How to Earn Money selling merchandise via YouTube (2023)

If you're a regular user on YouTube it is possible to observe that some of the most famous YouTubers -- as well as even smaller YouTube creators -- have gotten into the business of selling merchandise (short for "merchandise").

For instance, makeup artist Huda Kattan created her name-brand beauty label Huda Beauty. Jackie Aina also created FORVR Mood which is an online lifestyle store that sells scented candles and self-care packages. Additionally, Emma Chamberlain has her own company for tea and coffee, Chamberlain Coffee.

The creators have realized that using the standard methods of earning money from YouTube isn't sustainable, and have found methods to diversify their revenue. Selling products is an excellent method to achieve this. And, in the long run the sales of merch can turn into a primary source of income to YouTube creators. Additionally, selling custom merch can assist creators with engaging their fans base to keep up with the content on YouTube, since this is where they typically to announce the launch of a new product.

In contrast to the YouTube celebrities listed above There is no need for millions of followers to make and sell merch. Actually, if you get started early enough selling merchandise could aid in the growth of the reach of your channel on YouTube.

The proof is in the pudding: Emma Chamberlain and others have shown us that selling merchandise is a major sources of revenue to YouTubers. If you're a Youtuber who wants to begin selling your own merchandise take a look at this article to find out what you need to know about. In this all-inclusive guide, we'll explain why it's a good idea to start selling merchandise on YouTube as well as what you are able to sell as an YouTube maker, as well as also how to market your merchandise on your YouTube channel.

What are the reasons to sell merchandise through YouTube

The lifestyle of YouTubers is often glamorized as a result of some people think that thousands of views equal millions of dollars. This isn't the truth.

Most online creators -- including those on other platforms like Instagram -- often have to play by certain rules in order to earn profits. YouTube is a requirement for creators who want to run ads. Brands set their own rules to creators that they are able to collaborate with. Additionally, YouTube can stop a creator from advertising on their channel at any time or even end deals as they want.

The most common method of earning money from YouTube is through the YouTube Partner Program. To join the program You must:

• At least 1,000 members.
• An average of 4,000 watching hours were logged in the past twelve months.
• Living in a country in which the program is readily available.
• To comply with the YouTube monetization policy.
• To have no community guideline strikes on your channel.

If you meet these criteria, you can apply for the program. Even then, there's no guarantee acceptance. And even when you're approved, YouTube reserves the right to block your ads as well as to shut down your channel , or remove it entirely if it thinks you've broken its rules.

1. Diversify your revenue streams

Like we said earlier, advertising revenue as well as brand sponsorships are not the most reliable ways to earn money through YouTube due to their volatility. You can certainly do those things, but you don't want to place all your eggs into the same basket.

A lot of people aren't aware of the amount of money YouTube creators earn from selling merch. Consider Ryan Kaji of Ryan's World as an instance. The 11-year-old was initially an toy reviewer, however, he has created nearly five thousand pieces of brand-name merchandise. In the year 2020, he reportedly had a profit of $250,000 through the sale of his custom merch.

The reason he could achieve this is the fact that the product is his and only he and his team call the shots on how the products are made, what the store looks like, and the way they'll promote the product to the people who Ryan wants. If you're in charge of your inventory like this and you'll probably reap all of the rewards.

2. Improve fan engagement

The key to an effective YouTube channel is engagement with the audience. If viewers don't feel compelled to check out your channel's content it is likely that you won't earn the most money through YouTube. Selling merchandise is a fantastic method to keep your viewers entertained.

Why? Because it gives your fans the opportunity to show their support and get something in return. Robert Hoffmann, the Marketing Director at CashbackHero puts it best: "By selling merchandise, YouTubers can establish an even more intimate connection with their followers and improve participation in the process." Robert says. "Additionally, it offers viewers the opportunity to personally assist the content creators that they follow, creating an opportunity for both the parties concerned."

Even if you don't have many subscribers at present, there'll always be people that want to be a part of your team. Therefore, when you decide to offer products that are custom-designed, people will purchase it so long as the designs are good. For instance, if you're offering apparel, it has to be comfortable, have an inclusive sizing range and made of premium materials. That, and strategic marketing are among the most important things you need to get your customers to buy your customized merchandise.

related: 9 Tips for Getting Your 1st 1000 YouTube Subscribers

Another thing to consider is that the demographic who are most likely to purchase merchandise is Gen Z (ages 11-26 in 2023) who want to feel that they're a part of some sort of. Merchandise is the perfect method for YouTubers and their fans to get connected to their Gen Z fans at a more intimate level. Fans can wear or use their own merch and feel a sense of satisfaction in helping their favorite YouTuber, and feeling an integral part of the larger YouTube group of fans.

3. Create brand recognition

The sale of merchandise will help improve brand awareness and popularity of your YouTube channel. If you're selling merchandise emblazoned with your channel's name or logo, they'll essentially become walking billboards for you.

Selling merchandise could help you reach individuals who aren't YouTube users. Milo Cruz, the CMO at Freelance Writing Jobs and who has the experience of writing advertisements for YouTubers' merchandise explains how it works. "Active customers purchase the limited edition YouTuber's T-shirt, hoodie or other item, wear it, then introduce the merch to their friends and family," he says. "The situation is similar to the concept of word-of-mouth. YouTubers get free advertisements from existing subscribers who buy the merchandise. The item will entice those who see the item and convinces them to check the YouTuber's channel."

4. Stand out from competitors

Since most merchandise is custom products with unique designs, you'll be able to stand out from the other YouTube channels that are in your field.

"Selling merchandise is a great way for YouTubers to distinguish themselves from other YouTubers," says Sreeram Sharma who is Head of Social Media at QikChat. "If a YouTuber has an established brand with a large and loyal following, then merchandise could be a unique and valuable product that differentiates them from other YouTubers in their field."

The things you can offer as an YouTube creator

There are several items you could sell as YouTube creators. You can sell a few things as YouTube creator, including products for fans to purchase, merchandise you create in addition to fan experiences.

Fan merchandise

The fan merchandise market is the traditional approach to offer products to fans. Consider the jerseys people purchase in support of their favorite soccer team, or the branded bracelets that Gen Zers wear when they go to performances. The items typically feature designs or slogans that are related to the YouTube channel, which fans can wear to show their support.

Here are some instances of fan merchandise that is popular:

• T-shirts
• Crewnecks
• Hoodies
• Sweatpants
• Hats
• Scarves
• Socks
• Tote bags
• Mugs
• Enamel pins
• Stickers
• Phone cases
• Water bottles

The basic idea is that any item you can make with your brand's logo is regarded as merch.

As an example, Ava Jules, a lifestyle and beauty vlogger with more than 1.6 million YouTube followers, offers her own merch line of T-shirts, sweatshirts caps, hats, and keychains that reflect her experience growing up in Hawaii.

The best thing about fan merchandise is that it's easy to make because of the printing-on-demand (POD) possibilities that are available to creators.

All creators have to create ideas or slogans and once someone purchases a product that is purchased, the POD firm prints the design on the product , and deliver them to the buyer. So, creators won't have to worry about sourcing items, keeping track of inventory, or shipping products. This way, they'll save time and money.

Create products that you can sell

Producing your own product for sale takes a lot of effort and time, however, they are able to generate more money than fan-related merchandise. There are many ways to make and sell physical items like the way that makeup YouTubers make their own palettes of makeup, and the way Emma Chamberlain sells her custom blends of tea and coffee powder.

The physical items you could create and then sell are:

• Handmade craft
• Prints on art
• Physical wallpapers
• Gaming accessories
• Cosmetics
• Cookbooks

There is also the possibility to make digital items for example:

• Templates
• E-books
• Presets for photo editing
• Digital wallpapers
• Printable art and craft patterns for crafts

Digital media are beneficial to your audience due to the fact that they're exclusive content or resources they can only obtain from you.

Sarah Chrisp (aka Wholesale Ted), an online entrepreneur with 1 million YouTube customers, sells books and dropshipping programs on her site, The Ecomm Clubhouse.

Making courses at Sarah's level takes time. However, you can start with the simplest of things like selling printable worksheets and checklists. The caveat is that your products have to have value and relevance for your target audience.

Fan experiences

If you've got a large audience on YouTube, you could offer special experiences to your fans including exclusive items such as meet-and-greets, private special events. Additionally, you can establish a membership service as well as Patreon that allows your patrons to get access to exclusive live streaming, one-on-one sessions, or behind-the-scenes footage of your company.

How do you market your products on YouTube

If you are planning to produce fan merchandise you can use a variety of strategies that you could employ to inform your viewers know that these products are available for purchase. Below are some suggestions that you could try.

1. Promote your merch on your YouTube videos

The type of promotional campaign requires you to include your merch somewhere in your video , so viewers are able to learn about it, and then purchase some for them. There are several methods to promote your video:

Be Your Own Model

The simplest and easiest way to promote your custom merch is to feature it on your YouTube channel. So, the viewers will be aware that the item is available and will be able to see what it looks like. When you're offering wearable merch such as a t-shirt, then modeling the designs in the videos you make will to demonstrate that you're confident about the products you offer.

If you're not comfortable carrying your merchandise in your videos continuously It's possible to display it on the background as you shoot and draw attention on it from time to time.

Discuss your merchandise at the end of your videos.

If you do not want to advertise your merchandise within a video, since it might cause viewers to lose focus on the issue, mention it at the end of your video.

However, the downside of this however, is that only the people that watch the video to the end will learn about your merchandise. This can be fixed by directing people in your intro to watch through the entire video in anticipation of announcing a special eventor something similar to in that regard.

Do you have a method of unboxing a product?

"Creating product unboxing videos gives potential buyers an up-close look at the specifications of your products and understand their value better," says Rachel Macfarlane who is a strategist for content marketing for Redfox Visual.

Macfarlane is right. If you are selling products such as gaming gear, for instance the unboxing video allows you to describe all of the benefits and features of the product when you take it out of the box. This helps your audience see exactly how important the product you offer is.

Unboxing videos for products are ideal for new releases and seasonal collections. However, you are able to film them for just about any product.

2. Put your product links in video descriptions

No matter if your video's subject to your merchandise or not, you should be sure to include the hyperlink to your online store or page(s) in the video's description for everyone who is interested. Including merch links or a store's link is particularly helpful if you have several merchandise you'd like to market.

  3. Use the YouTube display feature for merch

Did you know that YouTube has a built-in feature that allows YouTubers to sell their products directly via the videos they make? Meet YouTube's Merch Shelf. YouTube Merch Shelf.

The merch shelf feature allows creators to sell their merchandise directly through YouTube from a number of places on the platform, including their channel's store, video screen at the end, as well as under live streams and videos.

Through the merch store feature on YouTube that allows you to place your items before the people's attention in real-time, as they're watching your videos or browsing your channel. This simple, integrated feature ensures that prospective customers don't need to jump through hoops to find your merch or buy it. Everything is available in YouTube's application!

YouTubers wanting to utilize the feature of merch shelves must comply with a set of requirements, which can limit access to certain. If you're able to meet the requirements, it's something you should consider taking advantage of. At present, you have to meet the following criteria to take advantage of YouTube's merch-shelf feature:

• The channel you are on has over 1,000 users.
• Your channel is accepted to be monetized.
• Your channel is not classified as "made by kids."
• It is possible to join the YouTube Partner Program is available in your region.

Do you meet all the standards? Great! You are now able to sell your products via the YouTube merch shop. It is possible to learn more about the steps to set up your personal YouTube merchandise shelf on the platform's Support page.

4. Offer discounts on your merch

Discounting your products is a great way to make a lot of sales within a brief amount of time. Garrett Smith who runs local SEO at GMB Gorilla understands that offering discount coupons and special offers in your merchandise will give your fans "feel like they are special."

Smith suggests "Use words that create urgency, like 'limited time offer' or "limited stock available,' to urge users to buy right away. This hits two birds in one fell swoop since it drives more sales. It also encourages new viewers to subscribe to your channel. It also expands the reach of your channel."

5. Make sure to promote your products via social media

Social media is among the most effective ways for promoting any product. Since you're already a YouTuber, you'll want to take advantage of other platforms on social media such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and TikTok in order to advertise your products to your customers.

It is necessary to write content or stories that feature your products, organize giveaways and contests, and offer exclusive discounts to your followers, and run ads that reach out to people who do not yet follow your account.

6. Work with other creators within your field of expertise

Collaboration with YouTubers, social media influencers, or other brands that are in your field can be a great way to reach people you would never have access to in the past.

It is possible to create videos alongside other creatives, and then include your merchandise in the videos. Or you could develop a limited-edition item with an influential influencer, preferably one with an audience that is larger than yours. You'll be able to reach the new audience and increasing your brand recognition during your partnership.

In the final day, marketing merch via YouTube is all about coming up with innovative methods to keep your viewers interested in buying from you.

Make money by selling merch through YouTube

Achieving success as a YouTube creator means creating an enterprise that generates income, no matter what difficulties you encounter when you use the platform. Selling merch is one of the most effective ways of achieving this.

There is no need to have a ton of users or expensive equipment in order for selling products on YouTube. All you need is a good designer, a reliable print-on-demand company (if you plan to market clothes) and a sound marketing strategy. Also, since YouTube is able to be integrated into e-commerce stores, it'll be effortless for people to locate your items and then purchase them.

Once you've mastered the tricks and tips of selling merch through YouTube, it's time to get out there and create that merch and earn that cash.

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