*This post was powered with the assistance of Chat-GPT.
Good day to you future content creator/live streamer/ creative entrepreneur/(enter your online money-making title here). Do you see where I'm going with this?
No matter who you are or what your background is the reality of the situation is when you first start streaming you ain't making shit. That's the cold hard truth, my friend. Let's dive in a bit deeper to understand the reality for the majority of us NPCs wishing to stop working for The Man.
Platform Monetizations
We all want to get paid and what's more, we all want to get paid well for doing the least amount of work possible, hence the appeal to Content Creation and Live Streaming.
When we see all of our favorite streamers and creators rolling in the green cheddar many would say "All they do is play video games and create videos," is it a wonder that the appeal of such a field would have people starry-eyed and confident that they too can do it as well?
The thing is, the platforms we use today all have stipulations and requirements in place which allow anyone with the skill, time, resources, etc they need to meet before they can start earning revenue from ads on their videos.
There's only one problem with that, the majority of people won't ever meet these requirements because there are too many things going on in their lives to commit precious time and energy trying to meet these requirements.
Even tho the platforms have these in place as a way to manage their business effectively the problem is you may not have the luxury or privilege of altering your life to accommodate or realign yourself to meet these goals, and if you need money fast unfortunately this won't put funds in your hands right away, if at all. Those requirements are there and you have to meet them if you want to get paid and even then it still takes time.
Equipment
This one is a doozy for me because I absolutely love technology and leverage it to its fullest potential in my life. I work hard for the things I own and pride myself in my knowledge of both their use and applications. With that said, I am fortunate enough that if something were to happen to one of my devices I have others to pick up the slack if need be, most can't say that unfortunately which brings me to the fact that not everyone has reliable tech like that.
Not everyone can commit to running down their equipment to stream and record content while they also use it to work from home for 8-12 hours a day or have children who use it, especially if they're not that tech-savvy and it's the only equipment they got.
Moreover, even if someone has access to reliable equipment, the costs can add up quickly. A good camera, microphone, and lighting can easily cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars! And let's not forget about the cost of a powerful enough computer or laptop to handle the demands of streaming and editing videos.
And while some may argue that you can start with what you have and upgrade over time, it's important to note that having subpar equipment can significantly impact the quality of your content and ultimately hinder your growth and potential earnings.
Time & Energy
We briefly touched on this earlier, but it's worth diving into a bit deeper.
Many people who dream of making it big on YouTube or Twitch underestimate the amount of time and energy it takes to create high-quality content consistently. It's not just about playing video games or making videos; it's about engaging with your audience, networking with other creators, staying up to date on trends and technology, and constantly improving your skills.
For those who have full-time jobs or other responsibilities, finding the time and energy to commit to content creation can be a real challenge.
And let's not forget about the toll it can take on your mental and emotional well-being. The pressure to create content that is entertaining and engaging can be overwhelming at times, and dealing with negativity and trolls can be draining.
Conclusion
Being a successful YouTube streamer or content creator is no easy feat. It requires hard work, dedication, and a bit of luck. And while it's true that some creators have been able to make a full-time living from their channels, the reality is that most people won't. The barriers to entry are high, and the competition is fierce.
You'll hear others pushing the saying, "Oh your not competing, your not competing." But you are!
That being said, if you have a passion for creating content and are willing to put in the time and effort, there's no reason why you can't achieve some level of success. Just don't expect it to happen overnight, and be prepared to invest in your equipment, skills, and mental well-being along the way because it can be a whole lot at times.
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