How to Earn Money from Your YouTube Channel — (Plus using Adsterra for extra cash)
Turning videos into income is one of the most realistic side hustles today — if you plan, optimize, and diversify revenue streams. In this guide you'll learn how YouTube monetization works today, how Adsterra (an external ad network) can complement your earnings, real example numbers, and practical steps to grow revenue.
1) The YouTube basics — how creators earn
The most common way YouTubers earn is through the YouTube Partner Program (AdSense revenue) — ads that run on your long-form videos and some Shorts revenue depending on eligibility. YouTube’s eligibility thresholds have several paths depending on whether you focus on long-form watch hours or Shorts. For channels aiming at ad revenue from ads served on videos, the standard threshold is 1,000 subscribers plus 4,000 public watch hours in the last 12 months; there are also Shorts-based alternative paths. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
Other ways YouTube pays
- Ad revenue (AdSense split with Google/YouTube).
- Sponsorships and brand deals (direct contracts).
- Channel memberships, Super Chat, merch shelf, affiliate links.
- Platform-specific programs (Shorts revenue & bonuses depending on program changes).
2) Real revenue examples (calculated clearly)
Advertiser pay is usually measured per 1,000 monetized views (RPM/eCPM) — but remember RPM varies by niche, audience country, season, and advertiser demand. For rough planning, many creators see RPMs between about $2–$10 depending on niche and geography (some niches are higher, some lower). :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Example A — Small/starting channel
Monthly views: 100,000 views
If your RPM is:
- $2 RPM: (100,000 / 1,000) × $2 = $200 / month
- $5 RPM: (100,000 / 1,000) × $5 = $500 / month
- $10 RPM: (100,000 / 1,000) × $10 = $1,000 / month
Example B — Growing channel
Monthly views: 1,000,000 views
If your RPM is:
- $2 RPM: (1,000,000 / 1,000) × $2 = $2,000 / month
- $5 RPM: (1,000,000 / 1,000) × $5 = $5,000 / month
- $10 RPM: (1,000,000 / 1,000) × $10 = $10,000 / month
Note: These examples are ad-only estimates. Combine ad income with sponsorships, affiliate deals, and product sales to increase total revenue.
3) Why use Adsterra alongside YouTube?
Adsterra is an independent ad network that publishers use to monetize web traffic and other digital properties (popunders, native, banners, direct links, etc.). If you run a website, blog, or link your video descriptions to landing pages, Adsterra can monetize traffic that doesn’t live on YouTube. It’s especially useful for creators who run companion websites, social traffic, or have downloadable assets. Adsterra reports variable eCPMs by geo and ad format — and highlights high-paying geos and formats on their blog. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Example: Adsterra impressions → revenue
Suppose you have 100,000 impressions on a site monetized through Adsterra and an average effective CPM (eCPM) of $3: (100,000 / 1,000) × $3 = $300. That $300 is incremental income on top of your YouTube ad revenue.
Adsterra also shows flexible pricing models (CPA, CPC, CPM) — which means certain campaigns and audiences may pay more when clicks or conversions happen. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
4) Adsterra payouts & payment methods (what to expect)
Adsterra supports multiple payment methods and has different minimum payout thresholds depending on the payout type:
- Some methods (like Paxum) can have low minimums (e.g., $5), while PayPal/Tether/Bitcoin often require higher thresholds (e.g., $100), and wire transfers might require $1,000. Check your payment method in the dashboard for current minimums and fees. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
5) Practical plan — a step-by-step strategy
- Reach YPP eligibility (choose the path that fits your content: long-form watch hours or Shorts-heavy path). Apply once eligible. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
- Optimize CPM: cover niches that pay well (finance, software, B2B, insurance, some tech & education topics tend to attract higher CPMs). Improve watch time and audience geography (US/UK tends to pay higher CPMs).
- Use Adsterra on companion assets: set up a blog or a resource landing page for your videos, drive traffic there from descriptions and social posts, and monetize with Adsterra for extra income.
- Sell sponsorships: once you have reliable view numbers, reach out to brands or use influencer platforms to get direct deals — these often pay far more than ads.
- Diversify payouts: take small amounts from several revenue streams so a single policy change or algorithm shift doesn’t cut off your entire income.
6) Pitfalls & things to watch out for
- RPM volatility: RPMs fluctuate seasonally and by niche — don’t bank on the maximum RPM every month. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
- Policy compliance: YouTube policies and advertiser rules change; monetize only compliant content to avoid demonetization.
- Traffic quality for ad networks: Adsterra and other networks reward good, engaged traffic — low-quality or bot traffic can reduce rates or cause issues.
- Payment rules: Ad network payout minimums and fees differ by method — check your chosen payout option before relying on it. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
7) Quick checklist before you launch Adsterra + YouTube combo
- Create a simple companion site or landing page for your channel.
- Sign up for Adsterra as a publisher and verify payment options.
- Place appropriate ad formats (test popunders, native, banners) and monitor eCPM by geo.
- Track YouTube RPMs and traffic sources — focus on pages and videos that convert to higher-paying audiences.
- Keep your content policy-safe to secure YouTube monetization and avoid ad restrictions.
Final notes — summary
Short version: YouTube ad revenue can be a steady base; Adsterra is a solid supplementary monetization path for off-YouTube traffic (and for site-based impressions). Combine both, optimize audience geography and niche, and diversify into sponsorships and affiliate offers for the best chance of stable income.
