Internet Shaquille: Making a Living on YouTube

Introduction

• Discusses the power and influence of being a content creator.
• Highlights the potential for creators to make a substantial income without compromising their values.

Can You Still Become a Successful YouTuber in 2024?

• Question raised about the viability of new YouTubers making a living without selling out to the algorithm.
• Internet Shaquille's example: Quit his job 3 years ago, now earns over $250,000/year.
  • Income sources: Patreon, ads, handmade ceramic cookware
  • Could earn more, but chooses quality of life over maximizing income.

Income Breakdown

• Main income streams: YouTube, Patreon, brand deals, ceramic business [Barkley].
• Gross income: $250,000; net income after expenses much less.
• End of year Quickbooks P&L showed $250,000 in gross income.

YouTube and Patreon Breakdown

• YouTube: roughly $1,500 to $2,000/month in AdSense revenue.
  • No mid-roll ads which likely affects income.
• Patreon: generates significant revenue ($3,000/month, 10% of gross income). Community aspect through Discord server.

Ceramic Business: Barkley

• Hand-made ceramic dinnerware; revenue around $150,000/year.
• Started due to local accessibility to ceramic studios; evolved into a business model that avoids mass production.
• Initial challenges: mispricing shipping, accuracy issues. Now run by a ceramicist, improving efficiency.
• Fulfillment handled by the ceramicist to maintain quality and personal touch.

Personal Finance and Management

• Victor (Internet Shaquille) lives with a high degree of financial responsibility and simplicity.
• Saves aggressively before going full-time on YouTube, building a financial cushion.
• Manages finances efficiently, sets up structured salary and retirement fund.
• Prefers peace over high income, focusing on sustainable lifestyle and lower stress.

Brand Deals and Business Philosophy

• Chooses brand deals carefully, prioritizing authenticity and personal alignment.
• Rejects 70% of offers, often turns down ethically ambiguous deals (e.g., crypto games).
• Successful deals result from authentic product usage and personal endorsements.

Collaboration and Community Insights

• Community advice via an engaged Discord helps select authentic brands and validate ideas.
• Patreon surveys to ensure value provided aligns with the support from patrons.
• Discord server tier system promotes engagement and offers exclusive perks (e.g., foot picture tier).

Philosophical and Ethical Standpoints

• Discusses the fine line between being a creator and maintaining authenticity and ethics.
• Critical of trends that prioritize profit over content integrity (e.g., over-sponsoring, deceptive advertising).
• Skeptical of management companies; prefers self-management for transparency and control.

Challenges in Content Creation

• Balances between content creation and personal life, especially after the birth of a child.
• Emphasis on lifelong learning, continually improving in areas like scriptwriting.

Reflections on Creator Culture

• Addresses the saturation myth: plenty of room for new voices with unique perspectives.
• Encourages new creators to focus on authentic engagement over polished appearances.
• Critique of