I make YouTube videos for the same reason many real estate agents do—to create educational content for the consumers in my market. 

Because my channel is focused on the consumer, buyers and sellers reach out to me and trust me as their agent on a regular basis. It’s a lead generation tool that continues to help my business grow. 

Now that my channel is approaching 10,000 subscribers with 650,000-700,000 yearly views, I also receive some earnings from YouTube. 

How much do I earn from YouTube, exactly? And, more importantly, is it all worth it? I’m answering these questions below. 

Why YouTube?

There’s no question that social media platforms vie for attention, and I’ve had my fair share of debates with other agents about which is best. The question that often arises: Why YouTube? Why not TikTok or Instagram where your account can really blow up with views?

TikTok and Instagram may be the go-to platforms for entertainment, but when it comes to seeking new information, people turn to YouTube. Since I aim to educate, I’ve found the most conversions come from YouTube. That doesn’t mean I neglect other social channels, it just means I prioritize YouTube for my business. 

Revealing the YouTube Paycheck: How Much Do I Really Earn?

When I first started my YouTube journey, monetization was never my primary goal. However, over time, it began to happen naturally. So, let’s crunch some numbers together.

Over the past 365 days, I’ve had over 637,000 views on my channel, for a combined 35,000 hours of watch time. To put it in perspective, that’s equivalent to four years of non-stop watching. It’s kind of wild when you break it down like that. 

So, for all those views and hours of engagement, what did YouTube pay me?

$3,137.

I know what you’re thinking—That’s not a lot!

Sure, it helps supplement my budget for new podcast equipment, but it certainly isn’t paying my bills. Especially considering the amount of time I put into creating content for YouTube. 

Here’s the reality check: even creators with the largest YouTube channels don’t make the bulk of their money from AdSense. They make more from merchandise, Patreon, sponsorships, and various other products or services they may provide.

So, starting a YouTube channel for AdSense earnings probably isn’t the best use of your time. But as an agent, it can be a powerful lead generation tool, boosting your commissions significantly—if you know where to focus your efforts. 

How to Generate Leads from YouTube

I’ve already sold 15 properties this year from YouTube, with a goal of doing $500,000 in commissions from YouTube leads in 2023. 

The numbers suddenly don’t look so bad, do they?

The secret lies in becoming the educator your audience needs and providing undeniable value to consumers in your market. But what kind of videos generate the most leads? Let’s break it down:

  • In-depth information tailored to buyers and sellers in your local market—like this one targeted at home buyers in Toronto.
  • Long-form videos, ranging from 30 to 60 minutes, allowing for comprehensive coverage of topics.
  • A clear call to action, directing viewers to take the next step by clicking your Calendly link to ask questions or schedule an appointment.

These authority-building videos may not attract the most views, but they cultivate the highest level of trust over time, resulting in a steady stream of leads and increased business.

For a full breakdown of the perfect YouTube video formula, head to this post, where I break down my entire process for creating videos that attract leads. And if you are looking to boost your views, read this to learn how to get Google to pick up your videos.  

So while YouTube earnings alone may not be enough to sustain your financial needs, the platform holds immense potential for lead generation and business growth. And isn’t that what we’re all after?