YouTube Monetization: How Musicians Are Making Money Online

YouTube Monetization: Making Money Online

So, you want to know how musicians are making money online? Perhaps specifically on YouTube? Maybe you know that they are using YouTube to make money, but you don’t understand the mechanics behind YouTube Monetization. In this article we are going to cover the basics and what you can do to begin making some money.

Am I Eligible for YouTube Monetization?

YouTube Monetization relies on original content. Original content can come in a few different forms. Visual content, audio recordings, audio compositions, or something that combines the two. Perhaps a music video production, motion graphics, or a lyric video production. If you own the rights to your material than you should be okay.

How Is the Money Made?

Assuming you own the content that you’re posting, you can set your videos up for YouTube monetization. However, you should make sure your videos meet the YouTube community guidelines and they are advertiser friendly content.
Once you’ve done that, you need to sign up for an AdSense account. After you’ve created your account, you will need to decide the type of ads you are willing to show on your videos. AdSense connects advertisers with publishers and once the ad(s) are served on your video, AdSense charges the advertiser and you are paid.

Is That It?

Unfortunately, it isn’t just that simple. After you’ve signed up and you’re posting your videos, advertisers will be able to bid for advertising space on your videos via an auction. AdSense’s auction process is automated based on criteria such as, demographic, video type, channel, and views. Advertisers set policies for how much they would be willing to pay for videos that meet their standards of viewership.
Perhaps you aren’t a large YouTube channel and you don’t get that many views. If you are a musician you can submit your music to a YouTube Content ID service. Services like CD Baby’s YouTube Monetization program will be able to identify, claim, and monetize videos on your behalf. Music featured on popular content creators videos can be a nice way to monetize on YouTube.