There is no set average figure that small YouTubers make as different factors come into play when a channel is monetised.
We all know that some YouTubers make millions of dollars through their channels. However, this is based on their large following in terms of the amount of subscribers that they have on the channel, which also allows them to diversify their streams of income.
What is less discussed is how much smaller YouTubers make. This is based on the fact that it is way less than the substantial amounts that the biggest YouTubers earn.
Moreover, the amount is not universal as other factors come into play like whether the videos are sponsored, whether the channel has a Patreon button, or if the channel holder is already releasing merchandise.
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What qualifies as a “small” YouTuber?
Like in the world of influencers and social media, YouTubers are categorised by the number of subscribers that they have to gauge whether they are a micro, macro, or mega YouTubers. This categorisation comes into play when creators are attempting to find sponsors or brand partners to work with.
A small or micro YouTuber’s channel is monetised, but it has less than 20 000 subscribers. It is when a channel earns more than 20 000, that it becomes more attractive to brand deals that are looking to target niche markets.
How much does the average small YouTuber make?
There is currently no fixed amount or average that small YouTubers make from their channels. This is as there are other factors that affect how much each small YouTuber earns from their channel after they have been monetised.
Therefore, the first step to earning money as a small YouTuber is getting monetised. In order to be monetised by YouTube, a YouTuber must have over 1 000 subscribers and 4 000 viewed hours on the channel.
Thereafter, you can earn anywhere between $1 and $5 cost per mile (CPM). CPM is the estimated amount between $1 and $5 for every thousand views earned.
Additionally, once your channel is monetised, you can earn money from AdSense. AdSense, which is a company that Google owns, also refers to the money earned from placing adverts in your videos.
Not only do you earn money from the five seconds that viewers are forced to watch the ad until they can click on “skip ad”, but they also earn more money if the entire video is watched and if the viewer clicks on the affiliate link shared.
It is estimated that similarly to CPMs for views, small YouTubers can earn between $1 and $4 for each 1000 impressions made on YouTube ads.
It is important to note, therefore, that the earnings may not be enough to make monthly withdrawals in this time, since AdSense only makes monthly payments of over $100.
Therefore, if you have not reached this amount, it will be carried into the next month until you have earned more than $100 to get your pay-out.
But there are other ways to boost your revenue as a small YouTuber, including:
1. Patreon
Patreon is a membership platform which was created in 2013 and the use of the Patreon button on YouTube has become one of the most efficient ways for creators to earn money, while building a close niche following aside from the subscribers they have.
The feature allows small YouTubers to build a community by offering its Patreon members exclusive video releases, members-only live streams, and discord groups, to name a few.
In return, they can make monthly donations directly to the channel holder to help them cover production costs or monthly bills, in the hopes they can create more quality YouTube content.
2. YouTube sponsorship
This is the most effective way to earn high revenue if you are a small YouTube channel with high returns. An example is getting a clothing or hair brand deal to sponsor (a) video(s).
This not only helps with earning the small YouTuber revenue, but it means that the brand will also promote your channel or video, which often creates more traffic to your videos.
More traffic means that primary earnings from AdSense will increase as more people will have watched your video.
This should emphasise the importance of having many views and being patient about growing your subscription organically after being monetised.
3. Customised merchandise
The decision to create customised merchandise in support of your channel and as a means to earn more revenue is trickier than the two previous tips.
This is as it will require spending money, trusting the loyalty and support of your subscribers, and trusting that they will buy the merchandise.
This fact is not considered by mega YouTubers, who earn millions of dollars from their merchandise lines due the substantial amount of loyal subscribers that they have on YouTube.