Top Ways to Make Money on YouTube Besides Ads (2025)

9 Ways To Make Money on YouTube Without Ads

Creating a successful YouTube channel isn’t just about views and ad revenue anymore. Savvy YouTubers diversify their income with many monetization strategies beyond ads. From fan funding and paid memberships to affiliate marketing and product sales, there are numerous ways to make money on YouTube besides ads. In this guide, we’ll explore the top methods to boost your YouTube earnings in 2025 and beyond (thinkific.comfourthwall.com).

YouTube itself now offers multiple revenue streams. For example, YouTube Premium subscribers generate income for creators based on watch time, and paid features like channel memberships, Super Chats, and merchandise shelves provide direct monetization options (fourthwall.comfourthwall.com). Beyond platform features, content creators can sell products, partner with brands, or tap into affiliate networks to turn their audience into paying customers. This article dives deep into each of these strategies, helping you maximize your channel’s earning potential beyond just advertising revenue.

Table of Contents

• Channel Memberships & Fan Funding

• Affiliate Marketing

• Sponsorships & Brand Deals

• Merchandise Sales & YouTube Shopping

• Digital Products & Online Courses

• Consulting, Coaching & Services

• Crowdfunding & Patreon

• Licensing Content & Stock Footage

• YouTube Premium & Shorts Fund

• Conclusion

Channel Memberships & Fan Funding

One of the most direct ways to make money on YouTube besides ads is through fan-supported features. Once you meet YouTube’s partner requirements, you can activate Channel Memberships, Super Chat, Super Stickers, and Super Thanks. These allow fans to pay for perks or highlight their messages during live streams. As Hootsuite notes, channel memberships let viewers subscribe to your channel for a monthly fee in exchange for custom emojis, badges, and exclusive content.

For example, you might create tiered membership levels offering behind-the-scenes videos, early access to content, or members-only live chats. This recurring revenue is powerful: unlike ad payouts, membership fees go directly to you (minus YouTube’s cut) and often build loyalty among your core audience. Additionally, Super Chat/Stickers allow live-stream viewers to pay to pin their messages, earning the creator extra income. YouTube Premium also contributes: creators receive a share of Premium subscription fees proportional to watch time from Premium members.

Key tips:

• Promote your membership perks clearly in videos and descriptions to encourage sign-ups.

• Use live streams and premieres to engage viewers and leverage Super Chat/Stickers revenue.

• Remember: these features require YouTube partnership status, but once enabled they can provide steady income beyond ad.

Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is another lucrative non-ad revenue stream for YouTubers. This involves promoting products or services and earning a commission on any sales made through your unique referral links. For example, if you review a gadget, you include an affiliate link to buy that gadget; whenever a viewer purchases via your link, you earn a percentage.

A Hootsuite guide explains that affiliate marketing is ideal when “your audience is loyal and engaged” (blog.hootsuite.com). You can join programs from retailers like Amazon, or specialized platforms (e.g., ShareASale, ClickBank). Embed clear calls-to-action in your videos and descriptions. For authenticity, only promote products relevant to your niche, maintaining trust with your audience.

Affiliate marketing has little overhead and “requires little to no extra effort,” making it perfect for growing channels (uscreen.tv). Tips to succeed:

• Choose relevant products for your content (tech channels promote gadgets, beauty channels promote cosmetics).

• Disclose affiliate links to keep transparency.

• Track link performance and adjust strategies based on what sells well.
  By blending product recommendations into valuable content, you can “earn money by earning commissions through sales made through those links”(fourthwall.com), adding a significant income layer beyond ads.

Sponsorships & Brand Deals

Collaborating with brands can be hugely lucrative. Sponsorships involve a company paying you to feature their product or service in your video content. Unlike YouTube ads, these deals pay directly to you, with no revenue share to the platform. As one expert notes, YouTube influencers often command higher rates than on other platforms because video ads have longer audience retention.

To land sponsorships:

• Build a media kit with your channel statistics and audience demographics.

• Reach out to brands that align with your niche. Even smaller creators can start with micro-influencer deals.

• Negotiate terms that value your work; since you set the price, these collaborations can out-earn ad revenue.

For example, if you have a tech channel, a computer peripherals company might sponsor a video. You could demonstrate the product, integrate it naturally, and in return get paid a flat fee or performance bonus. Remember, authenticity matters: integrate sponsored content in line with your brand to maintain viewer trust.

Merchandise Sales & YouTube Shopping

Selling physical products is another top method. Many creators design and sell merchandise – think branded t-shirts, mugs, stickers – letting fans “show support in a concrete way”. YouTube even offers a Merchandise Shelf where eligible channels can display products beneath their videos.

To succeed in merchandise sales:

• Use services like Shopify, Teespring, or Fourthwall to create an online store and handle production/shipping.

• Design products that resonate with your audience (funny quotes, inside jokes, or your logo).

• Promote your merch in videos and social media.

One case study showed influencers making five-figure income from merch by targeting their loyal fanbase. Overall, merchandise gives fans a tangible way to support you while turning your brand into profit.

YouTube Shopping

If you have an existing online store, YouTube Shopping can help. Link your store or products to your channel so viewers can buy directly from your videos. For example, fitness YouTuber Cassey Ho sells her clothing brand via YouTube Shopping on her channel page. Viewers can click a Shopping tab or see links during videos, making it easy to convert fans into customers.

Digital Products & Online Courses

Beyond physical merch, many YouTubers create digital products. These include online courses, e-books, downloadable guides, or paid memberships outside YouTube. These products often yield high margins and require minimal incremental cost once created.

Thinkific’s blog emphasizes looking at “alternative ways to make money on YouTube besides ads,” especially by selling your own digital products. For example, a popular science channel might develop an in-depth online course on physics; a cooking channel could sell a recipe e-book. YouTube can act as a funnel: use videos to demonstrate expertise and then link to your products in descriptions.

To create digital products:

1. Identify audience needs: what skills or knowledge do your viewers want?

2. Choose a format: video course, PDF guide, templates, etc.

3. Host and sell: use platforms like Thinkific, Gumroad, or your own website.

4. Promote through your channel: dedicate a few seconds in videos to mention your product with a link.

Creators have found success selling courses and memberships this way, because it “gives you more control over your business” and can start earning “immediately”. Plus, this revenue is 100% yours (minus platform fees), unlike ad shares.

Consulting, Coaching & Services

If you have expertise in your niche, offering consulting or coaching can be a big earner. Fans who watch your videos often value your knowledge. Offer one-on-one sessions, group coaching, or personalized services (e.g., video editing, marketing advice, fitness training).

For example, a tech channel host could offer to help small businesses set up YouTube channels; a fitness YouTuber might provide personalized workout plans. These services typically involve little overhead and can command high fees because of their tailored value.

Tips:

• Advertise your services in video descriptions or a dedicated "Services" page.

• Use scheduling tools to organize client sessions.

• Showcase testimonials or success stories to build credibility.

Even a few consulting clients each month can exceed what ads alone pay. Plus, as your reputation grows, you can raise your rates or expand into group coaching (e.g., webinars or workshops), further diversifying income.

Crowdfunding & Patreon

Crowdfunding platforms allow viewers to donate regularly to support your channel. Setting up an external page on Patreon or Ko-fi provides extra content for patrons. For instance, dedicated fans might pay monthly for bonus videos, early access, or community chat groups.

The Hootsuite guide notes that many creators “build ongoing revenue from a pool of small monthly donations”. On Patreon, you can create tiered rewards similar to YouTube memberships but off-platform. Ko-fi allows one-time tips (“buy me a coffee”) or monthly support with perks.

Meanwhile, YouTube’s own crowdfunding features (via the Partner Program) let creators earn through Super Chat, Super Stickers, and Super Thanks. During live streams or premieres, fans pay to highlight messages or animations. These tools directly tap fan generosity: You set goals or milestones (like $100 for a special video), and fans contribute to unlock them.

Licensing Content & Stock Footage

If your content goes viral or you produce high-quality footage, licensing it to media outlets can be profitable. News websites, TV shows, or video platforms often pay for rights to use engaging clips. For example, a dramatic or newsworthy video you shot might be licensed by news agencies for a fee.

Similarly, platforms like Storyblocks or Adobe Stock let you upload and sell your original video clips. Each download by a filmmaker or advertiser earns you royalties. While this requires unique, high-quality footage, it’s a passive way to monetize material you’ve already created.

YouTube Premium & Shorts Fund

YouTube Premium subscribers indirectly pay creators. As vidIQ explains, creators earn a slice of Premium subscription fees based on watch time (vidiq.com). So every minute a paid user watches your videos, you get more money (youTube takes 45%, you get 55%). It’s a passive revenue stream: “every video that is monetized can earn YouTube Premium revenue” whenever Premium members view it.

Additionally, YouTube introduced a Shorts Fund and revenue-sharing for short-form content. If you create popular Shorts, you can earn from the Shorts revenue pool. These features continue to evolve, but essentially reward creators for high engagement even on brief videos.

Conclusion

Monetizing a YouTube channel in 2025 means thinking beyond ads. By diversifying with channel memberships, sponsorships, affiliate links, merchandise, and digital products, you build multiple income streams. Each strategy taps a different audience resource – fans, brands, or affiliate networks – maximizing your channel’s earning potential.

Ready to start? Take action now: pick one method (e.g., enable memberships, join an affiliate program, or design merch) and implement it this week. Keep experimenting and track what works. As you mix and match these strategies, your YouTube income will grow.

👉 Pro Tip: Revisit this list often and refine your approach. Let us know which method works best for you, and subscribe for more expert tips on boosting your YouTube revenue!

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: What are the best ways to make money on YouTube without ads?

A: Creators can earn beyond ads by using channel memberships, Super Chat, and YouTube Premium revenue (all via the Partner Program). Other top methods include affiliate marketing (earning commissions from product links), sponsorships and brand deals (direct deals with companies), merchandise sales (selling branded products), and selling digital products or courses. Building multiple streams ensures you don’t rely solely on ads.

• Q: How do YouTube channel memberships work?

A: Channel memberships let viewers pay a monthly fee to join your channel at a certain tier. In return, members get perks like custom emojis, badges, exclusive live chats, or bonus videos. YouTube splits these fees 55/45 (you keep 55%). Creators should promote membership benefits clearly in videos. You must be a YouTube Partner and meet eligibility to enable this feature.

• Q: Can YouTube Shorts or Premium generate revenue aside from ads?

A: Yes. For YouTube Premium, creators receive a share of subscription fees based on Premium members’ watch time of your content. For Shorts, YouTube has a Shorts Fund and revenue-sharing system where top-performing short videos earn payouts. Both methods add income without running traditional ads on those videos.

• Q: How do I get sponsorships and brand deals for my channel?

A: First, grow an engaged audience. Then create a media kit with your channel stats and audience demographics. Research brands that fit your niche and pitch collaboration ideas. As Hootsuite notes, since YouTube videos often retain viewers longer, influencers can charge high rates for sponsored content. Negotiate terms and deliver value to keep sponsors coming back.

• Q: How profitable is affiliate marketing on YouTube?

A: It can be very lucrative if done right. By recommending products and including affiliate links in video descriptions, you earn a commission on each sale made through your link. Channels with niche audiences often see good conversion. Key is to genuinely endorse products, maintain trust, and monitor which links convert to optimize your strategy.

• Q: What merchandise should I sell on YouTube?

A: Sell items that reflect your brand and audience interests. Common merch includes T-shirts, hoodies, mugs, hats, and stickers featuring your logo or catchphrases. Use print-on-demand services to minimize risk. YouTube’s merch shelf can link your store directly on your channel. Promote your merch in videos with calls-to-action and by modeling or showcasing the products.

• Q: Do I need special requirements to use fan funding features?

A: Yes. Most fan funding features (Channel Memberships, Super Chat, Super Stickers, Super Thanks) require you to be in the YouTube Partner Program, with 1,000+ subscribers and meeting watch time or Shorts view thresholds. Standard crowdfunding platforms like Patreon have their own sign-up rules (often just needing to set up an account). After that, you can invite fans to support you on those platforms or use YouTube’s built-in features.

• Q: How much do creators earn from YouTube Premium?

A: You earn money from Premium subscriptions based on how much time Premium members spend watching your content. YouTube pools Premium fees and distributes a share to each creator proportional to their view time among Premium viewers. YouTube takes a 45% cut, and creators keep 55%. So longer watch time by Premium subscribers means higher payouts for you, even without ads showing.

• Q: Can selling online courses really make a profit?

A: Absolutely. Online courses and digital products typically have high profit margins since development is a one-time cost. For example, creators use platforms like Thinkific to sell courses directly to their audience. As long as your content provides genuine value and you market it well (through your videos and email lists), courses can become a stable revenue stream that complements your YouTube earnings.

• Q: What’s the difference between fan funding on Patreon vs. YouTube’s features?

A: Patreon/Kofi/etc.: External platforms where fans donate monthly or one-time in exchange for perks (early content, shoutouts, etc.). You control tier rewards and communicate off YouTube. YouTube fan funding: Built-in features (Super Chat/Stickers/Thanks) and channel memberships that work directly on YouTube. The advantage of YouTube’s system is convenience and integrated payment; the advantage of external platforms is more flexibility and potentially fewer fees. Many creators use both to maximize support.

• Q: How do I set affiliate links on YouTube?

A: Join affiliate programs (Amazon Associates, ShareASale, etc.) and get unique tracking links. In your video description, place these links with a brief note (e.g., “Check out the gear I use in this video”). You can also verbally mention them in your video. Always clearly label them as affiliate links. Focus on products your audience will genuinely find useful, so clicks and conversions flow organically.

• Q: Are paid live events a viable way to earn money?

A: Yes. You can host paid webinars, workshops, or exclusive live streams using platforms like Zoom or YouTube’s Premiere feature with ticketing. This works well for educational channels, fitness classes, or any niche where fans want real-time interaction or specialized training. Ensure the event offers unique value (Q&A with you, specialized content, etc.) to justify the ticket price. This method can yield high per-ticket revenue.

• Q: How can I get brands to notice my channel for collaborations?

A: Build a strong, engaged community and produce quality content consistently. Use social media and networking events to increase visibility. Engage with brands on social media and tag them when relevant. Create a media kit or press page on your website with your audience stats. Reaching out directly via email or LinkedIn with a concise pitch about a collaboration idea can catch a brand’s attention, especially if your channel aligns with their product market.

• Q: Can small YouTubers earn much without ads?

A: Absolutely. Even with a smaller audience, niche channels can monetize effectively. Micro-influencers often do well with affiliate marketing, merch, and memberships. For example, a cooking channel with 5,000 subscribers can sell recipe e-books or kitchen-themed merch to their dedicated viewers. The key is engagement: a loyal audience is more likely to buy products or sign up for memberships, even if the overall viewer count is modest.

• Q: What niche is best for sponsorships and affiliate revenue?

A: Niches with high commercial interest often attract better sponsorship deals and affiliate earnings. Popular examples include tech gadgets, personal finance, health/fitness, beauty, and gaming hardware. In these areas, products tend to have higher price points (leading to bigger commissions) and brands are willing to spend on influencer marketing. However, any niche with a passionate audience can be monetized; focus on solving problems or selling products relevant to your viewers.

• Q: How do YouTube Partner Program rules affect non-ad monetization?

A: To use many YouTube monetization features, you need to be part of the Partner Program (which requires meeting certain subscriber and watch time thresholds). This unlocks channel memberships, Super Chat, and the merchandise shelf. However, many external monetization methods (affiliate links, brand deals, Patreon) don’t require partnership status – you can start them as soon as you have content and any audience. Essentially, YPP is needed to monetize through YouTube, but other strategies only need a committed audience.

• Q: How can I protect my brand when doing paid collaborations?

A: Always vet potential sponsors. Choose brands that align with your values and audience interests. If a product or service doesn’t genuinely help your viewers, decline the offer. Maintain transparency with your audience by disclosing sponsored content. As one creator shared, turning down misaligned sponsorships can actually build trust and lead to better deals. In short: authenticity builds long-term success in monetization.

• Q: What metrics matter for YouTube monetization?

A: Beyond views and subscriber count, engagement metrics like watch time, likes/comments, and audience retention are crucial. High watch time attracts more YouTube Premium revenue and improves video ranking (leading to more views). For sponsorships, brands look at engagement rate and niche fit. For affiliate links and product sales, click-through rates on links and conversion rates matter. Use YouTube Analytics to track these and adjust content strategy accordingly.