In the 20 years since its creation, YouTube has grown from humble beginnings to billions of videos being watched every day - but can posting videos on the platform offer a viable career? We spoke to some of South Yorkshire's favourite creators about how the website changed their lives. Ruth Amos from Sheffield runs Kids Invent Stuff. The channel has 71,000 followers and has been going since 2015. Primary school children send in their invention ideas and Ruth and her colleague Shawn bring them to life. "There's lots of different ways that you can make money from YouTube, there's ads, sponsors, collaborators or you can have things like Patreon, where people support the work that you're doing. "Quite often, it you're a content creator you do a lot of those different ways, not just one of those things," she says. "When I was growing up you couldn't watch someone's channel about robot making or cookery and that's what's amazing about YouTube – all of our hobbies have found a home on there as well as some of those viral moments." The channel has run collaborations with Channel 4 TV show Taskmaster and had a go at breaking Guinness World Records. According to Ofcom, more than 80% of three to 17-year-olds use the site. A survey by the Lego Group in 2019 suggested a third of young Britons and Americans wanted to be vloggers. However, there are more than 100 million channels on the site - some with only a handful of followers or video watches. Would Ruth recommend the career to the children who send her their invention ideas? "I think it is a career anyone can do because if you're interested in creating content, and you're creative, it's actually something lots of people can have a go at," she says. "If someone wants to be a YouTuber I would also think about your other skills, because some of the most popular channels are channels where people are filming themselves doing something else. So think about your skill." Lee Hinchcliffe, from Barnsley, has been filming content for the platform since he was 15. He began with gaming videos before trying skit videos and then challenge videos. His channel took off when he started playing McDonald's Monopoly. He spent hundreds of pounds at the chain trying to win a £10,000 prize ticket. "I never won it, I lost a lot of money, but people saw that video," he says. "I've always had the love of creating videos and entertaining all my life, so that's why I've gone at it since school. "YouTube is my university and I got my degree there, because you can watch back everything I've done." Off the back of his channel, Lee became a TV presenter with CBBC, starring on screen alongside madcap puppet Hacker T Dog. He said his YouTube experience had made the switch to television much easier. "Instead of doing a screen test and auditions, it was like, 'we've seen your videos, here's your mic, here's your earpiece, off you pop'," he says. "It's an obsession and it's grown into a career I'm able to do every day. There's no switch off because it's hard to switch off from something you love so much, and it needs constant plate spinning." Steve Garbutt, 55, runs Yorkshire Car Restoration in Doncaster with his son Shane. The pair have been creating YouTube videos for the past five years and their business has boomed. Steve says they had gone from a 1,000ft warehouse to 10,000ft - and from three or four cars to more than 40. "You have to put many hours into YouTube, because you not only have to do the work, you've got to change camera and lighting, and you're doubling your work load. Then you've got to go home and edit all your footage," he says. "I've always been a bit of a techy, I like my gadgets and things. My original training when I left school was in computers. And then at 21 I changed careers because I thought there was too many people doing it." They began on the platform by offering free car restoration to famous YouTubers such as Mat Armstrong, who has 4.5m followers. "You've got to be very clever, you've got to look where the opportunities are. Rather than money it gives you a lot of opportunities. "Our first opportunities were to restore famous YouTubers' cars free of charge, in exchange we got them advertising for us and sending us people to watch." They have also worked with The Stig from Top Gear, Mike Brewer from Wheeler Dealers and Jonny Smith from The Late Brake Show. Originally they hoped the channel would make money but they soon found the support they received more rewarding. "We get so many good comments it makes you want to make another video. Even if the financial reward isn't there, because unless you're someone like Mat Armstrong it's not as profitable as everybody thinks," Steve says. "The amount of hours you put in doesn't warrant that kind of money, you should be paid more. But the reward is massive. "I would encourage someone not to just do YouTube, to make sure they get a career and base their YouTube on something they love. "Don't think your niche is going to explode and make you famous." Listen to highlights fromSouth Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latestepisode of Look North
YouTubers on how they made site work for them as it turns 20
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"YouTube at 20: South Yorkshire Creators Share Their Success Stories"
Bbc News
9.0
TruthLens AI Summary
YouTube has evolved significantly since its inception 20 years ago, transforming from a modest video-sharing platform into a global phenomenon with billions of videos watched daily. Many content creators have turned their passion for video-making into viable careers, as highlighted by several South Yorkshire YouTubers. Ruth Amos, who runs the channel Kids Invent Stuff, exemplifies this trend. Her channel, which has garnered 71,000 followers since its launch in 2015, invites primary school children to submit their invention ideas, which she and her colleague Shawn bring to life. Amos emphasizes the diverse revenue streams available on YouTube, including advertisements, sponsorships, collaborations, and platforms like Patreon, which allow fans to support creators directly. She notes that the platform has democratized content creation, enabling people to share their hobbies and unique skills with a global audience. Despite the vast number of channels—over 100 million—only a few achieve significant success, prompting Amos to encourage aspiring YouTubers to consider their unique talents when pursuing this career path.
Another South Yorkshire creator, Lee Hinchcliffe, began his YouTube journey at 15 with gaming videos and later ventured into skits and challenges. His channel gained traction when he documented his attempts to win a £10,000 prize through McDonald's Monopoly, which resonated with viewers despite his personal losses. Hinchcliffe's success on YouTube led to a television career with CBBC, highlighting how the platform can serve as a stepping stone to traditional media. Similarly, Steve Garbutt and his son Shane run the channel Yorkshire Car Restoration, which has significantly expanded their business. They initially offered free car restorations to popular YouTubers in exchange for exposure, which proved beneficial for their brand. Garbutt acknowledges the demanding nature of creating content, from filming to editing, but finds the community engagement and positive feedback to be incredibly rewarding. He advises aspiring creators to focus on their passions and ensure they have a stable career to support their YouTube endeavors, as financial success on the platform can be elusive for many.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article highlights the evolution of YouTube over its 20-year existence and its impact on content creators, particularly in South Yorkshire. It features insights from local YouTubers who have successfully utilized the platform to create careers out of their passions, emphasizing the diverse revenue streams available to creators.
YouTube's Growth and Career Opportunities
The narrative underlines how YouTube has transformed from a simple video-sharing website into a powerful platform where individuals can forge careers. By showcasing creators like Ruth Amos, the article illustrates that various monetization methods exist, including advertisements, sponsorships, collaborations, and crowdfunding through platforms like Patreon. This diversification of income sources is crucial for aspiring creators, as it highlights the need for adaptability in content creation.
Youth Engagement with YouTube
The statistics presented indicate a significant engagement from younger audiences, with over 80% of children aged three to seventeen using the platform. The mention of a 2019 survey suggests a strong desire among young people to pursue vlogging, which could reflect broader cultural shifts towards digital content creation as a career aspiration. By emphasizing these statistics, the article aims to inspire and validate the ambitions of youth interested in becoming content creators.
The Challenge of Saturation
While the article promotes the idea that anyone can become a YouTuber, it also acknowledges the competitive landscape, with over 100 million channels. This reality introduces an important caveat; not all creators achieve significant followings or success. The article’s balanced perspective may serve to temper expectations while encouraging creativity and resilience among aspiring YouTubers.
Community and Hobbies Finding a Home
Ruth Amos’s comments on the range of hobbies represented on YouTube underscore the platform's role in providing a space for niche interests. This aspect of YouTube fosters a sense of community and belonging among creators and viewers alike, enriching the platform's cultural fabric.
Potential Manipulation and Underlying Messages
The article does not overtly manipulate but rather encourages a positive outlook on content creation. However, it may inadvertently downplay the challenges of building a successful channel in a saturated market. By focusing on success stories, it could lead readers to overlook the hard work and persistence required to achieve similar outcomes.
Trustworthiness and Reliability
The article appears credible as it references real creators, specific statistics, and insights from individuals actively engaged in the YouTube ecosystem. It presents a realistic view of the opportunities and challenges within the platform, making it a reliable source of information for those interested in digital content creation.
In conclusion, the article serves to promote YouTube as a viable career path while recognizing the challenges that come with it. It offers a hopeful message to aspiring creators, encouraging them to leverage their skills and creativity within the platform.