YouTubers are the lifeblood of YouTube. Without the people creating content, YouTube would cease to be. Unfortunately, YouTube has not always remembered that, and the so-called Adpocalypse of 2017 led to bad blood between YouTube and its content creators.
However, YouTube has now unveiled a trio of new ways for YouTubers to make money. And together they represent YouTube looking beyond advertising revenue. Which, given that YouTube is owned by Google, one of the online advertising giants, is important.
YouTube’s New Revenue Streams
In a post on the YouTube Blog, Chief Product Officer, Neal Mohan, explains how YouTube now boasts almost 2 billion users every month. However, YouTube wants content creators to be able to earn a serious crust, which is why YouTube is looking beyond advertising.
New on YouTube!
??Channel Memberships help Creators build community & earn more money
??Merch makes it easier for Creators to sell custom merchandise on their channels
??Premieres records pre-recorded content as a live momenthttps://t.co/KN5mahgv62— YouTube Creators (@YTCreators) June 22, 2018
Channel Memberships are an extension of the existing Sponsorships. Viewers pay $4.99/month to a content creator, and in return get unique badges, new emoji, members-only posts, and “access to unique custom perks offered by creators”.
YouTube is initially limiting Channel Memberships to “eligible channels with more than 100,000 subscribers,” which means you need to be popular before you can cash in. However, YouTube suggests that these requirements may change in the future.
Lots of YouTubers sell merchandise to help bring in some extra cash. However, YouTube is now providing the means to do so directly on the platform. With Merchandise, YouTubers (based in the U.S.) will be able to customize 20 different items from Teespring.
Last but not least is Premieres, which enables YouTubers to debut pre-recorded video as a live moment. This means lots of viewers will be watching simultaneously, allowing creators to use Super Chat (and its tipping system) on traditional uploads for the first time.
YouTubers Bring Home the Bacon
These are all solid ways for YouTubers to bring in extra revenue, and a much-needed shot in the arm for YouTube’s relationship with its partners. And for the rest of us, who merely watch YouTube videos, these should help us connect to the YouTubers we follow.
It should be noted that YouTube isn’t the only game in town, even though everyone is still using YouTube. However, if you have already tried some of the YouTube alternatives before returning to the fold, here are the monetization tactics used by the pros.
Image Credit: Rego Korosi/Flickr
Read the full article: YouTube Adds New Ways for YouTubers to Make Money