How to Make Money with YouTube Shorts as a Side Hustler

For many people, YouTube has always been the dream platform to earn money online. But let’s be honest—building a traditional YouTube channel takes time, effort, and a lot of long-form videos. That’s where YouTube Shorts come in.

Short-form content is booming, and YouTube Shorts is YouTube’s answer to TikTok and Instagram Reels. For side hustlers, this is a golden opportunity: you can reach millions of viewers with just a 15–60 second video—no fancy cameras, no long editing sessions, and no need to upload hours of content.

In this guide, we’ll break down how YouTube Shorts work, why they’re perfect for side hustlers, and step-by-step ways to turn them into real income.

Why YouTube Shorts Are Perfect for Side Hustlers

YouTube Shorts offer several unique advantages compared to other platforms:

Huge audience – YouTube is still the world’s biggest video platform with billions of users.
Monetization options – You can earn through ads, brand deals, affiliate marketing, and more.
Low entry barrier – Shorts are easy to create with just a smartphone.
Evergreen reach – Unlike TikTok or Instagram, YouTube content can keep getting views for years.

This makes Shorts an amazing side hustle tool—especially if you don’t have much time to create long videos.

Step 1: Set Up Your Channel for Success

Before creating Shorts, make sure your YouTube channel is optimized:

Choose a niche – focus on one topic so your audience knows what to expect. Example: fitness tips, cooking hacks, or side hustle advice.
Use a professional profile picture & banner – it builds trust.
Write a clear channel description – explain what value viewers will get.
Organize playlists – this helps viewers binge more of your content.

💡 Tip: Don’t worry about being perfect. You can start small and improve along the way.

Step 2: Learn How YouTube Shorts Work

YouTube Shorts are vertical videos under 60 seconds. To make one:

Record vertically (9:16 aspect ratio).
Keep it short and engaging.
Add captions for accessibility.
Use trending sounds or music from YouTube’s library.

👉 The algorithm pushes Shorts heavily, especially for new creators. That means you have a better chance to go viral—even with zero subscribers.

Step 3: Create Content That Attracts and Engages

There are three main types of YouTube Shorts that perform well:

Educational Shorts – Quick tutorials or tips. Example: “3 Canva Tricks in 30 Seconds.”
Entertaining Shorts – Funny moments, challenges, or reactions.
Relatable/Storytelling Shorts – Share a quick story about your side hustle journey.

Mixing these three types keeps your channel fresh and engaging.

Step 4: Monetization Methods for Side Hustlers

So how do you actually make money with Shorts? Here are the main ways:

1. YouTube Partner Program (YPP)

Since 2023, YouTube allows Shorts creators to earn ad revenue. Requirements in 2025 are:

1,000 subscribers and
Either 10 million Shorts views in 90 days OR 4,000 watch hours on long-form videos.

Once approved, you’ll earn from ads placed between Shorts in the feed.

2. Affiliate Marketing

Promote products related to your niche with affiliate links. For example:

Fitness side hustler → promote workout gear.
Tech side hustler → promote software tools.
Freelancer → promote productivity apps.

Just add affiliate links in your video description or pinned comment.

3. Brand Deals and Sponsorships

Brands love short-form creators with engaged audiences. Even micro-creators (under 10K subs) can land deals.

Example: If your Shorts are about cooking, a kitchenware brand might pay you to showcase their tools.

4. Selling Your Own Products or Services

This is where real money happens. You can:

Sell digital products (eBooks, templates, courses).
Offer freelance services (design, writing, coaching).
Sell physical products through print-on-demand or Etsy.

5. Channel Memberships & Super Thanks

Once eligible, fans can support you directly with memberships or tips. This creates recurring income.

Step 5: Create Shorts That Convert

If your goal is making money, don’t just go viral for entertainment. Create Shorts that lead people toward your offers.

How?

End with a call-to-action: “Check the link in the description for my free guide.”
Showcase your product/service in action.
Provide value first, then introduce your paid solution.

Step 6: Be Consistent and Patient

Success won’t happen overnight. Many creators see traction after 30–60 days of posting consistently. Aim for:

3–5 Shorts per week (batch create to save time).
Experiment with different hooks, styles, and topics.
Track analytics to see what resonates.

Consistency signals to YouTube that you’re a serious creator, and it helps the algorithm push your content further.

Step 7: Study Your Analytics

Go to YouTube Studio → Analytics → Content → Shorts. Pay attention to:

Views and Retention – how long people watch.
Click-through rate (CTR) – how many people click your titles/thumbnails.
Engagement (likes, comments, shares) – strong indicators of value.

Use this data to refine your content strategy.

Bonus Tips for Growing with Shorts

Use strong hooks – the first 3 seconds matter the most.
Add captions – many viewers watch without sound.
Repurpose content – share your Shorts on TikTok and Instagram Reels too.
Engage with comments – reply and build community.
Keep testing – the more you post, the more you learn.