Small YouTubers can earn before getting monetized by using affiliate programs, sponsorships, digital products, community support, and performance-based offers. For gaming creators, the BlueStacks Affiliate Program is one practical way to start earning earlier by promoting relevant game offers through tracked links and earning from eligible installs.

YouTube monetization is a big milestone, but it is not the only way to make money from a channel. If you already create gaming videos, tutorials, tier lists, Shorts, or gameplay content, you can start building income before you fully qualify for the YouTube Partner Program.

Why Small YouTubers Should Not Wait for Monetization

Many creators think they can only earn after joining the YouTube Partner Program. That is not true.

YouTube ad revenue is useful, but it usually comes later. Before that, small creators can still earn if they have:

  • Relevant content
  • A focused audience
  • Consistent uploads
  • Trust with viewers
  • Useful links or offers that match their niche

For example, a small gaming channel with 2,500 + regular viewers focused on mobile or Android game guides may be more valuable than a larger random channel with weak engagement. Brands and affiliate programs care about whether your content can drive action, not only your subscriber count.

1. Join the BlueStacks Affiliate Program

For gaming YouTubers, the BlueStacks Affiliate Program is one of the most relevant early monetization options.

It is built for creators who make content around Android games, mobile RPGs, gacha games, strategy games, battle royale games, reroll guides, tier lists, and gameplay content. Creators can promote relevant game offers using unique tracking links and earn when users complete eligible installs.

This works well because your viewers do not need to buy anything. If they are already watching your guide or gameplay video, a link that helps them try the game or play it on PC through BlueStacks can fit naturally.

Good placements include:

  • YouTube video descriptions
  • Pinned comments
  • “How to play on PC” guides
  • Beginner tutorials
  • Tier-list videos
  • Reroll guides
  • Game update videos
  • Community posts
  • Discord communities

The key is relevance. Do not promote random offers. Promote games or categories that match your channel.

2. Use Affiliate Links in Video Descriptions

Affiliate links are one of the simplest ways for small YouTubers to earn before monetization.

You recommend a product, game, app, tool, or platform using a unique link. If your viewer completes the required action, you earn.

For gaming channels, affiliate links can include:

  • Game install offers
  • Gaming gear
  • Controllers
  • Headsets
  • Game stores
  • Mobile gaming tools
  • Emulators or PC gaming platforms
  • Creator tools

A good affiliate link should feel helpful, not forced. For example, if your video is about a mobile RPG, adding a BlueStacks link to play that game on PC is much more natural than adding a random shopping link.

3. Create Videos That Attract Buyer or Action Intent

Not every video earns equally. Some videos get views but do not drive action. Others may get fewer views but convert better.

For small YouTubers, these formats are useful for monetization:

  • “Best games like…” videos
  • “How to play [game] on PC”
  • “Beginner guide” videos
  • “Best settings” videos
  • “Top characters” videos
  • “Reroll guide” videos
  • “Is this game worth playing?” videos
  • “Best Android games for PC” videos

These videos work because viewers are already looking for help, recommendations, or next steps. That makes them more likely to click useful links.

4. Get Small Sponsorships or Performance Deals

Direct sponsorships are harder for small YouTubers, but not impossible. The problem is that brands often want proof before paying a fixed amount.

That is why performance-based deals are easier to start with. Instead of asking a brand for a flat sponsorship fee, you promote an offer and earn based on results like installs, signups, or purchases.

This is where gaming affiliate programs can help. If you prove that your videos drive clicks or installs, you can later use that data to pitch bigger sponsorships.

5. Build a Discord or Community Around Your Channel

A small YouTube channel becomes more valuable when it has an active community.

For gaming creators, Discord can help you:

  • Share new videos
  • Discuss updates
  • Post game guides
  • Recommend useful links
  • Share affiliate offers
  • Build trust with viewers
  • Collect feedback for future videos

But do not spam links. Use community posts and Discord links only when they help users. For example, sharing a BlueStacks game offer inside a Discord community makes sense if members are already discussing that game or asking how to play it on PC.

6. Repurpose Videos into Shorts and Social Posts

Small YouTubers can grow faster by turning long videos into Shorts, TikTok clips, Instagram Reels, and community posts.

A single gaming guide can become:

  • One full YouTube video
  • Three Shorts
  • One Discord post
  • One pinned comment CTA
  • One community poll
  • One blog-style guide
  • One affiliate link placement

This gives every video more chances to attract viewers and drive clicks.

7. Offer Services Around Your Gaming Skill

If you have a useful skill, you can earn even before your channel grows big.

Small gaming creators can offer:

  • Coaching
  • Account reviews
  • Gameplay reviews
  • Thumbnail design
  • Shorts editing
  • Discord setup
  • Game guide writing
  • Stream overlays
  • Channel branding

This works best if your videos already show your skill. For example, if you publish strong strategy guides, viewers may trust you enough to pay for coaching or account reviews.

Best Strategy for Small Gaming YouTubers

The best strategy is not to wait for YouTube monetization. Build income in layers.

Start with:

  1. Create useful gaming content consistently.
  2. Add relevant affiliate or game offer links.
  3. Use the BlueStacks Affiliate Program for mobile gaming content.
  4. Track which videos drive clicks and installs.
  5. Build a small community.
  6. Use results to pitch sponsorships later.

This turns your channel into a small creator business, not just a video library.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these mistakes if you want to earn before monetization:

  • Promoting unrelated offers
  • Adding too many links
  • Making every video feel like an ad
  • Using misleading titles
  • Ignoring disclosure
  • Copying other creators
  • Uploading random content without a niche
  • Applying to programs with no real gaming content
  • Sending viewers to offers that do not match the video

The more relevant the offer, the better your chance of earning.

Small YouTubers do not need to wait for full YouTube monetization to start earning. If you create useful gaming content and have a focused audience, you can earn through affiliate links, performance offers, communities, and sponsorship paths.

For creators focused on mobile or Android games, the BlueStacks Affiliate Program is a strong place to start. It helps creators earn from tracked game installs driven by their content, making it a practical monetization option before or alongside YouTube ad revenue.

Already creating mobile gaming videos? Apply for the BlueStacks Affiliate Program and start earning from eligible game installs driven by your content.