Build deeper
connections with
fan funding
Build deeper
connections with
fan funding
You offer so much value to your community, so it's important that you feel appreciated and rewarded. With fan funding, you can continue building meaningful connections when your biggest fans show support, while enabling them to access valuable content and a chance to stand out from the crowd. Plus, there are options to earn wherever you create, whether that's video-on-demand, Shorts, or live.
Get inspired with successful channel membership stories
I have a very engaged community of Law Nerds! By making sure our community is consistently reminded of the benefits included in channel memberships, we’ve managed to welcome thousands of members. Our members love seeing the custom gavel icon by their names, which even changes the longer they have been a member.
One of my favorite methods for growing my channel members is to frequently mention my channel membership in my videos. Another technique I have is to add a playlist of members-only videos to my channel's home page. This might make viewers, whether new or old, curious about the rest of the video.
My top three tips for getting started with channel memberships are 1) Keep in touch with all participants, 2) Be open to constructive criticism and suggestions, and 3) Treat everyone the same.
I believe that audiences like to invest in creators they enjoy but may not know where their support fits in. Engaging with the audience, involving them in content ideas, and educating them on how funds assist you in maintaining your channel can help you build a genuine community.
At the end of each video, I remind my viewers that they can access exclusive videos, with daily views of my car collection, by becoming members. I always put the link to my channel membership sign up in the video description. When I go live, I prioritize responses to Super Chats.
So, what features are right for you?
Channel memberships
Want to build a fan club where you can connect with and reward your most loyal viewers with access to members-only perks?
Super Chat
Big into live streaming and want to strengthen your community with real-time shout-outs?
Super Thanks
Looking for a simple, easy way to let your fans show appreciation while watching your videos?
Build your fan club with Channel Memberships
Bring your fans into your inner circle to turn your following into a fandom. You'll have the chance to earn ongoing revenue as fans show their support, so you can keep creating great content. Here are some tips for a great offering:
Sometimes the best perks aren’t necessarily the most expensive or elaborate ones. Consider your viewers’ motivations—what motivates them to become members? If you're not sure, ask them with a Community tab poll or encourage them to leave comments!
Members-only videos are often the #1 requested membership perk. It can be as easy as giving your members early access to a video for a few days before making it public on your channel or sharing behind-the-scenes footage.
Your biggest fans can now give 1 month memberships to non-members in your live streams. Getting non-members to experience your channel memberships perks free of charge can help grow your community.
Keep your fans engaged with members-only content
Members-only content is one of the highest valued perks of memberships’ offerings. With new opportunities for membership growth, members-only content is not only easy to create but has also been made more discoverable by fans.
New opportunities for membership growth
Members-only content is now easier to create and more discoverable by fans.
Simpler creation
Share your videos with members first before they go public, and live stream exclusively to your members from your mobile device.
Greater content exposure
Greater exposure for your content means more chances for non-members to become members and for current members to engage with your content across YouTube – on their YouTube.com homepage, by receiving notifications, and more.
Increased awareness and engagement
Top fans who aren’t members can also discover your members-only content on their YouTube.com homepage and your channel homepage playlists (if added by you), increasing their opportunities to become a member and get access to perks.
More growth opportunities
Fans consistently tell us that members-only content is their favorite part of memberships. More chances to become members results in more growth opportunities for your channel.
Earn and engage in real time with Super Chat & Stickers
The beauty of live streams is the immediate interaction between you and your community. Super Chat turbocharges that interaction so you can strengthen your community and feel supported. You can instantly recognize top fans by shouting them out, thanking them, reacting to their comments, or answering their questions.
There’s nothing fans love more than to feel seen and heard by their favorite creator.
Promote your live stream or Premiere on your socials so fans never miss a moment.
Help your audience show appreciation with Super Thanks
Turn on with one click. Make a direct impact. Super Thanks is a simple way for your community to buy fun animations and show appreciation for your content on video-on-demand and Shorts.
Fans who purchase Super Thanks love to be recognized. There are lots of easy ways to provide recognition:
- Heart or reply to their comment
- Pin a Super Thanks comment
- Post in the Community tab
- Give a shout-out in your video
- Add a list of credits at the end of your videos
Looking for what's next?
Ready to activate fan funding?
Head to YouTube Studio and see if you qualify for and are ready to turn on fan funding features. You'll find everything you need on the Earn tab.
Go to Studio and set up fan funding now
Already Enabled?
Keep creating cool stuff, experiment with new ideas or dive deeper into existing ones. The stronger your community is, the more successful you'll be.
Learn more about monetization on YouTube Studio.
