Why You Should Never Become A YouTuber
Heads up, aspiring video stars. Before you click the upload button on your first YouTube masterpiece, we need to talk.
Being a YouTuber is often made out to be the epitome of career goals – endless creativity, a life lived in the spotlight, bags of ad revenue – all very tempting stuff, I admit.
We’re in a digital age where fame and success seem only a viral video away. Watching YouTubers with millions of subscribers leading these fabulous, adventure-filled lives, it’s easy to romanticize the platform.
And with the world of traditional 9-to-5 jobs often painted as dull and unfulfilling, who wouldn’t want to make a living by vlogging their travels, showing off their gaming skills, or just sharing their thoughts with the world?
But let me be the proverbial rain on this parade of dreams for a moment. Is YouTube really the wonderland of creativity and freedom it’s made out to be? Or could it be more akin to an alluring mirage in the desert of the internet, captivating in the distance but crumbling upon closer scrutiny?
Sure, being a YouTuber can give you the opportunity to express your creativity, connect with a global audience, and yes, earn money – sometimes, a lot of it. There are YouTubers out there living their dream life, no doubt about it.
But here’s the caveat: it’s not all about popping champagne bottles at cool parties, or jet-setting around the world with a camera. Because for every YouTuber lounging on a tropical beach, there are thousands more struggling with inconsistent income, burnout, privacy issues, and the cutthroat competition of an oversaturated platform.
So, stick around and let’s break it down, not to shatter your dreams, but to give them a solid foundation in reality.
15 reasons why you shouldn’t become a YouTuber
1. The ghost town of unseen content
The first roadblock on your journey to internet fame: the brutal reality of YouTube’s saturated platform. There are over 500 hours of content uploaded every minute! That’s a staggering amount of cat videos, makeup tutorials, and video game walkthroughs, right?
Trying to cut through that noise can feel like yelling in a crowded room. You could be creating the most epic content, but the chances of getting lost in the sea of YouTube are high.
2. The content treadmill never stops
To stay relevant on YouTube, you need to keep the content coming. That’s like running on a treadmill that never stops. You might enjoy the first few miles, but after a while, it can feel like a marathon with no finish line in sight.
3. Burnout is real, and it’s not pretty
Creating content is fun, but it’s also damn hard work. Regular uploading demands a lot of creativity and energy. Have you ever tried brainstorming, shooting, editing, and promoting multiple videos a week? All while balancing a day job or school? It’s a surefire recipe for burnout.
And let’s not even get started on the pressure to constantly ‘one-up’ your previous videos.
4. Getting monetized isn’t a walk in the park
Remember when you could start earning from your first video upload? Those were the good old days. Now, YouTube’s monetization criteria have become a moving goal post that’s getting harder and harder to score.
In the past, any Joe with a camera could make a quick buck off YouTube, but not anymore. Today, you need to hit at least 1,000 subscribers and a whopping 4,000 watch hours over the past 12 months to even qualify for the YouTube Partner Program. And that’s just the bare minimum.
What’s more, YouTube has a habit of changing these requirements. So, by the time you hit these numbers, they might have increased. Then there’s the review process. You could be left in limbo for weeks, even months, waiting for YouTube to review and approve your channel.
And even if you make the cut, you have to keep those numbers up. If your views drop or your content changes, YouTube can boot you from the program faster than you can say “Like and subscribe”. Monetization on YouTube isn’t a given, it’s a privilege – one that can be incredibly challenging to earn and even harder to keep.
5. Prepare for unpredictable income
If you’ve got dreams of making it rain with ad revenue, I hate to burst your bubble, but YouTube paydays can be more inconsistent than your Wi-Fi signal.
Ads, sponsorships, and merch sales can fluctuate wildly based on factors like the time of year, changes in viewer habits, and even algorithm tweaks.
Plus, YouTube takes a solid 45% cut of your ad earnings, just for kicks.
6. Ruthless algorithms are your new bosses
YouTube’s algorithm – it’s like that unpredictable boss who keeps changing their mind about what they want. One day it loves long videos; the next, it’s all about short clips. It can be an exhausting race trying to keep up, and if you fall behind, your views (and income) can take a serious hit.
7. Negative comments can hit like a punch
I don’t need to tell you that the internet is a harsh place. Everyone has an opinion, and they’re not afraid to share it. Unconstructive criticism, personal attacks, and even harassment come with the territory of being a public figure. Some creators manage it well, but the emotional toll it can take is something to seriously consider.
8. Your privacy? Say goodbye
Being a YouTuber often means sharing aspects of your personal life with your audience. This can lead to a lack of privacy that may not sit well with everyone. Where you live, who you’re dating, even what you had for breakfast – it can all become public interest. And once you’ve opened that Pandora’s box, closing it will be a real challenge.
9. Influence and responsibility are heavy burdens
As a YouTuber, your words and actions can influence a large number of people, especially if you gain a significant following. With this power comes great responsibility, as any missteps could lead to backlash or even harm your audience. This responsibility can add a layer of stress and caution to everything you say and do.
10. The pressure to stay relevant is relentless
Trends change at lightning speed on the internet. One day you’re the hottest YouTuber on the platform; the next, you’re yesterday’s news. Staying relevant requires constant innovation, adaptability, and an acute awareness of the ever-changing digital landscape.
11. The world needs more than just YouTubers
While being a YouTuber might sound like the dream job, the world also needs folks with real, tangible skills. Engineers, teachers, doctors, artists, chefs – they’re all crucial roles in society.
Instead of spending countless hours editing a video, you could be honing a skill that could make a significant difference in the world.
12. You’ll morph into every other YouTuber
Notice how YouTubers all start to sound alike after a while? There’s a reason for that. Certain mannerisms and phrases tend to get more views, so creators start adopting them. If you don’t want to morph into a carbon copy of every other YouTuber out there, this may not be the career for you.
13. Censorship and demonetization are waiting in the wings
YouTube has rules, lots of them. Step out of line, and your video could get demonetized or taken down. What’s more, sometimes these rules can be vague or inconsistently applied. Self-censorship to avoid these penalties can stifle your creativity and make creating content more stressful.
14. The rise of reaction channels
Ah, reaction channels, the leeches of the YouTube world. These are the channels that make money by reacting to other people’s hard work. It can be disheartening to spend hours creating original content, only for someone to profit off it by simply reacting to it.
15. The internet has an elephant’s memory
Once your video is on the internet, it could be there forever – even if you delete it. Videos can be downloaded and reuploaded by others, and you might not have control over where they end up.
Think about how that 3AM rant or that awkward dance routine might look to a future employer or your grandkids.
Final word
The world of YouTube, like any tantalizing endeavor, comes with its fair share of challenges. While it might offer a glimmering dream of fame and fortune, it also demands persistence, creativity, and a whole lot of patience. Whether the prize is worth the journey, well, that’s up to you.
Arm yourself with realistic expectations and an unwavering commitment, and you could carve out a space for yourself in this digital universe. Yet, the road to YouTube success is not for the faint-hearted.
And if you’ve got that indomitable spirit within you, then go on, prove us all wrong. Here’s wishing you the best of luck!