10 Ways to Monetize Your YouTube Channel Beyond AdSense

AdSense is great, but it’s not enough. If you’re relying solely on ad revenue, you’re leaving money on the table—and you’re vulnerable to algorithm changes.

Glidee.ai’s Monetization feature maps out 10 revenue streams tailored to your channel. Here’s how each one works.

1. AdSense (The Foundation)

What it is: YouTube pays you based on ad views and clicks.

Best for: Channels with 100K+ monthly views.

How to optimize:

• Longer videos (8+ minutes) allow mid-roll ads
• High CPM niches (finance, tech, business)
• Consistent upload schedule

Glidee.ai tip: Our Analytics & Revenue feature shows which topics drive the highest RPM, so you can double down on profitable content.

2. Affiliate Marketing

What it is: Earn commissions by recommending products.

Best for: Review channels, tutorial channels, niche experts.

How to start:

• Join Amazon Associates, ShareASale, or niche programs
• Add affiliate links in descriptions
• Disclose partnerships clearly

Example: A tech reviewer earning $5,000/month from Amazon links on a 50K subscriber channel.

Glidee.ai tip: Use Saved Ideas to track products your audience asks about, then create dedicated review videos.

3. Digital Products

What it is: Sell courses, templates, presets, or guides.

Best for: Educators, designers, photographers, coaches.

How to start:

• Identify your audience’s biggest pain point
• Create a solution (course, template, checklist)
• Sell via Gumroad, Teachable, or your website

Example: A photography channel selling Lightroom presets for $29, earning $3,000/month with 20K subscribers.

Glidee.ai tip: Video Planner helps you structure course content that mirrors your most popular video formats.

4. Memberships (YouTube or Patreon)

What it is: Fans pay monthly for exclusive perks.

Best for: Channels with engaged, loyal audiences.

How to start:

• Enable YouTube Memberships (requires 30K+ subs)
• Or use Patreon (no subscriber minimum)
• Offer exclusive content, early access, or community

Example: A gaming channel with 5,000 Patreon members at $5/month = $25,000/month.

Glidee.ai tip: Daily Feed shows what your audience is most engaged with—use that to create member-exclusive content.

5. Sponsorships & Brand Deals

What it is: Brands pay you to feature their products.

Best for: Channels with 10K+ engaged subscribers.

How to start:

• Create a media kit (audience demographics, engagement rates)
• Reach out to brands in your niche
• Or use platforms like AspireIQ, Grapevine, or FameBit

Example: A fitness channel with 50K subs earning $1,000-$5,000 per sponsored video.

Glidee.ai tip: Brand Collabs feature helps you discover brands that match your audience and provides pitch kit templates.

6. Merchandise

What it is: Sell branded products (t-shirts, mugs, stickers).

Best for: Channels with strong brand identity and catchphrases.

How to start:

• Use print-on-demand services (Printful, Teespring)
• Enable YouTube’s merch shelf
• Promote in videos and community posts

Example: A comedy channel selling catchphrase t-shirts, earning $2,000/month.

Glidee.ai tip: Competition Analysis shows what merch similar channels are selling successfully.

7. Coaching & Consulting

What it is: Offer 1-on-1 or group coaching sessions.

Best for: Experts in business, fitness, marketing, or personal development.

How to start:

• Create a booking page (Calendly, Acuity)
• Offer free discovery calls
• Charge $100-$500+ per session

Example: A business coach with 15K subs earning $10,000/month from 20 clients.

Glidee.ai tip: Use Recommendations to identify topics where your audience needs the most help.

8. Live Events & Workshops

What it is: Host in-person or virtual events.

Best for: Channels with local or highly engaged audiences.

How to start:

• Start with virtual workshops (Zoom, Crowdcast)
• Charge $50-$500 per ticket
• Scale to in-person events as you grow

Example: A cooking channel hosting monthly virtual cooking classes at $49/ticket with 50 attendees = $2,450/event.

Glidee.ai tip: Audience Pulse shows when your viewers are most active—schedule events accordingly.

9. Licensing Your Content

What it is: Sell your footage to media companies, brands, or stock sites.

Best for: Channels with unique, high-quality footage (travel, nature, events).

How to start:

• Upload to stock sites (Shutterstock, Pond5)
• Reach out to media companies directly
• Charge $50-$5,000+ per clip

Example: A travel vlogger earning $1,000/month from licensing drone footage.

Glidee.ai tip: Analytics & Revenue tracks which videos get the most engagement—those are your licensing goldmines.

10. Services (Freelancing)

What it is: Offer your skills as a service (editing, design, consulting).

Best for: Channels that showcase your expertise.

How to start:

• Add a “Work with me” page to your website
• Showcase your best work in videos
• Charge $500-$10,000+ per project

Example: A video editing channel offering editing services, earning $5,000/month from 3-5 clients.

Glidee.ai tip: EditLabs showcases your editing skills—use it to demonstrate your expertise to potential clients.

How to Choose Your Revenue Streams

Start with 2-3 streams that align with your:

1. Audience size: Smaller channels → digital products, coaching. Larger channels → sponsorships, merch.
2. Content type: Tutorials → courses. Reviews → affiliates. Entertainment → memberships.
3. Time availability: Passive income (affiliates, digital products) vs. active income (coaching, services).

Your Monetization Roadmap

Phase 1: Foundation (0-10K subs)

• AdSense
• Affiliate marketing
• Digital products (small)

Phase 2: Growth (10K-100K subs)

• Sponsorships
• Memberships
• Coaching/consulting

Phase 3: Scale (100K+ subs)

• Merchandise
• Live events
• Licensing
• Services (high-ticket)

Next Steps

1. Open Glidee.ai’s Monetization feature
2. See which revenue streams fit your channel
3. Pick 2-3 to implement this quarter
4. Track results and iterate

Ready to diversify your income? Explore Glidee.ai’s Monetization playbooks and get personalized recommendations for your channel.

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Related: Learn how to use Competition Analysis to see what revenue streams similar channels are using successfully.