In 2019, the world of YouTube continues to be a platform where creators can make a substantial income. The rise of online video content has led to the emergence of several highly successful YouTubers who earn millions of dollars annually. In this article, we will explore the top earners on YouTube, based on their revenue streams and popularity.
1) Advertising Partnerships:
One of the primary sources of income for YouTubers is advertising partnerships. These partnerships involve brands paying creators to promote or feature their products in their videos. The revenue generated through sponsored content can be significant, especially for YouTubers with a large subscriber base.
For instance, Ryan Kaji, a 7-year-old YouTuber known for his toy reviews, made $22 million in 2018 through advertising partnerships alone. His channel, “Ryan ToysReview,” has over 21 million subscribers, making it an attractive platform for brands targeting young audiences.
2) Merchandise Sales:
Many YouTubers create and sell their merchandise to their loyal fan base. This can include clothing, accessories, or even exclusive content like books or music albums. By capitalizing on their popularity, these creators can heavily monetize their brand and generate substantial revenue.
Example: PewDiePie, one of the most subscribed YouTubers, has a line of merchandise that includes clothing and accessories adorned with his logo and catchphrases. He reportedly made $12 million in 2018 through merchandise sales.
3) YouTube Premium Revenue:
YouTubers who join the YouTube Partner Program and sign up for YouTube Premium are eligible to receive a portion of the revenue generated through subscription fees paid by YouTube Premium users. The exact amount earned depends on factors such as watch time and engagement.
Philip DeFranco, a popular news commentator on YouTube, has been able to generate a significant income from YouTube Premium revenue, in addition to his advertising earnings. This provides a diversified income stream for creators, reducing reliance on a single source of revenue.
4) Crowdfunding through Patreon:
Patreon is a platform where creators can receive recurring payments from their dedicated fans. YouTubers often offer exclusive content or perks to their Patreon supporters, such as early access to videos or behind-the-scenes footage. This creates a sense of community and provides a reliable income source for content creators.
Creators like CGP Grey utilize Patreon to raise funds for their channels. By doing so, they can continue producing high-quality content without solely relying on traditional advertising revenue.
5) Sponsored Videos:
Sponsored videos differ from advertising partnerships as they involve YouTubers creating content specifically dedicated to promoting a brand or product. These videos often have a clear disclaimer mentioning the sponsorship agreement, ensuring transparency for viewers.
Popular beauty YouTuber Huda Kattan incorporates sponsored videos into her content strategy. By collaborating with beauty brands, she can generate substantial revenue while offering her audience valuable product recommendations and tutorials.
6) Endorsement Deals:
Similar to traditional celebrities, YouTubers are increasingly securing endorsement deals with well-known brands. These deals typically involve the creator promoting the brand’s products or services across various platforms, including their YouTube channel, social media accounts, and websites.
Example: Felix “PewDiePie” Kjellberg partnered with major brands, including Razer and G FUEL, to endorse their products. These deals offer a steady income stream for YouTubers, amplifying their earning potential.
7) Book and TV Deals:
Many successful YouTubers have leveraged their online popularity to secure book and TV deals. These opportunities allow them to branch out into traditional media and further monetize their brand beyond YouTube.
Michelle Phan, a beauty and lifestyle YouTuber, published the book “Make Up: Your Life Guide to Beauty, Style, and Success – Online and Off.” This allowed her to expand her reach beyond her YouTube channel and generate additional income.
8) Affiliate Marketing:
Affiliate marketing involves YouTubers earning a commission for promoting products or services and driving sales through their personalized links. They receive a percentage of the revenue generated when viewers purchase products or sign up for services using their links.
Example: Technology-focused YouTuber Linus Sebastian often includes affiliate links in the description of his videos. This allows him to earn additional income by recommending products to his audience while providing them with convenient purchase options.
9) Live Performances and Events:
Many YouTubers capitalize on their popularity by organizing live performances, such as concerts or stand-up comedy shows. They can sell tickets and merchandise, further monetizing their brand outside of the online realm.
Example: Dan and Phil, known for their comedic content, embarked on a successful worldwide tour called “Interactive Introverts.” This tour allowed them to connect with their fan base and generate substantial revenue through ticket sales and merchandise.
10) Licensing and Royalties:
YouTubers who create original music or other copyrighted content can monetize their work through licensing and royalties. This means that their content may be used in commercials, films, or TV shows, earning them additional income beyond their YouTube channel.
Example: Kurt Hugo Schneider, a musician and producer on YouTube, has had his work featured in commercials for major brands like Coca-Cola and Google. This provides him with a steady stream of income from licensing and royalties.
11) YouTube Red Originals:
YouTubers can also earn income through YouTube Red Originals, which are exclusive series and films available only to YouTube Premium subscribers. These creators are often involved in the production of these shows, and they receive compensation for their participation.
The “Escape the Night” series, created and hosted by Joey Graceffa, became a popular YouTube Red Original. Graceffa not only earned money through sponsorship but also played a central role in the series, further boosting his income.
12) Virtual Gifts and Super Chat:
During live streams or premieres of videos, YouTube offers viewers the option to donate virtual gifts or use the Super Chat feature to highlight their messages. These contributions can directly contribute to a YouTuber’s income during these live events.
Example: Gaming YouTuber Markiplier frequently hosts charity live streams, during which his audience donates virtual gifts and utilizes the Super Chat feature to donate money. This allows him to raise funds for charitable causes while simultaneously increasing his income.
13) Licensing Merchandise to Retailers:
Some YouTubers choose to license their merchandise to retailers, allowing them to reach a broader audience while earning revenue through wholesale purchases. This allows creators to expand their brand beyond their online presence.
Example: Rhett and Link, known for their comedic content on YouTube, have their “Good Mythical Morning” merchandise available in major retail stores like Target. Through wholesale licensing, they can generate income from these sales.
14) Mobile Apps and Games:
Several YouTubers have ventured into mobile app and game development, capitalizing on their strong fan base by creating interactive and engaging experiences for their audience. Revenue is generated through in-app purchases or advertisements.
Example: YouTuber KSI released a mobile game called “KSI Unleashed,” allowing his audience to interact with his persona in a gaming environment. This diversification of his brand provides an additional income source.
15) Brand Collaborations:
Aside from direct advertising partnerships, YouTubers may also collaborate with brands by featuring their products or services in their videos organically. This can be in the form of product reviews, tutorials, or simply showcasing a brand as part of their content.
Example: Lifestyle YouTuber Zoe Sugg, also known as Zoella, has collaborated with numerous brands by featuring their products in her videos. This allows her to generate revenue while simultaneously providing valuable content for her viewers.
Overall, the top-earning YouTubers of 2019 combine several income streams to maximize their revenue. These strategies, such as advertising partnerships, merchandise sales, and brand collaborations, allow them to monetize their content while providing engaging and valuable experiences for their viewers.
References:
1. Forbes: “The Highest-Paid YouTube Stars 2018”
2. Business Insider: “How Much Money YouTubers Make Per View, According to Ryan ToysReview”
3. TubeFilter: “Patreon Fuels… Creators”
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