How to Make a Living as a YouTube Creator (From Side Hustle to Full-Time)

TL;DR

Jeremy and Melissa from Good Simple Living share their journey from selling vegetables to becoming full-time content creators on YouTube, proving that making a living without being a massive YouTuber is possible.

Transcript

originally we thought that you either were making no money or you were a massive YouTuber and then you were making a decent living so we thought you had to be getting a million views of video in order to make any kind of living and it was another creator that kind of did a what he makes video and we looked at his views and we went substitute those ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🫵 Building a community of engaged viewers is more important than having millions of views per video for sustainable income on YouTube.
• 🤝 Brand deals can bring in a significant portion of revenue for content creators, but it's crucial to find products or services that align with the creator's values and audience.
• 🤗 Scaling up income streams over time and remaining open to opportunities can lead to continued growth as a content creator.
• 👾 Authenticity and finding your unique niche will help content creators stand out in a saturated YouTube space.
• 💗 Starting with basic equipment and gradually investing in gear as the channel grows is a practical approach for new content creators.
• 🤩 Continuous improvement and not being afraid to try new things are key to success in content creation.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Jeremy and Melissa transition from selling vegetables to becoming full-time content creators?

Melissa started making videos to connect customers to their food, sharing planting, harvesting, and recipe videos. One video unexpectedly garnered almost a million views, leading them to realize the potential of YouTube as a source of income.

Q: How did their friends and family react to their decision to become full-time content creators?

Initially, many thought they were crazy, especially Jeremy's father, who believed leaving his previous career was reckless. However, as the couple's YouTube channel grew, their loved ones began to see the success and started supporting their decision.

Q: What percentage of their monthly income comes from brand deals?

Brand deals make up around two-thirds of their monthly revenue. They work with agencies and have built relationships with different brands to integrate them naturally into their videos.

Q: How did Jeremy and Melissa learn about negotiating brand deals?

They primarily learned through trial and error. They also sought advice from other creators who had more experience in working with sponsorships. Understanding the market and discussing compensation rates with brands helped them navigate negotiations.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Jeremy and Melissa started by selling vegetables and meat, creating videos to connect their customers to their food and sharing recipe and processing videos.

• They initially thought you needed millions of views per video to make a living on YouTube but realized it was achievable with lower views if they focused on improving their content.

• They took the leap to become full-time content creators, starting with a monthly income of $1,800-$2,000 from AdSense and eventually incorporating brand deals, which now make up two-thirds of their revenue.