All right, so we're diving deep into YouTube income today.
And using Joshua Meo's experience as a case study,
I know a lot of you out there are interested in,
what it really takes to make it on YouTube.
And Joshua's story gives us some pretty incredible insights.
He actually documented his entire first year on the platform,
revealed his earnings and strategies.
And it's definitely not your typical overnight success
story, like we see so much of it.
It's more of a testament to the power of persistence
and playing the long game, I think.
You hit the nail on the head.
Joshua's story really dismantles
that myth of instant YouTube stardom.
And he was incredibly open about his initial struggles,
which I think a lot of creators can relate to.
Oh, yeah, for sure.
So let's unpack those early days.
We're talking single-digit views.
Even after months of consistently posting new content,
can you imagine the dedication?
Putting your heart and soul into a video-hitting publish,
and then barely anyone watches it.
In fact, his first video got a grand total of 12 views.
Wow.
And he was thrilled.
12 views.
I mean, that just goes to show the level of enthusiasm
and optimism that he started with.
Yeah.
But then reality set in.
One of his videos got only four views.
Oh, wow.
I can't even imagine putting something out there
and getting that kind of response.
It's a roller coaster of emotions, for sure.
Yeah.
That's what we call the flatline period.
And it's something that so many creators struggle with.
Yeah.
And often it leads to them giving up altogether.
Right.
But not Joshua.
He pushed through nine months of creating content
with barely any views, which speaks volumes
about his perseverance.
Absolutely.
It makes you think, doesn't it?
Yeah.
How often do we give up on our own goals and aspirations
when we don't see immediate results?
Whether it's a creative project, a fitness goal,
anything that requires dedication and consistency.
There are bound to be those moments of doubt.
But Joshua's story is a powerful reminder
to keep pushing through those tough times.
I love that.
OK, now here's where things take a fascinating turn.
In mid-October, Joshua experienced a game changer.
One of his videos went viral.
And I'm not talking about a few extra views.
This was a full-blown viral explosion,
the kind that sends your view count soaring
into the stratosphere.
And your subscriber list growing exponentially.
It's like watching a rocket launch.
The anticipation builds, and then boom, it takes off
at incredible speed.
It's amazing, isn't it?
That's what the viral effect is all about, right?
It's like word of mouth, but on steroids.
Yeah.
One person shares it, then 10 more people do.
Yeah.
And before you know it, thousands of people
are discovering your content all at once.
Exactly.
And while luck certainly plays a role,
Joshua's consistent effort over those initial nine months
positioned him perfectly to capitalize on that lucky break.
When it arrived, think of it like this.
You're throwing darts at a dartboard.
The more darts you throw, the higher
the chances of hitting the bull's eye.
Consistency increases your opportunities.
That's a great analogy.
But it's also about creating content that truly resonates
with an audience.
Joshua found a way to tap into something
that people were genuinely interested in.
And that's what fueled the viral fire, so this viral moment.
Caterpulted Joshua into a whole new realm of YouTube.
And now I'm really curious about where
the money's coming from.
You mentioned he has three primary income streams,
sponsorships, affiliate marketing, and YouTube ads.
I was actually surprised to learn that sponsorships were
his smallest income source in 2022.
That might seem counterintuitive at first glance,
especially considering his viral success.
But keep in mind, he was still relatively new to the game
at that point.
Building strong relationships with brands takes time.
And as his channel continues to grow,
and his audience becomes more established,
we'd expect that sponsorship revenue
to increase significantly.
It's all about building trust and credibility over time.
You make sense.
Now let's unpack affiliate marketing.
For those who might not be familiar with the concept,
can you give us an example of how it works?
Specifically in Joshua's case.
OK, so imagine you discover a tool that's incredibly helpful,
like a new software, or must have gadget.
You're so excited about it that you can't
wait to share it with your friends.
Now imagine if you could earn a small reward every time
what do your friends purchase that tool.
Based on your recommendation, that's essentially what
affiliate marketing is all about.
I see.
OK, so how did Joshua use this to his advantage?
He gave a great example of promoting a camera he
uses for his videos.
He included an affiliate link to that specific camera
on Amazon in his video description.
Now if someone watches his video, loves his recommendation,
clicks his link and buys the camera,
or even related products like lenses or SD cards,
Joshua earns a commission.
It's a win-win situation.
His viewers get valuable recommendations,
and he earns passive income for his efforts.
It's pretty cool.
And pretty lucrative.
He made $146,141 from affiliate marketing in 2022,
and as you mentioned, it's mostly passive income,
which is incredible.
Exactly.
Once those affiliate links are out there doing their thing,
they can continue generating income.
Even as he shifts his focus to creating new content,
it's like planting seeds that continue to sprout and grow
over time.
I like that metaphor a lot.
OK, now let's talk about the big kahuna.
YouTube ads.
This was his biggest earner, bringing in over $362,000.
Those numbers are seriously impressive.
Could you break down how this all works?
What determines how much a YouTuber earns from ads?
It all boils down to a metric called
RPM, which stands for revenue per mil.
In simple terms, it's the amount of money a YouTuber earns
for every 1,000 views on their videos.
Think of it this way.
Each of your views is like a little vending machine.
Every time someone watches it, dispenses a few cents.
I love that visual.
So what's the average RPM for YouTubers?
The average RPM typically falls somewhere
between $3 and $4.
However, there's a lot of variation depending on factors,
like audience engagement, niche, and video length.
OK, so that's a decent range.
But here's where things get really interesting.
Joshua's average RPM for 2022 was a whopping $21.20.
That's like having vending machines that dispense dollar
bills instead of just a few cents.
What's the secret sauce here?
Why is his RPM so much higher than the average?
That's a fantastic question.
And it speaks to the power of strategic content creation.
There are a few key factors contributing
to his impressive RPM.
First, his niche focus on finance is a major advantage.
Advertisers in the financial sector are willing to spend more.
To reach an audience that's genuinely
interested in investing, money management, and all things
finance related, it's a highly valuable demographic.
So choosing the right niche can make a significant difference
in your earning potential.
Absolutely.
And it's not just about the niche itself.
It's also about the level of engagement Joshua fosters
within his audience.
YouTube's algorithm favors channels with high engagement,
meaning viewers are watching videos all the way through,
liking, commenting, and subscribing.
This signals to YouTube that Joshua's content is valuable
and keeps people coming back for more, which
translates to higher ad revenue.
Makes sense.
It's fascinating how all these pieces fit together.
To put this into perspective, let's
take a closer look at some of Joshua's monthly earnings.
In October, his RPM hit almost $30.
Wow.
In November, it was $27.43.
And even in December, it remained over $21.
Those numbers are incredible.
They really highlight the potential here, don't they?
And it goes back to that idea of audience targeting.
If you can create content that resonates deeply
with a specific demographic, a demographic that advertisers
are eager to reach, you can significantly increase
your earning potential.
It's not just about views.
It's about the right views from the right audience.
OK, so now let's shift gears a bit and talk about goals.
Joshua set some incredibly ambitious goals for 2023,
aiming for 1 million subscribers and $2 million
in total income.
He seems to be a firm believer in the power of setting bold goals
and taking consistent action.
And that's where the compound effect comes into play.
Small, consistent efforts, day after day,
can lead to remarkable results over time.
It's like rolling a snowball down a hill.
At first, it's small and doesn't gain much momentum.
But as it rolls, it picks up more snow, grows larger,
and eventually becomes an unstoppable force.
That's the power of consistency.
It's an inspiring concept.
And I think it applies to so many aspects of life, not just YouTube.
Whether we're talking about building a business,
learning a new skill, or improving our fitness.
Those consistent daily actions can truly
make all the difference.
Absolutely.
And it's not just about the actions themselves.
It's about the mindset behind them.
Joshua's story demonstrates the importance
of believing in your ability to achieve those goals, even
when they seem farfetched.
His story is starting to feel less like a YouTube dream
and more like a masterclass in goal
setting and strategic thinking.
It's clear there's so much more to uncover about his journey.
There's definitely more to explore.
In fact, in the next part of our dive into Joshua's experience,
we'll delve deeper into the strategies
he employed to reach those ambitious goals
and the valuable lessons he learned along the way.
Stay tuned.
Can't wait.
Welcome back.
So last time we were talking about Joshua's ambitious goals,
for 2023, a million subscribers and $2 million in income,
those are some seriously impressive targets.
They are.
And the most remarkable part is he actually hit those goals.
He even showcased his 100,000 subscriber plaque
in one of his videos.
It's a tangible representation of his success
and a testament to his commitment
to achieving those big goals.
That's so cool.
It really shows that with the right mindset and approach,
even though seemingly out of reach goals
can become a reality, he attributes a lot of his success
to staying focused on the day-to-day actions,
those small victories that, when compounded over time,
lead to massive results.
He's absolutely right.
It's so easy to get caught up in the enormity of our goals
and become overwhelmed by the sheer amount of work
it might take to get there.
But Joshua emphasizes the importance
of breaking those big goals down into smaller, more
manageable steps and then consistently taking action
towards those steps day after day.
So he talked about the importance of making promises
to yourself and, most importantly, keeping those promises.
I think that's where a lot of people struggle.
You know, we have big dreams and ambitions,
but sometimes life gets in the way, distractions pop up.
And we lose sight of those commitments we made to ourselves.
It's a common challenge, for sure.
But Joshua's approach is all about cultivating
that self-discipline and staying focused on the process.
He even challenged his viewers to set their own ambitious goals
and see what they can accomplish with dedicated effort.
Like, try it for yourself, you know?
Experience the power of setting goals
and then diligently working towards them.
I love that he did that.
He even invited viewers to comment
if they wanted to see a video dedicated to how he sets
and achieves his goals.
It's fantastic that he's not only sharing his success story,
but also actively trying to empower others
to achieve their own versions of success.
He's creating a community of support and inspiration.
That's what's so inspiring about his approach.
It's genuine, authentic, and driven by a desire to help others.
He's not just about achieving personal success.
He's about sharing his knowledge and experiences
to uplift others.
Absolutely.
He constantly emphasizes that building a successful YouTube
channel is a marathon, not a sprint.
It takes time, dedication, and a willingness
to persevere even when things get tough.
Absolutely.
And that long-term vision is essential for success
in any endeavor, really.
Remember, even Joshua, with all of his success today,
started with a much smaller goal.
He mentioned that early on his initial milestone
was simply reaching 1,000 subscribers.
That's so interesting.
It shows that we don't have to start
with these massive, overwhelming goals.
We can start small, achieve those initial milestones,
and then gradually raise the bar.
As we gain momentum and confidence,
it's all about celebrating those incremental wins
along the way.
Precisely.
And as things started to pick up for Joshua,
as he hit those initial milestones, he adjusted his sights
and set his goals even higher.
It's a fantastic example of how important it
is to be flexible, adaptable, and willing to adjust our goals
as we progress and gain new insights.
I see.
OK, so what does all of this mean for someone
who might be listening right now, someone who's perhaps
considering starting their own YouTube channel today?
What key takeaways can they glean from Joshua's experience?
It's definitely a competitive landscape out there.
But Joshua's journey proves that it's absolutely possible.
To break through the noise and achieve a level of success,
that's both financially rewarding and personally fulfilling.
The key is to approach it with dedication consistency
and an open mind, be willing to experiment,
learn from your mistakes, and adapt your approach as you go.
There's no one-size-fits-all formula for success.
It's about finding what works best for you
and your unique voice.
He also highlights the importance of having a strategy.
It's not just about churning out videos
and hoping for the best.
It's about finding your niche, understanding
your target audience, and diversifying your income streams
to create a sustainable and thriving channel.
Exactly.
And remember that RPM metric we discussed earlier,
that's a crucial indicator of how well your content is
resonated with advertisers, which ultimately
affects your ad revenue.
Joshua's success in the finance niche
demonstrates the power of targeting a specific audience
with high-value content that caters
to their interests and needs.
So it emphasizes the power of choosing a niche
you're genuinely passionate about,
while also considering its potential for monetization
if you can find that sweet spot.
Where your interests align with the profitable niche,
that's a recipe for success.
Absolutely.
And it's not just about the money.
It's about finding that intersection,
where your passion, your skills, and the needs
of your audience all converge when you're creating content
you love for an audience that appreciates it.
That's where the magic happens.
Yeah, I love that.
So as we wrap up this part of our deep dive,
what's the one key takeaway you'd
want our listener to walk away with today?
For me, it's the understanding that success on YouTube,
or in any pursuit for that matter,
is a combination of various factors.
It's a blend of hard work, unwavering, consistency,
strategic planning.
And yes, a little bit of luck.
The more you put yourself out there,
the more you refine your approach
and learn from your experiences, the more likely
you are to attract that luck.
Yeah.
And achieve those goals you set for yourself.
It's like that saying luck is what
happens when preparation meets opportunity.
We can't control every aspect of our journey,
but we can control how prepared we
are to seize those opportunities when they arise.
And speaking of opportunities, I'm
curious to hear your thoughts on this.
If you were to start a YouTube channel today,
what niche would you choose and why?
What are you passionate about?
What unique knowledge or skills could you share with the world?
Oh, that's a fantastic question.
And it's one that Joshua actually posed to his viewers
as well.
It really gets you thinking, doesn't it?
Yeah.
It's not about chasing the latest trends or hopping
on the bandwagon, but about discovering that sweet spot
where your passion is your expertise.
Yeah.
And audience demand all intersect.
Yeah.
It makes you realize there's so much potential out there.
So many different niches and audiences
just waiting to be tapped into.
It's about finding that perfect match, that area where you can
truly shine and make a difference.
Precisely.
And remember, it's never too late to embark on this journey.
Joshua didn't find his YouTube success
until he was in his 30s.
He even had a completely different career
before diving into the world of finance and content creation.
Wow.
That's really encouraging to hear.
It's a reminder that we're never too old to pursue our passions
and explore new avenues for creativity and success.
There's hope for all of us, leap bloomers out there.
It's about embracing that lifelong journey of learning
and growth.
Absolutely.
And it circles back to something Joshua emphasized
throughout his journey, daily action.
It's not about waiting for the perfect moment
or for all the stars to align.
It's about taking those small steps each and every day
to move closer to your goals.
Small victories day after day.
Yeah.
I like how he put it that way.
I think that perfectly encapsulates
the essence of his philosophy.
It's about consistency, perseverance,
and that unwavering belief in the cumulative power
of those small efforts over time.
It's about building momentum one step at a time.
And it's a principle that applies to any area of life,
whether it's building a successful YouTube channel,
launching a business, or simply working
towards personal growth and fulfillment.
It's about showing up consistently putting in the work
and trusting that the results will follow.
You know what I find particularly interesting about Joshua's
story?
It wasn't solely about hitting those financial milestones
or achieving a certain number of subscribers.
It was also about building a community,
connecting with people who shared his passion for finance
and empowering them with knowledge and resources.
That's a really important point.
It highlights the deeper purpose behind his journey.
It's about creating something meaningful, something
that adds value to the world and fosters
a sense of belonging and shared purpose.
It's about connecting with others on a deeper level,
building relationships, and making a positive impact
through the power of shared knowledge and passion.
That sense of purpose can be an incredibly powerful
motivator.
It can fuel your creativity, drive you
to push through challenges, and inspire you to keep creating
even when the going gets tough.
It's about creating something that resonates with others,
something that leaves a lasting impression,
and it makes a difference in the lives of your audience.
Absolutely.
It's about going beyond the pursuit of individual success
and embracing the opportunity to make a positive contribution
to the world.
I love that.
OK, so as we wrap up this deep dive
into Joshua Mayo's YouTube success,
what's the final thought you want to leave with our listener?
I'd say this.
Never underestimate the power of consistent effort,
strategic thinking, and a willingness
to embrace both the challenges and the rewards that
come with pursuing your passions.
Joshua's story is a testament to the fact that success is
often a journey, not a destination.
It's about the growth, the learning, the connections
you make along the way, and the impact you have on others.
Beautifully said, and who knows maybe our listener out there,
is the next YouTube sensation just
waiting to be discovered.
If you're feeling inspired by Joshua's journey,
take that first step, create that channel,
and share your unique voice with the world.
You never know where it might lead you.
Until next time, keep diving deep, keep learning,
and keep exploring those incredible possibilities
that await.