Monetizing Your Vlog: Ads, Affiliates, Sponsors and Beyond

Introduction

Top vlogs transform passion into profits. But be patient – ad revenues and brand sponsorships come after building a sizable, loyal viewership.

This comprehensive guide covers proven vlog monetization strategies beyond adsense alone. We’ll explore:

• Enrolling in partner programs
• Integrating affiliate links
• Selling merchandise
• Creating sponsored content
• Building individual donor support
• Offering channel memberships
• Licensing content rights
• Diversifying income streams
• Tracking metrics for optimization

Done right, vlogging pays – but only after providing real value to an engaged audience. Let’s dive into turning your vlog into a business!

Enrolling in YouTube Partner and Other Programs

Monetized content starts with becoming an approved content partner.

Check YouTube Partner Program Requirements

Meet minimum YouTube subscribers, watch time, and community guideline compliance.

Apply for the Program

Submit an application describing your channel focus and capabilities.

Get Approved

Receive email confirmation that your channel is now enabled for monetization features.

Understand Revenue Splits

YouTube typically keeps 45% of ad revenue, leaving you with 55% of earnings.

Set Up AdSense

Link a Google AdSense account to collect your YouTube earnings share.

Enable Channel Monetization

Turn on capabilities like video ads and fan funding in Creator Studio settings.

Consider Alternate Partners

Platforms like Vimeo and Patreon also offer monetization programs, though smaller reach.

Integrating Affiliate Links and Promotions

Referral programs reward vloggers for promoting partners.

Find Relevant Affiliate Programs

Vet programs related to your niche with generous commission structures.

Join Networks

Affiliate networks like Rakuten collate partners in one dashboard.

Create Tracked Affiliate Links

Partners provide unique tagged links that credit referred sales to you.

Disclose Affiliations

Always disclose affiliate relationships verbally and in descriptions to provide transparency.

Overlay Links Visually

Edit affiliate links over relevant mentions or products featured rather than just descriptions.

Give Honest Reviews

Avoid hype – provide objective evaluations so recommendations stay credible.

Promote Timely Deals

Highlight affiliate sales, coupons and limited-time offers in seasonal videos when relevant.

Selling Custom Merchandise

Branded products engage fans while providing additional income.

Design Artwork

Create t-shirt, phone case and other product designs reflecting your personal brand.

Choose Print on Demand Fulfillment

POD companies like Teespring handle orders so you don’t stock inventory.

Set Up Online Shop

Use platforms like Shopify to open an ecommerce shop with merch that integrates with videos.

Promote on Social Media

Share new merch arrivals on your social accounts and offer limited discounts.

Give Sneak Peaks

Show off new products in videos first to build demand before sales launch.

Reward Top Fans

Gift small batches of free exclusive merchandise to select supporters.

Feature Fan Submissions

Sell merchandise incorporating fan art and designs to increase perceived ownership.

Creating Sponsored Integrations and Brand Deals

Paid brand sponsorships provide recurring revenue but tread carefully.

Only Feature Relevant Sponsors

Ensure sponsor alignment with your niche and credibility – no random products.

Cap Mentions

Keep sponsor mentions brief and natural within videos to avoid detracting from core content.

Disclose Sponsorships Visually

Include sponsor tags and captions identifying paid promotions transparently.

Agree to Guidelines

Review brand’s guidelines thoroughly and steer clear of controversial messaging alongside sponsors.

Require Approval Authority

Secure right to approve video edits and messaging before publication to protect your reputation.

Space Deals Apart

Avoid bombarding viewers with multiple sponsors in every video. Spread integrations out.

Offer Adjacent Placements

Suggest sponsors support videos through pre-roll/mid-roll ads vs. shoehorned product mentions.

Building Individual Donor Support

Loyal fans may provide direct funding in thanks for the value you provide them.

Open Donation Channels

Platforms like Patreon allow fans to sign up for ongoing monthly donations to your channel.

Offer Exclusive Content

Provide members-only bonus videos, livestreams, and discord access reserved for donors.

Recognize Top Supporters

Thank repeat large donors by name in credits or end screens.

Be Transparent on Use of Funds

Share exactly how additional patron funding will be used to improve your content.

Provide Behind the Scenes Access

Let backers see work-in-progress cuts and suggest video ideas to make them feel involved.

Spotlight New Supporters

Read out and celebrate new patrons during live streams.

Offer Real-World Gatherings

For high tiers, offer in-person meetups or dinner with supporters while traveling.

Offering Paid Channel Memberships

Channel memberships provide recurring income while strengthening community.

Provide Emotes and Badges

Members gain access to custom emoji and flashy badges for live chat identification.

Give Behind the Scenes Content

Entice with exclusive Making Of videos, bloopers, scripts and other insider content.

Offer Members-Only Livestreams

Host special live events, panels and Q&As exclusively for paid members.

Monetize Community Access

Gate access to private discord servers or forums for paying members only.

Remove Ads

Provide an ad-free viewing experience for paying members.

List Member Names

Feature a crawl of member names as credit in videos to show value.

Offer Discounts on Merch

Incentivize signing up with discounts on your other branded merchandise.

Licensing Your Content

Earn royalties by licensing your back catalog footage.

Join a Stock Agency

Stock video marketplaces like Pond5 simplify licensing your footage to third parties.

Tag Clips

Apply thorough descriptive tagging so clips show in relevant searches.

Title Universally

Use general titles like “Person hugging dog” rather than your personalized titles for discoverability.

Offer Variety

More diverse clips spread usage potential to corporate projects, ads and more.

Craft Stock Exclusives

Shoot clips specifically for licensing like aerials, nature shots, cityscapes.

Retain Rights

Only license usage rights rather than fully sign away IP for recurring revenue.

Negotiate Rates

Typically charge $30-$100+ based on video quality, uniqueness and rarity.

Diversifying Monetization Streams

Avoid relying on a single revenue channel. Experiment with mix and match options.

• YouTube ads
• Affiliate commissions
• Selling own merchandise
• Sponsors and brand deals
• Crowdfunding and donations
• Channel memberships
• Licensing back catalog footage
• Consulting and coaching services
• Podcast ad reads and sponsorships
• Dropshipping niche products
• Writing and publishing niche eBooks

Having multiple monetization pillars provides stability if any one fluctuates. Spread risk.

Tracking Performance Metrics and Monetization

Key datapoints reveal the health and potential of monetization efforts. Monitor:

• Ad CPM rates
• Sponsorship and licensing deal terms
• Merch profit margins
• Affiliate conversion and commission rates
• Membership and patron counts
• Lifetime value of high-value fans
• Ad blocker usage impacts
• Channel earnings per 1k views
• Cross-revenue stream synergies

Conclusion

Building a community precedesProfit comes after engaging viewers. Keep these tips in mind:

• Enroll in partner programs once eligible
• Ethically integrate affiliates and merchandise
• Be selective with paid sponsors and brand deals
• Develop diverse income streams beyond ads alone
• Provide real value to fans that optionally gives back
• Analyze metrics to optimize monetization performance

With creativity and authenticity, vlogging passions can transform into meaningful income sources over time by providing value to your niche.