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There is quite a bit of misinformation surrounding YouTube, the culture of YouTube, the stuff under the hood, the business side, and relationships between YouTubers. But there is plenty people don't talk about for one reason or another.

I don't know if it is because it could sound like whining, I don't know if it is because people feel ashamed or embarrassed by some of it, but with all the attention and focus YouTube and it's creators are getting, I felt someone should have a conversation about some of these topics.
*Keep in mind, these aren't personal struggles of mind per-se but are based around conversations I've had and observations I've made.
You may feel that content creators who have a 100K Subscribers and a Silverplay button have somehow finally "made it on YouTube", but the reality is not as simple as that.

The far majority of content creators with 50k-500K Subscribers that represent the YouTube "Middle-Class" are not able to live off of their YouTube earnings alone.

That may seem weird or impossible to you considering that many of these creators generate millions of views every month, and you'd think they'd be able to live off of the ad revenue and sponsors opportunities.

If you use the YouTube Calculator on Social Blade there is some interesting math that comes into play.

A channel generating roughly 10 million views per year might only generate $45k/year. This sounds like a lot and it may be more than what you make right now and you day job.
COST OF LIVING, COST OF WORKING, AND TAXES, TAXES, TAXES
However the cost of running a YouTube channel that generates those types of views has cost behind it just like anything else. There is also the fact that YouTubers have to pay taxes on any income they own and they pay a higher tax rate due to being self employed. Some have a 20% effective tax rate.

Many of the YouTube creators in this middle-class category also live in states with higher tax rates such as California and New York, which also have a higher cost of living. This is usually because living in such places offers more collaboration and business opportunities in the long wrong, especially if one wants to be an entertainer such as an actor/actress or work with technology based brands or fashion brands.

And that is in one of the best case scenarios for a channel with 100K-200K subscribers generating decent views each month.

Consider the following though, most of the popular channels within the YouTube Middle-Class are entertainment based and won't always get premium ad placement.

Additionally YouTube only monetizes 30-60% of views on average. Also consider 20% of users are now reportedly using Ad-Block, meaning these creators aren't getting ad revenue from those viewers.
WHAT ABOUT SPONSORSHIP MONEY?!
Here is something that very few people talk about. Even with a 100K subscriber channel, depending on the average views per video, sponsorship fees range from $500-$5,000 depending on the brand an on your niche. There are exceptions that can be $5,000-$10,000 but not much higher until you break 250,000 Subscribers or unless you are getting a very high level of average view per video, the exceptions being popular micro-niches or a product that has a high enough price point that the ROI easy enough to turn around.

This also assumes you can secure sponsorships for you channel, and it also assumes that your audience doesn't react negatively to you doing sponsored videos regularly, which many are vocal about.
DO I MAKE A LIVING FROM MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL?
I hate this question with every fiber of my being, because I can't answer it without sounding pretentious. The answer is "I make somebody's living, from my YouTube channel..."

See what I mean? I run my own business, Create Awesome Media, where I work with clients on their marketing, content strategy and social media communication strategy. In addition to that I hire freelance creatives to help me produce and edit video, motion graphics and campaigns.

When I'm not doing that I'm speaking, and also do some paid writing and private coaching. Meaning I have a business that I make a decent living from independent from YouTube. I also live in the south which means my cost of living is roughly half of what some of my friends in the YouTube world have.

But what I can tell you is that I could live pretty comfortably between my adsense revenue, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing directly tied to my YouTube channel (More than the median household income for U.S.). If I wanted to always worry about when YouTube makes changes or someone says something negative about me... oh and also as long as I don't live in California or New York.
Are All YouTubers with Less Than 1 Million Subscribers Struggling?
I can't speak for all of these mid-level YouTubers, but many are struggling and some have come forward about it in their videos, in article interviews and even in their social media such as Twitter.

The other issue is that many of these creators have tied their entire financial future and their identity to being a YouTuber. This is not practical or sustainable. Because YouTube in and of itself is not a "Job" whether you make money from it or not. Nor is it in and of itself a "Career" its a platform/venue. You can't put YouTuber on a resume, at least not yet, and Google isn't sending you a W2. I'm not trying to have the "real job" debate because I don't believe in it's thesis. I'm saying that you have to look beyond YouTube.

If you are able to be successful in YouTube it typically requires certain skills, such as video editing, video production, social media, and so on. You should probably utilize and market those skills outside of YouTube and cash in on them whenever possible and build a brand that lives outside of YouTube. I think the problem is that Big YouTubers have sold this dream of being a YouTube Star and living off of your channel and having the life you want. But few of them talk about the businesses they run in the background and the fact that many of them are also now investors in startups, or even other channels and even Multi-Channel Networks.

Do I think they should disclose all of their business dealings? No, heck I'm certainly not unless its relevant to something. But I think that it is creating a bubble and a false narrative for upcoming creators who face more competition for views, attention and ad revenue than many of their idols did in the early days of YouTube.
ADVICE AN ENCOURAGEMENT FOR MIDDLE CLASS CREATORS
When not working on producing and editing content for your YouTube channel, try to find work doing video editing or work behind a camera in your local area or doing work for other YouTube creators. In most cases it will pay more than a part-time job, and in some cases more than a full-time job. You can use your channel as a body of work.

Save as much of your earnings as possible, particularly the larger payouts you get from sponsors. Saving and accumulating your money or even putting it in a retirement account is one of the most practical things you can do when you're doing something that lacks stability month to month.

Maintain professionalism outside of your channel. Regardless of your on camera persona, be professional in all of your communication privately and in social media. People have a bad habit of making screenshots of every DM and every email in this day an age, so assume no communication is private.

Finally, have a plan for beyond YouTube, understand there is a real possibility that somehow you may not be able to operate on the platform. Think about your brand, your identity, your life and your career with that very real possibility in mind and who you are after YouTube... because at some point that reality will arrive in one form or another. This isn't a scare tactic or meant to be discouraging, look at what happened to Vine.

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What Nobody Tells You About Being a YouTuber (The YouTube Middle-Class)

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There is quite a bit of misinformation surrounding YouTube, the culture of YouTube, the stuff under the hood, the business side, and relationships between YouTubers. But there is plenty people don't talk about for one reason or another.

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You Can Now Study How To Become A YouTuber At College | MTV UK

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There seems to be a consensus that starting a YouTube channel is no longer 'worth it' due to the fact that all of the millionaires have already been born out of the platform. Yes, it's true that you have a better chance of making "fetch" happen than becoming an overnight YouTube sensation, but that doesn't mean you can't have your cake and eat it too. The success of YouTube influencers of the past have made marketers shift how they can potentially reach their audience, so it's actually a very relevant dream to have for your own channel. The video platform has weaved itself into the marketing fold of many businesses or really anyone looking to share their voice with the world.

Here are the 11 steps you need to take in order become a successful YouTuber:

1. Define what success means to you and remember it

2. Develop your channel's goals and content

3. Make sure your channel page is welcoming

4. Mind your SEO

5. Be consistent. Be-be consistent

6. Get to the point

7. Keep up with your niche

8. Manage your community like a boss

9. Spread the word with a killer website

10. Learn from your analytics

Many define success monetarily, but there's so much more to it than money in the bank. If you make a ton of money doing a job you hate, would you consider yourself successful despite your lack of fulfillment? Success comes in different forms, and it's up to you to determine where you consider yourself successful. If you define success outside of greenbacks for your YouTube channel, remember that's what you're in it for. Whether it's a higher view count for your videos, more subscribers, or monetization for your YouTube channel, keep this as your focus, anything else is just bonus.

YouTube is video. There's a lot of good content, and a ton of terrible content out there. As you create your YouTube channel , keep in mind that developing your content is fun, but it's also a job. Here, you're defining your channel's voice and your content should align with it. Even if it's just you and your camera, you're building your brand's personality. The easiest way to develop your channel is to be yourself. But what if you're not particularly interesting even though the content you're producing is? Well, then there's nothing wrong with being a little "extra" to add some pep to your videos. (Read: a little - you're going for pep, not obnoxious. Also, always consider your audience.)

You'll need to decide what type of content you will be offering up on your channel. The range is huge, from how-to videos, to humor, to reviews. Once you choose that, backtrack to see how you can make the videos unique using your brand's personality. Depending on your channel's content and niche, you want to make sure you give yourself some wiggle room to cover trending topics in your industry. If some big news breaks out or there's a subject you know others with similar channels are talking about, don't hesitate to ride the wave. It's important to stay relevant. Even if you're covering the same topics as others, it gives you an opportunity to add your valuable input on a subject.

Now with your content type secured, make a plan as to how you will not only execute its creation, but everything in this venture. Think of this as a business plan of sorts and return to it every now and then to make sure you're adhering to the standards that you set up for yourself. You can also treat this part as a checklist of the things you will need in the creation of your YouTube channel, including any and all equipment you will need to produce quality videos. This is also a good time to figure out who else will be involved with the your channel, if anyone. In essence, build a realistic timeline for your posting schedule, gather topics for your content, and make sure you follow this timeline consistently along your journey.

You know what's not cute? An incomplete YouTube profile. If you're trying to make YouTube "happen" for you, be sure to mind your p's and q's. Since the medium is a visual one, presentation is key. Your profile photo or logo needs to be set in the correct place and your channel banner image needs to be the correct dimensions. Other things to think about are the style of your video thumbnails. Do they have their own visual style that you will continue to consistently reproduce? To ensure all your elements are in place and are the correct size take a look at our ultimate social media size guide. You're welcome.

Properly setting up SEO for your YouTube videos is beyond important. Since you took the time to produce your videos don't start slacking now. YouTube is a very sophisticated search engine, and people use it a lot to discover new content. Which means that, by choosing the right keywords, you'll embetter your chance to be found, seen, and enjoyed. If there are videos similar to one you're looking to create, take a look at the exact words you typed in for the results. Then try a slight variation to see how the results change just so you can see what a word or two of difference can make. Research the keywords you'd like to use, their popularity, and the keywords your competition uses.

It doesn't matter how many of these articles about being successful on YouTube you read through, you will always find this one. You must be consistent to see any kind of success. It's that or hedge your bets on instant viral success. Don't get me wrong, that would cool, but the viral route is not a guaranteed one in the least bit. No matter what type of content you're producing, stay consistent with your timing and type. Set a schedule as to when you will release your videos and try to stick to it. Consistently releasing videos on the same day and time not only tells your audience when they can expect your new content, but it gives you a schedule to work with and abide by. Consistency isn't just about timing. It's about ensuring steady, on-brand content.

Let's say you follow a baking channel on YouTube and it's your go-to source for all things baking, but the latest episode, without explanation, is all about their trip to a monster truck rally. (Really?) The stark contrast in content, especially without warning, is jarring and will leave your loyal viewers confused. If you want to experiment with your content it would be wise to give your audience a heads up first..

You know what's absolutely, completely unnecessary for a YouTube video? A five minute explanation for something you can (and intend to) show your viewer that only takes 30 seconds. Sounds funny when worded like that, right? Unfortunately, this is terribly common. I'm sorry, but people do not have time for you to waste their time, so just get right to it. If you release how-to videos, it's an absolute must to get to your point as soon as you can. Explain what the video is going to be about and then dive right in. The point of a video is to "show" your viewer something (If they just want to listen, they would listen to a podcast.) Of course, there will be instances where further elaboration or troubleshooting may need to be mentioned, but save that for later in the video. Your audience will thank you.

When presenting (recording) to your audience, you want to be seen as knowledgeable about your industry. This entails staying up with news about your niche and your video making peers. Keeping up with the news and happenings of your industry (including your competition) allows you to make relevant and fresh content for your viewers. By watching your competitions videos you can see the points and opinions they make before you make your own video. Allowing you to follow up with your own counter argument (if you live for drama) or your own spin to keep it unique. This will also help to establish yourself as a "go-to" channel for someone who wants to stay up to date with a certain subject.

If you measure success by subscriber count, your subscribers are basically gold, so be sure to treat them as such. This goes beyond just answering and liking their comments. Community management can be a job of its own. A great way to engage with your community instantly is to host a live stream. Live video is becoming increasingly more popular, as it allows you to interact directly with your viewers and shows a more candid, off the cuff presentation. This platform is also great for hosting Q&As so your audience can get answers to their burning questions right then and there. You can also flip it and ask your viewers to leave questions in the comments which you can then answer during the session. This may be an article about YouTube, but you should definitely also engage with your community on other social networks as well. Plus, its a great way to take advantage of multiple platforms and tap into new audiences. Being socially present on multiple networks shows that you are availability and committed to your community.
A couple of ways to grow your community include:

Always make sure to link from one social network to the other. A properly placed CTA in your videos can help you achieve this action.

When releasing a new video, announce it on all your other channels. Plus: don't forget to add a link to your latest vid.

Create a blog to keep your community interested.

Start a forum to keep the conversation going.

Send out newsletters using Wix Email Marketing to promote your weekly blog, announcements or updates.

When your primary content is made for YouTube, it's hard to give your brand another home. Sure, you can share your videos on other social networks, and you should, but a stunning video website should be your YouTube channel's home away from home. The great advantage of a video website is that you're the owner of everything on your website. Essentially, you're not confined to what a social media platform has to offer. Therefore, your site has all the benefits of YouTube without any of the limitations. With Wix Video, you can easily sync your YouTube channel to your site, enabling a smooth integration of your videos into your website. That means, more views on your videos straight from your site. From your site, you have the option to sell your videos, rent them or even set up a monthly subscription plan. Best of all, it's all free.

Even the best can do it better. YouTube offers up a dedicated analytics section for your channel so you can see how your videos are performing. Analytics will allow you to get insight on the people who are watching your videos, which allows you to hone into your target demographic even further. It will also give you a better idea as to why one video may have performed better than another. Basically, it's a powerful tool you should take advantage of for your budding channel.
By Blake Stimac
Community & Social Media Manager

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How to Become a Successful Youtuber in 11 Easy Steps

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There seems to be a consensus that starting a YouTube channel is no longer 'worth it' due to the fact that all of the millionaires have already been born out of the platform. Yes, it's true that you have a better chance of making "fetch" happen than becoming an overnight YouTube sensation, but that doesn't mean you can't have your cake and eat it too.

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Artists are always looking for different outlets through which to promote and monetize their brands. Before the emergence of the Internet and social media, it was much harder for independent talents to make a living off their products(at least in my opinion). With fast growing sites like YouTube, artists are able to target niche markets and organically build enough of a following for significant monetization. Such evolution in art distribution has given birth to new media artists. But what are the main differences between these talents and those in traditional media? Here is my personal comparison on the differences and the current pros and cons.

YouTube Talent
The Pros:
Being a YouTube partner is great in a sense because talents are able to produce content with creative freedom and receive income for it. Musician Paul Dateh told me, "One of the biggest advantages of being an independent new media artist is that you have the freedom to test new business models whenever they're made available to you. You have direct control over when and how your content is distributed, and you can regularly make changes on the fly to suit your needs." With the emergence of networks allowing partners to post more targeted ads on their channel for higher CPM's and other benefits, there's no question that ways to monetize YouTube traffic are evolving. According to YouTube, partner revenue has more than doubled for four years in a row and currently pays out six figures annually to hundreds of partners. Such statistics show that independent creatives are capable of earning a comfortable living through their user-generated content.

Another great benefit is that with Hollywood getting more and more interested in the scene, many artists have used YouTube as a stepping stone on their road to receiving mainstream recognition. Check out this recent video on SamMacaroni's channel featuring YouTube personality Shay Carl with celebrities Steven Tyler and Jane Lynch.

The Cons:
From my perspective as an internet marketer in entertainment, one of the biggest downsides of being a YouTuber is that while there are certain exceptions, you're typically not viewed the same as mainstream talent. Since most YouTubers fall into the category between "unknown artist" and celebrity, you have the benefits of earning money doing what you love, but you don't hold the same brand equity as a traditional celebrity. For example, if you were to hire Rihanna to do a commercial on TV, there isn't really a direct way to quantify how much return in investment that commercial has for your brand. Even if you can't measure the impact of Rihanna's commercial on sales, the fact that you can say a celebrity endorses your product already ups your brand value. With the emergence of online advertising, advertisers can measure exactly how much traffic you pulled to their site and the sales that result. So essentially, there's less emphasis on advertisers hiring new media talent for their brand equity, and more on the bottom line: How much return can this investment bring to their company?

Another possible negative of being new media talent is that because you may lack the resources to produce your own content, you may have to learn to wear different hats. An aspiring musician may need to learn proper video production, or an actor may need edit their own clips because he/she lacks the financial stability to hire a professional.

Traditional Talent
The Pros:
I don't think I need to really explain this part much. There's no question that once you become a mainstream celebrity the combination of fame, endorsements, and the support of a quality network can help you earn an excellent living. In the recent movie " The Avengers," Robert Downey Jr. is reportedly projected to earn 50 million dollars. With Discovery's recent acquisition of Revision3 for a reported 30 million dollars, I think it's safe to say this is a payday that an individual new media artist has currently yet to experience.

One other major benefit of being a celebrity is that it's typically easier for you to gain a social media following because of your mainstream recognition. Remember Charlie Sheen when he got his first million followers on Twitter in less than two days of opening his account?
The Cons:
The two biggest negatives of being traditional media talent is 1. It's harder to produce and distribute your work, and 2. Most of the time, you won't have much creative freedom in the content you produce since you need to satisfy the big guy. For new media artists, they can make somewhat stable incomes monetizing their small followings online, while for anyone doing the traditional route, they could be stuck years without a steady income until their big break in a movie or on a record label.

So in the end, what is the better option? In all honesty, I personally don't know! However, what I will say is that I find it funny that while a good portion of YouTube talent is using social media to build a nationally recognized brand, mainstream talents are all struggling to find out how to appeal to the new internet audience via social media. So what I will conclude with is that for new media artists that are thinking of using social media to build their mainstream brand, they should question the definition of "mainstream" and whether they might be already there.

Do you guys agree? Comment below with your thoughts!

Source: TechCrunch, YouTube, Movieline, Access Hollywood

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Pros & Cons of Being a Youtuber Versus a Traditional Talent

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Artists are always looking for different outlets through which to promote and monetize their brands. Before the emergence of the Internet and social media, it was much harder for independent talents to make a living off their products(at least in my opinion).

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How Much Do YouTubers Get Paid? ♥ Wengie

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How to Earn Money on YouTube: 6 Tips for Beginners

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How do I start a successful YouTube channel and become a YouTuber?

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Answer (1 of 153): Proven Tips To start a successful YouTube channel & become a YouTuber 1. Be consistent about posting videos The best tip I can give you is to get your stuff out there! Making good videos takes practice and you'll only get better if you keep at it.

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How to Become Popular on YouTube. Successful 'YouTubers' are some of the most glamorous people on the internet. Whether they are making videos about games, makeup, or everyday life (vlogs), these are some of the best known people on the...

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YouTube Equipment List for Making Videos