Published August 10, 2025 by

7 Steps to Make Money in YouTube Without Subscribers

Are you ready to start your journey as a YouTube creator? Many people think you need a million subscribers to make money. The truth is, you can start to make money in YouTube without subscribers right now. This guide will show you how to build a revenue stream from your videos, even if your channel is small.

Make Money in YouTube Without Subscribers

The Foundation - Understanding the YouTube Landscape

You don't need to be a part of the YouTube Partner Program to earn income from your videos. This is because there are many ways to monetize your content that do not depend on ad revenue. These other strategies are often more profitable for small creators anyway. They let you build a real business based on your content.

One of the best methods is affiliate marketing. You promote products you love and put special links in your video descriptions. When someone buys something using your link, you earn a commission. This strategy works well because it focuses on a small, loyal audience. You can get more information on how to monetize your content with this method, especially if you want to know about the 15 proven strategies to make money in YouTube in general. A highly targeted video can get great results, even with low views.

Another great way to earn money is by selling your own products. These can be physical items like T-shirts or digital items like e-books and online courses. Selling your own products is a powerful way to monetize your skills and knowledge. Your audience buys these products because they trust you and want to support your work.

You can also get sponsorships and brand deals. Brands will pay you to talk about their products in your videos. They don't always care about your subscriber count. Instead, they look at your engagement and whether your viewers match their customers. The right brand partnership can lead to a lot of revenue.

Some creators even license their content to media companies. If your video goes viral or captures an important event, news outlets may pay you to use it. This is a one-time payment that has nothing to do with your audience size. It is all about the value of the video itself.

Finally, a popular way to get started is with fan funding. Platforms like Patreon and Ko-Fi let your biggest fans give you money each month. They get special perks in return, like exclusive videos. This creates a strong community and a stable source of income. It shows that your most loyal viewers are willing to support you directly. You can find information about what mistakes to avoid when earning YouTube money from your content creation. Another excellent opportunity for new channels is the YouTube Shorts Fund, which rewards creators for viral short videos. Learn more about how to earn YouTube money with Shorts and how to boost your income through this program.

These strategies prove that you don't need to wait for a large following to make money in YouTube without subscribers. The revenue potential is there from the very beginning.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Find Your Niche and Target Audience

 The very first thing you must do is pick a specific niche. Don't try to make videos for everyone. Instead, focus on a single topic you know a lot about. This could be cooking, gaming, or even building models.

Next, you need to think about your target audience. Who is the person you are making videos for? What do they want to learn or see? Knowing your viewer helps you make videos they will love.

Step 2: Create High-Value, Problem-Solving Content

Once you know your niche, start making videos that help people. Think about the common problems in your area of interest. Create videos that offer clear, helpful solutions. Your goal is to make videos that people are actively searching for.

Make sure your videos are high quality. Even simple videos look better with good lighting and clear sound. This makes people want to watch more of your content and can lead to a bigger audience.

Step 3: Integrate Affiliate Marketing Strategically

Find products that fit your content and that your audience would like. Sign up for affiliate programs for those products. Make a list of the items you use and recommend in your videos.

Be sure to tell your viewers that they can find links in the video description. This is your call-to-action. When a viewer trusts you and clicks that link, you start to make money in YouTube without subscribers.

Step 4: Develop and Sell Your Own Products

Think about what kind of digital product you can create. This could be a recipe book, a guide, or even a short video course. These products are easy to make and sell online. They let you monetize your knowledge directly.

Use your videos to talk about your products in a natural way. For example, if you are showing how to draw, you could offer a drawing guide for sale. This turns your channel into a real business.

Step 5: Pitch Brands for Sponsorships

Find brands that are a perfect fit for your channel. Look for companies that sell products your audience would be interested in. Create a simple document that shows your channel's stats and how many people watch your videos.

Send an email to the brand with your ideas for a video. Explain why a sponsorship with you would be good for them. You might be surprised to find that many companies want to work with small creators just like you.

Step 6: Drive External Traffic to Your Videos

Do not only rely on YouTube to bring you viewers. Share your videos on other websites and social media platforms. Post a link to your new video on Facebook, TikTok, or Twitter.

This is a great way to bring new people to your channel. More traffic means more chances to make money in YouTube without subscribers. This can also help your videos get more views on YouTube itself.

Step 7: Build a Community and Foster Loyalty

The people who watch your videos are your most important asset. Talk to them in the comment section. Ask them questions and listen to their ideas. A strong community will support you no matter how small your channel is.

Consider starting a newsletter or a group chat for your most loyal fans. Giving them a special place to connect makes them feel important. A loyal community is the foundation of any successful business.

Final Thoughts

Making money on YouTube is not just about having a high subscriber count. It is about understanding that a small, dedicated audience is worth more than a huge, unengaged one. The foundation of your business is the value you provide.

Focus on being helpful and authentic, and the revenue will follow. Don't compare your channel to others. Stay patient, keep creating, and you can make money in YouTube without subscribers by following these steps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can you make money on YouTube with 0 subscribers? 

A1: Yes, you can make money on YouTube with 0 subscribers. You can use methods like affiliate marketing, selling your own products, or getting sponsorships that don't depend on having a large subscriber count.

Q2: How much money do YouTubers with 1,000 subscribers make? 

A2: YouTubers with 1,000 subscribers often earn a small amount from ads, but they make much more through monetization methods like brand deals, fan funding, and affiliate marketing. Their revenue can vary a lot.

Q3: What are the requirements to be paid by YouTube? 

A3: To be paid directly by YouTube through ads, you need to be a member of the YouTube Partner Program. This requires meeting specific channel goals, like having a certain number of subscribers and watch hours.