Finding a YouTube Niche That Makes Money: Insider Tips from Successful Creators

Building a YouTube channel in a niche space can be both rewarding and challenging. In this article, we dive deep into how successful creators have found their unique niches, built thriving communities, and monetized their content. Drawing insights from Jessica McCabe of How To ADHD, ASMR Glow, Vanessa Hill of BrainCraft, and Anissa Lamara, we explore their journeys, strategies, and advice for anyone looking to carve out their own space on YouTube.

How These Creators Found Their Niche

Anissa Lamara: Turning a Bad Haircut Into a Movement

Anissa's journey began with a personal challenge: a bad haircut that led her to start documenting her natural hair journey on Instagram. With a background in visual arts, she transitioned to YouTube in 2012, sharing detailed wash-and-go hair routines and embracing her natural curls. What started as a simple documentation became a powerful community focused on self-confidence and embracing natural beauty.

"It takes a lot of guts and confidence to say, 'My hair is good enough,' especially when it wasn’t a thing back then."

Anissa's channel grew alongside the natural hair community, tackling not just hairstyles but also motivation, inspiration, and self-expression. Her authenticity and willingness to share her evolving hair journey—including shaving her head—resonated deeply with her audience, making her channel a hub for empowerment.

Vanessa Hill: Bringing Science and the Brain to Life

Vanessa started in science outreach, traveling across remote areas of Australia to teach students through live demonstrations. Recognizing the limits of this approach, she moved her efforts online in 2013, creating short, engaging videos about psychology, neuroscience, and the brain.

Her channel, BrainCraft, focuses on translating cutting-edge research into practical advice for everyday life, covering topics like motivation, habit formation, and procrastination. Vanessa’s passion for science communication shines through her videos, sometimes featuring scientists in fun ways to make complex topics accessible.

"If every week I was making the same three-minute video, I wouldn’t be doing it anymore. To grow as creators, we need to try different things."

ASMR Glow: From Curiosity to Community

ASMR Glow discovered ASMR in high school when the phenomenon was still niche and misunderstood. Initially amused and skeptical, she soon realized how profoundly relaxing ASMR could be, especially during a period of insomnia. Seeing a gap in diverse ASMR content, she began creating her own videos in 2016, breaking into a community that was eager for fresh voices.

Her channel combines soothing sounds and visuals, helping viewers relax and sleep better. ASMR Glow emphasizes the importance of building trust with her audience over time, which has allowed her to experiment with different types of content while maintaining their interest.

"It took three or four years to build trust with my audience so they’d be willing to watch something a little different."

Jessica McCabe: Learning to Work With ADHD, Not Against It

Jessica started How To ADHD in 2016 as a personal project to understand her own ADHD diagnosis and find strategies to manage it. What began as a self-help toolbox quickly attracted a community of people who found validation and healing through shared experiences.

Her channel is a testament to the power of embracing neurodiversity and creating a space where people don't have to mask or pretend to fit into neurotypical norms.

"It was really healing for me and for others to find a community where it’s okay to be more like yourself."

Building and Nurturing a Community

Each creator highlighted the importance of community in their success. Whether it’s the natural hair community, science enthusiasts, ASMR fans, or people navigating ADHD, these niches provide more than just content—they offer connection and validation.

• Anissa: Her community, affectionately called her "love bugs," shares stories of empowerment, self-acceptance, and inspiration, making her channel a space for honest conversations about identity and confidence.
• Vanessa: Receives heartfelt feedback from viewers who have shifted their perspectives on happiness and motivation, fueling her drive to continue producing educational content.
• ASMR Glow: Experienced the surprise of a niche community exploding, with many subscribers forming friendships within her audience, all connected by their love of ASMR.
• Jessica: Emphasizes the healing power of a community that embraces differences without judgment, allowing people to feel seen and supported.

Branching Out: When to Try Something Different

Sticking to a niche is important, but so is growth and creativity. All the creators have experimented with content outside their usual scope.

• Vanessa: Created a 45-minute documentary on gene editing, which was different from her usual short videos. Though it hurt her channel's algorithm temporarily, it was professionally rewarding and kept her engaged.
• Anissa: Currently blending lifestyle content like home decorating and plant care with her hair tutorials, reflecting her broader interests and personality.
• ASMR Glow: Gradually introduced more diverse content after building trust with her audience, including playful videos like dressing as the devil, which her community accepted over time.
• Jessica: Encourages making content that you enjoy creating, as passion sustains long-term consistency.

The key takeaway is to find a balance between serving your niche and expressing your full self. Audiences appreciate authenticity and evolution, and creators should feel empowered to explore new facets of their interests.

Monetizing Your Niche Channel

Making money on YouTube varies by creator but commonly includes:

• Sponsorships: Anissa works with brands she genuinely loves, especially hair and furniture brands, ensuring authenticity in her sponsored content.
• Ad Revenue: ASMR Glow highlights the underrated value of simply watching videos and ads, which supports creators through YouTube's algorithm and ad payments.
• Patreon and External Work: Vanessa supplements her income through Patreon, creative agencies, and media production work, using her channel as a marketing tool.
• Community Support: Jessica relies on Patreon donations to keep her content free and expand her team.

Creators emphasize the importance of diversified income streams and owning intellectual property outside platforms to ensure sustainability.

Advice for Starting a Niche Channel

For those eager to start, the panelists shared practical and motivational advice:

1. Just Do It: Don’t overthink or wait for perfection. Start with what you have and improve along the way. Anissa recalls her first low-quality video with just basic lighting and editing.
2. Be Consistent and Persistent: Growth often takes more than a year. Regular uploads and dedication pay off over time.
3. Engage with Your Community: Join conversations on platforms like Twitter, Reddit, and Instagram. Comment on others' content, collaborate, and immerse yourself in your niche.
4. Find Your Unique Voice: Embrace what makes you different—your background, perspective, or style. This is what will set you apart.
5. Make Content You Enjoy: If the process isn’t enjoyable, sustaining your channel long-term will be difficult.

Understanding Your Audience

Knowing who watches your content can help tailor your approach and grow your community:

• ASMR Glow: Primarily ages 18-34, but ASMR appeals to a wide range including children and older adults.
• Anissa: Mostly women aged 25-45, with a growing percentage of men interested in hair care and self-expression.
• Vanessa: Viewers range from 18-35, evenly split across this demographic with a shared interest in science and psychology.

Final Words of Wisdom from the Creators

Vanessa Hill: "Embrace yourself. Everyone has a unique perspective to bring. Be authentic and proud of what you offer."

ASMR Glow: "Always think about what you can bring that’s different. Make content that you would want to watch."

Anissa Lamara: "Walk away from the canvas sometimes. Step back, drown out the noise, and focus on what truly represents you."

Jessica McCabe: "Make content you enjoy making. The process needs to be enjoyable for you to keep going week after week."

Conclusion

Finding and thriving in a YouTube niche is a journey of authenticity, community building, and continuous creativity. Whether you’re sharing your personal story, educating others, or providing relaxation, the key to success lies in embracing who you are, engaging deeply with your audience, and staying open to growth.

Remember, your unique voice is your greatest asset. Start creating, connect with your community, and watch your niche channel flourish.