New creators have a lot to learn when they join YouTube, TikTok, or any platform for the first time. For one, there's the task of turning random viewers into loyal, long-term fans. After that, making money from content becomes a real possibility.

What rarely makes the list, though, is understanding the creator economy, 

which is estimated to be worth $104.2 billion

. After all, who has time to explore the vast content ecosystem? That means learning to thrive on multiple platforms, understanding all the money-making tools, and keeping up with industry news.

Which raises an important question: Is learning the creator economy worth it for everyone? Should it be required for every YouTuber, TikToker, or anyone building an audience?

Jim Louderback and Renee Teeley, co-hosts of 

, say, "No." Only certain types of creators need to go that far.

"If you just want to get noticed, have fun, and find a girlfriend or boyfriend, you don't need to follow the creator economy," Jim says. "But if you're planning to make a career out of community-first media, then the second thing you should do after posting your first video, podcast, or episode is subscribe to The Creator Feed."

The Creator Feed is a weekly show exploring industry news, trends, updates, and how all of it affects creators. For instance, 

, and how can entrepreneurs leverage that perk? Will AI-generated art change the look and feel of YouTube thumbnails forever?

No matter the topic, Jim and Renee break down the major points, share insights, and advise creators on how to move forward.

They can do this because they're both content experts. Jim is the editor and publisher of 

, a weekly newsletter presenting news, strategy, and analysis on the creator economy, web3, and the metaverse. He's also the former general manager of VidCon.

Renee is a creator economy executive and the former senior vice president of Content and Community at TubeBuddy. She has helped creators and brands grow their businesses through video and is a longtime creator herself.

Want to explore the creator economy? Listen to The Creator Feed podcast on 

, or your favorite podcast platform. You can also read this fun interview with Renee and Jim to get acquainted with the show!

Q: Why did you start The Creator Feed podcast? What's your ultimate goal?

: We had nothing better to do at the time. No, seriously, there was a gap in the market between more interview shows and pure tip shows. We wanted to fill it.

We cover the mix of creator business news, advice, and insights for those who are higher-end or professional creators. We're great for people who aspire to 

, as well as the Creator Economy Curious (CEC). But really, professional creators are our target.

Q: Have you seen creators directly benefit from following news in the creator economy? If so, how?

: Absolutely. Many creators are building businesses and offering products and services to help others. Following news and trends can highlight gaps in the market.

For example, Paddy Galloway noticed a market gap for creator resources and developed a job site for YouTube creators called 

Q: There are so many places to make and monetize content. How can people learn about the creator economy without feeling overwhelmed?

: Start small. Listen to our podcast. Read my newsletter. Follow some smart folks on Twitter and LinkedIn. Go to some events like VidCon or VidSummit.

But in the end, make a bunch of content, experiment, and find out what works for you. We have ideas, but no one has the answers to every question. And every creator is different.

Q: On your podcast, how do you determine which news is most important to share with creators?

: I talk about what I think is most interesting, important, and strategic. Or who I want to make fun of that week. Depends on the mood.

: Same as Jim. I try to pick stories that will impact creators. I especially like discussing complex topics to provide some clarity or at least our opinion on what it means for the industry long term.

Q: For each piece of news, you share the pros and cons creators could face. It's very balanced and honest. What guides your process?

: Be honest, and be beholden to no one. I worked off and on in corporate America for most of my career and found that it's hard to say what you think at a big company. My paycheck — or lack thereof — is not determined by any company, platform, or creator. It's freeing and fun.

: Same! We're having honest conversations about the creator economy — the good and the bad.

Q: Speaking of pros and cons, creators have mixed emotions about how YouTube will monetize Shorts in 2023 — requiring 1,000 subscribers and 10 million Shorts views in 90 days. What's your take?

 is a positive move for the industry. It puts pressure on other platforms to figure out more sustainable monetization options.

However, YouTube hasn't been direct about the amount of money going to creators. YouTube stated, "From the overall amount allocated to creators, they will keep 45% of the revenue."

What is the allocated amount? Are creators receiving 45% of the total ad revenue or just a portion of the money coming in from advertising?

Also, 10 million Shorts views in 90 days is still challenging for many new creators. I'd like to see that number come down, so the average creator has a path into the YouTube Partner Program within six months.

Q: You've both built businesses in the creator economy. What's the hardest part about going from creator to entrepreneur?

: Well, I'm sort of going the other way. I wrote for top computer magazines and newspapers and hosted a TV show on TechTV in the late '90s and early '00s, but then I didn't do anything for 15 years. Now I'm leaning back into my creator roots in the world of no gatekeepers. So far, it's not hard. It's more freeing.

: I'm sort of going the other way as well. I started my career helping brands and creators with tech solutions. Then shifted to creating content that empowers creators and brands to grow their communities and build their businesses using video.

I'm doubling down on content this year. Not only does it help others, but I also love the creative process. Our podcast can help creators navigate the creator economy and think about their content strategically as a business.

Q: Have you noticed any traits of successful digital entrepreneurs?

: Being able to do the hustle. It also helps if you can 

, build a company, and have fun along the way. I'm not sure there's a correct path, but I prefer the latter.

: There are many paths to success, but it's a lot more fun to build a company if you love the product and the team.

Q: What makes The Creator Feed stand out from other podcasts?

: I think the background of our cover art for the podcast is really popping. That helps us stand out. Plus, Renee's picture is great.

: What helps us stand out is our commentary and perspective based on years of experience in the industry. Plus, Jim's picture is great.

Q: What can creators expect to learn in future podcast episodes?

: Whether AI-generative art, text, and voice can actually replace podcasters anytime soon. Spoiler alert: The answer is no. But we'll keep working on it.

: What Jim really thinks of the MrBeast Burger.

You know the value of getting views and followers, but what about navigating the creator economy? In this Q&A, The Creator Feed podcast explains why you should 'study' like a content pro.

The Creator Feed Podcast: Why Learning the Creator Economy Is Worth it


If you’re wondering what it’s like to 

, Roberto Blake just did you a huge favor.

On Feb. 12, the creative entrepreneur and YouTube veteran posted a Twitter thread describing life as a digital entrepreneur. He revealed what it’s like to make videos 24/7 and obsess over posting the “right” content. Because, hello: 

Here are some interesting points from the thread:

It all sounds a tad discouraging, but it’s better to know what you’re up against.

Is Your YouTube Channel on Track to Become a Business? Here are 5 Positive Signs

 to better understand this lifestyle. McFadden has more than 200,000 subscribers, and he’s also a full-time YouTuber of two years. His popular videos – Apple product reviews and discussions – spurred him to a YouTube career at just 55,000 subscribers.


“If I’m making more money on YouTube than my full-time job, why would I stay [there]?" McFadden says. “Shouldn’t I just leave the job and go focus on YouTube?”

Are you considering the same path? Here’s what to expect as a digital entrepreneur on YouTube.

You’ll Have More Control as a Full-Time Creator

One thing you can't do with a traditional job is set your own schedule. Companies have strict business hours, and employees must work within those intervals to succeed.

But that always bothered McFadden. He didn’t like giving up control to bosses and CEOs, especially with YouTube being a self-directed job.

“I love waking up in the morning [knowing] my day is my day,” he says. “At this point, I can decide, '

Do I want to do a video? You know what, maybe I’m not going to do [one]'

. I’ll go do something else. I'll relax.”

 takes more doing than relaxing. But at least you have the option of choosing which days you’ll go hard and which days you’ll take it easy.

Going from Employee to Boss Is a Slow Transition

It’s easy to imagine some creators were instantly successful. You see their massive subscriber counts and can’t help but compare their journey to yours. You think, 

How long would it take me to get there? They’re earning a full-time income.

Just look at McFadden’s YouTube journey:

McFadden’s story isn’t one of overnight success. It’s a nine-year journey filled with multiple twists and turns, revealing how much of a grind YouTube is. It’s also a risky bet. McFadden worked full-time for two years even while banking large YouTube checks.

“I was very cautious, obviously,” he says. “On YouTube, you can be a flash in the pan one month and do great. The next month, you can be out on the street again doing nothing.”

Full-Time YouTubers Have Multiple Streams of Income

The career YouTubers we’ve spoken with make money in several ways. 

. YouTube expert Alan Spicer had the same mindset in a recent TubeTalk episode. He shared many ways for creators to make money, and most were outside of YouTube.

7 Lucrative Ways to Make Money Beyond YouTube

Here are the revenue sources creators keep talking about:

 from this list: YouTube AdSense, affiliate revenue, sponsorships, and merchandise. So even if your channel takes off, diversifying your income is a proven way to launch a YouTuber career.

A YouTube Career Comes with Constant Marketing

Are you ready to put on your business hat? Because that’s what full-time creators wear when they’re running a channel by themselves. 

Sure, they may have a business manager for 

. But no matter who’s on your team, self-promotion is a must.

“The business aspect of being a creator is something I kind of don’t like to deal with,” McFadden says. “Some creators are a lot better at it than I am. I don’t advertise a lot of stuff I do, which is not good.”

Remember: A YouTube channel isn’t your only income stream, but it 

your best marketing tool. So posting videos (without promoting anything inside them) isn’t enough. You also need to promote your products, courses, or any service that pays your bills.

YouTube Is Fun, But You’ll Work Hard for That Perk

McFadden thinks all jobs are demanding in their own right. Whether working at McDonald’s or grinding away at an office, there’s always a task that wears people down. A common misconception – especially among viewers – is that YouTube is different. All you have to do is talk to a camera and get paid, right?

Not quite. YouTube creators have many hidden talents:

Graphic design skills to create thumbnails

Video production (lighting, camera setup, etc.)

Persevering through negative channel growth

“I probably spend more time being a content creator and focusing on [this] job than I did working a 9-to-5,” McFadden says. “I think that’s pretty much a guarantee at this point.”

The good news? None of it feels like work when you enjoy content creation. It’s a labor of love.

So here’s the big question: Are you ready to become a full-time YouTuber?

Before you do, master these five skills to ensure your success. 

'YouTuber' is a popular career choice in 2022. But what does that look like for the average creator?

What Is it Like Being a Full-Time YouTube Creator?

Here’s a question with two extreme options. As a new creator, would you rather spend a month making one video or crank out 30 videos in 30 days?

Hypothetically, this is your first month on YouTube. It’s a tough question to answer because there are no in-between options. You can’t make 15 videos that month or even five. You have to choose: Thirty videos or just one.

If you need some inspiration, here are some responses to get you thinking. According to the vidIQ community (and whoever else the YouTube algorithm sends Community polls to), most people would make one quality video.

Our poll got 20,000 responses. Seventy-three percent were in favor of one quality video and 27% opted for 30 videos.

As YouTube educators, we're going to have to side with the 27%. 

Quality vs. Quantity: Which Is Better for New Creators?

When you’re just starting out on YouTube, making one video over 30 days doesn’t help you grow. And we’re not just talking about views and subscribers. One video doesn't let you track your overall growth. You’ll never know how your lighting, audio, or presentation style is improving because you’ve only attempted those things once.

 with Luria Petrucci of Live Streaming Pros, he had the same idea about quality versus quantity.

“I’d pick the new video for a month option every time,” Brownlee says. “It lets you learn the skill of finishing a project, starting a project, and evolving your skills as it goes on. If you’re able to look back at something you made a month ago and immediately see tangible things you would change, you’re getting better. If you stop seeing things in your old videos that you’d do better, you’re not getting better anymore.”

This practice is a “forever thing,” says Brownlee. No matter how big you get on YouTube, you should always try to 

Eventually, Making Lots of Videos Leads to Quality Content

Before you start a channel, you need to understand seven core principles to succeed on YouTube. One of those is 

developing a healthy relationship with perfectionism

. Every creator wants to make the best video possible. But if making a perfect video outweighs your desire to test and learn, you could be missing out on valuable experience.

7 Beliefs You Need to Have to Grow a YouTube Channel

Most new creators don’t know how to make videos people enjoy. They have to try new things and learn as they go. That’s why, in your first month on YouTube, making the perfect video shouldn’t be your priority.

Learning to present on camera, if that’s your goal

Understanding what makes a good thumbnail

Discovering the benefits of YouTube SEO (titles, keywords, tags, etc.)

You only learn the above skills by making lots of content. In six months, you'll look back at those early videos and probably find them unwatchable – and that's perfectly fine. It’s a necessary feeling. Take that disappointing moment, that pang of discomfort in your chest, and turn it into a list of improvements for your channel. 

Studying your audience is the key to growing on YouTube. But is it the best place to start when you’ve just created a channel?

In our opinion, the answer is no. If you’re a new creator, you're skipping a few steps if you plan to immediately study your audience. There aren’t many people watching your videos at this point. For now, 

just focus on your skill set – filming, presenting, editing, and optimizing.

 That’s a better investment of your time than analyzing your first 20 subscribers. We explain this even further in the video below.

As the years go by, this will likely change. You’ll get to the point where you have thousands of views and subscribers. Viewers will start leaving lots of comments on your videos, which means you’ve built a community. That’s when your priorities will make a 180-degree shift. Now that you have some technical knowledge, you can finally focus on your audience.

“In most careers, nothing beats experience. The same is true on YouTube, but even more so considering how much content you need to gain millions of views and subscribers.” – vidIQ

This is a good way to play it smart on YouTube and never, ever, waste your energy. Because honestly, the beginning of your journey is about answering one question: 

You don’t get the answer by studying your audience; you get it by making enough videos to form an opinion about YouTube as a whole.

How to Start a YouTube Channel – 10 Brilliant Tips

Now, to be fair, you don’t have to make 30 videos in 30 days. A realistic number is probably five to 12 videos when you're just starting out. But we presented the question with two extremes to help you understand what’s important on YouTube.

In most careers, nothing beats experience. The same is true on YouTube, but even more so considering how much content you need to gain millions of views and subscribers. But don’t worry. As you post more videos, you can 

Hint: It’s not your audience. Viewers are important for channel growth but only if you practice this habit first.

Quantity Over Quality: The One Thing New YouTubers Should Focus On

If you're a regular, 9-to-5 employee, you have rules to follow. You’re expected to start work at a specific time, take breaks of a certain duration, and submit time-off requests before going on vacation. If you’re a woman with kids, the list gets longer. Planning for maternity leave or finding a babysitter are extra tasks to manage alongside work.

Things are different when you’re self-employed, especially on YouTube. You still have a boss, but he or she doesn’t control your day-to-day activities. Instead, you’ll answer to viewers looking for helpful or entertaining videos – and they don’t mind if you take a day off unrequested.

That’s why YouTube is a powerful platform for women. It helps them earn more money, close the 

 podcast, wants more women to seize this opportunity. She invites female creators on the show to share their experiences, which inspires other women to create on YouTube.

 and knows what the life of a creator entails. We sat down with her to learn how women benefit from treating YouTube like a serious, high-paying business.

Q: What inspired you to celebrate female creators on your podcast?

It happened in 2019 during the Social Media Marketing World conference. When they announced their speakers for the YouTube panels, they were all men – 

, and some other guys. I was really disappointed because about 

, and it was a conference for marketers. Rather than get mad, I figured I would try and do something about it.

I reached out to some women friends who do YouTube and asked if they’d be interested in doing a panel at Social Media Marketing World. They were like, yeah, sure. We're going to be there anyway. I pitched the idea of a “women of YouTube” panel to the guy in charge of booking. He liked the idea, but there was no space available.

He suggested doing it as a live stream instead. So he reached out to TubeBuddy to be the host, and they were in support of it. The live stream was successful, and a lot of people asked me to do more with it. Eventually, we launched the Women of YouTube podcast at VidSummit in 2019. Since then, we've been telling the stories of female creators to inspire and motivate women on YouTube.

Q: You’ve had so many women on the show. Motorcycle enthusiasts, beauty influencers, real estate agents…

I reach out to a lot of people. Yesterday I talked to Marielle of 

. She's a French-Canadian woman who is a mermaid. So she teaches people how to be a mermaid, and her business objective is to open mermaid schools around the globe.

; she's a fellow YouTuber. I spoke with a craft lady. I have 

, who talks about getting a job at Amazon. That's what her whole YouTube channel's about, so there are lots of different verticals.

Q: What have you learned from your podcast guests about growing on YouTube?

The number one thing is that they had a purpose on YouTube. It wasn't to become a famous YouTuber or whatever dumb reason some people join the platform for. They had figured out what a business looks like through YouTube because once you hit a certain growth point, that’s what it becomes. It's like, how do you 

, sponsorships, affiliate marketing, and things like that? Seeing the different ways people make money is really interesting.

What's also interesting to me is that some women have trolls and crappy people comment on their videos. One woman, literally, was being harassed and stalked by a man. She had to hire someone to reverse engineer his IP address, and she had her lawyer send him a cease and desist letter. She had to go through some seriously savage, deep web stuff to get this person to leave her alone.

Do I think men get harassed and have to deal with crappy things? Absolutely. However, I think it’s more widely done to women. There's a safety concern I never thought about before, and all of this came to light while hosting the podcast.

Q: What makes your guests successful on YouTube despite those challenges?

Because where there's one shitty thing, there are a hundred awesome things. People will straight up comment, "Why are you so fat?" on my channel. At the same time, I will have hundreds of people comment, "This was so helpful. Thank you so much. This was direct, to the point, and exactly how I wanted to consume this content."

Q: Why did you decide to start a YouTube channel?

I got on YouTube because my husband was moving overseas. We were a military family, Air Force specifically, and I needed to have a way to keep getting leads to my social media agency. Not just because it gave me money. It provided money for the military spouses that worked with me. There was a clear objective to this. I grew up a military kid, and I became a military spouse.

One of the biggest things we deal with in the military spouse community is unemployment and underemployment. It's like this combination of two things. Our unemployment is high and our underemployment is high because you get to these points where you’re doing whatever you can to make money. Selling cookies. Watching kids. Taking shitty jobs in the town you live.

I'm looking forward to teaching both of my children, especially my daughter, that you can forge a path of your own making without relying on someone else to give you money.

Q: How do women benefit financially from being on YouTube?

My advice to women who want to invest their money, buy a home, travel, or have the freedom to take six months off of work is to start a YouTube channel.

Anything you’re doing as a job, you can do on YouTube and make additional money. It’s more sustainable than driving for Uber or delivering groceries. YouTube provides longevity and growth, so starting a channel now is investing in your future. I have three-year-old videos that still bring me money.

My daughter is Latina, and I always think of ways to make the world better for her. With everything I’m doing, I'm showing her that she can live a good life and control every part of it. My income starts and stops with me – not with getting a job or relying on an algorithm to give me AdSense dollars. If I want more advertising revenue, I’ll make videos that target my demographic better or choose a high-paying vertical. You can future-proof your income on YouTube.

Q: Who are some female YouTubers inspiring other women to create on the platform?

. They’re from different backgrounds and they all talk about the power of YouTube.

Jessica Stansberry just hit 100,000 subscribers. She teaches women to build a life and a business of their own making, and that evolved from YouTube education. Our girl Meredith talks about YouTube, but she does it from a side hustler’s perspective. Trena, she's all-in on YouTube education. Diana talks about live streaming and camera gear, and Salma shares YouTube education and video marketing tips.

Q: What are some books people can read to grow on YouTube?

." I like it because it’s for the advanced use of YouTube. "

" by Amy Schmittauer is what got me on track, though. Lilly Singh's book, "

" by Sean Cannell and Benji Travis is an option. Also, my book, "

Q: Any advice for those who want to start a channel but need ideas?

There are lots of topics to cover. You can sit down right now and write 10 things you could talk about without any problems. That's 10 videos, which equals 10 weeks of content. From there, you'll be so surprised at all the other ideas you discover. More topics will come to you as you write or research video ideas.

Are you a woman looking to start a YouTube channel? In this Q&A, Desiree Martinez of the Women of YouTube podcast offers tips and inspiration for getting started.

‘Women of YouTube’ Q&A: Building Careers, Passive Income, and More

It’s true. On YouTube, some creators get thousands of subscribers in just a few days. Somehow they manage to post a video, get viral results, and watch their analytics soar for the next few weeks.

Most creators won’t see that kind of success. It can take hundreds of tries and years of work before they get a viral video. If you’re not committed to the process, it’s easy to put your camera down and walk away.

But what if just for a moment, you could see the future? What if in that far away scenario, you have 200,000 subscribers, a monthly side income of $2,000, and the opportunity to build a profitable brand?

It seems like a lofty goal, but many creators have done it. So why not you?

When you’re a small creator getting 100 views per video, remember that YouTube is a long-term investment. Your self-belief has to be so big that, in your heart, seven core beliefs are keeping you motivated:

Betting on instant success is unproductive.

We believe these statements so much that we filmed a video explaining the value of each one:

Your desire to be the best creator possible will fuel your success. Here’s how to make that happen, one belief at a time.

1. It’s Never Too Late to Start a YouTube Channel

YouTube continues to grow, and that growth isn’t slowing down. If you think you’ve missed your chance to start a successful channel, here are some 

YouTube Shorts (vertical videos under 60 seconds) get 

YouTube has more than 2 billion active monthly users.

People watch more than 1 billion hours of content on YouTube each day.

Year over year, channels earning six figures grew by more than 40%.

Of all these numbers, the growth of YouTube Shorts is notable. We’ve seen channels go from zero views to millions by posting brief, vertical videos.

This opportunity is available to all creators. You can start a channel, make a YouTube Short, and potentially see it featured on the highly-viewed Shorts carousel. It’s not a guarantee, but it happens often – even to 

YouTube Shorts aren’t the only reason to start a channel. As the world gains new technology and ideas, people will need guides and tutorials about those things; video seems to be a preferred method.

2. YouTube and Its Viewers Need Passionate Creators

YouTube relies on creators to share their talents and expertise. The platform needs people like you to drive conversations around gaming, finance, sports, beauty, or anything viewers find interesting.

Revenue isn’t the only thing you’ll gain as a creator. You’ll also get to inspire people who love your content, and in some cases, change their lives.

The vidIQ channel gets thousands of comments from satisfied viewers. We appreciate all of them, but there are two types of comments that especially move us. As YouTube educators, we love to hear…

“This tutorial was really helpful. It saved me tons of time.”

“You’ve inspired me to start my own channel.”

These comments represent our purpose on YouTube, which is to teach and inspire. The fact that we can do both makes the YouTube journey that much sweeter.

No matter what happens, believe in your value as a creator. With hard work and dedication, one subscriber can grow to thousands, millions, or billions.

3. Your Videos Don’t Need to Be Perfect

Growing a YouTube channel requires lots of dedication. Before you start filming, adopt these seven powerful beliefs to master the journey.

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