Discussion: are you determined to 'make it big' as a creator? Tell us for $7!

I will Yes.

But make it big for me might be different from your interpretation of Make it big!

So for me making it big would look something like 100k subscribers, a nice monthly income I can live comfortably off via multiple revenue streams and doing what i am passionate about!

I quit my job right before the pandemic to chase this dream and I have zero intentions of stopping until I get there. And I don't think it will happen soon, as it hasn't already, but the one thing that has over this time is learning.

As a content creator you are single handedly wearing a bunch of different hats and performing multiple roles all by yourself (unless you have a team obviously).

Before starting this journey all I had was a life long passion for gaming. I had zero experience in recording video, editing video, sound recording etc

Luckily though I did have strong transferable skills which I could take over from my previous world working in IT to help me find my feet.

This has without a doubt been the hardest thing I have ever done and also the best. My friends ask me how come? As they think you work for yourself it all must be awesome, and most of it is, but the thing most people dislike about their jobs is usually taking direction or having a boss tell them what to do, and I get it, I was no different, but that is also one of the toughest things about being a content creator is you have nobody telling you what to do. Also the rules of engagement in the content creation world are always changing with new algorithm changes, new trends, new platforms, new content formats, new metas, you name it, the only constant is change.

Also its not really a common career path say like a lawyer or something where you can go and ask someone already doing the role or another person in the organisation you work in, you are on your own and a lot of people can be very secretive about it or not want to engage as your just some random with a dream and no social proof. Which is why I always try to be open on here and help others as I would have loved some help back in the day!

Also the focus that is needed is crazy, as if you do not do the work and create the content for your channels nobody will! So you need to be putting a brick on that wall every single day to build your castle. Then the hard bit kicks in where you need to spend your time on the right things not just throwing stuff at a wall to see what sticks.

Back when I started I remember seeing the requirements to apply for the YouTube Partner program, 1k subscribers and 4k watch time hours over 12 month and it feeling impossible as i had no idea what I was doing and was learning every day on the job, but here I am now with 2 channels in the partner program and looking to launch number 3 this year. Let me tell you the second time was WAY easier than the first as i have some idea of what I'm doing now lol

I am more focused on the type of content I create instead of the volume, I am also branching out to other platforms which is a nice creative shift. It's tough but worth it. It's so refreshing to be able to work on a topic you genuinely love and have done since being a kid, that to me is priceless instead of stuck doing something i don't like everyday... and hey maybe because of that I have already "made it big".

BUT Since everyone usually puts Subscriber counts or follower counts next to making it big lets just end with that to keep everyone happy lol So 100k subs by end of 2026? Yes please.

I really want to become a big deal in the gaming world as both an EVE player and someone who makes content. I love showing off all the cool things you can do in EVE Online, whether you're playing alone or with a small group. I make videos, do live streams, and organize events to share my gameplay with others and get them excited about the game. My aim is not just to do well for myself, but also to create a fun community where players can enjoy exploring space together. So, get ready, because we're going on an adventure to conquer the stars, one video at a time!

For a long time I didn't even know that you could live from content creation, so I started it quite late and not sure if I'll ever make it big. I make content because I love to create guides to help people, and because I enjoy streaming my raid sessions and show that raids are not just designed for hard-core players, casuals (like my very casual and clumsy self) can also clear such content. My raid groups have always been very chill and welcoming for beginners and I like to promote this mentality and possibly encourage more people to try out the content they didn't think they had the skills for.

I have a job which I love and pays my bills so earning money with my content is not a question of survival, but a nice side income which I'm currently using to upgrade my setup so I can make better quality content.

Do I dream about making it big? Well... yes.

The modern work culture of 5 days 40 hours and having to commute long times to an office is really not for me. I would love to be able to manage my own time, work longer hours and be busy for some days, then when I need to relax, being able to take the time for it. The climate in the UK is not good for my health, and I always dreamed about living at a warm location in a house with a view at a sea or lake, eating all the nice food and enjoying the sun. And while the cost of living in the UK is quite high, it's not that expensive to live at some parts of Europe, so I wouldn't even have to make the same money what I'm earning now with my full-time job, to be able to make this dream come true from my content creation hobby.

It might happen one day, but if not, then at least I have a nice hobby which also brings in some money. And I wish I had started earlier, when I was on furlough during the pandemic, when I had all the time to do this, just it wasn't at a right time in my life.

Good to know though that I have the skills to make some money on my own should I end up jobless one day. So even if I'm not pushing for that dream of a seaside home with both feet on the gas, I'm still focusing on a slow and steady growth of my channels, so if something would happen and this would be my only source of income, I would like it to be big enough that if I suddenly had all that time on my hands, I could turn it into a full-time career and wouldn't have to look for some crap job just to pay my rent.

The idea of making it big makes me feel like I'm Tom Hanks and I'm standing in front of a Zoltar machine.

Sure, the idea of making it big feels like a solid plan but I have a feeling the reality for me at least would be very different.

I started streaming, like a lot of people, in 2020. In January of that year I'd just moved 100 miles from my hometown, recently become self-employed and then thrown into lockdown so I felt increasingly isolated. I had a small bit of money squirreled away and I decided to pull the trigger on building a budget PC that could be used for photoshop but also streaming.

I had no idea what streaming would look like for me at the time but I went into it with the sole purpose of trying to make friends - which for someone who identifies mostly as an introvert was a pretty daunting idea in and of itself. But with some awful neighbours and having no one nearby to hang out with, the idea of not streaming and being further isolated was more daunting.

In these post 3 and a bit years since my debut I'm absolutely blessed with a circle of friends that I talk to daily, a worldwide support network that I know whatever is going on in my life there's someone at the end of a message who is there for me. When one of my cats was terribly sick the community rallied without me even asking, surprising me with "Echofest" a relay stream of raiding into one another to raise money for Echo's vet bills after the insurance had maxed out. When I've taken an impromptu day off my previously rigid schedule, everyone is reaching out to make sure I'm ok because they know how much of a mental health advocate I am and they just want to repay the same kindness I've offered to others.

Why am I talking about all of this as opposed to chasing a partner paycheck? Because these are the things that have meant the most to me, the pure kindness of people most of whom I'll likely never get to meet in person, but value them like we've been friends since high school. I started out streaming to make friends and they've all become so much more than that to me. I don't feel isolated anymore. Sure I still have crappy neighbours but I can't have it all. What streaming has done for me, my mental health and overall wellbeing will far outweigh 200+ people in my chat and regular income. Yes, I've achieved what I set out to do and it doesn't mean I'm going to stop now, but the focus remains very much on the community and paying back in spades what they've given to me in time and love. My fear is making it big comes with a pay off of not being able to be as present and dedicated to everyone and that's not something I want to trade.

For me, creativity and content creation are primarily hobbies and a source of relief. Despite having a well-paying job in another field, I find joy and fulfillment in my creative pursuits in journalism as a hobbyist. In my opinion, this approach to content creation comes with several advantages:

1. Freedom in Topic Selection: Since I'm not financially reliant on my content creation, I have the freedom to choose topics and projects that genuinely interest and excite me. This liberty means I don't have to push myself to produce content that doesn't resonate with me personally. It allows me to stay true to my interests and passions, which often leads to more authentic and engaging content.

2. Unbiased Content: Another benefit of not being financially compensated for my work is the ability to maintain complete objectivity and honesty in my content. I can express my true feelings and experiences without any external influences or biases. If a project or topic I'm discussing has shortcomings, I can speak openly about them, providing my audience with honest and transparent opinions.

3. Contribution to the Community: It's like a charity or volunteering, there's a deep sense of fulfillment that comes from knowing I'm contributing positively to the community I've created. This isn't just about reaching a large audience or becoming famous, no. It's about adding value to a community of like-minded individuals. It's about sharing knowledge, experiences, and insights that might help, inform, or entertain others who share my interests.

So, while making it big as a creator isn't my primary goal, the joy and satisfaction I derive from being a hobbyist content creator are immensely rewarding. It allows me to explore my passions, share my views authentically, and connect with a community, all while keeping the pressures and biases that can come with a financial incentive at bay.