YouTube has made a new announcement, and it’s terrifying for small content creators. This week, YouTube released a statement regarding changes to their guidelines for monetization. If you aren’t quite sure what that means, it means YouTube is now making it more difficult for content creators to make money. Before this week, in order for a YouTuber to make money, their channel needed to have a total of 10,000 views on their videos. Here’s what a content creator has to do to make a little extra dough now:

 

What Are The New Rules?

1. Before qualifying for monetization, a channel must have 4,000 hours of watch time within the past 12 months.

2. Before qualifying for YouTube monetization, a channel must have a total of 1,000 subscribers.

Dang, Why Would YouTube Do This?

There are many reasons why YouTube could have chosen to do this, but the main reason seems to be to please those who are advertising on the platform. By making it harder to monetize, YouTube will be able to control the content that plays before or after advertisements. These changes come shortly after YouTube sensation Logan Paul posted a video showing the corpse of a man. All in all, it makes it easier for YouTube to shut down inappropriate videos.

Another important note: If your channel is currently being monetized and you do not meet these new requirements, monetization will be disabled on your account on February 20, 2018.

How Can You Keep Up?

1. Don’t get frustrated too easily.

We know! It’s easier said than done. Try your hardest to not get frustrated with YouTube’s new policies. Getting frustrated will only make you more discouraged. As long as you continue to provide your viewers with original content and stay true to your brand, it is possible to get 4,000 hours of watch time or 1,000 subscribers.

2. Continue to post on a schedule.

Do not stop posting your scheduled content! Your audience will still be expecting your videos to be posted at your scheduled times. For example, if you usually post every Wednesday at 3 PM, you should continue to do so.  If you can post an extra video a week that would be even better!

3. Engage! engage! engage! 

One of the easiest things you can do to help increase your own subscriber count is to engage with others on YouTube. Respond to those who comment on your videos, and support other YouTuber’s by watching their videos.

4. Use other social media platforms to promote your channel.

Be sure every time you post a video on YouTube, you make an announcement on your other social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. This will help to increase your view count for each video by driving more traffic to your YouTube channel.

Overall, it can be very hard when social media platforms make unexpected changes. If you feel like you are at a standstill and need additional help with content development or rebranding, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at info@itscreativelabel.com. We are always here to help!

What do you think about YouTube’s new changes? Leave us a comment below!