How to Set Up a YouTube Channel and Get Monetized Faster

⭐ Overall Ranking: 4.5/5

• Money-Making Opportunity: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
  Potential for ad revenue, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing.

• Level of Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3/5)
  Requires consistent effort and content creation strategy.

• Cost: ⭐⭐☆☆☆ (2/5)
  Free to start, but paid promotions can accelerate growth.

• Time Investment: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
  Expect to upload 30-60 videos before gaining traction.

• Scalability: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
  Content remains evergreen, generating revenue long-term.

The Fastest Way to Get Monetized on YouTube

To qualify for YouTube’s Partner Program and start earning ad revenue, you must meet these benchmarks:

✅ 1,000 subscribers
✅ 4,000 hours of watch time in the last 12 months OR 10 million public Shorts views in the last 90 days
✅ Follow YouTube’s monetization policies and have an AdSense account

This can take time, but with smart strategies, you can reach these thresholds faster.

There’s a lot of information online claiming that promoted subscribers don’t contribute to your channel’s monetization goals. However, in our experience, we’ve found that it doesn’t make a difference.

We drove 453 subscribers to our channel through the promotions tab for £20.23.

Top Tip: Use the YouTube Promotions Tab

Many creators rely solely on organic traffic, but a hidden growth hack is YouTube’s Promotions tab (formerly Google Ads for YouTube).

• Promote your best-performing videos to targeted audiences.

• Optimize your videos for subscriber growth rather than just views.

• Leverage YouTube’s algorithm to push your content to engaged viewers.

This method can fast-track you to the monetization threshold in a fraction of the time.

Step-by-Step Guide to Growing Your Channel

1. Choose Your Niche Wisely

Not all niches are created equal. If you want to make money faster, focus on high CPM (Cost Per Mille) niches, such as:

• Make Money Online

• Finance & Investing

• Health & Fitness

• Tech & Gadgets

• Luxury & Real Estate

• Videos that get a lot of watch time

These topics attract higher-paying advertisers, meaning you’ll make more per 1,000 views.

Below we’re getting 17.10 CPM’s ( cost per 1000 views)

2. Create Content Without Filming Yourself

You don’t have to be on camera to make money on YouTube. Use these content types:

• Stock Footage Channels (e.g., Brainy Dose, Body Hub) – Use free stock sites like Pixabay, Pexels, Storyblocks.

• Whiteboard Animations – Use tools like VideoScribe.

• Faceless Compilation Videos – Edit using InVideo or VEED.IO.

• AI-Generated Voiceovers – Leverage Descript or ElevenLabs for narration.

3. Monetize Your Channel from Day One

Waiting to hit 1,000 subscribers isn’t necessary. Start earning immediately with affiliate marketing:

• Sign up for ClickBank, Digistore24, or Amazon Associates.

• Choose a high-ticket product ($250+ commission per sale).

• Place affiliate links in video descriptions.

• Create content tailored to the product (e.g., "Best Tools for X").

This strategy allows you to generate revenue before YouTube ads kick in.

4. Upload Consistently (30-60 Videos Minimum)

YouTube favors consistent creators. Aim to:

• Upload 3+ videos per week.

• Track performance using YouTube Analytics.

• Improve click-through rates (CTR) by testing thumbnails.

5. Optimize for Growth (Analytics-Driven Approach)

• Study Audience Retention Graphs – Cut what causes drop-offs.

• Track CTR (Click-Through Rate) – If it’s below your average, change the thumbnail.

• Adjust Titles & Descriptions – Include high-traffic keywords.

Bonus Tips from YouTube Success Stories

💡 Promote High-Value Products – Avoid low-paying Amazon links; instead, promote digital courses or software. 💡 

Engage with Comments – Boost watch time by interacting with your audience. 💡 

Leverage YouTube Shorts – Shorts help grow subscribers faster, getting you monetized quicker. 💡 

Don’t Give Up – Most channels take 30-60 videos before gaining traction.

Below is the breakdown of earning types on our channel.

Final Thoughts

Monetizing a YouTube channel is a long-term game, but with the right approach, you can reach YouTube’s monetization requirements much faster.

By leveraging YouTube’s Promotions tab, affiliate marketing, and high-value niches, you can build a profitable channel without waiting for ad revenue.

It took us around 3 months to get monitized with the paid promotion technique ticking us over the top the final week.