This 1 tiny YouTube channel made me $600k without Ads or sponsors

Introduction

YouTube has become an integral platform for content creators to monetize their skills and knowledge. Many aspiring YouTubers might believe that a large audience is essential to make any considerable income from their channels. However, I’m here to break that myth. In this article, I will share the story of how I managed to generate over $ 600,000 from a small YouTube channel with under 177,000 subscribers and fewer than 160 videos, all without relying on ads or sponsorships.

The Origin of the Channel

The channel in question is called "New Portrait Biz," which I started with my wife more than 15 years ago when we were both photographers learning the ropes of online business. Despite being in a super niche within a larger niche, we created videos that catered specifically to those interested in photography business techniques, primarily using digital backgrounds and Photoshop tips.

At its peak, the channel had around 16,200 subscribers and 151 videos. It's important to note that although views on some videos reached tens of thousands, the channel was never monetized through YouTube AdSense, as ads weren’t even a consideration for us back then.

Monetization Strategies

The key to our financial success hinged on a few critical strategies that I will break down for you:

Identifying the Niche: We found a very specific niche in the photography field. By going deeper into our niche, we were able to attract a targeted audience eager for specialized information and support.
Getting Attention: The videos we posted were designed to help viewers learn and improve their skills. Each video demonstrated our personalities and encapsulated our teaching methods while ensuring that we were delivering value.
Building an Email List: Crucially, we made it a priority to capture email addresses. By doing so, we could nurture relationships with our audience over time, leading them to future offerings.
Making Offers: We didn't hesitate to make offers to our subscribers. These could be in the form of digital products, phototography courses, or subscription memberships. For example, we created a monthly membership for $ 9.95, which attracted over 1,200 paying members, contributing significantly to our income.
Selling Courses: We also sold courses that were tailored to the needs of our email list. This approach allowed us to generate substantial revenue, adding to our overall earnings.

Ongoing Success

Even today, the approach I took with "New Portrait Biz" informs my current ventures, such as my second channel "Brand Creators," which has brought in multiple seven figures using the same strategies. The "Live Video School" channel I now operate is also based on these principles, focusing on building relationships first before monetizing.

In summary, my small YouTube channel thrived through a clear understanding of my niche, a commitment to helping my audience, and a focus on building an email list rather than relying on ads or sponsorships.

Keywords

YouTube
Monetization
Email list
Niche
Photography
Courses
Membership
Affiliate marketing
Digital products

FAQ

Q: How did you make money from your YouTube channel without ads?
A: I monetized through an email list by offering courses, memberships, and digital products related to my niche.

Q: How many subscribers did your channel have when you made $ 600,000?
A: My channel had roughly 16,200 subscribers at that time.

Q: What was the main focus of your YouTube channel?
A: My channel focused on helping photographers with techniques for using digital backgrounds and Photoshop tips.

Q: Is it necessary to have a large audience on YouTube to be successful?
A: No, a small, engaged audience in a specific niche can be just as profitable, if not more so, than a larger but less targeted one.

Q: What could someone do to start building their own successful YouTube channel?
A: Identify a niche, provide valuable content, build an email list, and make relevant offers to your audience over time.