10 Ways Content Creators Can Monetize Outside of The YouTube Partner Program

YouTube announced on August 10, 2026 its intent to amend the thresholds needed to be fully monetized within the YouTube Partner Program for revenue sharing of Adsense starting February 1, 2027 for all new creators applying to the YPP.

These new thresholds are 8000 qualified watch hours in the last 365 days, or 20 million qualified Shorts views in the last 90 days.   While the entry thresholds for Fan Funding such as Super Chats, Super Stickers, Super Thanks and Channel Memberships remain unchanged, these new requirements may seem unattainable for many of the smaller channels.

If you would like to read YouTubes own post on this, here is the link…

Changes to YPP

I want to be an encouragement to you here though concerning monetization.   You DO NOT need to rely on or ever even seek admittance to YouTubes Partner Program to monetize your content creation on YouTube or any other program no matter which Social Media platform you choose to post on.

Here are 10 ways you can monetize yourself no matter what size your following is or what platform you are currently creating content on or for…

#1   Brand Sponsorships/Integrations

Direct deals with companies to feature, mention or promote products in your content.   Justine Moore is the master at this and has a book on it.   This form of revenue can be the single biggest source of income no matter the size of your social media presence.

Creators such as… 

MKBHD regularly runs sponsored segments from companies like Squarespace, Ridge and various other tech brands.

The Fat Electrician regularly runs sponsored content by Delete Me and other companies. 

#2   Affiliate Marketing

Earning a commission on sales generated through trackable links is especially common with product review channels.

There are programs for many companies out there such as Amazon, B&H Photo, Newegg, Walmart Creator, Shopify, NordVPN, Expedia etc.   Just search the companies in your niche for affiliate programs and you might be pleasantly surprised.

#3   Selling Digital Products (Courses, Presets, Templates)

Creating and selling standalone digital goods or products related to your niche has been and still is a very viable avenue.   For example…

Peter McKinnon sells photography presets for Lightroom, Motion GFX, as well as LUT’s and Sound FX.

Think Media (Sean Cannell) Sell Video Ranking Academy, a course specialized to help you grow your channel on YouTube.

#4   Platform Memberships and Subscriptions

There are a number of services outside of YouTube that allow a content creator to fan fund themselves such as Patreon, Buy Me A Coffee, Ko-fi, Substack and Kajabi.   These can be run in addition to or instead of YPP memberships.

Coffeezilla and Colin and Samir are or have been running Patreon pages, paid Newsletters or custom membership models.

#5   Merchandise (Physical Products)

Physical branded products such as apparel, coffee mugs, calendars, pens etc. can all be sold through platforms like Shopify, Forthwall, and Teespring just to name a few.

There are also companies that will drop ship all manner of products that are advertised and sold on your ecommerce site.   Think of this as an intermediate level between having to warehouse and ship products yourself and Amazon style affiliate sales.

#6   Consulting/Coaching/Done For You Services

One on one consulting/coaching is the highest level of connection to your clientele.   Because you have limited time in a day, these services are at a premium and can be very lucrative depending on your niche.

“Done For You” services are even more specific and tailored to your clients unique needs, goals, and vision. This is a premium service transforming the information and ideas provided into a professionally executed result.

#7   Speaking Engagements/Conferences

Negotiated paid speaking appearances at industry events, conventions and corporate talks can be a serious form of revenue depending on the industry and your specific knowledge, experience and skill set that you possess.

For example… Industry experts Jon Youshaei… former product marketer for YouTube and Instagram, Ann Handley… Chief Content Officer at Marketingprofs and book author of “Everybody Writes”, and Logan Paul who speaks on digital marketing, media virality, personal reinvention and consumer brands.

#8   Licensing Content

Selling the rights to use clips, images or entire videos for marketing and advertising on a businesses website or social media platform can be a great form of income.   Typically negotiated within a broader brand deal with a business for either a specified length of time or permanent exclusive rights to that content.

#9   Proprietary Software/App Products (SaaS)

Building a digital tool that solves a specific problem for your audience/clientele and monetizing it through a subscription model that will bring in recurring revenue every month.

For example…  1of10 , an all in one YouTube toolkit with 100K+ users, Jimmy Donaldson’s  (aka MrBeast) analytics software “Viewstats” as well as many others.

#10   Newsletters (Paid or Sponsor Supported)

Newsletters can provide a stable stream of income while providing industry analysis, case studies, insider scoops and business trends.

These can be delivered either daily, weekly, monthly or quarterly depending on the industry covered and the overall focus of the newsletter.

This list of options is not an end all be all for monetization.   You can be as creative or as simple as you like or need to be.   Use this list to spark your own creative juices to come up with options to monetize your content and or business as you see fit.

If you are just starting down the Live Streaming/Podcast path, 

Let's talk and see if I can help you navigate through it all.

Click Here

Until the next installment...

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