Mental health therapists can monetize their YouTube channel in various ways. This can be beneficial if you are trying to get additional income streams from YouTube.
Here are 10 strategies you can consider when it comes to monetizing a YouTube Channel:
Remember to be transparent with your audience about any monetization methods you employ, and ensure that your content continues to provide value and support to your viewers. Building trust and maintaining the integrity of your mental health advice is crucial.
1. Ad Revenue:
Enable YouTube ads on your videos through the YouTube Partner Program. You’ll earn a portion of the ad revenue generated from ads displayed on your content. To qualify for the YouTube Partner Program, you will need 1000 subscribers for your channel and 4000 watch hours on your videos.
However, when you are first starting a YouTube channel, ad revenue should not be your main source of income or focus. It needs to be seen as a cherry on top. If you are obsessing about growing your subscribers to 1000 no matter what it takes, it might hurt you in the long run. Some people ended up doing sub for sub or doing whatever videos that can get subscribers.
First of all, doing sub for sub is dangerous and your are risking your channel to be taken down. Second of all, if you are doing whatever videos you can to get subscribers, you may not be attracting your ideal clients. So, in the beginning, it’s ok if you subscribers’ numbers are low. You rather have 10 subscribers who are your target audience, that are willing to watch your videos are one to the next, then having 1000 subscribers that are not your target audience. In the long run, it’s that 10 subscribers who are willing to trust you, like you, and wanting to buy your products/services, such as a value course you may be offering.
2. Sponsorships and Brand Deals
Collaborate with brands or companies for sponsored content. This might involve reviewing products or services or integrating them into your videos.
It’s essential that you have a business plan when you are first starting your YouTube channel. In your business plan, you clearly define your niche, the contents you want to make, the type of channel you want to have, and the ideal target audience you want to have.
When you already have a business plan and position yourself well, you might already know the potential sponsorships and brand deals that you want to have or attract. When you are first starting, you can reach out to these brands on your own and work out a deal. In the long run, when brands can clearly see what your channel is about, they will be more than willing to contact you to establish a sponsorships and brand deals since they know your audience is align with their consumer demographic.
3. Affiliate Marketing:
Promote products or services relevant to mental health through affiliate marketing. You’ll earn a commission for each sale made through your referral links.
The easiest way will be signing up for affiliation with Amazon. For example, you are recommending a book and you can put your affiliated link down in your video description. However, you might only get less then one cent with this method. Also, if no one use any of your affiliated link to purchase items, Amazon will close partnership with you in 180 days. You can learn more when you by reading Amazon affiliate program requirement.
I notice not that many people talk about the importance of connection and relationship when it comes to affiliate marketing. Let say if you have a friend, who happened to be a very good lawyer, you can contact this friend to see if you can work out a affiliation together. This friend might have good legal package that he/she wants to sell, and you know your audience could benefit from getting this package to incorporate in their business. So, even if you don’t have a big audience or have no affiliation right now, start nurturing relationship and connection. It never hurts to use the old fashion way to connect with local professionals and ask them to get a cut of coffee or just even just chat on Zoom to start with.
4. Online Courses and Workshops
Offer paid online courses or workshops related to topics that you specialize in. Promote them through your YouTube channel and provide a discount for your subscribers.
Here I go again with my business planning again. When you have your target audience in mind, do you know what they need? Do you know what help they are desperately needed and your course can take them there? Remember we talked about that you rather have 10 subscribers that are you target audience rather than 1000 subscribers that are not your target audience? This is where that 10 subscribers come in. They will be the one who can really benefit from your courses or workshop and will be willing to purchase something from you, because they trust and know you can provide quality products for them.
5. Consultations and Coaching
Use your channel to attract potential clients for one-on-one consultations or coaching sessions.
When you are doing YouTube, you can reach your audience worldwide. As you know in the United States, therapists can only see clients in the States they are licensed in. In this case, you want to market yourself as a coach or consultant. Let’s say if you’ve been a couple therapists for decades, you might want to consider marketing yourself as a relationship coach on YouTube. That way, if you want to provide consultation or coaching services, you can. Just make sure that you consult with a lawyer, have a business designated just for coaching and/or consulting.
6. Patreon or Memberships:
Set up a Patreon account or a YouTube channel membership program. Offer exclusive content, Q&A sessions, or community access to subscribers who pay a monthly fee.
You can generate income on Patreon by offering exclusive and valuable content to your subscribers. By creating a tiered membership system, you can provide various benefits at different price points. For instance, you may offer access to monthly Q&A sessions, in-depth video or written content on specific topics, personalized advice or recommendations, and a supportive community forum for higher-tier subscribers. These exclusive offerings not only help subscribers in their personal journey but also incentivize them to support you through monthly pledges.
Patreon provides a sustainable platform for you to build a loyal and engaged community while earning a steady income, fostering a deeper connection with their audience, and ensuring that individuals receive the support they need in a structured and accessible manner.
7. Merchandise:
Design and sell branded merchandise like T-shirts, mugs, or journals related to your channel’s themes and messages. The ideas here are unlimited. Think of something that your audience might find humors in, or something they can use on a regular basis, like a mug, hoodie, or calendar, and have fun with this project.
8. Ebooks and E-courses:
Create and sell ebooks, e-courses, or digital resources on mental health topics. Use your channel to promote and provide a sample of your content.
You will be surprised when you designed something your audience could relate to or needed, how fast they would be willing to throw their money out. Let’s say you are a coach who promote food freedom, and you design a daily journal with prompt that can help people heal from body image issues and reach food freedom. This is something you audience not only buy but also share with their friends and colleagues because this journal can really transform their life. This go with when you are creating your ebooks and e-courses as well.
9. Crowdfunding
You, as a YouTuber, can use crowdfunding as a way to make money by leveraging various platforms and strategies. Here’s how you do it:
Kickstarter and Indiegogo Campaigns: You can use crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter and Indiegogo to fund specific projects. For instance, you may seek funds to create a documentary, launch a new series, or even design merchandise. Backers receive rewards or early access to content in return.
Fundraising Livestreams: You can host live streams with the goal of raising funds for a particular cause or project. They encourage viewers to donate during the stream, and the proceeds contribute to their income.
YouTube Memberships: You can offers a channel membership program where you can provide exclusive badges, emojis, and content to paying members. This serves as a form of crowdfunding since viewers pay a monthly fee for extra benefits.
Twitch: While primarily a platform for gamers, some YouTubers also use Twitch for live streaming and crowdsource funds through donations and subscriptions from their audience.
To successfully use crowdfunding, you need to be transparent about your financial needs, offer compelling rewards, and effectively communicate your goals to your audience. Crowdfunding can help you finance their content creation, foster community engagement, and provide unique experiences to your most dedicated fans. In other words, you don’t have to solely rely on ad revenue, and your audience who feel special since they have exclusive access to the content you are creating.
10. Speaking Engagements and Webinars
Promote your speaking engagements at conferences, webinars, or workshops. You can charge a fee for attending these events or offer them for free as a way to promote your expertise.
That’s the 10 ways you can monetize your YouTube channel as a mental health therapist. After reading this post, do you have a plan or the next step you can take now?
