The lucrative world of a popular YouTube channel.

Plainview

Plainview

I am a sinner.
Sep 11, 2013
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If you’ve got that YouTube ‘it’, you can make more money in a year than you could imagine. In a BBC article, YouTube personality, PewDiePie (Felix Kjellberg), pulled in a cool $7,000,0000 last year. You read that right… seven million dollars. That’s an insane amount for a 25 year old. It’s even more insane for a 25 year old who does nothing but record videos of himself playing video games, talking, walking, everyday stuff you and I do… everyday.

Kjellberg has over 35 million subscribers. His videos average over two million views per video. He has a total of over 10 billion, yes, 10 BILLION, views of his account. With that kind of audience, you can see why Kjellberg pulled in that cool seven mil last year. Advertisers must be fawning over getting an ad on one of his videos and he’s not alone.

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Source: PewDiePie via YouTube​

According to a TV Guide article, there are at least 14 people making more than $1m annually through their YouTube channel. Many of the channels are people just recording themselves doing everyday stuff or just recording what they love doing, playing games, doing unboxing, talking about their toys. Pranks are a big watch as well. Remember that wacky couple who likes to pull pranks on each other, Jesse and Jeana (PrankvsPrank), they pull in more than $2m annually.

I don’t get PewDiePie. I’ve only seen a few of his videos. I’m not entertained by them. I have no desire to watch them, but, it’s quite obvious, others do. He also doesn’t seem like he’s full of himself or a complete a****** like other online, and realty, personalities tend to be. I got to give it to Kjellberg, he’s made bank doing nothing but recording his life and with very little equipment as shown here. I don’t think my life is that exciting that I could pull off what he did. It would be me checking in at UnionVGF, going to work, check in at UnionVGF, surf the web, go home, check in at UnionVGF, maybe getting in a nap before I head to the gym, check in at UnionVGF, dinner in or out with friends, etc… Yeah, not getting a ton of YouTube hits like that. Kjellberg found his market and it payed off in spades.

I think there’s a few personalities here on UnionVGF that would make a far more interesting YouTube personality than PewDiePie, that’s not a knock on him. We’ve got some characters on this site, that, if they had no problems with being on camera, could make for some interesting views. All they would have to do is just film theirself, and sometimes their friends, and talk about whatever comes to mind. Our very own blofeld65 ’s daughter has a little YouTube channel, Star Chat with Alison, that’s always fun to watch. Maybe one day she’ll be bringing home some stacks of that Google money and she’ll be able to buy blofeld65 a nice big house like 8 year old Evan from EvanTubeHD? He’s estimated to be bringing in a measly $1.3m annually.

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Source: EvanTubeHD via YouTube​

Obviously the above examples are not the norm. They are the elite of the elite in terms of YouTube profits. They got in when YouTube was ripe for personalities to attach to and they ran with it. It’s amazing to see what they make. They found a niche and made it pay off. It takes timing but it also takes that ‘it’ factor. I’m not sure what that ‘it’ factor is. One things for sure, you never know if you really have that ‘it’ factor unless you try it. I’m sure all of the $1m plus YouTube channels never dreamed people would care enough to watch their videos to bring in $100, let alone $1m plus annually!
 
How does advertising work here? Are ads mandatory for YouTube or do you have to meet certain criteria to have them?
 
I was trying to set up a channel focused on introducing American comics to Korean audiences with two of my friends on the internet. We uploaded 8 episodes, but it never really took off, and we got busy. Still, we had a great time and three of us became really close friends, and I'd like to do this YouTube stuff again with different approach when I have time.
 
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As for others, some of my favorites are not the biggest channel on the network. It's not about how popular the video is, but about how informative and insightful it is, like the eye-opening lessons of cinema in Every Frame a Painting, or how immersive and nail-biting it is, as in Isinona's fabulous role playing gameplay in Elite: Dangerous.

That said, god I looooooooooooooove Isinona, more people should pay attention to him.
 
Though I could never for see my daughter's channel making millions, I would welcome just a tiny bit to pay for all of her Star wars toys! It gets expensive!!!
 
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I keep thinking about whether I could try to pull off something like this myself and I think about the channel Jacksepticeye as an example. I'm now in a 2 year college program for IT Software Development, Jacksepticeye went to college for Hotel Management and during that time in college his game channel took off. He finished his degree, but instead of Hotel Manager he is now a full-time YouTuber.



One of the flukes about people like this is they fall into great Self-Branding. This guy's name isn't even Jack, the Septic Eye thing came from a stupid nickname. Many of his graphics and logos are just given to him by appreciative fans. Also, people frankly like to watch his Irish Gamer Rage.

Also, people love GTA5 Mod videos. Jack's Moon Gravity Mod video has over 9 million views :surprise:

 
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I'd like to see the stats on how much an average Youtuber makes, and what the distribution curve looks like.

I'm guessing it looks like something like this, with number of Youtubers on the vertical and income on the horizontal.

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I always thought it was crazy how much money people make doing YouTube but then i realized just how much work it really is to keep up with it. Coming up with new ideas and keeping the audience hooked. It takes money to make money though. You'd have to have some kind of disposable cash to really build a channel. Then once it takes off, you're set.
 
TDbank24 said:
I always thought it was crazy how much money people make doing YouTube but then i realized just how much work it really is to keep up with it. Coming up with new ideas and keeping the audience hooked. It takes money to make money though. You'd have to have some kind of disposable cash to really build a channel. Then once it takes off, you're set.
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And the equipment. Most of them are invested in quality microphones or they use a green screen.
 
Andy said:
I'd like to see the stats on how much an average Youtuber makes, and what the distribution curve looks like.

I'm guessing it looks like something like this, with number of Youtubers on the vertical and income on the horizontal.

pos_skew.jpg
Click to expand...

It does look like that, I remember a revenue that a video earns is around a cent per view, and most views are concentrated on a certain popular channel. Also, you can't even cash out until you reach $300 or around, so in the end most channels get nothing from their videos. It's the most popular few that earns tons of money, and that's why channels with 5-digit subscribers - popular enough to monetize but not enough to do that on YouTube - and even some of the more popular ones started relying on other monetizing services like Patreon.
 
Dmega007 said:
Some people, like TheRussianBadger are hilarious to watch. Highly recommend his videos.
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LOL, first one I watched was his AssCreed: Syndicate "Ziplines" video. So brutally honest! What was UBI thinking? He actually helped me fully dismiss that game (until it's free on GwG).
 
I think Epic Meal Time peaked on YouTube and became a little disorganized. They did actually get a cooking show Epic Meal Empire. I don't even know if it's still.

Aside from ads, they did push their own online store.

 
Not his fan, but I am not angry or jealous.

I am cool with anyone making a honest living, no matter the profession or ways.

What I can't stand are freeloaders & welfare cheats which we have a lot here.
 
Oblong said:
LOL, first one I watched was his AssCreed: Syndicate "Ziplines" video. So brutally honest! What was UBI thinking? He actually helped me fully dismiss that game (until it's free on GwG).
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That's the best part about his videos. They're honest and he doesn't hold back. His use of samples to add comedic effect is also top class. I've been a fan for years and honestly he's the only youtuber I watch faithfully.
 
Videodrome said:
I think Epic Meal Time peaked on YouTube and became a little disorganized. They did actually get a cooking show Epic Meal Empire. I don't even know if it's still.

Aside from ads, they did push their own online store.

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If you are unsure if the food you are having is unhealthy, just add some bacon and cheese.
 
I've been running a youtube channel for gaming and stuff since last year. I tried going with frequent game commentary videos, but I eventually realized that's not what I enjoy. I sound surprisingly dull. Uploading small clips or making a compilation is more my bag and has brought me success. My most watched video has like 1600 views and is TF2 game clip where I get stabbed out of a window. The best place to upload these things is in reddit as well. Lots of resources to meet people. I suppose the added benefit is that I got to meet some cool guys who run their own channels. One of them even made me a little 8-bit version of the Broken Monkey alias I usually go by. Also, I got banned from AdSense for supposedly clicking ads on my own videos. So no money from Google ever. In case anyone ever wondered why I upload my animations or speedart vids on dailymotion instead. Although I might try it again, for my animation this time, and see where it goes. I hear the trick to beating the bans are either different IPs, or moving to a new home. Won't activate ad sense the next time around though until I get at least 50 subscribers.

What I learned about youtube is that it can be a nice tool for fun times. Don't try to turn it into a job. Don't try and be Pew Die Pie either, unless you're really into talking over games, and funny. People are generally attracted to people with a more organic feel, or are just really funny. At least to those who watch them. These days I stick to guys barely on the map. Masters of Unlocking are pretty fun and Mystic Sword Gaming is pretty chill but fun with the occasional original pieces of music. Killbot the Gamer is pretty awesome as well. Give him a look-up. Dude wears a mask during his play throughs and it makes for fun times.

Overall, it sounds like you're contemplating a youtube channel Plainview. Not a bad idea. Could be good for forum business too. What I'd suggest is being a little different. Not just doing Let's Plays, although you can obviously do that, it's so popular because of how easy it is. I like to think we could all collaborate one day and make something interesting. I think you just need to concentrate on something you always wanted to do. One suggestion is doing stuff like taking Game of the Year threads and turning them into videos. Clips of a game, complete with quotes. Audio quotes being optional. Really, a new channel should be one dedicated generally to fun.
 
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Videodrome said:
Is it worth it? Or will some of these guys become alcoholics?

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I plan on jumping a step, and starting one as an alcoholic!

I'm now looking for a cohost, for my soon to begin YouTube series, 'Drunk sexist h*** compares things to being fisted'.

I'm sure there will be Hollywood interest soon....
 
Bellybama said:
I'm now looking for a cohost, for my soon to begin YouTube series, 'Drunk sexist h*** compares things to being fisted'.
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I'll have to pass. I just don't see the synergy with my impending release of "Grumpy old gay perv: You boys get off on my lawn!"
 
Bellybama said:
I plan on jumping a step, and starting one as an alcoholic!

I'm now looking for a cohost, for my soon to begin YouTube series, 'Drunk sexist h*** compares things to being fisted'.

I'm sure there will be Hollywood interest soon....
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I've actually considered that idea to. Have some beers or Rum & Cokes and go on a drunken rage in Grand Theft Auto 5.
 
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sharkboy1200 said:
I've been running a youtube channel for gaming and stuff since last year. I tried going with frequent game commentary videos, but I eventually realized that's not what I enjoy. I sound surprisingly dull. Uploading small clips or making a compilation is more my bag and has brought me success. My most watched video has like 1600 views and is TF2 game clip where I get stabbed out of a window. The best place to upload these things is in reddit as well. Lots of resources to meet people. I suppose the added benefit is that I got to meet some cool guys who run their own channels. One of them even made me a little 8-bit version of the Broken Monkey alias I usually go by. Also, I got banned from AdSense for supposedly clicking ads on my own videos. So no money from Google ever. In case anyone ever wondered why I upload my animations or speedart vids on dailymotion instead. Although I might try it again, for my animation this time, and see where it goes. I hear the trick to beating the bans are either different IPs, or moving to a new home. Won't activate ad sense the next time around though until I get at least 50 subscribers.

What I learned about youtube is that it can be a nice tool for fun times. Don't try to turn it into a job. Don't try and be Pew Die Pie either, unless you're really into talking over games, and funny. People are generally attracted to people with a more organic feel, or are just really funny. At least to those who watch them. These days I stick to guys barely on the map. Masters of Unlocking are pretty fun and Mystic Sword Gaming is pretty chill but fun with the occasional original pieces of music. Killbot the Gamer is pretty awesome as well. Give him a look-up. Dude wears a mask during his play throughs and it makes for fun times.

Overall, it sounds like you're contemplating a youtube channel Plainview. Not a bad idea. Could be good for forum business too. What I'd suggest is being a little different. Not just doing Let's Plays, although you can obviously do that, it's so popular because of how easy it is. I like to think we could all collaborate one day and make something interesting. I think you just need to concentrate on something you always wanted to do. One suggestion is doing stuff like taking Game of the Year threads and turning them into videos. Clips of a game, complete with quotes. Audio quotes being optional. Really, a new channel should be one dedicated generally to fun.
Click to expand...

I think even both Markiplier and PewDiePie had similar bans and they just started up new accounts.

If I started a channel, it would probably start like VMAN's channel. He only puts text captions over game play. No voice recording or camera. It's simple but he does get views.

I'd also consider doing a channel with game mods like Grand Theft Auto Angry Planes. People love that s***.

 
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Videodrome said:
I think even both Markiplier and PewDiePie had similar bans and they just started up new accounts.

If I started a channel, it would probably start like VMAN's channel. He only puts text captions over game play. No voice recording or camera. It's simple but he does get views.

I'd also consider doing a channel with game mods like Grand Theft Auto Angry Planes. People love that s***.

Click to expand...

That's a solid idea. Perhaps I'll do something similar to the text. I'd also like to try my hand at one of those MLG videos. Those look like fun to make.
 
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