YouTube Memberships - Are they worth it for smaller channels and content creators?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 มิ.ย. 2024
- If you were wondering if TH-cam Memberships are worth it, watch this video first. As a struggling TH-camr / content creator I tried it for six months and I have some strong opinions about it. Your experience might be different, but I'll explain what I liked and disliked, and what I ultimately decided and why.
As a small content creator, I was excited to see if TH-cam Memberships could help supplement the lack of ad revenue I was receiving. Unfortunately, I did not find Memberships to be worth the massive cut TH-cam / Google takes. So, after giving it several months I decided to make the switch to Patreon. And if you’re experiencing the same issues, but were worried about whether your members would follow you to Patreon, I found most of mine did.
I also cover some other ways I supplement my income by using websites like Buy Me A Coffee for donations and creating a merch store to sell branded products. While these don’t bring a lot of additional revenue, every dollar counts.
To learn more about Patreon check out their website below:
/ video
If you are interested in starting a Buy Me A Coffee account, find out how below:
buymeacoffee.com/
I’m not sponsored by either one of these companies, but I have enjoyed using both of their services, and would highly recommend them to anyone. If you are using something else let me know if the comments below.
ADDITIONAL INFO:
If you like what you see, or have some feedback/questions, let me know in the comments below. If you enjoyed the video “Subscribe” to see more content like this or join me on Patreon for some extra perks.
Help support the channel at:
/ trailsage
Trail Sage Apparel and Gear
trail-sage.com/apparel-gear/
Table of Contents
00:00 Intro
00:47 Why I tried TH-cam Memberships
01:58 The biggest problem with TH-cam memberships
04:12 Why I switched to Patreon
04:50 Other sources of income
06:16 Transitioning to Patreon - บันเทิง
![[TH] VCT Masters Shanghai Playoffs DAY 3 // FNC vs FUT | EDG vs PRX](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/pw2T5v0ogDI/mqdefault.jpg)
What's your experience with TH-cam Memberships? Let me know in the comments below.
Thanks for shedding some light. It's indeed tough for the newcomers to enter the game since policies changed drastically over the years. Effort vs reward conversation is now easy to answer. Good content Sage. Thanks for your honesty.
Ugh, you're right Simon. The policy changes have not been very kind to creators for the most part. Thanks for the feedback and kind words brotha!
Hey there, Sage! Your insights on TH-cam memberships versus Patreon are spot on! It's frustrating when you're trying to make a living off your content, and those percentages start adding up. Thanks for sharing your experience and shedding light on alternatives like Patreon. Fortunately, I only make the videos I publish as a hobby, I have no expectations from TH-cam... Best wishes, dear friend!
Frustrating is the perfect word. Thank you for the kind words Mihai. You make a great point "create with no expectations".
Thanks for your insight and honesty Sage. I admire that you're full time on TH-cam. I've had to detach myself from it quite a bit, for my sanity. Making videos is hard!!! Patreon and buy me a coffee are common enough, and there are good reasons why so many people ise those... Keep on pushing for that YT career ✊
Right on Steph, I can totally relate to that. Side note, we just did a podcast on "Recovery" on my Ride and Laugh MTB channel and I had to re-watch our video and was thinking about you. Good times! I hope all is well with you and your family. Miss you brotha!
@@TrailSage Thanks Sage! Yeah good times! Hope you and family are well too!
Great video Sage, that's very interesting, I haven't set up a channel membership as I don't know what added value I can offer a member other than the content I do anyway. But it was very good to hear your point of view and as always it was great to watch your video. Thanks for all the information and your content mate. Ride on
I can understand that Christoph, but I think you would have plenty to offer members. I feature ad free content, extended cuts, stickers and discounts on merch to my Patreon followers.
@@TrailSage Thank you very much for your answer and openness Sage, I really appreciate it. I will think about it. Have a great weekend and have fun on the bike mate
Very interesting, Sage. Thanks for sharing buddy. Hope things are going well 👍🏻
Hey thanks Mark. Hope you and your family are doing well too!
I'm not there yet, but this is intriguing and valuable information that could come in handy someday. Thanks for sharing, my friend!
Jen your channel is growing so fast... you'll be there sooner than you think. Keep up the great work! I always look forward to your videos.
I have to be honest: It would be very difficult for me to leave a content creator's TH-cam membership and join their Patreon, not just because it's more expensive, but also because of the (annoying) reason you mentioned of leaving a platform to go to another. To do so, I would really, really, really have to admire his content and simultaneously really want to help him. As a member of your Patreon, I think you already understand... 😁😁
But I agree that besides being difficult to monetize on TH-cam, their pie is HUGE. As you know, my MTB-Portugal channel is not monetized, nor do I know if it ever will be, because in addition to the difficulties imposed by TH-cam, I also have the added difficulty of being in Portugal, where the MTB community is sooooooooooooo unsupportive and critique with other portuguese (yes, I have more viewers from outside Portugal than from here).
But regarding the difficulties of TH-cam, it is, for example, much easier to be an affiliate on Twitch (where I do Live Streams of my indoor cycling training) than to have the channel monetized on TH-cam. I earn very little there (just enough to pay your monthly fee on Patreon), but it is much easier to monetize than it is on TH-cam.
I truly admire the content on your channel and I sincerely hope that you reach that point (whatever that may be) where your channel can be profitable enough for you to provide this excellent content in a self-sustainable and profitable way. Thank you for the amazing content you provide us, and I'm sorry for this long text.
Oh man, that's terrible that the MTB community in Portugal is not supportive. You make great content and it's a shame it's not being recognized and celebrated in a positive way. Why do you think that is?
As for your support, your generosity and kindness are not lost on me. My life has taken some strange turns and I have some big decisions to make soon, but I'm happy to call you a friend. Thank you Luis!
@@TrailSage why? It's a cultural thing. Just watch this: Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the greatest soccer players of all time, and half the Portuguese hate him... Why? I don't know...
@@MTB-Portugal We have to change that Luis. Portugal needs a huge injection of positivity and a mindset adjustment. Let's make it our mission!
Very interesting and insightful. Really great job explaining your experience and reasoning. Definitely makes sense to use Patreon over TH-cam.
Thanks for encouraging me to make the switch and for supporting me for the very start. #grateful
Great information for those hoping to "up their game". 🙌
Thanks Brian. I've been meaning to make this one for a while. I know it's not my usual MTB content, but I think it's important info for new content creators.
I feel like the memberships were a response to Twitch gaming streamers and other live creators moving more towards TH-cam for live content as opposed to other platforms. Not really sure if memberships vs patreon is worth it for non-live creators. I am only a paid subscriber for one patreon account, it's a wrestling news one. They have exclusive news stories and behind the scenes stuff as well as patron only live streams.
Oh interesting. Well regardless, for the content I produce Patreon seems to be the better choice. I can offer ad free videos, extended cuts, stickers and discounts on merch, so it has everything I wanted. Not sure if my members take advantage of everything, but for someone that is trying to do this full-time, their contribution goes a long way. #grateful
I've actually disabled all monetisation on all my vids as it never really proved to be worth it. A few bucks a month didn't really seem worth the hassle with the German tax authorities 😂
That's a bold move Timothy. I'm doing this full-time so I don't have that luxury, but to be honest, I wish that I didn't have too. But a man's gotta eat right?!?! lol. Hope you and your family are well.
@@TrailSage I totally get it if you're trying to do this for a living. I hoped YT would be a good source of income, but it's been pretty depressing 😅 we're all good and healthy, thanks 😊
Yeah... 30% for doing sweet f#ck-all is a bit on the rediculous side Sage... There's "a company trying to make some money..." and then there's a "a conglomerate using it's near limitless power to screw over the little guy".
Seems like you made the right move jumping ship mate... And hope you Patreon blooms!!
Well I didn't want to say it like that, but since you did, yeah, total money grab, lol. I don't make much on Patreon, but it's way better than Memberships, and I absolutely love my supporters. They are the BEST!
@@TrailSage Yeah... The 30% just doesn't seem right in any universe... A couple lines of code and that's about it... The rest of the "infrastructure" would be pretty much in place already.
Hey Sage, I wasn't aware TH-cam took 30% off the membership. That's a whole lot! For me it wouldn't even be necessary to add content on patreon though, you could also just give me your bank account 😉 No kidding, I support you because you try to take a step I am too much of a coward to take. I rely on a job and keep treading that hamsterwheel, so me supporting you is basically having a little stake in what you do 😁
Christian, you have supported me from the beginning and I can't tell you how much that means to me. I hope someday my channel becomes so successful that I will be able to travel to ride with you. I owe you like a 100 beers ;)
Not only that but if they post on their iphone the apple tax takes almost as much on small purchases. A $5 membership can end up giving you half because ggl and appl both take a huge cut.
@@lisalikesplants Yikes, I did not know that. Thanks for the feedback Lisa