How Much Do You Make On Youtube With 100k Subscribers: Price/cost Details & What To Expect
So, you've hit that magical milestone: 100,000 subscribers on YouTube! High fives all around! It feels like yesterday you were uploading your first shaky, unedited video from your bedroom, and now, BAM! You've got a community. But the million-dollar question (or maybe the hundred-thousand-dollar question) is: how much do you actually make? Let's spill the tea, sans the drama, and break down what you can realistically expect, from the sweet, sweet ad revenue to the other ways creators are building their empires.
Think of it like this: hitting 100k subscribers is like graduating from YouTube’s high school. You’ve proven you can consistently create content and attract an audience. Now, it’s time to explore the different colleges (income streams) and see which ones are the best fit for your… well, your YouTube career.
The Big Kahuna: AdSense - It's Not Always About the Benjamins
The most common way YouTubers earn is through YouTube’s own advertising program, formerly known as Google AdSense, now just part of the YouTube Partner Program (YPP). Once you're accepted into the YPP (which requires 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the past 12 months, so 100k is way past that!), ads can start appearing on your videos.
Now, before you start mentally decorating your mansion, let's get real. The amount you earn from ads is measured in CPM (Cost Per Mille, meaning cost per thousand views) and RPM (Revenue Per Mille, meaning revenue per thousand views). These numbers fluctuate wildly, like a TikTok dance trend.
CPM is what advertisers are willing to pay per 1,000 ad impressions. This can range from as little as $1 to as high as $20 or even more, depending on your niche, your audience's location, and the time of year. Think holiday season spikes – advertisers are practically throwing money at creators then!
RPM is what you actually get paid per 1,000 views after YouTube takes its cut (which is 45% for ad revenue, by the way). So, if your CPM is $10, your RPM might be closer to $5.50. This is the number you want to keep an eye on. For a 100k subscriber channel, if your videos are getting a decent amount of views (and they should be!), your RPM could be anywhere from $2 to $10.
So, What Does That Mean for 100k Subs?
Let’s do some (very rough) math. If you have 100k subscribers, and your average video gets, say, 50,000 views, that’s 50 sets of 1,000 views. If your RPM is $4, then 50 x $4 = $200 per video. Not life-changing, right?
BUT! This is where the consistency of YouTube comes in. If you're uploading 2-3 videos a week, and each of those is hitting that 50k view mark, you're looking at $800-$1200 a week, or $3,200-$4,800 a month from AdSense alone. This is a super generalized example, and your actual earnings could be higher or lower. Some niches, like finance or tech, have much higher CPMs than, say, gaming or comedy, because advertisers in those fields are willing to pay more to reach those specific audiences.
Pro Tip: Don’t obsess over subscriber count for AdSense. It’s the views that matter! A channel with 50k very active subscribers might earn more than a channel with 150k subscribers who don’t watch much.
Beyond the Ads: Diversifying Your Dough
While AdSense is the foundational layer, relying solely on it is like eating just bread. Delicious, yes, but you’re missing out on the gourmet toppings! Smart creators understand that diversification is key. This is where things get really interesting, and the earning potential can skyrocket.
1. Sponsorships and Brand Deals: The Golden Ticket?
This is often where the big money is made. Brands are always on the lookout for creators with engaged audiences. With 100k subscribers, you're definitely on their radar. A brand deal involves a company paying you to promote their product or service in your videos.
How much can you charge? It’s the eternal question! Factors include:
- Your niche
- Your engagement rate (likes, comments, shares)
- Your audience demographics
- The scope of the campaign (e.g., a single mention vs. a dedicated video)
- The brand’s budget
For a 100k subscriber channel, a single integrated mention might earn you anywhere from $500 to $2,000. A dedicated video can easily command $2,000 to $5,000 or even more. Some established creators with loyal fanbases can negotiate much higher rates. Remember, you’re not just selling views; you’re selling trust and influence.
Cultural Reference: Think of MrBeast. His brand deals are massive because he has an unparalleled level of trust and engagement with his audience. While you might not be giving away Lamborghinis, the principle is the same: your audience believes in you.
Fun Fact: Many creators have agencies that help them negotiate brand deals, taking a percentage but often securing much more lucrative partnerships than they could on their own. It’s like having a personal agent for your YouTube stardom!
Practical Tip: Never promote a product you don’t genuinely believe in. Your audience will see through it, and it can damage your credibility faster than a disliked video. Authenticity is your superpower.
2. Affiliate Marketing: The "If You Like It, Buy It!" Approach
This is a more passive income stream. You partner with companies and include special links to their products or services in your video descriptions. When someone clicks your link and makes a purchase, you earn a commission.
Popular platforms include Amazon Associates, but many other companies have their own affiliate programs. The commission rates can vary from a few percent to 20% or more, depending on the product. If your videos are about tech, for example, recommending a specific gadget with an affiliate link can add up quickly.
What to Expect: This is more of a steady trickle than a flood. Don't expect to retire on affiliate income alone, but it’s a fantastic way to monetize your passion without being overtly promotional. It feels like sharing a cool find with a friend.
3. Merch: Wear Your Brand!
Got a cool logo, a catchy catchphrase, or an inside joke with your community? It’s time to put it on t-shirts, mugs, stickers, or even quirky socks! Selling merchandise is a direct way to connect with your audience and give them something tangible to show their support.
Platforms like Teespring (now Spring), Shopify (with print-on-demand integrations), or Redbubble make it super easy to set up an online store. You design it, they print it, they ship it. You earn a profit margin.
What to Expect: Profit margins on merchandise can vary, but you can often make anywhere from $5 to $20 profit per item, depending on the product and your pricing. Success here hinges on having a strong brand identity and a community that wants to represent it.
4. Digital Products & Courses: Sharing Your Expertise
This is a step up in terms of leveraging your knowledge. If you’ve become an expert in your niche (whether it’s baking sourdough, coding, or dog training), you can create and sell your own digital products.
Think e-books, templates, presets (for photographers/videographers), or even full-blown online courses. This is where you can command higher prices because you’re offering significant value and in-depth knowledge.
What to Expect: A well-priced e-book might sell for $10-$30, while a comprehensive online course could be anywhere from $100 to $1,000+. This requires more upfront work to create the product, but the profit margins are often much higher, and you’re in complete control of the pricing and quality.
5. Memberships and Exclusive Content: The Inner Circle
YouTube itself offers a "Memberships" feature, allowing your most dedicated fans to pay a monthly fee for exclusive perks. These perks can include special badges, custom emojis, members-only live streams, behind-the-scenes content, or early access to videos.
This is akin to a Patreon model but directly integrated into YouTube. It fosters a sense of community and provides a predictable monthly income. You can offer different tiers of membership with varying levels of access and benefits.
What to Expect: Membership prices typically range from $1 to $20 per month. If you have a dedicated core audience, even just a few hundred members can contribute significantly to your monthly income. It’s a fantastic way to reward your superfans!
The "What to Expect" Reality Check
So, let’s put it all together. A YouTuber with 100k subscribers, who is actively creating content, engaging with their audience, and exploring multiple income streams, can realistically expect to earn anywhere from $3,000 to $15,000+ per month.*
This is a broad range because, as we’ve seen, so many factors are at play. Some creators might be making a modest living solely on AdSense and affiliate marketing, while others have leveraged their audience to build a full-blown business with brand deals, merchandise, and courses.
Key Takeaways for Your Journey:
- Views trump subs for AdSense.
- Diversify your income streams. Don't put all your eggs in the AdSense basket.
- Authenticity is your gold standard.
- Know your audience and cater to them.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment with different monetization methods.
It’s also important to remember that this income isn't always stable. Ad revenue can fluctuate, sponsorships can be seasonal, and trends can change. It's a dynamic field, much like the ever-changing landscape of fashion or music.
Cultural Reference: Think of the music industry. A new artist might get paid a decent amount from streaming royalties (similar to AdSense), but the real money often comes from touring, merchandise, and licensing deals.
A Little Reflection to Tie it All Together
Hitting 100,000 subscribers is a massive achievement, a testament to your creativity, perseverance, and your ability to connect with people. And yes, it *can translate into a comfortable income, or even a thriving business. But beyond the numbers, it’s about the community you've built. It's about the conversations in the comments, the inside jokes that only your viewers understand, and the feeling of sharing your passion with a group of people who genuinely appreciate it.
Just like how a well-made cup of coffee can brighten your morning, or a good book can transport you to another world, a successful YouTube channel can bring joy, knowledge, and even financial stability into your life. It’s a modern-day craft, a digital hustle, and when you do it with passion and authenticity, the rewards – both financial and personal – can be incredibly fulfilling. So, keep creating, keep experimenting, and enjoy the ride!