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The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Making Money on YouTube

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The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Making Money on YouTube

YouTube isn’t just a place to watch funny cat videos or binge vlogs anymore — it’s a goldmine for people who know how to use it right. Whether you’re looking for a side hustle or building a full-on online business, YouTube has something for everyone.

And the best part? You don’t need a million subscribers or a fancy studio setup to get started.

In this no-nonsense, beginner-friendly guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how to make money on YouTube the smart way — without chasing viral fame. I’ve personally tested these strategies, especially with affiliate marketing, and I’ll show you how to replicate the same system that helped me earn serious income from a platform most people only use for entertainment.

Let’s roll.

Why YouTube is a Big Deal for Making Money Online

Let me throw a stat at you real quick — YouTube is the second largest search engine in the world, right after Google. Yup, people use it not just to kill time but to find solutions, watch reviews, learn skills, and research before buying stuff.

That makes it an insanely powerful tool if you want to sell products (your own or someone else’s), build an audience, or promote a service.

And unlike blogging, where Google takes time to rank your content, YouTube can send you traffic the very day you upload a video.

But wait — how exactly do you make money on YouTube?

Here are some of the most popular ways:

  • Affiliate marketing (my personal favorite)
  • YouTube Ads (AdSense)
  • Selling your own product or service
  • Email list building for backend offers
  • Sponsored content and brand deals
  • Merchandise and fan support (Patreon, Super Chats, etc.)

All of these are great, but if you’re just starting out, I recommend focusing on affiliate marketing first.

Why? It requires zero investment to start, is beginner-friendly, and can be very profitable with the right approach.

How to Make Money on YouTube with Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is simple: You promote someone else’s product, and when someone buys through your link, you get a commission.

Here’s a real-life example: My friend made a short video reviewing a hiking backpack. He dropped his affiliate link in the description. That one video brought in a steady stream of clicks and sales — and he didn’t have to deal with inventory or customer service.

Here’s the exact 5-step method I use for affiliate marketing with YouTube:

Step 1: Pick a Profitable Niche

The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Making Money on YouTube

The key is to choose a topic people are already interested in and searching for. Ideally, you want something that:

  • Has a large, passionate audience
  • Offers plenty of products to review or promote
  • Is evergreen (meaning people will still care about it years from now)

A few solid niche examples:

  • Fitness and home workouts
  • Tech and gadgets (e.g. drones, headphones)
  • Outdoor gear (e.g. hiking backpacks, tents)
  • DIY and home improvement
  • Pet care (especially dog training)

Step 2: Find Products to Promote

Once you’ve picked your niche, the next step is to look for affiliate products you can promote.

Places to find affiliate products:

Example: If you choose drones as your niche, head over to Amazon, search “best drones,” and pick a few with solid reviews. Sign up for Amazon Associates and start grabbing those links!

Step 3: Create Value-Packed Video Content

This is where the magic happens.

You don’t need fancy production gear — your smartphone and decent lighting are enough. Focus on giving honest reviews, helpful tips, and clear explanations.

Video ideas that work great:

  • Product reviews
  • Unboxings
  • Top 5 or Top 10 lists
  • Tutorials and how-to guides
  • Comparison videos (e.g. Drone A vs Drone B)

Always drop your affiliate link in the description and say something like:

“Check out the drone I’m reviewing in the description below.”

This small prompt works wonders for click-throughs.

Step 4: Optimize Your Videos for Search

YouTube is a search engine — treat it like one!

SEO Tips:

  • Use your main keyword in the title, description, and tags
  • Add timestamps in the description if your video is long
  • Use an engaging thumbnail
  • Mention the keyword in your spoken content too — YouTube can read that now

For example, a video titled “Top 5 Budget Drones for Beginners (Under $100)” is way more clickable and searchable than just “Drone Review.”

Step 5: Scale the Process

Once you see what kind of videos work for you, double down on them.

Keep making more content in that niche. Review similar products. Do update videos. Create playlists. Cross-promote on your blog or email list.

If one video earns you $50 a month, imagine having 20 of those bringing in passive income month after month. That’s how you build real, sustainable income from YouTube.

Bonus Strategy: Using Your Blog to Boost YouTube Earnings

Here’s a secret not many beginners think about — having a blog + YouTube channel combo is insanely powerful.

Let’s say you review drones on YouTube. Create a blog post for each review, embed the video, and add your affiliate links again.

Why this works:

  • You double your chances of ranking on Google
  • You build authority in your niche
  • You own the blog (YouTube can shut channels down for silly reasons)
  • You can build an email list from your blog

You’re basically creating a spider web of content, links, and traffic sources — all pointing to your affiliate offers.

Selling Your Own Product or Service on YouTube

The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Making Money on YouTube

Already have your own product or want to launch one? YouTube is a killer platform for that too.

Here’s the formula:

  1. Find the target audience your product solves a problem for.
  2. Make videos around that problem or topic.
  3. Mention your product as the solution, and link to the landing page.

Example: You’ve written a weight loss ebook. Make videos on:

  • “Top 5 Myths About Losing Belly Fat”
  • “What I Eat in a Day to Lose Weight”
  • “Why Most Diets Fail (And What Actually Works)”

Then pitch your ebook in the video naturally and direct people to your product page.

Offering Services? YouTube Can Help with That Too

If you provide a service like coaching, consulting, freelancing, or even something niche like legal advice — YouTube is a client magnet.

Let’s say you offer financial consulting. Create videos around:

  • “5 Signs You’re Headed Toward Bankruptcy”
  • “How to Negotiate With Creditors”
  • “Can You Really Fix Bad Credit Fast?”

Then ask viewers to visit your website or fill out a contact form.

These kinds of videos build trust, show authority, and gently push the viewer to take action.

Do You Need Viral Videos to Make Money on YouTube?

Nope. In fact, going viral is overrated for making money.

Here’s why:

  • Viral videos often attract a broad, untargeted audience
  • Niche videos may get fewer views but bring in high-converting traffic
  • It’s better to have 1,000 niche viewers who buy, than 100,000 random ones who don’t

For example, a video with 10,000 views promoting a $50 product (with a 1% conversion rate) could make $5,000. Meanwhile, a viral cat video with 1 million views might only earn $1,000–$2,000 in ad revenue.

You do the math. Focus on intent, not just view counts.

More Tips to Maximize Your YouTube Income

  • Repurpose your videos into blog posts, social media content, or podcast episodes
  • Study your analytics to see what’s working
  • Look at your competitors — not to copy, but to get inspired
  • Always include a call to action (subscribe, check the link, visit your site, etc.)
  • Stay consistent — upload regularly and keep testing

And remember — the first few videos might suck. That’s okay. You get better over time.

Final Thoughts: Start Now, Improve Later

The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Making Money on YouTube

Most people overthink and never start. Don’t be that person.

You don’t need to be a YouTube pro from day one. Start simple. Use your phone. Talk about things you know. Be real. Be helpful.

If you follow the formula I’ve shared here — pick a niche, find good products, make helpful videos, optimize them for search, and be consistent — you’ll start to see results.

And when you do, you’ll realize just how powerful YouTube can be, not just for money, but for building something meaningful.

If you’re already running a blog (like I do here on Your Pocket Matters), pairing it with YouTube will take your online presence to the next level.

So go ahead — create that first video. Your future self will thank you.

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FAQ: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Making Money on YouTube

To make things easier, we’ve put together answers to some of the most frequently asked questions — consider this your mini guide as you kick off your YouTube money-making journey.

Can I really make money on YouTube as a beginner?

Absolutely! You don’t need to be a celebrity or go viral to start earning. As long as you focus on a niche, create helpful or entertaining content, and stay consistent, there are legit ways to earn — like affiliate marketing, brand deals, or ad revenue. Everyone starts somewhere.

How long does it take to start making money on YouTube?

It really depends on your niche, consistency, and strategy. Some creators see results within a few months, others take longer. If you’re combining YouTube with a blog or affiliate marketing, you can start earning even with a small audience.

Do I need thousands of subscribers to make money?

Not at all. While having 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours qualifies you for YouTube’s ad program (YouTube Partner Program), you can start earning through affiliate links, product reviews, or selling your own digital products way before that milestone.

Is affiliate marketing allowed on YouTube?

Yes! It’s totally allowed. Just make sure to disclose affiliate links (you can say something like “This link is an affiliate link, and I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you”). YouTube is a great place to share product reviews, tutorials, or list-style videos that include affiliate products.

What kind of videos should I make to make money?

Start with what you know or enjoy — tech reviews, “how-to” guides, educational content, unboxings, comparisons, or even storytelling in a specific niche. Just make sure it’s something people are actually searching for.

Do I need fancy equipment to start a YouTube channel?

Nope. Your smartphone, some natural light, and a quiet room are enough to get started. As your channel grows, you can gradually invest in better audio and video gear. What really matters in the beginning is content — not equipment.

How do I come up with video ideas that people actually want to watch?

Use YouTube’s search bar to see what people are looking for in your niche. Check out the competition, look at video comments, and use tools like TubeBuddy or VidIQ to find high-demand, low-competition keywords. Also, think like your audience — what would you search for?

Can I use the same strategy for blogging and YouTube?

Yes — and you should! Blogging and YouTube complement each other. You can write a blog post on a topic, turn it into a YouTube video, and link them together. That helps with SEO, drives traffic to both platforms, and increases your overall income potential.

Do I need to show my face on camera?

Not if you’re not comfortable with it. Plenty of successful YouTubers make faceless videos — using voiceovers, screen recordings, animation, or stock footage. It’s all about providing value.

What’s the best niche to make money on YouTube?

The “best” niche is one that’s popular, evergreen, and something you’re passionate or knowledgeable about. Some examples include personal finance, tech, health and fitness, productivity, gaming, and education. Niching down helps you build an audience faster.

The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Making Money on YouTube
Founder & Editor at  | Website

Abhishek started Your Pocket Matters in 2025 to share his personal experiences with money—both the struggles and the successes. From facing significant losses in trading to turning things around and becoming financially independent, he’s learned valuable lessons along the way. Now, he’s here to help you take control of your finances with honest, practical advice—no scams, no gimmicks, just real strategies to build wealth and achieve financial freedom.