Linda Mary is a Nairobi-based Youtuber who vlogs about personal development and lifestyle. She created her YouTube channel in 2020 and has an accumulated viewership of 211 283 views. Her channel was monetized on November 2022.
In a recent video, Linda revealed she had just received her first paycheck of Ksh 12,000 from YouTube. She says she made the money over five months, from November to April. The platform pays when one reaches an income threshold of 70 Euros.
On a breakdown of her earnings, Linda revealed she had made 50 dollars in November, 9 dollars in December, 23 dollars in January, 16 dollars in February, and the same amount in March.
YouTube monetizes videos through advertising, and creators earn a portion of the revenue generated from those ads. The amount of money one can earn from YouTube ads depends on factors such as the number of ad views, ad clicks, the type of ads displayed, and the ad format, among others.
Channels that focus on popular and highly monetizable topics like beauty, gaming, and technology tend to attract more ad revenue. Channels with a specific, engaged audience may also be able to command higher ad rates.
YouTube also offers other monetization features that creators can use to earn money, such as membership programs, merchandise sales, Super Chat, and Super Stickers, used during live streams.
Youtubers can see their earnings through their YouTube studio and Google AdSense accounts. The YouTube studio contains one’s channel’s stats, how many videos they have posted, how many likes they have, comments, and audience analytics.
The highest-paid YouTubers in Kenya include Eve Mungai, who reportedly makes Ksh 1.5 million per month, Njugush, who takes home at least Ksh 1 million per month, and Jalang’o, whose first YouTube paycheck was Ksh 1.8 million.
To become a Youtuber, one starts by creating a Google account. Next, sign in to YouTube and click the “Create a Channel” option. Depending on your needs, you can create a personal or a brand account.
A personal account is tied directly to your Google account, meaning your channel name and profile picture will be the same as your Google account name and profile picture.
This type of account is best suited for individuals who want to create a channel for personal use or share content related to their personal brand.
On the other hand, a brand account allows you to create a channel that is separate from your personal Google account. This type of account is designed for businesses, organizations, or individuals who want to create a YouTube channel that is not tied to personal identity.
Brand accounts allow multiple people to manage the channel, and the channel name and profile picture can be customized separately from the associated Google account. Once you have created your channel, start uploading videos that showcase your interests or expertise.
To monetize your channel, you need to meet YouTube’s Partner Program requirements. This includes having at least 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 hours of watch time in the past 12 months.
Once you meet these requirements, you can apply for monetization by joining the YouTube Partner Program. This program allows you to earn money through ads displayed on your videos.
To increase your chances of earning money from your YouTube channel, you should focus on creating high-quality content that engages your audience. Respond to comments, collaborate with other YouTubers, and promote your channel on social media.
With time and effort, you can grow your channel and turn it into a successful source of income.