YouTube is one of the platforms to use when you want to make money online in Kenya. There are several ways in which one can make money through YouTube. But how can one start a YouTube channel? Well, you need to sign up to YouTube, create a channel by naming your new account, the process takes less than 2 minutes.
But before you start your own channel, you have to know exactly what you want to do, which niche you want to specialize on and whether you are ready for the unseen challenges. Making money through YouTube takes a lot of efforts and determination, you also need passion in order to keep going even when the money you expected to earn does not come.
Once you have created your channel, start posting unique and high quality videos, post daily. Post continuously for 12 months and apply to monetize with AdSense. To start earning, here are the minimum requirements for Kenyan YouTubers:
The channel must be 12 months old and above
- You must have at least 1,000 subscribers
- Your channel should get at least 4,000 watch time hours.
- Your videos should be of high quality, original and long.
After you have met the three conditions, apply for AdSense—it will be approved within 2 days.
But to earn decent money from YouTube, you have to be consistent. YouTube is not a gold mine where you join today, post a couple of videos and make millions. It might even take you 5 years to get 1000 subscribers and 4000 watch time hours.
How much money you can make from YouTube in Kenya?
The amount of money one can make from YouTube in Kenya depends on views. If your channel receives 1,000 views, you’ll earn Ksh 50 to Ksh 150.
Here is the approximate amount of money to earn from YouTube in Kenya based on views:
1000 views—Ksh 50 to Ksh150
10,000 views—Ksh 300 to Ksh 1,000
50,000 views—Ksh 5,000 to Ksh 15,000
100,000 views—Ksh 15,000 to Ksh 30,000
200,000 views—Ksh 30,000 to Ksh 70,000
500,000 views—Ksh 50,000 to Ksh150,000
1,000,000 views—Ksh 150,000 to Ksh 250,000
2 million views—over Ksh 200,000
5 million views—over Ksh 350,000
In order to be assured on constant income, your channel must have enough subscribers, over 50,000 subscribers. A channel with 100,000 subscribers will generate Ksh 100,000 and above monthly, that’s if you are consistent in posting videos. With 100,000 subscribers, each video you post will get at least 10,000 views. If you post 30 videos per month, you’re assured of more than 300,000 views, meaning that your channel must generate over Ksh 50,000 and above.
How to make money through YouTube
We have already discussed about AdSense. That’s the main way Kenyans make money through YouTube. Another way to make money is through sponsored content. A company will approach you to advertise their products on your channel. But to get sponsored content, your channel must be popular, it must be getting millions of views monthly. A channel with 100,000 subscribers and getting at least 1 million views per month will charge over Ksh 100,000 monthly.
You can also make money through MPESA by entertaining your audience and get paid. Tell your audience to support you by sending money through your MPESA number.
How to maximize your YouTube earnings
To maximize your YouTube earnings, you have to select a high paying niche. Don’t post videos without understanding how earnings are arrived at. Specialize in areas like web hosting, making money online, gadgets, cryptocurrency, sports, business and career. Those niches pay a lot of money.
Your videos should also be long enough .Create videos which last more than 30 minutes. The longer the videos, the higher the amount you earn from AdSense. But as you strive to make them long, make sure they are good enough, original, entertaining and useful to your readers.
Another important point to note, your traffic should come from Kenya, USA and Europe. Create content that attracts viewers from USA.Such traffic pays a lot. With 1 million views, you’ll make not less than Ksh200, 000.Always ensure that at least 30% of your traffic is from Europe and USA.Avoid traffic from India, Pakistan and Nigeria, the traffic generate low earnings.
As I said from the beginning, YouTube is not for the faint hearted, it requires someone with passion, who is dedicated to offering good content. It also requires patience. Imagine you can post videos daily for two years without breaking even. Without passion and consistence, you won’t make it.