YouTube Sponsorships Work
As a creator, one of the most fulfilling ways of earning money on YouTube—other than ads and memberships—is via sponsorships. YouTube sponsorships allow brands to pay you for featuring their products or services within your videos. But just how do YouTube sponsorships work, you ask?
In this tutorial, we're going to take you through it all—how sponsorships function, how to land your first brand deal and maximize your earnings.
What Is a YouTube Sponsorship?
A YouTube sponsorship is a business partnership between a brand and a creator in which the brand pays (or compensates) the creator to promote their product, service, or cause in one or more videos.
Sponsorships can take many forms:
- Integrated mentions (you talk about the product while appearing on your video)
- Dedicated videos (the entire video is about the brand or product)
- Product placements (you simply use or show the product)
- Affiliate links (you earn commission from sales made through your link)
How Do YouTube Sponsorships Work?
Below is a step-by-step guide on how standard YouTube sponsorships work:
1. Brands Find Creators (or Vice Versa)
- Brands contact creators via email, social networks, or websites like FameBit, Grapevine, Channel Pages, or AspireIQ.
- You may also contact brands directly if your material is in their audience's interest.
2. Negotiation
- Negotiate the campaign scope, such as:
- Video type (mention vs. dedicated video)
- Script approval
- Deadline
- Use rights
- Agree on payment (flat rate or performance-based)
3. Contract Agreement
- Both parties enter into a contract with terms of expectations, timelines, compensation, and FTC compliance.
4. Content Creation
- You create the video featuring the product or service.
- Most businesses undergo content review before publishing.
5. Disclosure
- Creators are obligated by YouTube and FTC to disclose paid endorsements. This can be done by opting to check the "Paid Promotion" box from YouTube Studio and including #ad or #sponsored in your description.
6. Video Is Published
- You publish the video after approval. Brands can also show it on their channels or commercials.
7. Payment
- You're paid according to the agreement—either on advance, on delivery, or on performance (e.g., sales of affiliates).
How Much Do YouTubers Make From Sponsorships?
Sponsorship rates are based on:
- Subscriber number
- Video average views
- Engagement rate
- Niche (finance, tech, and beauty pay higher)
- Brand exposure and authority video length
Creators quote between $15 and $50 per 1,000 views. More established, stronger-branded creators with loyal bases make hundreds to thousands of dollars per sponsored video.
How to Earn YouTube Sponsorships
1. Build a loyal following – Brands want creators with strong community foundations. 2. Stay focused on a niche – Keep to one topic area (fitness, gaming, tech, travel, etc.)
- Be professional – Keep your channel tidy and visually appealing and be prompt to reply.
- Make a media kit – Include your viewers' statistics, demographics, level of engagement, and examples of previous sponsorships.
- Join sponsorship websites – Websites like:
FTC Guidelines and Transparency
Always reveal sponsored content to maintain YouTube and FTC compliance. This gains trust with your viewers and helps avoid your channel being flagged or penalized.
- Display #ad, #sponsored, or spoken disclaimers.
- Check on "includes paid promotion" tag in the YouTube upload options.
Sponsorships on YouTube are a powerful way to monetize your content—often more than regular ads. By putting out quality content, engaging with your audience, and being your awesome self, you can acquire sponsors that fit with your brand and greatly boost your profits.
No matter if you're a new creator or an experienced influencer, understanding how sponsorships on YouTube work can make your channel a successful venture.
Related Reads
- How to Turn on YouTube Monetization Features
- Top 10 Sites to Search for YouTube Sponsors
- YouTube FTC Sponsorship Policies
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