Is Being a YouTuber Really a Viable Job?

In my expert opinion as an investment analyst and business strategist, being a YouTuber absolutely can be a real, viable job if you approach it as a business and are committed to putting in the hard work. It is not a get-rich-quick scheme, but with dedication and skill, you can build a lucrative career on YouTube.

How Much YouTubers Really Earn

YouTube itself does not pay creators simply for uploading videos. However, popular channels can earn significant income through:

One of my clients makes $120,000 per year from her cooking channel ad revenue alone. Fan funding during her live streams generates an additional $30,000 annually. Keep in mind these earnings require amassing millions of engaged subscribers and views.

Pros of Being a Professional YouTuber

Why grind away to build a popular channel? Here are the main upsides:

• Creative Freedom – Produce precisely the content you find meaningful on your own schedule.
• Earn Significant Income – Top 3% of YouTubers make over $1 million per year from their channels.
• Build Your Personal Brand – Develop an enthusiastic, loyal fan community.
• Flexible Career – As your own boss, you dictate when and where you work.
• Entertain and Inspire Millions – Youth especially look to YouTubers for humor, guidance, and support.

One of my most successful clients credits YouTube with allowing him to finally pursue his filmmaking passion full-time after years stuck in an unfulfilling office job.

Cons and Challenges of YouTubing as a Career

That said, this path definitely comes with substantial difficulties including:

• Unpredictable Revenue – Income fluctuates widely based on viewership and other variables.
• Burnout – Producing engaging content continually requires tremendous effort.
• Harassment – Public figure status means contending with hostile commenters.
• Self-Promotion Overload – Endless hustling on social media is required for discovery.
• Lack of Privacy – YouTubers‘ lives are subject to constant scrutiny.

One friend quit YouTube after struggling to adapt to the lack of job security and isolation after running a popular channel for 3 years.

Evaluating Your Abilities Honestly

Before dedicating yourself fully to YouTubing, reflect deeply on the following:

• Can you withstand criticism and harassment from viewers?
• Are you creative and charismatic on camera?
• Are you willing to market yourself extensively?
• Can you commit 20+ hours per week to producing content?

I‘ve seen some clients succeed on YouTube despite lacking innate technical skills just because their personalities resonated so strongly.

Steps to Build a YouTube Channel from Scratch

Ready to take the leap? Use this start-up process I advise:

1. Identify a niche and target audience.
2. Buy essential equipment like a quality camera, microphone, and lighting.
3. Create accounts on all major social media platforms.
4. Design a channel banner, icon, and thumbnails using Canva.
5. Learn fundamentals of SEO to optimize discoverability.
6. Develop an upload schedule and start posting videos consistently.
7. Interact with viewers, accept feedback, continue improving.

This initial growth phase requires immense perseverance and patience. Set small milestones like gaining 100 regular viewers to stay motivated.

Turning YouTube into a Long-Term, Full-Time Career

Is it really feasible to sustain an entire career as a YouTuber? My research indicates it’s possible with the following habits:

• Outsource editing and production tasks to avoid burnout.
• Diversify income with related side hustles like eBooks or online courses.
• Set rigid boundaries between work and personal life.
• Save and invest the bulk of income made during peak popularity.
• Constantly assess audience data to identify content or format shifts.

I have one client who has maintained her channel’s profitability for over 8 years by reinventing herself as an animator after years as a daily vlogger.

Weighing the YouTube Career Decision Carefully

I hope this detailed guide provides an honest, balanced perspective on pursuing YouTubing professionally. Here are my key takeaways:

• Top YouTubers can absolutely earn a full-time living, but this requires tremendous commitment.
• Diverse revenue streams are crucial to account for platform volatility.
• The most successful creators are strategic and treat it as a business.
• YouTubing works best for those with passion and natural on-camera charisma.
• Balance between work and personal life is essential for longevity.

While not for everyone, with dedication YouTube offers an exciting new path to creative fulfillment and financial stability. Those with the persistence to weather early struggles can thrive. But pursue traditional education as a backup plan.

I wish anyone attempting this journey the best of luck – stay committed to your craft, cherish your community, and let your unique talents shine!