Famous on YouTube, but still broke?

[Shane]

I'm not sure those figures are correct.

From comments I've read, and my own experience, SocialBlade is about 15 - 20% high. Definitely not what you are quoting.

For the channel I have below, this month, SB's higher end is around 250% what the actual earnings are, on normal (non-Dec/Nov) months, it tends to be 350-400%

 

[Scapestrato]

I'd like to add on the subject of defining the success of a channel based on total subscribers that the number of subs you get for 1k views varies A LOT depending on the niche you work in. Niche like Minecraft can get you as high as 15-20 subs per 1k views, while stuff like nursery rhymes videos have an hard time getting a single sub for 1k views.

In general, I noticed that when the creator expose himself/herself in the video, the views/subscribers ratio is much higher than the average (which actually makes sense as people can relate and connect more with the creator thus feeling more compelled to subscribe)[DOUBLEPOST=1450891985,1450891801][/DOUBLEPOST]

It's kinda sad, but i have a large number of videos with multi million view count per video, and people assume that i'm raking it in like mad. This couldn't be further from the truth as us animators have an incredibly hard time fitting into youtubs 10 minute/frequent upload system (ie impossible), and the channels earnings are 1/10th of what they were pre 2012 watch time change and bassicly pay for rent (if at that at times) and nothing more. It's why a number of other youtube animators have quit on youtube or moved onto profitable areas like liveblogs/letsplays.

Care to elaborate on this? Has YT clearly said that if you upload X times per week a 10 minutes video your channel get a boost?

 

[Shane]

Care to elaborate on this? Has YT clearly said that if you upload X times per week a 10 minutes video your channel get a boost?

I think he more meant videos being 10 minutes in length as YouTube will prefer 10 minute videos with an average 60%/ 6 minutes watched than 2 minute videos with 90% average watch time.

They also do seem to favour both frequent and consistent (in length/ day of upload) uploads though have never really said it..
I for one have noticed huge drop-offs in "suggested video" traffic - which is views generated based on what videos YouTube shows to users - when having missed even a week worth of video uploads.

 

[MissFushi]

Most payment doesn't come from ad revenue alone. It includes sponsorships, donations, free gifts from companies, etc.

That said, you certainly have to hit it hard to get the most benefit. Like the animator above said, if you make videos every few months, it will be much harder to make a living due to how long it takes to make new videos. The youtube formula doesn't favor animators. I see a lot of them doing guest animations for YouTubers these days and receiving a revenue split from those channels. I'd love to do that with mine but my videos don't pay yet what an animator is worth.

An example of a good strategy is to create quality content and upload at a high rate and regular schedule. Markiplier did this when he started., He grabbed a trending game and rode it to the top with lots of videos a week, more than once a day. He had 800 subs within 2 weeks of starting. It's that exponential growth you have to start. Like a stone gathering moss. Just keep rolling and rolling and rolling.

I feel like the IG girl mentioned in the top of the article...she was saying she didn't make enough to live off of and I understand that. I'm going to sound old fashioned and say I don't understand how you would expect to live off of selfies. (Just my own opinion).

 

[Harpuia]

These days the vast majority of Youtubers have a combination of ad revenue, Patreon, Twitchcasts (if you're a gamer), and sponsorships. They also probably have a side part-time job that allows them to keep up with the dream.

 

[clerick]

I think he more meant videos being 10 minutes in length as YouTube will prefer 10 minute videos with an average 60%/ 6 minutes watched than 2 minute videos with 90% average watch time.

They also do seem to favour both frequent and consistent (in length/ day of upload) uploads though have never really said it..
I for one have noticed huge drop-offs in "suggested video" traffic - which is views generated based on what videos YouTube shows to users - when having missed even a week worth of video uploads.

Yep, the system isn't talked about but it's clearly in place. I've considered doing some kind of sponsorship but honestly i have no idea who would sponsor an animation (and how, i don't review/play games/liveblog so when i would even mention said product?).

 

[Scapestrato]

I think he more meant videos being 10 minutes in length as YouTube will prefer 10 minute videos with an average 60%/ 6 minutes watched than 2 minute videos with 90% average watch time.

They also do seem to favour both frequent and consistent (in length/ day of upload) uploads though have never really said it..
I for one have noticed huge drop-offs in "suggested video" traffic - which is views generated based on what videos YouTube shows to users - when having missed even a week worth of video uploads.

Well I actually suspected that studying channels with millions of views daily, as the common trait of every one of them is uploading at least a video daily.

I think I could upload a video per day if I'd commit to the task 100% (though I think I would burn out in a month or so lol), the thing is that I like to leave a video as last upload for a while so it can get the benefit of receiving views from my other uploaded videos through the "featured content" system (my reasoning behind this is more views=more time watched=more chance of getting featured in the suggested videos tab).

I know I could set up that manually too, but once you have more than 100+ uploaded video it would get intolerably time consuming

 

[KWKBOX]

I think for them it depended on their standard of living. Seems like YouTubers get to x amount of subs/viewers and then move to LA, where everything's insanely expensive. I may get to a certain level of success and be able to support myself just by virtue that my city is amazingly cheap and affordable for the perpetually broke. I mean, I support myself on $9.25 per hour right now, with a few odd jobs thrown in so I have a cushion.

I need to move where you live. I also think it is hilarious people run to LA when they have 1K subs like they have been found.

 

[Harpuia]

I need to move where you live. I also think it is hilarious people run to LA when they have 1K subs like they have been found.

Wait... people actually do that?

I assume I'm not even close to "found" until I get the silver play button. Because then Youtube actually sends you something.

 

[KWKBOX]

Wait... people actually do that?

I assume I'm not even close to "found" until I get the silver play button. Because then Youtube actually sends you something.

Yea there was a guy in my area that quickly got to 1K subs and then just cashed out and moved to LA. Last I heard he was fighting stray dogs for cold french fries in an alley.

As for myself I do not care how successful I am I am not moving out there or anywhere due to my channel. I believe Archie Bunker said it best when he said "All the fruits and nuts live out there."