Jason Calacanis keynote at Vidcon 2013: Making YouTube Sustainable

TL;DR

YouTube's current revenue split and lack of support for content creators is unsustainable and needs to be addressed.

Transcript

hey everybody hey how you doing that was a great lead-in for my talk super inspiring a lot of people going from being translators or some other line of work to becoming really huge celebrities downstairs a thousand people in line to meet iJustine I know there was actually anybody here over the age of 20 so it's great to see that there are some so t... Read More

Key Insights

• ❓ YouTube's current revenue split is unsustainable for content creators.
• 🖤 Lack of sales and marketing support from YouTube hinders the ability of creators to generate revenue.
• 🏛️ Content creators need to diversify their revenue streams and build their brand outside of YouTube to reduce dependency on the platform.
• 🤝 YouTube should consider implementing a tiered system that offers better deals for creators based on their level of success.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the proposed new deal for YouTube content creators?

The proposed new deal suggests that YouTube should take 30% of revenue when they sell ad space, and content creators should receive 10% when they sell. This would make it more financially viable for creators and incentivize them to continue using the platform.

Q: How can content creators own their own audience on YouTube?

Content creators can own their own audience by building an email list and using it to communicate directly with their subscribers. This allows them to reduce their dependency on YouTube and have more control over their own brand.

Q: What are the key challenges faced by YouTube content creators?

Some key challenges include low CPMs, lack of sales and marketing support from YouTube, and a revenue split that does not adequately compensate content creators for their work.

Q: How can content creators lower their dependency on YouTube?

Content creators can lower their dependency on YouTube by diversifying their revenue streams and building their brand outside of the platform. This can be done through email lists, merchandise sales, crowdfunding campaigns, and partnerships with other platforms.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• YouTube is a platform that allows unknown individuals to become celebrities and create huge movements with their content.

• The platform has many positives, including free global HD hosting, a billion users per month, and a passionate community.

• However, there are also challenges, such as low CPMs, lack of sales and marketing support, and a revenue split that is unsustainable for content creators.