Monetizing a small channel: Strategies to earn your first $100 on YouTube

It’s time to earn your first $100 on YouTube. What will you spend it on? Maybe take a lesson from Mr Beast and invest it right back into you channel.

Getting monetized on YouTube might feel like a waiting game—especially if you’re under the 1,000-subscriber mark. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to wait for official monetization to start earning money from your channel.

There are real, achievable ways to monetize a small YouTube channel and make your first $100—even if you’re just starting out. In this post, you’ll learn how to earn revenue through affiliate marketing, merch sales, and sponsorships tailored to small creators like you.

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You don’t need 1,000 subscribers to earn money on YouTube

The YouTube Partner Program (YPP) is great—but it’s not your only option. In fact, many creators earn money before they qualify for ads. With the right strategies, you can build income streams based on the value of your content and the trust of your audience, not just your view count.

Here’s how.

1. Try affiliate marketing to earn passive income

Affiliate marketing is one of the easiest ways to earn money as a small creator. You promote a product or service in your video and earn a commission when someone clicks your link and makes a purchase.

How to start:

• Choose products that are highly relevant to your niche and your audience’s needs.
• Join affiliate programs like Amazon Associates or look for niche-specific ones.
• Use tools like TubeBuddy’s Keyword Explorer to find product-related keywords people are searching for.

If you’re stuck for an idea that feels authentic, start with a “tools I recommend” or “gear I use” video and add affiliate links in the description.

Keep it authentic and YouTube affiliate marketing is a great way to earn your first $100 on YouTube. 

2. Sell your own merchandise (no large audience required)

You don’t need a massive fanbase to sell merch. If you have even a small, loyal community, you can offer branded items that help your viewers feel like part of your world.

Merch ideas for small channels:

• Inside-joke T-shirts
• Niche-specific items (e.g., knitting patterns, digital templates, fitness plans)
• Digital products like eBooks or presets

Use platforms like Teespring, Spreadshop, or Gumroad to get started for free.

And remember: your community supports you. Give them something to proudly wear or use.

3. Land small sponsorships by pitching brands directly

Think you need 100,000 subscribers to get sponsored? Think again. Many brands are happy to work with nano- and micro-influencers—especially in niche markets—because a small audience often means a highly engaged audience. Even a small brand deal will help you earn your first $100 on YouTube.

How to get your first sponsorship:

• Capture your unique selling proposition (USP). This is the reason for brands to buy in even though your audience may be small.
• Create a media kit with your analytics, niche, and audience demographics
• Pitch brands that align with your content
• Offer value (e.g., “I’ll feature your product in a how-to video or review”)

Use TubeBuddy’s health report to gather your channel’s engagement stats—these are gold when talking to potential sponsors.

4. Offer channel memberships with YouTube’s lower-tier monetization

In 2023, YouTube announced changes that allow creators to unlock features like Super Thanks and Channel Memberships with just 500 subscribers and three public uploads in the last 90 days.

If you’re close to that milestone, you’re not far from offering memberships and fan-funded features.

5. Use TubeBuddy to maximize your earnings potential

No matter which strategy you try, you’ll get faster results if your videos are being seen. That’s where TubeBuddy comes in.

With over 70 YouTube tools in the TubeBuddy suite, you can build your own workflows to grow your reach and boost your earning potential—even as a small channel.

• A/B testing to optimize your thumbnails and titles
• Suggested Shorts to help you repurpose content
• Keyword Explorer to improve searchability

Ready to earn your first $100?

Monetizing a small YouTube channel isn’t about waiting—it’s about starting smart. Whether it’s affiliate links, creative merch, or pitching your dream sponsor, you can begin earning today.

Every dollar you earn is proof that your content has value. And as your audience grows, so will your income.

Need help growing faster? Explore our toolkit for creators or dive into more ideas on the TubeBuddy blog.

So there you have it. Five actionable tips that will help you earn your first $100 on YouTube. 

And if you’re looking for tips on how to get monetized on YouTube, check out this post: YouTube monetization tips for small channels: 5 overlooked YouTube features to grow your channel.

4. Offer channel memberships with YouTube’s lower-tier monetization

In 2023, YouTube announced changes that allow creators to unlock features like Super Thanks and Channel Memberships with just 500 subscribers and three public uploads in the last 90 days.

If you’re close to that milestone, you’re not far from offering memberships and fan-funded features.

5. Use TubeBuddy to earn your first $100 on YouTube

No matter which strategy you try, you’ll get faster results if your videos are being seen. That’s where TubeBuddy comes in.

With over 70 YouTube tools in the TubeBuddy suite, you can build your own workflows to grow your reach and boost your earning potential—even as a small channel.

• A/B testing to optimize your thumbnails and titles
• Suggested Shorts to help you repurpose content
• Keyword Explorer to improve searchability

Ready to earn your first $100?

Monetizing a small YouTube channel isn’t about waiting—it’s about starting smart. Whether it’s affiliate links, creative merch, or pitching your dream sponsor, you can begin earning today.

Every dollar you earn is proof that your content has value. And as your audience grows, so will your income.

Need help growing faster? Explore our toolkit for creators or dive into more ideas on the TubeBuddy blog.

So there you have it. Five actionable tips that will help you earn your first $100 on YouTube. 

And if you’re looking for tips on how to get monetized on YouTube, check out this post: YouTube monetization tips for small channels: 5 overlooked YouTube features to grow your channel.

Your first benjamin is closer than you think!

Get an unfair advantage on YouTube

Give your YouTube channel the upper hand and easily optimize for more views, more subs, and more of every metric that matters.

get started