How Much Money Do You Make on YouTube with 1,000 Subscribers?

Introduction

Alright, let’s talk about the million-dollar question on YouTube—or, in this case, the 28 million dollar question. Meet Anastasia Radzinskaya, aka “Like Nastya.” She’s 8 years old, started on YouTube just a few years ago, and today she’s raking in around $28 million a year. Not bad for someone whose biggest challenge last year was probably learning cursive.

But back to the real question: How much can you make if you’re not an 8-year-old with millions of subscribers, but someone just getting started with 1,000 subs? Spoiler alert: it’s a lot less than $28 million. But it’s still worth understanding the numbers because if you’re smart, you can turn 1,000 subscribers into a decent income.

Let’s break it down.

YouTube Monetization Basics: It’s Not Just About Subs

First things first: YouTube isn’t paying you just because you hit 1,000 subscribers. Subscribers are nice—they give your channel credibility and push your videos out a bit further—but they aren’t where the money is. What actually matters is getting views and engagement. Without those, your subscriber count doesn’t mean much.

Once you’ve got 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 hours of watch time over the past year, you’re eligible to join the YouTube Partner Program (YPP). This unlocks ads on your videos, which is where your YouTube revenue journey begins.

What Influences Your YouTube Earnings?

Here’s what actually moves the needle on YouTube:

1. Views, Views, Views

• It’s all about how many people are watching and for how long. Higher watch time boosts ad revenue, plain and simple. YouTube rewards videos that keep people glued to the screen.

2. Ad Revenue Basics (CPM and CTR)

• Ad revenue on YouTube is measured by CPM (Cost Per Thousand Impressions). Different types of ads pay differently, and some audiences are worth more to advertisers, which brings us to...

3. Niche and Audience Value

• Here’s a hard truth: Not all niches are created equal. Finance, tech, and business channels can pull higher ad rates, while lifestyle or vlogs might bring in less per view.

4. Location, Location, Location

• Where your viewers live matters. Ads targeted to viewers in the US, UK, or Canada are worth more than those targeting viewers elsewhere. If your audience is primarily in high-paying countries, your CPM will be higher.

5. Content Type

• Content that’s informative, solves a problem, or keeps people engaged for a long time is prime real estate for advertisers. Think tutorials, reviews, or how-tos.

How Much Can You Actually Make with 1,000 Subscribers?

So you’ve got your 1,000 subscribers. Here’s the ballpark for earnings:

• Average Monthly Income: $50 to $100. Not exactly the stuff of Ferraris, but it’s a start.
• Main Source: Ads on your videos.

Now, these numbers can vary wildly. Here’s why:

Example: A tech or finance channel could earn more on the higher end of that range, while a general vlog might stick closer to $50. Why? Because advertisers targeting finance or tech audiences pay more per impression—simple as that.

Breakdown of Factors:

• Niche: Finance and tech channels often pull in higher CPMs.
• Viewer Location: US/UK audiences bring in more ad revenue than views from lower CPM regions.

What About Channels with 10K, 100K, and 1 Million Subscribers?

Let’s look at some rough numbers for channels with 10,000, 100,000, and 1 million subscribers. These estimates depend heavily on niche, engagement, and monetization strategies.

How Much Money Do You Make on YouTube with 10,000 Subscribers?

• Average Monthly Income: $500 - $1,500
• Why: At this stage, you’re likely pulling enough views to make ad revenue meaningful. You may also start attracting small brand sponsorships, which can boost earnings beyond just ad revenue.
• Additional Income Streams: Channels at this level often start selling merch or doing affiliate marketing to bring in extra cash.

How Much Money Do You Make on YouTube with 100,000 Subscribers?

• Average Monthly Income: $5,000 - $15,000
• Why: With 100K subscribers, you’re in a different league. Ad revenue adds up quickly, and brands are more interested in partnering. Channels at this level often make a decent income through a mix of ad revenue, sponsorships, merch, and other income streams.
• Additional Income Streams: Memberships, affiliate marketing, and exclusive content can all bring in extra revenue. Many creators use platforms like Patreon to further monetize their fanbase.

How Much Money Do You Make on YouTube with 1 Million Subscribers?

• Average Monthly Income: $50,000 - $250,000
• Why: A million subscribers means serious viewership and typically very high ad revenue. Major brand deals come into play, and many YouTubers with a million subscribers are making a full-time income.
• Additional Income Streams: At this level, it’s not uncommon for YouTubers to diversify big-time. They might have brand partnerships, exclusive content, merch lines, and even online courses or books.

Other Ways to Make Money with 1,000 Subs

Ads aren’t the only way to make money, especially when your audience is still small. Here are other ways people monetize at the 1,000-subscriber mark:

Sponsorships: Some brands are happy to sponsor smaller channels if they fit the niche. You won’t get six figures, but you might get free products or a couple of hundred bucks.

Merchandise: If you have a strong brand, you can start selling branded merch. T-shirts, mugs, or even digital products can bring in some cash.

Channel Memberships: Offer exclusive perks or content to fans for a monthly fee. This is a slow burner at 1,000 subs, but some fans will be down to support you if you’re offering something unique.

Affiliate Marketing: Promote products relevant to your channel’s content, add affiliate links, and earn commissions on sales.

Super Chats in Livestreams: For fans who want to support you directly, Super Chats in livestreams can be a great option.

Strategies to Boost Your YouTube Earnings with 1,000 Subs

If you want to turn those subscribers into a paycheck, here are a few things to focus on:

1. Drive Views, Not Just Subs

• Your income depends on views, not just subscriber count. Upload consistently and interact with your audience to keep them coming back.

2. Tap into Multiple Revenue Streams

• Ads alone aren’t going to cut it at this level. Get creative with sponsorships, affiliate marketing, and memberships to make that subscriber count work harder.

3. Analyze and Optimize

• YouTube’s analytics can be your best friend. Look at which videos get the most engagement, then do more of that. Refine thumbnails, titles, and content style to see what sticks.

4. Experiment with Content Length and Style

• Don’t be afraid to try different video lengths, formats, or topics. Some videos may surprise you by pulling in higher engagement or viewership.

Final Thoughts: Can 1,000 Subscribers Actually Make You Money?

With 1,000 subscribers, you’re not exactly quitting your day job, but it’s a solid starting point. YouTube is all about the long game—stay consistent, build a loyal following, and experiment with different revenue streams.

The creators who make it big aren’t just posting videos; they’re analyzing what works, engaging with their audience, and expanding beyond ad revenue. That’s the formula that turns a small subscriber count into something that can scale.

Bottom line? Focus on the views, experiment with revenue streams, and keep it engaging. Anastasia Radzinskaya may be pulling $28 million a year, but hey—she started somewhere too.

Debunking Common Misconceptions About YouTube Earnings

Myth 1: YouTube Pays Per Subscriber Count

• Truth: Earnings depend on video views, ad revenue, and engagement, not subscriber count alone.

Myth 2: More Subscribers Equal More Money

• Truth: While subscribers help, engagement and niche relevance often matter more for earning potential.

Myth 3: YouTube Ads Are the Only Revenue Source

• Truth: Successful YouTubers diversify income with sponsorships, affiliate marketing, and memberships.

Myth 4: YouTube Earnings Are Consistent

• Truth: Earnings fluctuate due to factors like seasonality, ad availability, and viewer behavior.

Conclusion: Unlocking Your Earning Potential on YouTube

For most creators, the question “How much money do you make on YouTube with 1,000 subscribers?” is just the starting point. Building a profitable channel requires more than reaching subscriber milestones—it’s about nurturing an engaged audience, experimenting with content, and diversifying your income streams.

As you continue on your YouTube journey, remember that success on the platform doesn’t come solely from hitting certain numbers. It’s equally about the value you bring, your consistency, and the connection you build with your audience. Stick to your vision, experiment often, and keep refining your strategy.

Who knows? With persistence and the right strategy, those first 1,000 subscribers could be the start of something big.