YouTube creator economy flourishes with $30 billion payments

Still, many creators may look elsewhere to monetize their content through memberships, one-time payments, or merch sales. Some say services like Patreon or Cameo give creators more control and independence. “I’m always wary of putting all your eggs in one basket,” says Weinstein of Underscore Talent.

The intimacy and immediacy of watching videos on a phone screen (how about 70% of YouTube viewers watch) helps creators connect with their audiences, opening opportunities for making money beyond just a cut of ad revenue. Sergey Vashketov films his two sons, Vlad and Niki, who make wildly popular videos for kids. The boys dress up in costumes, play... See more

Young viewers “have a strong connection to our boys; they wanted to dress like them and play along,” Vashketov says. “They believe Vlad and Niki to be their friends. Creating merchandise was a very natural and organic step for our brand.” After selling T-shirts and blankets, the family is branching out. Up next: toy lines from Playmates and Zuru ca... See more

In addition to allowing creators to sell monthly memberships and merchandise, both physical and digital, YouTube will soon set up a system for one-time payments, like a tip jar. Not all videos cover hot topics, and a tip jar is way for viewers to show appreciation to a creator they don’t watch regularly. YouTube is also a repository for millions of... See more