1. YouTube Partner Program
YouTube shares ad revenue with channels in its Partner Program. YouTube sets subscriber and view thresholds to join, and they differ by country, so check YouTube's own page for the current rules.
2. Paid campaigns
An artist or brand pays creators to post Shorts with their sound or about their product. Sound.me campaigns are separate from YouTube monetization, so the Partner Program's thresholds don't apply. You apply in the app, post a Short that follows the directions, and get paid from its views in the first 72 hours.
3. Brand deals
A brand pays you directly to feature its product. See How to get brand deals.
4. Your own products or services
Use Shorts to send viewers to something you sell, or to your longer videos.
What paid campaigns actually pay
Sound.me publishes what creators received, net, per approved video in the 90 days to September 16, 2026, across TikTok, Reels and Shorts campaigns:
| Followers | Average per video | Largest single payout |
|---|---|---|
| Under 1K | $1.81 | $26 |
| 1K–10K | $2.04 | $289 |
| 10K–50K | $4.51 | $173 |
| 50K–250K | $17.62 | $420 |
| 250K–1M | $26.20 | $934 |
Pay also depends on your country. See Get paid by country. At small sizes this is pocket money per video. It adds up for creators who post steadily.
How to start with Sound.me
- Download the Sound.me app and link your YouTube channel. It is free. You must be 18 or older.
- Apply to Shorts campaigns and follow the directions. Keep the sound fully audible.
- Keep each Short up for at least 60 days.
- Cash out via PayPal or Venmo from $5, or Stripe, Cash App or ACH from $20.