Monetization often serves as a tangible measure of success and validation for creators, so the lack of financial rewards may lead you to question the sustainability of your efforts and your ability to continue investing time and resources into the channel. 

As a result, many people will feel defeated and ultimately abandon their channel that was once full of potential. 



I personally experienced this with my very first channel. And after 1 year on Youtube with no sign of monetization, I quit. But I knew it was possible and I was determined to “crack the code”. I then took time away and dedicated another year to fully immersing myself in learning everything I could about how to be successful on Youtube. I studied other channels, dug deep into analytics, experimented with various content formats, and ultimately came up with a strategy that actually worked.

This strategy not only worked for 1 channel, it translated into success across every niche, every format, and every clients’ channel I worked on thereafter. To get monetized quickly, you need to focus on two things:

Increasing your subscriber count Boosting your watch time. So if you’re serious about getting your channel monetized faster than 90% of creators on the platform, here are my top 5 tips.

1. Make Videos with High Watch Time Potential

Or in other words CREATE GOOD CONTENT. This doesn’t just mean focusing on the production. This means having incredible ideas that people are actually interested in seeing. After you nail the ideas, the production and creation then comes into play. Creating engaging content that resonates with your target audience, investing in equipment, honing your editing skills, and striving to deliver value in every video you publish. 

The goal is to keep the viewer watching your videos for as long as possible, so it’s important to have a strong hook in your intro (the first 3 seconds are very important), using editing as a tool to keep the pace dynamic and engaging, and structuring your content in a way that maintains viewer interest throughout the video. Pay attention to audience retention metrics in your YouTube Analytics to identify which parts of your videos are keeping viewers engaged and which parts are causing them to drop off. Use this data to refine your content and create videos that consistently keep viewers hooked.

2. Nail your Packaging (Thumbnails & Titles)

No matter how engaging or how high-quality your videos are, if nobody clicks on your thumbnail and title, then nobody watches your video. You have to make every video packageable and brandable.

Since your thumbnail will be the first thing people see when browsing on Youtube, it’s crucial that your thumbnail stands out. 

The best thumbnails accurately represent the content of the video while also sparking curiosity and generating interest.

A cool tool that we like to use to get inspiration for thumbnails is 1of10. This website shows you the outliers of thumbnail designs in various categories, helping you brainstorm unique and attention-grabbing ideas. It’s also a good idea to test various designs to see what works and what doesn’t.

So keep a close eye on your audience analytics. If you notice a certain video gets tons of clicks, they try to create a similar thumbnail for your next video and see if it has the same effect. If you find that your new thumbnail isn’t bringing in the clicks like you thought it would, try something new.

3. Consistent Posting Schedule

Consistency is key when it comes to growing your YouTube channel and building a loyal audience. Having a regular posting schedule not only keeps your viewers engaged but also signals to the YouTube algorithm that you're an active and reliable creator. You’ll want to choose a posting schedule that is realistic for you and that you won’t deviate from. Whether it's uploading 3 videos weekly, bi-weekly, or even daily, stick to it. This helps your audience know when to expect new content from you, increasing their likelihood of returning to your channel regularly and ultimately subscribing.

Moreover, consistency can also help improve your channel's visibility on YouTube. The algorithm tends to favor channels that upload content consistently, as it indicates reliability and commitment to providing fresh content to viewers.

4. Batch Recording

As I mentioned, consistency will make or break your channel, but consistently creating content without a strategy will lead to major burn out, another reason why many creators end up quitting. To prevent that, I always recommend batch recording.

Batch recording involves filming multiple videos in one session, allowing you to build up a library of content that you can release over time. This not only ensures a consistent posting schedule, but also saves you time and energy in the long run.

Set aside dedicated time for filming sessions where you can record several videos back-to-back. Plan your content in advance, create a shooting schedule, and make sure you have all the necessary equipment and props ready to go. By batch recording, you can streamline your production process, maintain your momentum, and stay ahead of your posting schedule. Plus, it gives you the flexibility to focus on other aspects of your channel without the pressure of constantly needing to film new content. Another tip within this tip is: Don’t begin posting on your channel until you have at least a month's worth of content recorded, edited, and ready to go. That way, you have a buffer of content to fall back on in case unexpected events come up or you need to take a break from filming.

5. Have High-Level Ideas 

I always like to repeat this concept. You can find close to anything on Youtube, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t still stand out in your niche. 

Your ideas serve as the foundation for your channel's identity. They are the overarching themes or concepts that tie your videos together and attract your audience. 

When brainstorming high-level ideas, consider your passions, expertise, and the interests of your audience. What unique perspective can you bring to your niche? What topics or themes are trending or underserved in your niche that you can capitalize on?

I’ve come up with a way to simplify this brainstorming process which has proven effective among my channels. 

To learn more about this strategy and come up with the most unique video ideas check out our YouTube for Business Masterclass.