In this video I sit down and do the thing most people avoid: I share how much money I actually made with my small YouTube channel back in 2020. I’m not coming at this from a “look at my numbers” angle—more like a reality check for anyone who thinks you need a massive audience to start earning online. I break down my tiny incomes and where they came from, and I try to keep it as transparent as possible. I go through the main ways I’ve been making money with YouTube: Google AdSense (and the 1000 subs + 4000 watch hours requirement), affiliate programs (Amazon is the easiest place to start because it’s free), merch (Teespring is great because there are no upfront costs), sponsorships/product placements, and—my favorite long-term play—building your own brand with an online shop (I recommend Shopify if you want to do it properly). If you’re a filmmaker/creator, the big takeaway is: diversify early, don’t rely on one income stream, and treat your channel like a creative business—because that’s what it becomes if you stick with it.