How Much I Made in My First Month on YouTube – Monetization Breakdown
It’s analytics day! Today, I’m diving into my first month of being monetized on YouTube—how much I made, what worked, what didn’t, and what I’ve learned along the way.
If you prefer watching instead of reading, check out the full video on my YouTube channel! Watching the video helps support my content and gives you a real-time look at my analytics and what I've learnt.
As you can see, earnings fluctuate quite a bit. Here’s how my weekly earnings looked for my first month:
However, I want my long-form videos to perform better since they bring in more revenue. Here’s what I found:
The takeaway? Long-form content is better for channel growth and revenue. While Shorts can bring in views, they don’t translate to earnings or subscribers as effectively.
This shows that long-form videos contribute more to my earnings than Shorts, even if Shorts get more views.
While it’s not a lot, I’m staying consistent, learning more each week, and making gradual progress.
Want to see my analytics in real-time? Watch the full video on YouTube! And if you enjoyed this post, don’t forget to subscribe to my channel for weekly updates on my monetization journey!
If you prefer watching instead of reading, check out the full video on my YouTube channel! Watching the video helps support my content and gives you a real-time look at my analytics and what I've learnt.
Breaking Down My YouTube Earnings
Before getting into the total earnings for February, let’s start with my most recent week of analytics. For Monday, March 3rd, my channel had:- 2.0k views
- 8 new subscribers (thank you for subscribing!)
- Estimated revenue: $2.78
As you can see, earnings fluctuate quite a bit. Here’s how my weekly earnings looked for my first month:
- Week 1: $3.13
- Week 2: $1.70
- Week 3: $1.98
- Week 4: $3.78
Shorts vs. Long-Form Videos – What’s Making More Money?
This week, my most-viewed content was actually Shorts:- Should I Keep Uploading Shorts? – 521 views
- An analytics short – 199 views
- A decluttering short – 163 views
However, I want my long-form videos to perform better since they bring in more revenue. Here’s what I found:
- Shorts earned me $1.61 this week.
- Long-form videos also made $1.61, but with fewer views.
- Long-form videos bring in more subscribers than Shorts.
The takeaway? Long-form content is better for channel growth and revenue. While Shorts can bring in views, they don’t translate to earnings or subscribers as effectively.
Revenue Breakdown – Where Did My Earnings Come From?
Looking at my revenue sources:- Watch page ads: $2.10 (ads during long-form videos)
- Shorts feed ads: $1.61
- YouTube Premium earnings: $0.13
This shows that long-form videos contribute more to my earnings than Shorts, even if Shorts get more views.
My Total YouTube Earnings Since Monetization
I started tracking my monetization journey on January 5th, and as of March 3rd, I’ve made a total of $13.35 and gained 36 subscribers.While it’s not a lot, I’m staying consistent, learning more each week, and making gradual progress.
What Helped My Channel Grow?
This week, I took steps to grow my channel:1. Joined creator communities – Learning from others keeps me motivated and accountable.
2. Kept videos simple – Instead of overcomplicating edits, I focused on creating engaging yet straightforward content.
3. Decluttered my workspace – A cleaner space helps me stay productive and focused.
What I Struggled With
Despite my progress, I faced some challenges:- Seeing new creators get monetized and earn $1,000 in their first month was tough, especially since my goal is just $100.
- Balancing content creation with life as a new parent has been overwhelming at times.
- Investing in the right equipment without overspending—while I gave up on getting a gimbal, I did buy a tripod with built-in lighting, which has been a great addition.
What’s Next for My YouTube Journey?
I’m going to:- Prioritize long-form content to increase revenue and subscriber growth.
- Continue learning from fellow creators to improve my strategy.
- Keep my workflow simple to avoid burnout while staying consistent.
Whats Next?
Building a monetized YouTube channel takes time, patience, and consistency. While my first month’s earnings aren’t life-changing, they represent real progress. If you’re also on this journey, know that small wins add up over time.Want to see my analytics in real-time? Watch the full video on YouTube! And if you enjoyed this post, don’t forget to subscribe to my channel for weekly updates on my monetization journey!