The Breakdown: What does it take to actually have a career on YouTube?

YouTube is one of the most used search engines in the world and has transformed how people find information online. The video platform strives on user-generated content and has gained over 1.8 billion users since 2005. With programs such as AdSense and sponsorships, some people have even managed to create a career as YouTubers and online influencers. Kids as young as 7 such as Ryan Kaji from Ryan ToysReview, a channel that my nephew likes to watch, has 21.7 million subscribers. Through his channel, he has been able to create his own line of toys and a show on Nickelodeon.

But what is so attractive about being a YouTuber?

The idea that anyone can create and post videos on YouTube is appealing. With features such as YouTube Studio and even videos on YouTube about how to create videos, it is easier than ever to get started and develop skills to make great content. This model is how other social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram have built such a large user base.

You would not catch me in the office wearing pajamas.

Millennials are also more drawn than older generations to the entrepreneur lifestyle and are willing to take more risks in building their own businesses. You can do whatever you want and whenever you want. You are your own boss. You can sleep in and do work in your pajamas if you wanted to or travel the world while still generating income. There are so many possibilities because you are in control of your business and your life. 

The Reality

When YouTubers share their lives online, they are only showing us a curated portion of it. While maintaining their privacy is one reason, there is also pressure to only show content that will gain more views (and money). Because of this, we aren’t seeing the full picture. Brand deals require constant back and forth communication and can actually limit the type of content being shared. There is a hierarchy of creators based on follower count. Many of the top YouTubers actually have teams of managers, graphic designers, editors, and etc. Being your own boss can actually lead to higher rates of burnout because there isn't a clear separation between work and life. To really make it on this platform, there is a ton of work involved that general users tend to overlook.

Content creator Karen Yeung of IAMKARENO moved to Los Angeles a few years ago to grow her channel and network with others in the industry. In this video, she expresses her struggle and why she decided to leave LA:

Joe Lee is a full-time commercial photographer from Toronto, Canada. On his YouTube channel, JustJoeLee, he has created a community of 43.3K subscribers in four years (as of 10/1/19). In this video he breaks down his revenue over the past few months and shares the amount of work he puts into his content. Many channels also rely on other streams of revenue such as Patreon, sponsorships, and speaker events.

Anyone is capable of turning YouTube into a career, but only a few succeed. Who are your favorite YouTubers to watch? Have you ever considered becoming a content creator? Let me know in the comments and I'll see you next week!