Is Starting a YouTube Channel in 2024 Still Worth It?
I started my YouTube channel as an experiment just to see if anyone would even care about anything I said. Eighteen months later (at the time of this writing) my YouTube channel just crossed the 4420 subscribers and I steadily add new subscribers each day.
It's become a very profitable side-hustle and I only wish I would have started YouTube ten years ago. So if you are asking yourself "Is starting a YouTube Channel in 2024 worth it?" I'm here to say it definitely is. And I'm definitely outside the demographics of the typical YouTuber as I started my channel in my 60's.
YouTube is a great place for anyone to share their voice and build a brand. But, becoming YouTube isn't easy. It takes hard work and patience and truthfully it can be a grind at times.
Consistency is definitely key. Posting two videos every week for six months got me to 1,000 subscribers. It took me about eight months to get to 4000 watch hours (which allowed me to monetize with ads). But, I was actually making money three months after my channel launched through affiliate sales.
Creating this channel taught me the importance of sticking with it. Today, in 2024, the key to success is still the same: being real, making quality content, and being dedicated.
YouTube still offers big chances to make money. Even smaller channels can make a good income. So, is starting a YouTube channel in 2024 a good idea? It depends on what you want and how much effort you're willing to put in. If you're ready to invest time in your channel and build a community of viewers, the rewards can be great, both personally and monetarily. YouTube is a great place to grow your personal brand and reach people all over the world.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube has billions of users, offering a massive potential audience
- Monetization is possible with 1,000 subscribers or 4,000 watch hours in 12 months (but affiliate income can be earned from day one).
- Consistency, honesty and transparency are crucial for channel growth
- Starting a YouTube channel can help you build a personal brand that opens the doors to sponsorship opportunities
- Success on the platform definitely requires patience as you tailor your niche to meet your subscribers needs
The Current State of YouTube in 2024
YouTube is a leading video platform in 2024. With the advent of a YouTube smart TV app, people are watching YouTube on phones, tablets, laptops and TV's. The reach of YouTube is huge and I think while competition is greater than ever before, the opportunity is still there in 2024.
Evolving Content Trends and Viewer Preferences
What viewers like affects what's popular on YouTube. Short videos are big, with Shorts being watched over 50 billion times a day. Long form videos are very popular, particularly tutorials and product reviews.
Competition from Other Video Platforms
YouTube is up against tough competition from platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels. To compete, YouTube launched Shorts. The way YouTube shows content changes often, making it hard for creators to keep up. While short form videos are interesting, I think the capability to monetize effectively is better served by long form video formats.
| Platform | Key Features | User Base |
|---|---|---|
| YouTube | Long-form videos, Shorts, Live streaming | 2.7 billion monthly users |
| TikTok | Short-form videos, Duets, Challenges | 1 billion monthly active users |
| Instagram Reels | Short-form videos, Filters, Music integration | 2 billion monthly active users |
Potential Benefits of Starting a YouTube Channel
While being a YouTuber can be a fun hobby, more and more people are using it to make great side incomes or in some cases, full-time money. It's also a great way to build a community around a niche.
Building a Personal Brand and Online Presence
YouTube is great for building your personal brand and online presence. It's the second most visited site after Google and is essentially a search engine for videos. A good channel description can improve your search ranking, drawing in more viewers. A channel trailer also helps visitors quickly grasp what your channel is about.
One key thing I've learned after 18 months of producing videos (I'm in the technology niche) is you need to make sure you can make pivots in your particular niche so you don't run out of topics to talk about.
Skill Development Opportunities
Running a YouTube channel helps you grow your skills. Small channels typically are run by a single person. This means you'll be doing everything - video editing, storytelling, scripting, answering comments and questions and a variety of other things.
You can't be afraid of technology if you want to run a channel, but thankfully advances in video editing tools (probably the biggest hurdle for most YouTubers) has become easier. In fact, some editing tools are as simple as editing a text document - see Audiate/Camtasia and Descript for example. Since 65% of people learn better through visuals, making engaging videos is in demand.
Monetization Possibilities
YouTube has many ways to make money. The YouTube Partner Program lets creators earn from ads, giving them approximately 55% of the ad income. To get in, you need 1,000 subscribers and either 4,000 watch hours. Other ways to make money include:
- Sponsorships from brands
- Channel memberships for monthly subscriber payments
- YouTube Premium revenue share
- Merchandise sales
- Affiliate sales
With hard work and creativity, YouTube can be a good income source.
Is Starting YouTube Worth It: Challenges and Considerations
Starting a YouTube channel in 2024 will definitely require some time commitment. Staying motivated can be hard when views and subscribers are hard to come by. While you'll face some challenges remember that if you can stick with it and focus on providing value to your audience, you'll eventually break through.
Youtube can be a Grind
Creating content regularly is tough. With over 500 hours of new videos uploaded every minute, it's hard to stand out. At times YouTube can be a real grind and creator's block isn't uncommon. A content planner (which can be as simple as a word document of video ideas) can help you find your next video topic.
Some of the challenges include keeping your content quality high, adjusting to algorithm changes, and preventing burnout. The capability to pivot your content topics goes a long way when changes in your niche occur.
Running a YouTube Channel is Time Consuming
Managing your time well is key to YouTube success. From thinking up ideas to filming, editing, and talking to your viewers, it's a big job. Having a plan, like posting twice a week, can help keep your viewers coming back. But, it can be tough, especially if you have other things to do.
One thing that can really help is "batching content." Block out a few hours and film your next three or four videos so you aren't constantly feeling stressed about producing new content.
Don't Expect to Go Viral
Going viral is every creator's dream, because it can help you get a ton of exposure. The problem is it just doesn't happen very often. In fact, it's never happened to me. Instead, focus on making content that your viewers love. YouTube looks at how long people watch your videos, how they interact with them, and how relevant they are. Building a strong following takes time and patience.
| Challenge | Impact | Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Content Creation | High workload, potential burnout | Develop a consistent schedule, batch content |
| Time Management | Balancing YouTube with other commitments | Set realistic goals, use productivity tools |
| Algorithm Changes | Fluctuating visibility and engagement | Stay informed, adapt content strategies |
| Competition | Difficulty in standing out | Find a unique niche, focus on quality |
Look to other YouTubers for Inspiration
The best YouTubers are great story tellers and teachers along with being very entertaining. But, they didn't start out creating great content. It takes a lot of practice. One channel that's been an inspiration to me is Camera Conspiracies. It's educational and entertaining at the same time.
Was it an overnight success? No... the person running this channel took well over five years to get where he is today. The point is he never stopped creating and now Camera Conspiracies boasts over 156,000 subscribers and has a catalog of over 1000 videos.
Conclusion
Starting a YouTube channel in 2024 is still a great way to build a strong online presence. With hundreds of millions of people using the site every day, it's full of chances for making content and growing a nice side hustle or even a full time income. As creators grow a channel they can expect to make money from a variety of revenue streams - ads, sponsorships, affiliate sales, merch sales and more.
The path to success is tough, but the benefits are big. YouTube's ways to make money let creators earn from ads and YouTube Premium subscriptions. In 2024, profitable topics include digital marketing and personal finance, giving creators many options.
To do well on YouTube, you need to keep making content, connect with your viewers, be transparent, be honest and use social media to promote yourself. The secret to success is finding your audience, making quality videos, and posting regularly. By using these tips and being flexible enough to pivot when things change within your given niche, starting a YouTube channel in 2024 can be rewarding and maybe even make you some extra money.
FAQ
What are some benefits of starting a YouTube channel?
Starting a YouTube channel lets you reach people all over the world and build a community around your channel. You can engage with your audience, share educational content, express your creativity, and build your brand. You can also make money through ads, memberships, and Super Chat.
What skills can be developed through YouTube?
You can learn skills like video editing, storytelling, scripting, marketing while building YouTube channel.
What are some challenges of running a YouTube channel?
You need to upload regularly, keep your viewers engaged, and deal with algorithm changes. You also face issues like finding viewers, competing with others, following rules, keeping quality up, and managing your time well.
What are some key strategies for YouTube success?
To succeed on YouTube, be consistent, follow trends, connect with your audience, and make content that stands out and is valuable. In other words, help people as much as you can.
