Welcome to my article “How to Make Money Online with YouTube Shorts” If you’ve ever found yourself mindlessly scrolling through YouTube Shorts, watching everything from adorable cat videos to bizarre life hacks you’ll never use, you’re not alone. But here’s the kicker—while you’re being entertained (or mildly confused), many creators are cashing in big time. That’s right, YouTube Shorts isn’t just a place for viral clips; it’s a goldmine for making money online. And the best part? You don’t need a Hollywood budget or a fancy camera—just creativity, consistency, and a solid monetization strategy.
With YouTube pushing Shorts as their answer to TikTok and Instagram Reels, they’ve introduced multiple ways to monetize your content. From ad revenue and the YouTube Partner Program to brand deals and affiliate marketing, there’s no shortage of ways to turn bite-sized videos into big bucks. Whether you’re a newbie content creator or someone looking to maximize your online earnings, this guide will break down exactly how you can start making money with YouTube Shorts—without having to master complicated editing software or dance on camera (unless that’s your thing). Let’s dive in!
Access Our Proven Tested Formula for $50-$100 Daily Income – Watch This FREE Video >>
Joining the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) for Shorts Monetization
If you’ve ever dreamed of making money by posting short, snappy videos, then the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) is your golden ticket. Think of it as YouTube’s VIP club—except instead of velvet ropes and bouncers, there are eligibility requirements and monetization perks. But don’t worry, getting in isn’t as hard as sneaking into an exclusive party; it just takes a little strategy and consistency.
To qualify for YPP with Shorts, you’ll need either 1,000 subscribers and 10 million valid public Shorts views in the last 90 days or meet the standard YouTube monetization criteria (1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours on long-form content). Once you hit these milestones, you can apply, and if accepted, you’ll start earning from ads shown between Shorts in the Shorts Feed. Yep, YouTube is literally paying you for keeping people glued to their screens.
But that’s not all! Being part of YPP also unlocks Super Thanks, Super Chats, and Channel Memberships, allowing your fans to support you directly. So, whether you’re making hilarious skits, educational bite-sized content, or just vibing with your audience, YPP ensures your efforts don’t go unrewarded.
Pro tip: The algorithm LOVES consistency. Keep posting engaging Shorts, experiment with trending topics, and interact with your viewers to speed up your path to monetization. Before you know it, you’ll be raking in dollars—one viral clip at a time!
Leveraging Affiliate Marketing in YouTube Shorts
If you’re not using affiliate marketing to monetize your YouTube Shorts, you’re basically leaving free money on the table—like ordering a burger and forgetting to grab the fries. Affiliate marketing lets you earn commissions by promoting products or services, and Shorts are the perfect bite-sized vehicle for quick, engaging promotions.
Here’s how it works: You sign up for an affiliate program (like Amazon Associates, ShareASale, or a brand-specific affiliate program), grab a unique tracking link, and include it in your video description or pinned comment. Then, every time someone clicks and buys through your link, cha-ching!—you get a cut of the sale. It’s like having a mini sales army, but without the awkward cold calls.
To maximize your affiliate earnings, keep these tips in mind:
✅ Promote relevant products – If you’re making fitness Shorts, plug workout gear or supplements. Tech videos? Drop links to gadgets. Your audience should actually be interested in what you’re selling.
✅ Create engaging call-to-actions (CTAs) – Don’t just slap a link and hope for the best. Tell viewers why the product is amazing and why they should act now. FOMO is real!
✅ Use pinned comments and video descriptions – Since YouTube doesn’t allow direct links in Shorts captions, make sure your affiliate link is easily accessible in your pinned comment or description.
✅ Show, don’t just tell – A quick demo or testimonial in your Short can work wonders. People trust what they can see in action.
Affiliate marketing + YouTube Shorts = a powerful, passive income machine. With the right approach, you’ll be making money while you sleep—literally!
Earning Through Sponsored Content and Brand Deals
If you’ve been grinding away at YouTube Shorts and building an audience, brands might start sliding into your DMs with sponsorship offers. And if they aren’t yet, don’t worry—you can always go out and get those brand deals yourself. Sponsored content is one of the most lucrative ways to monetize your Shorts, and it works like this: A company pays you to promote their product or service in your videos. Simple, right?
Access Our Proven Tested Formula for $50-$100 Daily Income – Watch This FREE Video >>
But hold on—before you start randomly plugging every brand that comes your way like a walking (or filming) billboard, here’s how to do it right and actually make money:
✅ Work with brands that align with your niche – If your Shorts are about fitness, promoting gaming chairs might be a stretch (unless they come with built-in dumbbells?). Choose sponsors that make sense for your audience.
✅ Be authentic – Viewers can smell a forced promo from a mile away. The best sponsored content feels genuine and engaging. If you personally use and like a product, it’ll be easier to convince your audience to check it out.
✅ Negotiate your worth – Don’t undersell yourself! Brands will often lowball creators, but if your Shorts rack up serious views, you deserve fair compensation. Charge based on engagement, reach, and exclusivity—not just views.
✅ Use a call-to-action (CTA) – Whether it’s a discount code, special offer, or just an invite to check out the product, a strong CTA boosts conversions and keeps brands happy (which means more deals for you!).
The beauty of brand deals? They can pay anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars per Short—and if you play your cards right, you could land long-term partnerships. Get your pitch ready, start networking, and turn your Shorts into a money-making machine!
Driving Traffic to Your Own Products or Services
Want to make serious money with YouTube Shorts? Instead of just promoting other brands, why not use your content to drive traffic to your own products or services? That way, you keep 100% of the profits—no middleman taking a cut!
YouTube Shorts are perfect for grabbing attention fast. In just 60 seconds or less, you can tease a product, showcase a service, or build hype around something you’re selling. But don’t just post random videos and hope people rush to buy—here’s how to do it strategically:
✅ Show, Don’t Just Tell – If you sell physical products, create Shorts demonstrating how they work in real life. If it’s a digital product (like an eBook or an online course), give a sneak peek of the value people will get. The key? Make it look irresistible.
✅ Use Storytelling – People don’t just buy products; they buy stories and emotions. Create engaging Shorts that show how your product solves a problem or improves lives. Whether it’s “How I Made My First $1,000 Selling Printables” or “The Skincare Hack That Cleared My Acne in a Week”, storytelling keeps viewers hooked.
✅ Include a Strong CTA – Never assume people will just figure out what to do next. Guide them! Use phrases like “Click the link in the description”, “Check out my website”, or “DM me on Instagram for more details” to direct traffic exactly where you want it.
✅ Leverage Comments & Pinned Links – YouTube allows clickable links in the description and pinned comments. Make sure your store, website, or service page is front and center so interested viewers don’t have to hunt for it.
✅ Use FOMO & Urgency – Limited-time offers, countdowns, or exclusive bonuses create a sense of urgency. A simple “Only 10 spots left!” or “Get 50% off today only!” can skyrocket conversions.
Whether you’re selling merch, digital downloads, coaching sessions, or even a service like freelance writing or fitness training, YouTube Shorts is a goldmine for free traffic. Nail your strategy, and soon you’ll be turning those quick videos into a steady stream of sales!
Conclusion
So, can you really make money online with YouTube Shorts? Absolutely! And the best part? You don’t need fancy equipment, Hollywood-level editing skills, or millions of followers to start earning. With the right strategy, consistency, and a little creativity, you can turn bite-sized videos into big-time income.
Access Our Proven Tested Formula for $50-$100 Daily Income – Watch This FREE Video >>
From YouTube Partner Program earnings to affiliate marketing, sponsored content, and promoting your own products, Shorts offer multiple ways to cash in on your content. The key is to test, tweak, and stay consistent. Not every video will go viral, but with persistence, you’ll find what works and scale it up.
So, whether you’re looking for a side hustle or want to build a full-time business, YouTube Shorts is a game-changer. Start creating, keep experimenting, and who knows? Your next 60-second clip could be the one that fills your bank account.
Thanks a lot for reading my article on “How to Make Money Online with YouTube Shorts″ till the end. Hope you’ve helped. See you with another article.
