How Long Does It Take to Start Making Money on YouTube?

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6 Min

Last updated

17 Jun 2025

How Long Does It Take to Start Making Money on YouTube?

When do you start making money on YouTube? Here’s the truth: there’s no single answer. Some creators monetize in 28 days. Others need months or never make it at all.

But after working with thousands of MilX users who did make it, we know one thing: it’s not just about time. It’s about strategy. Let’s break it down how to make money on YouTube.

How to Calculate Your YouTube Income

Wondering how much YouTube pays per view? On average, YouTube money per view ranges from $0.003 to $0.03, depending on your niche, audience, and engagement.

Know your RPM (Revenue per Mille): This is what you earn per 1,000 views after YouTube’s cut. It typically ranges from $0.5 to $5, but in niches like finance or tech, it can go up to $20+.

Use the YouTube income formula

Total Views ÷ 1,000 × RPM = Estimated Income
Example: 100,000 views × $3 RPM = $300

Factor in extras: If you also earn from memberships, Super Chats, or affiliate links, your total income will be higher than just ad YouTube revenue.

Track your analytics: YouTube Studio shows your actual RPM, CPM (what advertisers pay), and monetized playbacks.

So, now you know how to calculate YouTube revenue.

MilX Option of fast Access to YouTube Funds

Don’t Just Pick a Niche - Pick a Profitable One

When making money on YouTube - passion matters. But CPM matters more.

A finance channel might earn $20 per 1,000 views. A meme channel? Maybe $1.

That means fewer views = more YouTube money if you’re in the right niche.

Before launching, ask:

  • Is it profitable? Check average CPMs on similar channels. High-paying niches = faster monetization.
  • Is there demand? Use YouTube search autocomplete. If people aren’t searching, they’re not watching.
  • Can I stand out? If the niche is crowded, carve out a sub-niche. Be the “CrossFit” inside “Fitness.”
  • Is there room to grow? Think beyond ads. Will this niche let you plug affiliate links, brand deals, or your own products?

Dream about passive income from YouTube? Want to know which niches pay most? Check this: How Much YouTube Earnings Popular Creators Get – MilX

Illustration of niche impact on YouTube earnings

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Remix Like a Creator

Copying? Lazy.
Modeling? Smart.

Top creators aren’t guessing what works. They’re reverse-engineering it.

Search your niche with phrases like:

  • “Makeup tutorial natural look”
  • “Minecraft hardcore day 100”
  • “What I eat in a day gym”
  • “Small YouTuber setup tour”
  • “Beginner photography mistakes”

Then scroll. What’s getting millions of views? What keeps popping up? That’s your blueprint.

Ryan Trahan, MrBeast, Airrack, they all build off familiar formats. They just make them their own.

And the secret isn’t just in the video idea. It’s in the packaging:

  • Face on the left;
  • Giant object on the right;
  • Bright, bold colors;
  • Curiosity baked into the title.

These thumbnails demand clicks.

So don’t reinvent the wheel. Study what works, remix it for your audience, and deliver it better.

That’s how small creators go big fast.

Analyze Everytime and Optimize

Uploading is just step one. Successful creators optimize after the fact.

  • CTR under 4%? Your thumbnail or title needs work. Make it bolder. Sharper. More curiosity-driven.
  • Drop-off in the first 30 seconds? Your intro isn’t hooking. Rewrite it to deliver value immediately.
  • Spike in watch time? That’s your secret sauce. Look at what you did right, then double down on it next time.

You’re not guessing anymore. You’re learning in real time.

And while views feel great, it’s watch hours that unlock monetization.
Track. Tweak. Repeat. That’s how pros play the game and win.

Advice on adjusting YouTube strategy to boost monetization

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Hook Fast. Retain Longer

The first 30 seconds? That’s where most viewers bounce. Your job? Make them stay.

Start strong with assumptive questions that instantly answer what they’re already thinking:

No, I’m not going to say ‘just follow your passion.’ Let’s talk actual strategy.”

Set the tone fast. Build curiosity. Tease what’s coming up later. Open a loop, then close it. Then open another one.

This pacing keeps people watching. And watch time is what gets you monetized.

Make the end feel like a surprise cut,  not a fade-out. This keeps the viewer flowing straight into your next video, boosting your session time and chances of a binge.

Retention advice on boosting YouTube earnings

Think Beyond AdSense

When do you get money from YouTube? Getting into the YouTube Partner Program is a milestone, not the finish line.

AdSense is just one income stream.

Smart creators build faster with tools like MilX, used by thousands of YouTubers worldwide.

With MilX, you can:

  • Get up to 6 months of YouTube revenue in advance;
  • Transfer YouTube money instantly to bank accounts, e-wallets, or crypto;
  • Access daily payouts without waiting on YouTube’s monthly cycle;

Why wait 30 days when you can grow today?

Monetize smarter. Diversify early. And never let cash flow slow down your content.

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