Currently, creators can become eligible for the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) by gaining 1,000 subscribers with 10 million valid public Shorts views in the last 90 days. For some of us, 10 million public Short views sound like a lot! Whether these requirements change in the future or not, Books After Dark has you covered to start making money now without achieving those requirements.
At Books After Dark, we’ve reviewed some of the top online editing software, including InVideo, Veed, and Adobe Express Online Video Maker. And Canva ranked high as our number 1 pick for beginning video editors.
Why Canva?
Now, why are we recommending a graphic design platform for video editing? Indeed, Canva isn’t typically known for its video editing capabilities, which is why we believe it’s the perfect tool for beginners. Canva’s user-friendly interface and pre-designed elements make it easy to create high-quality videos without expensive equipment or software.
With Canva, you can create engaging YouTube Shorts in just a few clicks. Canva offers a wide range of video templates and stock footage to make your videos stand out. And if you need help to figure out where to start, Canva has hundreds of editable templates you can customize to fit your needs.
And Canva isn’t just great for video editing. It’s a one-stop shop for all your YouTube Shorts publishing needs. With Canva, you can create eye-catching thumbnails and even post your videos directly to social media platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook using Canva’s built-in content calendar.
And the best part? Canva offers a range of pricing plans, including a free plan that provides basic features and templates. So, you can start creating high-quality YouTube Shorts without breaking the bank.
But the benefits of Canva don’t stop there. Canva’s video editing features allow you to add text, music, transitions, and other visual effects to your videos. And with the Canva mobile app, you can create and edit your videos on the go, making it easy to publish content quickly and easily.
Let's Talk Monetization!
So, now that you have the tools to make high-quality videos fast and easy, let’s talk about the money! To earn money on YouTube, you need to monetize your channel. And there are several ways to do that besides Google Adsense or, in other words, without the 10 million views requirement to qualify for the YouTube Partner Program. You can create and sell merchandise related to your channel or promote products, events, and services through affiliate marketing. And if you’re lucky enough to get paid sponsorships, you can seamlessly integrate brand promotions into your videos using Canva. But in this example, we will monetize your YouTube Shorts using affiliate marketing.
What is Affiliate Marketing?
Affiliate marketing is a process where you earn a commission by promoting a product, event, or service made by another retailer or advertiser. As a YouTube content creator, you can use affiliate marketing to promote products related to your niche or interests and earn a commission whenever someone clicks on your unique affiliate link and makes a purchase.
Now, I know what you’re thinking, “How much can I really make with affiliate marketing?” Well, the answer is: it depends. Commission rates for affiliate sales can vary depending on the company and the offer, but on the high end, you can earn as much as 50% of the sale. Your earnings will depend on the products and services you promote and the brands you partner with. According to Glassdoor, the average earnings of an affiliate marketer are $59,060 per year, with the potential for six figures annually.
So, how do you get started with affiliate marketing? First, sign up for an affiliate program. Most programs are free to join, so you don’t have to worry about having to spend some money to make money. There are many affiliate marketplace options to choose from, including ShareASale, ClickBank, and Digistore24. We recommend Digistore24 for those outside the United States because they offer worldwide affiliate marketing opportunities.
Another option is to visit the websites of the products and services you use and see if they have an affiliate program. Large companies often have programs they promote on their site, such as Amazon Associates or Target Partners Program.
Once you’ve signed up for an affiliate program, you can promote the custom link you will receive for each product. In this example, you will copy and paste your custom link into the video’s description or pin the link to the comments.
Now, before you make tons of YouTube Shorts using the free templates in Canva and make loads of cash using affiliate links to monetize them, keep in mind that there are generally three types of affiliate marketing; unattached affiliate marketing, related affiliate marketing, and involved affiliate marketing.
Unattached Affiliate Marketing
First, we have unattached affiliate marketing. This type of marketing is all about promoting products and services you don’t have any connection to. It’s like throwing a dart at a board and hoping it sticks! If you need more time to build relationships with your audience, unattached affiliate marketing might be a good option.
Related Affiliate Marketing
Next up is related affiliate marketing. This method is when you promote products related to your niche but have yet to use them yourself. While it can generate more income, there’s a risk involved. You could end up recommending a product that’s a total dud, which could hurt your reputation with your audience.
Involved Affiliate Marketing
Lastly, there’s involved affiliate marketing. Involved affiliate marketing is a type of affiliate marketing where the affiliate only promotes products or services they have personally used, tested, and believe in. This method involves building trust with your audience by sharing your experiences and recommending only products you genuinely think will benefit them.
The key benefit of involved affiliate marketing is that it allows you to establish a strong relationship with your audience, which can lead to higher conversion rates and more sales. When you recommend a product you have used and had a positive experience with, your audience is more likely to trust your recommendation and purchase.
You can establish yourself as a trusted authority in your industry by consistently promoting high-quality products and providing valuable content, which can be a more sustainable business model in the long run.
We recommend you disclose you are using affiliate links in your video description to build trust with your audience. However, we will let you and your moral compass decide what is right for you, your situation, and your business.
Now, go forth and make that affiliate cash!
Pro Tip: The niche you choose can make all the difference!
According to research by Shopify in 2021, if you’re looking to rake in the big bucks, you might want to focus on business-related programs. These bad boys boasted the highest average commission rate of a whopping $70.99! On the other hand, if you’re promoting books, media, or clothing, you might earn just over $6 per commission… however, all money adds up in the end if you stay consistent!
