In the 20 years since its launch, YouTube has evolved from modest beginnings into a platform with billions of daily video views. But can creating content on this site lead to a sustainable career? We spoke with some of South Yorkshire’s beloved creators about how YouTube has impacted their lives.
“Focus on Your Skills”
Ruth Amos from Sheffield runs the channel Kids Invent Stuff, which has 71,000 followers and has been active since 2015. Children submit their invention ideas, which Ruth and her colleague Shawn bring to life.
“There are many ways to earn money on YouTube, such as ads, sponsorships, collaborations, or platforms like Patreon for support,” she explains. “Content creators often use multiple revenue streams.”
Ruth notes, “When I was growing up, there were no channels dedicated to topics like robotics or cooking. YouTube has given all our hobbies a place, along with many viral moments.” The channel has collaborated with the Channel 4 show Taskmaster and attempted to break Guinness World Records.
According to Ofcom, over 80% of 3- to 17-year-olds use YouTube. A 2019 Lego Group survey found that one-third of young Britons and Americans aspire to be vloggers. However, with more than 100 million channels, many have only a handful of followers.
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Would Ruth recommend this career to the young inventors? “I believe anyone interested in creating content can succeed. It’s important to consider your other skills, as many popular channels showcase creators doing something unique.”
“Constantly Juggling”
Lee Hinchcliffe, from Barnsley, has been creating content since he was 15, starting with gaming videos before branching into skits and challenges. His channel gained popularity when he documented his attempts to win a £10,000 prize from McDonald’s Monopoly.
“I lost a lot of money, but that video attracted viewers,” he recalls. “I’ve always loved making videos and entertaining, which is why I’ve pursued this since school.”
Lee’s YouTube journey led him to become a TV presenter with CBBC, where his previous experience made the transition smoother. “Instead of auditions, they said, ‘we’ve seen your videos; here’s your mic.’ It’s an obsession that has turned into a full-time career, requiring constant attention.”
“Pursue What You Love”
Steve Garbutt, 55, operates Yorkshire Car Restoration in Doncaster with his son Shane. Over the past five years, their YouTube presence has helped the business thrive, expanding from a 1,000-square-foot warehouse to 10,000 square feet and growing their project volume significantly.
“You must invest many hours into YouTube, balancing work with filming and editing,” he explains. They initially offered free restoration services to popular YouTubers like Mat Armstrong in exchange for exposure.
“You have to be savvy and spot opportunities. While financial gain is important, the opportunities YouTube provides are invaluable.”
Though they hoped to profit initially, Steve finds the support and positive feedback from viewers to be the most rewarding aspect. “The comments encourage us to create more content, even if the financial return isn’t as high as expected. I advise aspiring creators to pursue something they love, rather than relying solely on YouTube for fame.”
SOURCE: BBC
