In the land of colors and curry, there’s another ‘C’ quietly creeping up in the cultural landscape: content creators.
India, the world’s largest democracy, has rapidly embraced the digital revolution, with Internet users in the country expected to reach 974 million by 2025. As a result, its YouTube stars are cashing in on the action.
But just how much can they bank on their 15 minutes of fame?
Let’s dive into the world of Indian YouTubers, uncover the rupees behind the razzle-dazzle, and get a glimpse of what it takes to monetize your masti on the digital stage.
Hold on to your chai cups because this journey through the financial underpinnings of India’s YouTube scene is bound to be a thrilling ride.
As Ajey Nagar, a.k.a CarryMinati, one of India’s most popular YouTubers, once said, “It’s a dream come true to be doing what I love and making a living out of it.” With a whopping 31.3 million subscribers at the time of writing, he’s clearly onto something.
But how much does it actually pay off? We’ll be crunching the numbers and dissecting the strategies that have made India’s YouTube elite not just famous but financially successful, too.
How much does YouTube pay in India?
The average YouTube user in India earns about Rs. 1,000 per 1,000 views. That’s about $14 per 1,000 views.
However, the top YouTubers in India make much more than that.
The top earners on YouTube in India make an average of Rs. 2.9 lakhs per 1 lakh views. That’s about $4,000 per 1 lakh views.
Of course, these are just averages. Some YouTubers make more, and some make less.
How do YouTubers get paid in India?
YouTube pays YouTubers based on a variety of factors, including:
- The number of views their videos receive
- The number of subscribers they have
- The amount of time people watch their videos
- The country where their viewers are located
…and more, but that’s mostly it.
How can I make money on YouTube in India?
The big question on every aspiring Indian YouTuber’s mind is, “How do I turn my passion for content creation into a sustainable income?”
Well, buckle up, because we’re about to demystify the money-making maze that is YouTube.
1. AdSense: Monetize with ads
This is the most well-known revenue stream on YouTube. Once you hit 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours within the past 12 months, you can apply for the YouTube Partner Program (YPP).
After approval, you can start earning from ads shown on your videos. The median CPM (cost per thousand views) in India ranges from $0.25 to $4.50, so it’s essential to attract a large viewership.
2. Channel memberships
Once you hit the 30,000-subscriber milestone, you can offer channel memberships to your audience. This involves subscribers paying a monthly fee for perks like exclusive badges, emojis, and access to members-only content.
Gaurav Taneja, an Indian vlogger with over 6 million subscribers, mentioned, “The support from our subscriber base helps us create better content.”
3. Super Chat and Super Stickers
These features allow your viewers to pay to have their messages highlighted during live streams, ensuring their comments get noticed.
Bhuvan Bam, the creator behind BB Ki Vines, has frequently emphasized the importance of engaging with his audience during live sessions, which can translate to revenue through Super Chat and Super Stickers.
4. Merchandise shelf
For YouTubers with 10,000 subscribers or more, the merchandise shelf allows creators to sell their products directly on their channel.
This can range from t-shirts and hoodies to phone cases and other merchandise related to your brand. Indian fashion YouTuber Sejal Kumar successfully leveraged this feature, launching her own sustainable fashion line.
5. Brand collaborations and sponsorships
As your subscriber base grows, you may catch the eye of brands looking to collaborate or sponsor content. These partnerships can be incredibly lucrative, with some creators earning as much as $5,000 to $50,000 per sponsored video, depending on their reach and engagement.
With these revenue streams in mind, it’s crucial to remember that content is king.
Consistently create high-quality, engaging videos to attract and retain your audience. As your viewership grows, so will your earnings. Happy YouTubing!
Top-earning Indian YouTubers
The top-earning YouTubers in India are:
- Carry Minati: Rs. 46.5 lakhs per 1 lakh views
- Amit Bhadana: Rs. 10.5 lakhs per 1 lakh views
- BB ki Vines: Rs. 9.8 lakhs per 1 lakh views
- Ashish Chanchlani Vines: Rs. 9.4 lakhs per 1 lakh views
- Gaurav Chaudhary (Technical Guruji): Rs. 8.9 lakhs per 1 lakh views
- Sandeep Maheshwari: Rs. 6.5 lakhs per 1lakh views
- Harsh Beniwal: Rs. 5.8 lakhs per 1 lakh views
- Nisha Madhulika: Rs. 4.9 lakhs per 1 lakh views
- Siddharth Nigam: Rs. 4.6 lakhs per 1 lakh views
- Amit Agarwal (Labnol): Rs. 4.5 lakhs per 1 lakh views
What does this mean for you?
If you want to make like that, you need to grow your audience and engagement. The bigger your audience, the more opportunities you’ll have to monetize your channel.
I’ll tell you how next.
How to grow (and monetize) your YouTube channel
Growing a YouTube channel can feel like scaling Mount Everest, but with the right tools, strategies, and mindset, you too can plant your flag at the summit. Here’s how to grow your channel and, ultimately, monetize it.
1. Know your niche
Carving out a specific niche is crucial for standing out in the crowded YouTube landscape. Find your passion and create content that reflects your unique personality and expertise.
As Ashish Chanchlani, a popular Indian comedy YouTuber, shared, “Be original and do not copy anyone else. I always try to bring out my own unique content.”
2. Consistency is key
Posting videos regularly keeps your audience engaged and coming back for more.
Dhruv Rathee, an Indian YouTuber known for his informative content, stated, “I upload one video per week, and it helps me maintain a connection with my audience.” Develop a schedule and stick to it to keep your viewers invested in your channel.
3. Invest in quality
Your content should be visually and audibly appealing. Invest in a decent camera, microphone, and editing software to ensure your videos look and sound professional.
As Niharika Nm, a rising Indian YouTuber, explained, “Quality matters, and investing in the right equipment can make all the difference.”
4. Optimize for discoverability
Use SEO techniques to make your videos more discoverable.
Conduct keyword research, craft attention-grabbing titles, and write detailed descriptions with relevant tags. VidIQ and TubeBuddy are two tools that can help you optimize your content for search.
5. Engage with your audience
Build a loyal fanbase by interacting with your viewers. Respond to comments, engage in conversations on social media, and ask for feedback.
Prajakta Koli, a.k.a. MostlySane, shared, “I always made it a point to reply to every single comment. That has helped me create a bond with my viewers.”
6. Collaborate with other creators
Collaborating with other YouTubers exposes your content to new audiences, helping you grow your subscriber base.
For example, the collaboration between Bhuvan Bam and Lilly Singh introduced both creators to each other’s fanbase, boosting their visibility.
As you implement these strategies and your channel grows, you’ll unlock various monetization opportunities, from ad revenue to brand deals. Remember, perseverance and passion are your greatest allies in the YouTube journey.
It’s showtime!
The world of YouTube in India is a vibrant and ever-evolving landscape, teeming with creators eager to share their stories, skills, and passions.
As we’ve explored the ins and outs of monetizing YouTube content and growing a successful channel, it’s clear that there’s potential for significant financial rewards in this digital arena.
However, it’s crucial to remember that, at the heart of every successful YouTuber, lies a genuine love for creating content that connects with their audience.
As Lilly Singh, a global YouTube sensation, once said, “I didn’t start making YouTube videos for money. I made them because I loved doing it.”
So, embrace your passion, stay true to your creative vision, and build a dedicated community around your content.
With hard work, perseverance, and a bit of strategic thinking, you might just find yourself among the ranks of India’s YouTube elite, inspiring the next generation of creators to chase their dreams.
