My First Year as a Running YouTuber: A Behind-the-Scenes Look
In the vast world of YouTube, countless creators emerge daily, each sharing their unique stories and passions. I am Michael, a running YouTuber who embarked on this journey a little over a year ago. With over 20,000 subscribers today, I invite you to explore my motivations for starting this channel, the challenges I faced, and the financial realities that come with content creation.
The idea of creating a YouTube channel first crossed my mind years ago. I vividly recall a conversation with my wife about various concepts I believed could surpass the current standards in the running space. However, back then, time was not on my side, and I hesitated. It wasn't until mid-2023, with a supportive nudge from my wife, that I finally mustered the courage to begin producing content. Though I still felt pressed for time, her encouragement resonated with me: if I didn't start, I'd risk missing out on a valuable opportunity.
My venture began around mid-October 2023, a point where I quickly learned about the requirements to monetize my channel. To qualify, I needed to reach two critical milestones: 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours on my long-form content. Surprisingly, gaining 1,000 subscribers was relatively straightforward, primarily due to my prior presence on TikTok and Instagram, which contributed a few thousand followers to my new venture.
However, reaching 4,000 watch hours proved more challenging. It took me ten long-form videos to achieve this, with one of my final videos showcasing my ability to run at a tempo that attracted 47,000 views. Clearly, the community appreciated how-to content, and this served as a fantastic launchpad for my channel.
Now, let's delve into the finances—a topic that piques interest for many aspiring creators. Over the past year, I made just under $5,000 from my videos, although the view count can be deceptive due to the inclusion of both short-form and long-form content. Most of my income stemmed from long-form videos, accounting for approximately 75% of my total earnings.
My revenue oscillated month by month, with my first two months of monetization yielding around $159 each. However, as I posted more frequently and along with the onset of certain challenges, my income increased, peaking in October, where I made around $393 after posting three successful videos.
Balancing life as a full-time engineer, a devoted father, and a marathon runner poses significant challenges. My time for editing and creating YouTube content comes from snatching brief moments throughout my day. For every minute of video content you see, I typically invest between 45 to 60 minutes editing, gathering footage, and assembling the video, which can translate to 15 to 20 hours for a 20-minute video.
Despite the time constraints, the creative outlet that YouTube provides energizes me more than my day job ever could and allows me to give back to the running community. It’s an opportunity to share my experiences and lessons accumulated from my journey through high school, Division 1 collegiate athletics, and now, elite marathon training.
If you're contemplating starting a YouTube channel, rest assured that time constraints shouldn't deter you. It’s entirely possible to carve out moments to create and improve over time. The process of recording, editing, and connecting with an audience not only fosters growth as a creator but enriches the broader running community with shared knowledge and experiences.
To all my viewers and followers, thank you for your incredible support. Witnessing my progress in just one year is truly humbling, and I look forward to what lies ahead. If you’re considering stepping into YouTube, I encourage you to take that leap of faith—grab your camera, start recording, and you'll find your rhythm in no time.
In closing, how does one wrap up a journey like this? Perhaps with a simple reminder: every big leap starts with a single step. Happy running, and happy creating!
Part 1/7:
My First Year as a Running YouTuber: A Behind-the-Scenes Look
In the vast world of YouTube, countless creators emerge daily, each sharing their unique stories and passions. I am Michael, a running YouTuber who embarked on this journey a little over a year ago. With over 20,000 subscribers today, I invite you to explore my motivations for starting this channel, the challenges I faced, and the financial realities that come with content creation.
Why I Started My Channel
Part 2/7:
The idea of creating a YouTube channel first crossed my mind years ago. I vividly recall a conversation with my wife about various concepts I believed could surpass the current standards in the running space. However, back then, time was not on my side, and I hesitated. It wasn't until mid-2023, with a supportive nudge from my wife, that I finally mustered the courage to begin producing content. Though I still felt pressed for time, her encouragement resonated with me: if I didn't start, I'd risk missing out on a valuable opportunity.
Achieving Monetization Milestones
Part 3/7:
My venture began around mid-October 2023, a point where I quickly learned about the requirements to monetize my channel. To qualify, I needed to reach two critical milestones: 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours on my long-form content. Surprisingly, gaining 1,000 subscribers was relatively straightforward, primarily due to my prior presence on TikTok and Instagram, which contributed a few thousand followers to my new venture.
However, reaching 4,000 watch hours proved more challenging. It took me ten long-form videos to achieve this, with one of my final videos showcasing my ability to run at a tempo that attracted 47,000 views. Clearly, the community appreciated how-to content, and this served as a fantastic launchpad for my channel.
The Financial Aspect: Earnings Breakdown
Part 4/7:
Now, let's delve into the finances—a topic that piques interest for many aspiring creators. Over the past year, I made just under $5,000 from my videos, although the view count can be deceptive due to the inclusion of both short-form and long-form content. Most of my income stemmed from long-form videos, accounting for approximately 75% of my total earnings.
My revenue oscillated month by month, with my first two months of monetization yielding around $159 each. However, as I posted more frequently and along with the onset of certain challenges, my income increased, peaking in October, where I made around $393 after posting three successful videos.
Time Commitment and Content Creation
Part 5/7:
Balancing life as a full-time engineer, a devoted father, and a marathon runner poses significant challenges. My time for editing and creating YouTube content comes from snatching brief moments throughout my day. For every minute of video content you see, I typically invest between 45 to 60 minutes editing, gathering footage, and assembling the video, which can translate to 15 to 20 hours for a 20-minute video.
Despite the time constraints, the creative outlet that YouTube provides energizes me more than my day job ever could and allows me to give back to the running community. It’s an opportunity to share my experiences and lessons accumulated from my journey through high school, Division 1 collegiate athletics, and now, elite marathon training.
Final Thoughts: Is It Worth It?
Part 6/7:
If you're contemplating starting a YouTube channel, rest assured that time constraints shouldn't deter you. It’s entirely possible to carve out moments to create and improve over time. The process of recording, editing, and connecting with an audience not only fosters growth as a creator but enriches the broader running community with shared knowledge and experiences.
To all my viewers and followers, thank you for your incredible support. Witnessing my progress in just one year is truly humbling, and I look forward to what lies ahead. If you’re considering stepping into YouTube, I encourage you to take that leap of faith—grab your camera, start recording, and you'll find your rhythm in no time.
Part 7/7:
In closing, how does one wrap up a journey like this? Perhaps with a simple reminder: every big leap starts with a single step. Happy running, and happy creating!