The Think Media Podcast 470: How New YouTubers Can Make Money Before 1,000 Subs (Step-by-Step Guide)
26 snips
Dec 11, 2025 Deanne Gustafson, a savvy product reviewer and affiliate marketing expert, shares her journey from journalism to creating a lucrative income through Amazon affiliations. She explains how new YouTubers can monetize their channels before hitting 1,000 subscribers. Deanne reveals how strategically placed affiliate links often outperform AdSense, and shares tips on product selection and creating engaging review videos. With her insights on seasonal trends and authenticity, she inspires small creators to seize opportunities and grow their income through effective affiliate marketing.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Small Channel, Big Affiliate Payoff
- Deanne's husband reviewed a dive flashlight on a channel with under 200 subscribers that generated many Amazon sales.
- The affiliate link earned income even though the channel wasn't monetized or actively managed.
Sign Up For Amazon Associates Immediately
- Apply to Amazon Associates to get affiliate links; approval is instant and there is no barrier to entry.
- You must make three qualified sales within 180 days or reapply, and Amazon filters self/family purchases.
Workaround If Links Aren't Enabled
- If you can't add links in your description yet, pin your affiliate link as the first comment and disclose it.
- You do not need YouTube advanced features enabled to share affiliate links that way.