to a 2023 survey by Gartner.
For business professionals who are looking to streamline workflow without paying steep subscription fees, the Ultimate 2019 Microsoft Bundle might be the perfect solution. For just $71.94 (regularly $927), this comprehensive four-part bundle offers Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019, Windows 11 Pro, Project 2019, and Visio 2019.
While it’s not the newest version of Microsoft’s software, it can deliver tremendous value for anyone seeking tools to manage their business, boost productivity, and work efficiently. The bundle offers a lifetime license, meaning you’ll get all the functionality you need without the recurring costs associated with subscription services like Microsoft 365.
However, it does come with Windows 11 Pro, which includes the recent AI updates. Windows 11 Pro delivers a modern, intuitive interface with enhanced security features such as biometric login and Smart App Control, making it ideal for professionals who prioritize privacy and usability. It’s also equipped with tools that support multitasking, such as Snap Layouts and Virtual Desktops.
For companies looking to reduce overhead without compromising essential functionality, making a one-time purchase of slightly older software is a smart financial move. This includes Office’s most popular productivity tools, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Project 2019 is a must-have for anyone who is managing large or small projects. It helps track tasks, timelines, and resources, making it easier to stay on top of deadlines and ensure your team moves in the right direction. Project 2019 gives you the tools to streamline processes and manage tasks efficiently.
Visio 2019 is ideal for creating professional diagrams, flowcharts, and organizational charts. It’s particularly valuable for visualizing complex data or workflows, which is essential for business owners looking to improve operational efficiency.
If you need a productivity boost without eating into savings, take a closer look at this bundle.
Get the Ultimate 2019 Microsoft Bundle with Office, Project, Visio, and Windows 11 Pro for $71.94 (regularly $927).
StackSocial prices subject to change.
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3 Trends That Will Change the Future of Entrepreneurship
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
The most recent data from the new Global Entrepreneurship Monitor report reveals a powerful trend for the future of entrepreneurship.
Young adults, aged 18-24, had both the highest entrepreneurial activity and entrepreneurial intentions in the United States, according to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor 2023-2024 United States Report. With similar results in 2022, this is not just a minor shift — it’s a fundamental change that could have lasting impacts on the economy and society.
I serve as the chair of the board for the Global Entrepreneurship Research Association, the entity that oversees GEM, which was founded in 1999 as a joint venture of Babson College and the London Business School. As the GEM U.S. team co-leader and a professor of entrepreneurship at Babson, I see firsthand the impact of the research created by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor.
Here are three entrepreneurship trends from the new GEM report that are changing the landscape for the future.
Related: 21 Success Tips for Young and Aspiring Entrepreneurs
1. Young entrepreneurs on the rise
For years, entrepreneurship has been dominated by older, more experienced individuals, but this year’s report shows that the youngest adults are now at the forefront. According to GEM, 24% of 18- to 24-year-olds are engaged in some form of entrepreneurial activity, a higher rate than any other age group. What’s driving these young entrepreneurs is equally remarkable: They aren’t just starting businesses to make money; many are deeply committed to making a positive impact on society and the environment.
These young entrepreneurs make sustainability a key priority. They are more likely than entrepreneurs from older generations to build businesses with sustainability as a core focus — whether that means reducing their environmental footprint or focusing on social causes. This shift toward impact-driven entrepreneurship isn’t just anecdotal. GEM data shows a significant number of young entrepreneurs taking real, measurable steps to create businesses that align with their values. With sustainability as their north star, young entrepreneurs appear to be simultaneously pursuing societal impact as well as profits.
However, it’s not all smooth sailing. While young people are leading the way in starting businesses, they are also discontinuing them at higher rates than their older counterparts. The discontinuation rate for 18- to 24-year-olds is 15%, the highest among all age groups. This is not surprising, given the challenges of inexperience and more limited access to capital. Starting a business is tough, and sustaining one is even more challenging. But despite these hurdles, the enthusiasm and energy that young people bring to entrepreneurship are undeniable, and with the right support, this generation has the potential to drive substantial change.
2. Tech gender gap narrows
One of the most promising findings in the GEM report is the narrowing gender gap in the technology sector. Historically, tech startups have been dominated by men, but 2023 saw a record-low difference in the number of men and women starting tech companies. The gap has narrowed to just 1%, with 8% of women compared with 9% of men launching businesses in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector.
This is a significant step forward and reflects broader efforts to support more women technology startups. Still, it’s important to recognize that while progress is being made, continued focus on providing equal opportunities is essential to ensuring this trend continues.
3. Optimistic outlook for Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs
Another highlight from the report is the optimistic outlook among Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs. These groups showed stronger confidence in their entrepreneurial abilities and lower fear of failure compared to their white counterparts. Black respondents, in particular, demonstrated high levels of resilience and self-assurance, which is vital in overcoming barriers faced in starting and sustaining businesses. This optimism is encouraging, but there’s still much work to be done in assuring ecosystems offer equal opportunities for all aspiring entrepreneurs, regardless of their background.
Related: I Wish I Received This Advice as a Young Entrepreneur
A promising future
Reflecting on the key findings of this year’s GEM report, it’s clear that the entrepreneurial landscape is changing in meaningful ways. The rise of young, sustainability-driven entrepreneurs signals a future where business is not only about profit but also about making a difference. These young entrepreneurs are launching businesses at a time when the world is looking for solutions to some of its most pressing challenges — climate change, poverty and economic recovery.
Yet, to fully realize the potential of this next generation, there must be more focus on addressing the challenges they encounter. Young entrepreneurs need access to the right resources — whether it’s funding, education or mentorship — to turn their innovative ideas into sustainable businesses. The narrowing gender gap in tech is encouraging, but we must continue to foster environments that support women and other underrepresented groups in entrepreneurship.
The GEM report paints a picture of an entrepreneurial future driven by purpose, diversity and innovation. But it also reminds us of the work that lies ahead in making entrepreneurship more accessible and sustainable. If we can provide young entrepreneurs with the tools and support they need, we will not only see more businesses being created — we’ll see businesses that are making a lasting, positive impact on the world.
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These Are the Top Side Hustles to Work Less, Make More Money
In the best-case scenario, a side hustle could turn into a multimillion-dollar business that generates a passive income stream — but at the very least, starting a side gig could help pay some bills.
A new survey from personal finance software company Quicken shows that almost half (43%) of Americans with a side hustle, or an extra source of income added to a primary income, make more money and clock in fewer hours overall than those without a side hustle.
The three most popular side hustles pursued by those who work less and make more money were personal assistance (20%), cooking and baking (16%), and caregiving (16%). One in five people with side hustles said they were business owners, too, selling products online or offering services like photography.
The majority of people with side hustles (82%) said starting a side gig helped them financially, and kept them from living paycheck to paycheck. Most with side hustles (57%) had savings equal to at least four months of living expenses.
The survey also found that, for younger side hustlers, a way to an extra income doubles as a path to becoming more employable. 44% of Gen Z (born between 1997 and 2012) choose to start a side hustle in order to obtain skills for long-term careers, much higher than the overall 18% of Americans who started a side hustle with the same motivation.
Quicken conducted the survey online, gathering responses from more than 1,000 Americans.
Additional research on side hustles, released in August by NEXT Insurance, showed that three out of five people bring in less than $1,000 monthly in side income, while 22% make $1,000 to $10,000 a month, and 15% make more than $10,000.
Related: Starting a Side Hustle Should Come With a Warning Label — Here’s What You Need to Know
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