Can I REALLY Make $100 On YouTube? (Week 4 Earnings Update)

Starting a YouTube channel and making money from it sounds easy in theory—upload videos, get views, and watch the cash roll in. But the reality? It’s a grind. If you’ve ever wondered how long it actually takes to make money on YouTube, you’re in the right place.

I’m documenting my journey as a small YouTuber trying to reach that first $100 payout, and this is my Week 4 earnings update. I’ll break down my total earnings so far, what’s working, what’s not, and whether YouTube Shorts are actually helping my growth.

Monetization Basics: What It Takes to Get Paid on YouTube

Before diving into my earnings, let’s quickly cover how YouTube monetization works.

To qualify for the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) and start earning ad revenue, you need:

• 1,000 subscribers

• 4,000 watch hours in the last 12 months OR 10 million public Shorts views in the last 90 days

Once you meet those requirements and get approved, you start earning from ads, memberships, Super Chats, and other revenue streams. Now let’s get into my numbers.

Week 4: YouTube Growth and Earnings Update

My YouTube Stats This Week

Here’s a breakdown of my channel’s performance in the past 7 days:

• Total views: 1,125

• New subscribers: +14

• Watch hours: 89.6

• Total earnings so far: $10.57

Not exactly life-changing money, right? But every dollar earned feels like a milestone when you’re starting from scratch.

How Am I Making Money Right Now?

At this stage, my earnings come mainly from:

1. Ad Revenue (Google AdSense)

Since I’ve hit the YouTube Partner Program requirements, I’m earning a small amount from ads on my videos.

• RPM (Revenue Per 1,000 Views): $9.40

• CPM (Cost Per 1,000 Impressions): $21.30

These numbers fluctuate depending on video topics, audience location, and time of year.

2. YouTube Shorts Bonus? Not Yet

I’ve experimented with YouTube Shorts to boost my reach, but so far, my Shorts aren’t making much money. The RPM on Shorts is extremely low compared to long-form content.

What’s Working and What’s Not?

✅ What’s Helping My Channel Grow?

1. Consistent Uploads: I’m posting at least twice a week, keeping my audience engaged.

2. Video Titles & Thumbnails Matter: My best-performing video has a curiosity-driven title and an eye-catching thumbnail.

3. Longer Videos = More Watch Time: Videos over 8 minutes tend to perform better because they allow for mid-roll ads (which means more revenue potential).

❌ What’s NOT Working?

1. Shorts Are Not Driving Substantial Revenue: They bring in views and subs, but the ad revenue is minimal compared to long-form videos.

2. Click-Through Rate (CTR) Needs Work: My CTR is 4.8%, but higher-performing YouTube channels aim for 6-10%. This means I need better thumbnails and titles.

3. Engagement Needs Improvement: Comments and likes help with video reach, so I need to encourage more interaction.

How Long Until I Hit $100?

Based on my current earnings of $10.57 in 4 weeks, it could take around 8-10 more months to hit the first $100 payout—unless I increase my views, upload frequency, or try other monetization methods.

My Plan for Faster YouTube Growth

To speed up the process, here’s what I’m focusing on:

• Creating More High-Value Videos (solving real problems for my audience)

• Boosting My CTR (testing new thumbnail styles)

• Experimenting With Different Video Lengths (to see what works best)

• Increasing Engagement (asking more questions and engaging with comments)

Final Thoughts: Is YouTube Worth It?

If you’re starting a YouTube channel, be prepared for a marathon, not a sprint. Growth takes time, but if you enjoy creating content, it’s 100% worth the effort.

💬 Are you also trying to grow your YouTube channel? Drop a comment below! Let’s share tips and support each other.