How much money I make on YouTube with 10k subscribers | analytics & monetization journey

Introduction

In this article, I’ll share my personal journey on YouTube, detailing how I monetized my channel and how much I earned, even with fewer than 10,000 subscribers. You might be surprised to learn that you don't need a massive audience to generate revenue online. Let’s dive into the details.

The Journey to 1,000 Subscribers

When I launched my YouTube channel, I expected it might take me between 6 to 12 months to reach my first 1,000 subscribers. I aimed to upload one video per week, and within the first month, I had released a trailer and several videos, gaining about 190 subscribers. It’s important to note that I leveraged my pre-existing audience from my business, Whitten Wire, by sharing my channel with my email list. This initial push helped me gain traction quickly.

I reached my first 1,000 subscribers on April 21, 2022, which meant it took 5 months and 9 days to hit this milestone. By this point, I had published 21 videos. Interestingly, during a gap between videos, my subscriber count continued to grow. This underscored for me the long-term potential of YouTube to reach new audiences, demonstrating that my videos could sustain interest even without new content.

Monetizing my Channel

To monetize on YouTube, you need to meet two criteria: 1) at least 1,000 subscribers and 2) either 4,000 watch hours or 10 million views on Shorts. I hit 1,000 subscribers in April 2022 and reached the watch hour mark on July 11, 2022. It took me 9 months and 22 days to be eligible for the YouTube Partner program.

After submitting my application, I was able to start earning on July 15, 2022. My first earnings amounted to a modest $ 2.34. In my first 30 days as part of the YouTube Partner Program, I generated approximately $ 225.43 from ads with nearly 750 hours of total watch time, averaging about $ 6 to $ 10 daily.

I want to emphasize that indirect monetization strategies are where I’ve seen most of my success. Using YouTube as a marketing channel, I had the opportunity to sell my own products and services. From the time of my channel launch until around 10,000 subscribers, I earned approximately $ 225,000 through my business endeavors outside of YouTube ad revenue.

Hitting the 10,000 Subscriber Mark

On September 12, 2023, I finally reached the landmark of 10,000 subscribers—almost two years after launching my channel. This journey included releasing a total of 35 videos during that time. It’s worth mentioning that my growth was slower than what most experts would recommend, who often suggest posting a video weekly.

Upon hitting 10,000 subscribers, my revenue from YouTube ads was pleasantly surprising, totaling around $ 4,875 by that time. While I recognize my niche in the online business space tends to attract advertisers, this figure reaffirms that you can earn meaningful money with a relatively small audience.

Over the entire duration from my channel's launch to reaching 10,000 subscribers, I earned approximately $ 483,000 from online courses, digital products, workshops, and limited services.

Key Takeaways

1. Keyword Research: Utilize keyword-based research to create videos that your target audience is searching for. Using tools like VidIQ or TubeBuddy can significantly help in determining the right topics.

2. Long-lasting Content: Consider starting a YouTube channel if you’re a course creator. Videos have a long shelf life and continue attracting viewers and potential customers over time.

3. Calls to Action Beyond YouTube: Don't only ask viewers to subscribe; instead, provide value with the call to action by promoting free resources or low-ticket offers to deepen the relationship.

If you're interested in starting or enhancing your online business through YouTube, focus on creating quality content, understanding your audience, and leveraging indirect monetization.

Keywords

• YouTube monetization
• Subscribers
• Ad revenue
• Elearning
• Online courses
• Indirect monetization
• Audience growth
• Keyword research
• Content marketing

FAQ

Q1: How long did it take to reach 1,000 subscribers on YouTube?
A1: It took 5 months and 9 days to reach my first 1,000 subscribers.

Q2: How long did it take to monetize the channel?
A2: From launching the channel to being invited to the YouTube Partner Program, it took just under 10 months.

Q3: How much money did you earn by the time you hit 10,000 subscribers?
A3: By the time I reached 10,000 subscribers, I earned approximately $ 4,875 directly from YouTube ads.

Q4: What is indirect monetization and how does it work?
A4: Indirect monetization refers to earning money through selling products or services rather than directly from ad revenue. It can include online courses, digital products, or affiliate marketing.

Q5: Do you recommend starting a YouTube channel for business owners?
A5: Yes, especially for online course creators, as video content can help build trust and has long-lasting impacts in driving traffic and leads to your business.