YouTube CEO, Susan Wojcicki, introduced the Fan Funding feature at VidCon 2014. Fan Funding also known as Tip Jar, allows viewers to offer monetary support to channels. The idea is that you can include a Tip Jar to your channel page and in specific videos, where viewers can make a donation. YouTube will deduct and retain a small transaction fee. The balance will be transferred directly into your Google Wallet account. Fan Funding provides a great incentive for you to continue creating engaging video content.
To be eligible for the Fan Funding feature, your channel must satisfy the below requirements:
- You must be a resident of Australia, Japan, Mexico, or the United States.
- Your YouTube account should be in good standing.
- You must meet the requirements for YouTube partnership.
- You must have verified your account by phone.
- If you are a part of a Multi-Channel Network (MCN), they must also be eligible for Fan Funding.
- You must have an approved and verified AdSense account linked to your YouTube account.
If your channel meets the above conditions, follow this step-by-step guide to enable Fan Funding:
Step 1: Sign in to Your YouTube account.
Step 2: Click your account icon on the top right corner. Then click Creator Studio.
Step 3: Click on Channel in the left menu. Then visit Status and features.
Step 4: Look for Fan Funding in the features list and click Enable.
Note: If the enable button is not available, it means your channel does not meet the eligibility requirements.
Step 5: Follow the instructions on-page to accept the YouTube Fan Funding Agreement.
Step 6: In the left menu, click Community, then Fan Funding.
Step 7: Follow the on-page instructions to link your channel to a Google Payments Merchant account. You must already have or create a Google Payments Merchant account before you set up the Fan Funding feature. This account will receive all the Fan Funding payments.
YouTube also allows you to set a greeting message and a thank you message for your supporters.
Greeting message: Set a custom message to get viewers to support your channel. The message will be displayed on Fun Funding Cards you can add to your videos. Additionally, the message will also appear on the “Support this channel” card that is automatically added to your channel’s homepage.
Thank you message: You can set up a custom video or custom message to thank fans for supporting your channel. Create a short and engaging video to show your gratitude for their support.
Below is a video tutorial by Amy Schmittauer to help you enable the Fan Funding feature:
Fan Funding is a great way to raise funds for maintaining your channel. Unlike crowdfunding, Fan Funding requires creators to solicit donations in their one name instead of a specific project. The feature comes with several rules and restrictions, therefore read the agreement document very carefully. Use Fan Funding to let viewers make voluntary payments to support your channel.
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Manasa Boggaram is a writer and has a strong passion for music, positive news and constructive journalism. When she is not researching story ideas or writing blog posts, she spends her time reading books, discovering new music and eating lots of street food.
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