Quick Answer
Yes, it is possible to monetize a 2 minute video on YouTube, but there are some requirements that need to be met first. The main ways to monetize short YouTube videos are through YouTube Partner Program ads, affiliate links, sponsorships, selling merchandise, and fan funding. However, to be accepted into the YouTube Partner Program, you need 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the past 12 months. You also need original content that follows YouTube’s policies and guidelines. With strategic optimization and promotion, even short videos can attract a large enough audience over time to meet the monetization thresholds.
Monetization Options for Short YouTube Videos
Here are some of the main ways you can potentially earn money from short YouTube videos:
YouTube Partner Program Ads
– Earn a share of ad revenue from video ads placed by Google
– Requirements: 1,000 subscribers & 4,000 watch hours in past 12 months
– Payments based on RPM (revenue per 1,000 views)
– Average RPM for short videos is $2-$5
Affiliate Marketing Links
– Place affiliate links in video description to earn commissions on purchases
– Recommend relevant products and services to viewers
– Amazon Associates is a popular affiliate program
Sponsorships
– Pitch brands for paid sponsor segments in videos
– Disclose sponsorships transparently in videos
– Sponsor payments can range from $100-$10,000+
Merchandise Shelves
– Sell branded merchandise under videos using YouTube’s Merch Shelves
– Fans can browse and purchase merchandise without leaving YouTube
– You earn a commission on each sale
Super Chats & Super Stickers
– Earn money directly from fans through Super Chats and Super Stickers
– Viewers pay to pin comments and send stickers during live streams
– Great way to get instant revenue from loyal fans
Strategies for Monetizing Short YouTube Videos
Here are some effective strategies to increase your odds of successfully monetizing shorter videos on YouTube:
Optimize Your Videos
– Use strong SEO titles, tags, descriptions to rank high in search
– Make content easily shareable
– Include keywords throughout video narration
Promote Extensively
– Share videos on social media
– Collaborate with influencers in your niche
– Run YouTube and social media ads
– Pitch press and bloggers to earn coverage
Engage Your Audience
– Respond to all comments
– Ask viewers questions to spark discussion
– Run regular polls and Q&As
– Go live regularly to engage fans in real time
Release Videos Consistently
– Post new videos on a regular schedule, at least 1x a week
– The more content you have, the faster you can gain views and subs
– More videos also give more chances for individual videos to go viral
Analyze Performance
– Use YouTube Analytics to see top-performing videos and traffic sources
– Experiment with different video styles and topics
– Double down on what brings the most views, likes, and subscribers
Case Studies of Short YouTube Videos with Over 1 Million Views
To give you a better idea of the potential for monetizing short YouTube videos, here are some examples of channels that built over 1 million views with videos 2 minutes or less:
iDubbbzTV
– Niche: Comedy
– Video example: “Green is Not a Creative Color” (1.5 minutes)
– 1.2 million views, 33k likes
HowToBasic
– Niche: Comedy How To
– Video example: “How to Put on a Condom” (1.5 minutes)
– 1.3 million views, 48k likes
Daily Dose of Internet
– Niche: General Interest
– Video example: “Feeding LOTS of Animals” (1.5 minutes)
– 1.3 million views, 91k likes
The Infographics Show
– Niche: Educational Infographics
– Video example: “What If Megalodon Sharks Were Still Alive?” (2 minutes)
– 1.8 million views, 16k likes
Satisfying Slime ASMR
– Niche: Slime ASMR
– Video example: “Floam Slime | Relaxing Slime ASMR Video #8” (1.5 minutes)
– 1.4 million views, 37k likes
As you can see, these channels in very different niches were able to consistently drive millions of views to short videos with strategic optimization and promotion. This kind of viewership has major money-making potential through YouTube ads, sponsorships, affiliates, and other monetization methods once 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 hours have been reached.
Key Takeaways
Here are the key points to keep in mind when monetizing short YouTube videos:
- You can monetize 2 minute videos through YouTube Partner Program ads, affiliate links, sponsorships, merchandise, Super Chats, and more.
- Getting 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the past year is critical to joining the YouTube Partner Program.
- Optimize your content for search, promote aggressively, engage your audience, and analyze performance.
- With strategic optimization and promotion over time, even short videos can attract millions of views.
- Consistent posting of high-quality short videos will increase your odds of monetization success on YouTube.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many views do you need to make money on a 2 minute YouTube video?
There is no fixed number of views required to start making money from short YouTube videos. However, as a benchmark, videos with around 100,000 views typically earn $100-$500. With 1 million views, you can expect $1,000-$5,000. The key is building up a loyal audience over time.
Can I monetize YouTube without 1,000 subscribers?
Unfortunately, no. The YouTube Partner Program requires at least 1,000 subscribers to be eligible to monetize videos through ads. However, you can still potentially earn money through affiliate links, sponsorships, and fan funding before hitting the 1k subscriber milestone.
What is the best type of 2 minute YouTube video to monetize?
Comedy, music parodies, how-to tutorials, animations, and compilations tend to work well for short videos aimed at monetization. The key is keeping the pacing fast while still providing value to capture and retain audience attention within a 2 minute span.
How much do YouTubers make per 1,000 views?
The average YouTuber makes $2-$5 per 1,000 views. However, this can vary greatly based on factors like niche, audience demographics, watch time, etc. Top creators can make over $10 per 1,000 views. With 1 million views, most YouTubers earn between $2,000-$5,000.
Can I use copyrighted music in monetized YouTube videos?
No, to monetize videos through the YouTube Partner Program, you must have full commercial rights to all music, images, and other content used. Using copyrighted material without permission can lead to copyright strikes and channel termination. Use only royalty-free or original music.
Conclusion
Building a monetized YouTube channel with short 2 minute videos is challenging but achievable with the right strategy. The keys are optimizing for search, aggressively promoting, consistently releasing quality content, and analyzing performance to incrementally grow an audience over time. While the 1,000 subscriber and 4,000 hour watch time requirements are high hurdles, they are certainly attainable even for channels posting exclusively short videos. With dedication and persistence, you can eventually turn even short viral YouTube videos into a source of meaningful revenue.
