Should You Start a YouTube Channel in 2018? Yes…and No…
Starting a YouTube channel that you intend to commit to 100% is a big decision, and as with all big decisions, it is important to gather knowledge and determine the feasibility of the options on the table. So, would it be a good idea to start a channel in 2018? Both answers apply. Read on to find out how.
Yes… because
The online revolution
That almost everything is becoming internet and tech-driven is obvious. It is just where development is headed in the 21st century, and you can play a more significant role by starting your channel. The fact that you will enjoy financial benefits if you find success is the cherry on the cake.
There is big money online
The fact that digital spend surpassed expenditure on traditional media should wake you up to the reality that there is a lot of money changing hands online and you can be one of the beneficiaries. The online advertising industry, for instance, was estimated at $227 billion in 2017. By starting a channel, you will be right in the thick of it, aligning yourself optimally to take advantage of the money making possibilities.
Niche explosion
With R&D catalyzing development at an increasing rate, there are more fields than ever that you can focus on and enlighten people on. There is an ever-increasing demand for content that you can meet and get paid for. While at it, you may achieve fame and status and get to immerse yourself in a sector you love, assuming that you join a niche that you are passionate about.
It is relatively easy
The challenges are there, but if the heart is equally there, you will not find cultivating a YouTube channel to be a back-breaking chore. Things may be a little hard at the onset as you learn the ropes, but after the learning curve smoothens out, you will find it fairly easy and enjoyable.
Learn from others’ mistakes
There are more than enough forerunners that you can learn and borrow from to have a YouTube journey that is exceedingly obstacle free. You will avoid the mistakes that they did and be better placed to achieve success faster. Ppchire.com and other acclaimed focused sites and channels are equipped with handy lessons learned from those more experienced in the craft.
A creative outlet
As a creative, nothing is more frustrating than lacking an audience, and that is precisely what a channel will give you. You will get an audience that you pay nothing to access, complete autonomy over the content you air (within the law and best use practices), flexibility, and the opportunity to impact the lives of others through your material.
Give back to the society
An educative channel is an excellent way of giving back to the community. You can share professional knowledge in the niches you are most conversant with and make the world a better place by helping others. What is more, you can direct the money you will earn once the channel gets on its feet towards charity to do even more good.
No…because
Increased competition
That videos are trendy means that everyone is moving in that direction. This translates to increased competition, and consequently, more effort to rise from obscurity to popularity. The increased competition also means that the rates you may charge will be less given the alternatives a potential advertiser may have.
It takes time
No matter how streamlined having the right knowledge and hacks may make your YouTube Journey, there is no substituting the time factor. The simple truth is that building a channel takes time, and all you can do is reduce this period by a fraction. Thus, patience is still called for in translating a channel into popularity.
Paying the bills
At the onset, a channel will not pay your bills. In fact, it will consume precious time that you can apply elsewhere and get a more immediate monetary equivalent. Therefore, you will have to make sacrifices to grow your channel.
You may have to cut back on your recreational time to make ends meet while also producing material for your channel. With time, however, the money will start trickling in until it becomes enough to live off of if you so choose.
The cost
Besides eating into your time, building a channel will also cost you money. You will need quality video equipment and the accompanying services such as editing. However, there are ways through which you can drive down the costs considerably.
Success is not certain
Not all YouTubers persevere to the very top. If you make blunders, something that you are likely to do at some point, you may repeatedly miss the bus to success and throw in the towel. After all, not many things are totally certain in life. That said, with the right approach, the chances of success are very high.
Final thoughts
The pro starting-a-channel argument is clearly more convincing, and for this reason, if you have the passion, go for it and start a channel. If you succeed, you will be happy and proud you made the leap, and if you fail, you will learn and become wiser.