Ultra.
Joining the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) is a major milestone for content creators looking to monetize their channel. While the requirements, like hitting 1,000 subscribers and reaching either 4,000 public watch hours or 10 million Shorts views, are clear, the actual steps for reaching them can feel overwhelming without a real game plan.
In this post, we’re skipping the eligibility breakdown (you can find that here) and focusing on practical tips to help you grow your channel faster and meet the requirements for YPP—with a little help from Streamlabs along the way.
Stream Consistently (with a Professional Setup)
Although YouTube is known as a platform for longform video content, live streaming is growing in popularity overall and YouTube is becoming a great contender for live stream content. As with any content on YouTube, consistency is key for both building an audience and training the algorithm to recommend your content.
Streaming regularly—even just once or twice a week—keeps your channel active and gives viewers more chances to engage outside of uploads (and IRL). Plus live streaming is generally a much more engaging and intimate way to connect with your viewers.As a bonus your live streams on YouTube are automatically published as VODs when your stream ends, giving you additional opportunity to rack up watch hours.
Pro-Tip 💡: Using Streamlabs Desktop can help you present your content more professionally from day one. With high-quality overlays, audio filters, and layout customization, you can elevate your stream's production value without needing to be a tech expert.
Multistream to Expand Your Reach
Why grow one audience at a time when you can reach several? By multistreaming with Streamlabs you can go live on YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, TikTok, and more—all at once. This helps you maximize exposure and drive traffic back to your YouTube channel without additional effort.
Even if YouTube is your main focus, multistreaming ensures you're tapping into every platform where your audience might be. Be sure to include your YouTube link in your stream title, pinned messages, etc. so viewers know where to find you.
Use Widgets to Drive Engagement
Widgets like Alert Box, Chat Box, and Viewer Count from Streamlabs don’t just look good—they encourage interaction. Seeing alerts pop up for new subscribers or donations motivates other viewers to engage, too.
You can also display real-time goals (like a “1,000 Subscriber Countdown”) to turn your path to monetization into a community milestone.
Create Purposeful Long-Form Videos
If you're aiming for the 4,000 watch hours requirement, long-form videos are a must to help get you there. Instead of just clipping stream footage, try creating on-demand content specifically for your subscribers
Ideas include:
- Tutorials or educational videos
- Product or game reviews
- Behind-the-scenes or vlogs
Even though Streamlabs is built for streaming, you can use it to record long-form videos. Just switch to recording mode in Streamlabs Desktop to capture high-quality video using your preferred scenes, layouts, and overlays. It’s a great way to stay on-brand, even outside of live content.
Repurpose Content into Shorts
If you're not creating YouTube Shorts, you’re missing out. Shorts are a great way to increase visibility and grow your audience, especially if you're aiming for the 10M Shorts views YPP requirement.
Not sure what to post? Take clips from your past live streams or longform content and repurpose the most exciting, funny, or tense moments. If you’re live streaming using Streamlabs Desktop, the Highlighter feature can help you easily create clips to share on YouTube Shorts and other shortform platforms.
Focus on Adding Value
Monetization doesn't happen without audience trust and retention. The more your content provides value, the more likely people are to subscribe, watch for longer and support your content monetarily. Always create content with what you wish your audience to get from your content in mind. Do you want them to laugh? Do you want to teach them something? Are you looking to connect with them?
Track Progress and Pivot As Needed
Keep a close eye on your analytics in YouTube Studio to understand what’s working. Which kind of videos are gaining traction? What’s your average view duration? Pair this with feedback from your community to make small tweaks that move the needle closer to YPP. Progress might feel slow at times, but remember growth on any platform takes time and dedication.
Ready to level up your content and check off those YouTube Partner Program requirements? Whether you're going live, recording videos, or growing your community across multiple platforms, Streamlabs has the tools to help you get there. Download Streamlabs Desktop and get steps closer to monetizing your content today.