The Economics of a YouTube Fishing Channel
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- Опубліковано 2 жов 2024
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I inspire a lot of people to go fishing but I also inspire a lot to pursue their passions in life including starting a fishing UA-cam channel. Many are curious about the economic potential of a fishing UA-cam channel. In this video I talk about my channel's revenue, the expenses, and how that ultimately plays a role in my income and hourly rate.
If this video helped you consider making a one time donation using that Super Thanks button or checking out my awesome Spilt Milt store here: spilt-milt-sto.... Thank you!
Sadly most of the channels that get tons of views are mostly gotcha/click bait videos. Keep doing your thing, you put out way more informative vids than anyone else I watch!
I saw him on a forum and started watching his videos. He didn’t yell “let’s GO!” once and the video was actually about what was in the title. Instant subscriber.
You may only have a "small/medium" size channel but your content is second to none. Your channel is the first one to get brought up in any conversation about kokanee fishing. The strategic way you break things down into digestible information that anyone can understand makes learning tactics easy for anyone.
I'm looking forward to the books! Keep up the great work and stand with your values!
As a fellow PNW angler I appreciate your technical breakdowns on gear and your knowledge of the species you target. While it may not be extremely lucrative you’re passionate about what you do and you have a loyal following. Appreciate ya 💯
Don’t know how you have so few followers. There’s way more Kokanee fishermen out there and every single one should be a subscriber.
The simple fact you get to fish casually enough to not start to hate it and get to do something you actually love for a living? Definitely worth some struggle.
Think hard on sponsorship. Google fleeces you on ad revenue, get sponsors you agree with and viewers can skip it if they want. Video timelines for the win.
I just want to thank you for your authenticity and passion for fishing. You’ve taught this community so much, keep up the work. I hope to see this channel continue to grow and thrive.
Originally saved your "how to can" salmon video awhile back...and I still refer to it today, every season. I'm from Alaska but recently working in the PNW so now watching your videos to learn more about fishing the PNW!
Well, I for one really appreciate your channel. I am 70 years old and retired. I grew up in Minnesota where I learned to fish for Walleyes with live bait. After leaving the Army, I lived around Tacoma, WA where I learned how to fish the salt water (I really miss that). I also learned how to fish for Trout in many different area lakes. I caught Trout for years until my wife told me not to bring any more home. We just got sick of them. Now I live on Curlew Lake. I recently learned that there are Kokanee in my lake but I have never fished for them. I plan to start. I have learned a TON of information by watching your videos. I believe I have seen all of your videos. Some more than once. The thing that keeps me from fishing is that I do not have a boat right now. I am building a new one, and I hope to be finished with it this spring, Its an 18 footer with a hard top. I feel that would not be very welcomed during one of your "fish-alongs" as most if not all of your "You Tube Family" is likely to have kayaks. I am anxious to finish my boat so I can try out all the things you have taught me here on my lake and also Lake Roosevelt and some others.
I watch several fishing channels. Yours differs in that you use science, statistics, your knowledge of equipment, you demonstrate usage of that equipment along with giving various tips on how to best find success. A package like that is quite rare. You don't blow your own horn and you don't push tackle, but you inform us on where we can find it if we wish. And I have done that.
I have no ambitions about making videos, although I am recording my boat build. That is merely something for me to look back on when I am too old to do woodworking any longer. Because of that I know just how time-consuming filming, editing and all that goes with it can be. Sometimes I just skip over a few things because it takes too much time.
I am glad you are writing a book. I predict it will be a good one and well received. I will be one of your first customers. This has gotten long and I apologize. I just wanted you to know how much your work means to me. 😊
Unfortunately Kokanee fishing is not on everyones list of fish to catch. I would almost guess that your subscribers are the main people in the usa that fish for kokanee. You have a small market of people due to lack of fish being in all states and such. I think you are the main teacher for kokanee fishing out on youtube. Due to your education and all I trust what you say about the fishery when you say it is getting better or worse and such. Your a great teacher of kokanee fishing and i thank you.
I am proud to say I am a graduate from spilt milt university. Thanks Tyler for being passionate about what you do and bringing fishing joy to everyone. Your awesome.
Your efforts and content deserve a little bump. Keep it up. 🎣
I appreciate that!
Thank you for this video. I wish you the best for your life, for your channel, and for your book. I would like a copy of your book. I will need to be patient.
Thanks always been curious
I've been subscribed awhile but I don't comment much. Keep working hard and you will make a lot more than $19 an hour my man. This video was well put together so kudos on that! Let's do a collab sometime if that is something that you are interested in? We can take my boat for fall kings or spring kings, perhaps even my raft for some summer steel or tributary springers, maybe even a kayak trip if you have 2? Just throwing the ideas out there , Tight lines!
awesome channel buddy
Thanks for being so authentic in your content, and generous with sharing your hard-won knowledge!
Recently found your channel by searching for Kokanee fishing from a SUP. I really appreciate your content and honesty. Looking forward to your book!
Good job Tyler we appreciate all your hard work and information
This was really informative. I have always wondered how the UA-cam machine operates and I now have a better idea. It also explains why popular youtube channels and personalities make SO MANY pointless videos just sitting in front of a camera, it's just to produce "content". Aside from searching for videos on how to do or fix something, essentially all my viewing is on a handfull of skateboarding and fishing channels. There's a reason people say "like, comment and subscribe" and when I find something I like, I will... it's the least I can do. That engagement matters.
"Film smarter not harder" think you might have done that with this one.. I could see this getting views from people outside the fishing community too.
One of the few fishing channels that are actually instructional and not just, “hey guys watch me catch these fish”
To be honest you're putting in all the work. I really think you should look into the world of "sponsorship". Not sure if you have looked into any funding available from the regional travel advertising budgets. I know we have them in Canada, maybe you have something similar in the USA. I know you then have responsibility to other entities if you do this, but if you're already creating the content seems like just an added revenue stream.
So you're all about fishing smarter, but are working harder...??? 🙃 Based on this video I'd say you're probably working toward working smarter as well.
Just recently found your channel and thoroughly enjoy the content and your approach to its presentation. Nice job.
All the best.
If you ever want to bring back the hats, Id gladly purchase one!
Great breakdown. I have a channel and I'm nowhere near even thinking about income, but it is still nice to have such a comprehensive example of what I could expect someday. Also, I'm from Pateros and currently live in Moses Lake.... Small world man.
I've done fishing videos sometimes I start filming catch no fish and scrap video. Can't wait to start making money on UA-cam. I watched a lot of your ice fishing trout videos learned a lot.
I want to thank you for being honest on how your chanel operates. To most it would be a dicouragement on making a chanel just like some of the other chanel creators are once they break down their operating costs. But it encourages me even more to make a chanel spending time fishing with my children. And to go at it with the mind set that it will not make money but will allow me to spend time with the ones around me that i love and to share those experiences with everyone else. I also apreciate you standing alone without sponsors so you can be true to yourself. God bless you and your chanel and may it grow to where you want it to be. Theirs nothing wrong with making a living doing what you love. Glad i stumbled on to this chanel. Thank you.
Love the channel man. Seriously appreciate the crazy amount of information you’re able to give out. Just watched and noticed you talking about the self employment taxes. You should look into incorporating yourself and turning yourself into a S-Corp so you can pay yourself a reasonable wage and receive a W2 at the end of the year. Obv speak to a CPA but it’s something to look into so you have more opportunities for write offs and avoiding the extremely high self employment taxes. Again appreciate you. Can’t wait for the next video.
I appreciate all your videos. I'm also in the PNW and you've drastically improved my Kokanee catches. Thank you for all the videos!
That’s great to hear. I appreciate your support
I just crossed 1000 subs which is rad. Not planning on making UA-cam my career but sure would be awesome if it paid for my fishing expenses, which aren’t cheap lol. Thanks for your breakdown. Much appreciated. Love your channel. 🤙🏼
Congrats on the 1000 mark!
@@spiltmilt thanks man! Congrats on your channel success over the years.
Hi Tyler, your videos are awesome. I will tell you right now I will purchase your book on kokanee fishing whenever you get it on the market. This is a very good video to let people know what it costs you to bring this awesome content to us. My opinion is your videos are the best out there bar none. We will try to help you keep doing what you love. Thank you very much!
Any chance of getting another dropper sticker with .8 and 1 mph? Where I'm at in Washington I typically catch at those speeds, heck even sockeye in your neck of the woods those speeds got it done for me.
That will take some time and honestly don’t know many people trolling that slowly
Let me know if I can help out on your kokanee book, very exciting. I am proficient in Adobe Illustrator,.....and best of all GRATIS. Thoroughly enjoy your content, and it even inspires me to try to fish for different species than I have before. Your time is much appreciated.
Super informative breakdown Tyler. Keep up the great work!
Thanks for such an honest and transparent video. And all of your other content which is informative and entertaining. It is your perspective and teaching methods that keeps me coming back. But shouldn't you have had a pie graph wedge for the fish you catch and eat? Fish ain't cheap in the store. :^)
Ok Tyler, put me down for a signed copy of your first edition Kokanee book! That's awesome, I'm sure it will be a very informative and inspiring publication!
Not sure I should be watching this, I don’t want to know what I spend on fishing lol. Thanks for your content, I appreciate your perspective
Thank you for the insight....
I’ve been curious about all of this. Thanks so much for the explanation. I really enjoy your content and repeatedly go back for follow up information. Keep up the quality work.
Thanks for the video. It was very interesting for sure!
Side note - I'm excited to hear about your book and site-specific info!
I also wanted to give you a heartfelt thanks for all you do! I caught my first kokanee (on purpose) last year and owe it all to you. I learned so much from your videos about fishing in general but especially kokanee. Right off the top of my head - kokanee biology, how heir eyesight works, how the thermocline works, why kokanee are where they are, where to look/find kokanee, what to look for in a spot, how to set myself up with tackle without breaking the bank, how to care for the fish, when to release vs keep, etc etc.
I only caught about 7 total kokanee in 2023 here in Utah at Strawberry Reservoir, but it was my first attempt and I'm SO excited for this year!
I've definitely hit a lot of those topics in the past few years but its always good to revisit them in the future. Be sure and check out my entire Kokanee playlist here ua-cam.com/play/PLYyQnTXKKDtedFBuyfx9TET3t7flsIrYr.html
@@spiltmilt imo it's a good time of year to watch that playlist while replacing line, tying up new rigs, organizing tackle, etc.
Thanks for the transparency and for staying true to yourself. We have all seen youtubers, fishing and otherwise, who have grown massive channels but have lost what made their channels unique along the way. Before long they end up just going through the motions to get that sponsor money.
I'm typing this while listening to the video, and am only about half-way thru. So far you haven't mentioned Amazon affiliate links. I tend to forget to use your affiliate links when purchasing items that aren't related to fishing. Would you post the link(s) again so that we all can help throw additional income your way?
You can click any amazon hyperlink on any video and shop and it all comes back to me. Cheers amzn.to/493ivtU
It makes an expensive hobby more affordable
Very revealing. Thanks for that, love your videos. I learn a lot and now I really want a pedal yak lol
You,618fishing and ndyakangler are the only channels I really watch. I'm an avid fisherman, mainly bass but I fish for whatever I can. You do a great job on your videos and have made an awesome channel.
I view your channel more for education than I do for entertainment. Thanx
You do create the most sincere, honest and useful content of any videos I've seen. Thank you for all you do to help people become better at fishing and unrestanding fishing.
Your videos are a great joy to watch and talk about with my father. We especially like the Walleye content.
You are very knowledgeable. I believe I would watch every video you made if it pertained to bass fishing. I think you could be missing out on a lot of views. Just my opinion, but bass fishing in Washington is more popular than Kokanee. Thanks for the videos you have done. I fish from a kayak exclusively.
Everytime I post a bass fishing video I lose subscribers and they are the poorest performing videos I have in terms of engagement and revenue. There are many more Kokanee anglers in WA than bass anglers.
I really appreciate your transparency in your revenue vs expenses breakdown, and sharing your other streams of income including Patreon support and affiliate marketing. I had been producing short informational videos to support fishing blog posts and never planned to monetize, but that all changed after my kayak got rammed off the coast of Oahu while my GoPro happened to be on. I didn't have the required 1000 subscribers to monetize, so other influencers in Hawaii rallied the community to get me to that point so I could at least get some revenue while other clips of the incident were repurposed and went viral on social media. Since then, I've been trying to put out meaningful videos, but my target audience is even smaller than yours. It was very helpful to learn what type of revenue could be generated by a channel of your size, which is huge by my standards!
It’s just a matter of time before your channel snowballs and grows faster, or one of your video pops and your whole situation could change over night. Appreciate your transparency with the process.
Thanks Tyler I found the button
Do you have any plans to collaborate with any other UA-camrs in your area? As a viewer I think that would be awesome content and I think it would help grow your channel/gain subs. Keep doin your thing Tyler, Love the channel 👍
I’ve tried a few times. One was a no show and the other showed up 4 hours late. I gave up after that
@@spiltmilt 🤦🏻that’s a bummer
This was such a good breakdown and well explained. Thanks for your honesty, that really did answer a ton of questions I had about being a youtuber. I do have a question, say your viewed went up by 10 times, would the ad revenue pretty much scale up at the same rate? Do you get higher value ads if you have more views? Have you looked into consultants on how to grow your channel? Do you post your videos to reddit to self promote?
Scalability really depends on engagement. I find when I have videos that get promoted on Google or some other website the revenue isn't as good. 30k views where people spend 1 minute on the video doesn't generate as much revenue as 5000 engaged views. I suspect people using click bait titles and thumbnail aren't making nearly as much as you'd think. I've discussed a few times with consultants and its pretty much what I expected. Use more clickbait, be more bombastic, and post more shorts...none of which I have any interest in. As for sharing content on other sources such as Reddit, FB, and so it has almost zero effect on view counts and channel growth.
@@spiltmilt Thank you very much for your response!
Great video, great information.
yah and people want to complain when videos arn't up to movie quality. It take a lot of time money, and knowledge to make a good video. just filming let alone editing takes a TON of time. I started a channel not expecting much but guys like you inspired me to show off my favorite lake. I mainly fish Lake Superior on the west end of the lake in a boat and a yak.
Only reason I’m considering doing some videos is I’m going to be doing a lot of fishing anyways with my fishing plans + some tournaments. Hopefully at least pay for any videography equipment.
Not going to quit my day job or let it become to much of a job (not doing 100/year).
YOU ARE AWESOME. I have been fishing as an adult hard core since 1972 all over northwestern US and do very well at it. I have always had a nice fishing boat well equipped. I have spent thousand and thousand of dollars chasing fish all over Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah and off shore for Marlin out of Mexico. This is not meant to a brag, I just loved to go fishing. Life is short. You seem like a real nice guy so just enjoy the ride. You impress me with your skills.
My friend just mentioned your site today as we were doing maple syrup so when I got home I checked you out. Thanks you very much as the production video was most informative.
I’m 77 and started a UA-cam site last year in July. Presently there are 25 videos as my friend editor has done a great job with the limited videos. This year I plane to have my go pro on from opening day.
I fish only big brown trout as the site says but I take what nature gives me. Figured at my age I didn’t have time to diversify!!
Again, take you very much for sharing.
Sincerely
big brown trout guy
Really appreciate the quality and style of your content. You really stepped up the quality of your ice fishing videos this last winter, it makes me want to ice fish more and get an underwater camera. It's really too bad more companies won't sponsor you and let you still do your thing (Paulina Peak and Old Town I'm talking to you!) I purchased 2 stickers today, they will be a big help this season!
Thanks for sharing. Interesting to see this sort of data for fishing UA-camr/creators. I’ve seen some datapoints for other categories, but they are obviously all different. Let me know if you want to chat on the affiliate/product recommendation side of things. Maybe some options there to increase revenues in a viewer friendly way.
I've been self employed almost all of my life. It is a fascinating process. The pleasure of doing work I like is something I'm sure I monetize in my heart. Creativity is also an almost incalculable factor as well. Over the years my creative sense has blossomed. I can now make money in areas I may not even like, but I like making money. But making money is more of a way of keeping score rather than something I am eager to spend. So I find this episode very interesting. I got a tremendous boost from reading a book which is Think Like Einstein. Basically, it says that almost all thought for someone attuned to this process is constructive thought. It may be conscience thought or subconscious. Both forms work. I can hardly keep my brain quiet when someone talks about an idea that tickles my mind. Take a few creative writing classes, you will learn so much from being able to think that way. Have fun! Life to me is about learning which is why I love your channel.
This was really informative and interesting. I mean, I've always been curious about exactly what it takes to make the financials work, and I've always known it's not for me. But I am also curious about your video editing process? I find the editing process to be so cumbersome and painful (and expensive). Did you take a class? Is there a specific software suite you use.
It’s an interesting video, never really looked into doing a UA-cam channel for a living. But it was good to get a breakdown to understand how it works if I ever wanted to try. We enjoy your content. Hope things pick up for you. You put in a lot of work and deserve more.
I wish you all the success you deserve, Tyler. Keep up the hard work, and thanks for your dedication. I am definitely looking forward to the book! All the best and cheers man
I feel like I’d be paying >$20/lb for fresh fish at a store that carry’s fresh fish. I notice you retain fish for personal consumption. That may help swing the output of your equation in a positive direction. At least that is how I justify fishing with my wife…😂
Also, who knows where that fish came from or how it was handled… catch and eat feels safer. :)
Yes I put away a lot of meat and that certainly helps.
Thanks!
Keep up the good work, l stopped fishing for 25 years, started watching your videos a few years ago, and l am back in the thick of it, oh you were also the catalyst for me to start kayak fishing, keep up the excellent work!
Thanks for posting this video! Appreciate the honest feedback on your YouTubing journey. Keep it up!
I really appreciate your videos and you sharing your knowledge. I do try to use the amazon links when it applies. I'll try harder to contribute to your channel in the future, you've certainly earned it.
My wife bought me a sticker and one of your neck gators for Christmas. You do an awesome job and I’m happy to support your channel. You’ve really helped us out a lot of fish in our freezer. Thank you!
You’ve helped me and my family enjoy fishing and catch more. I feel much more connected to the hobby and maybe even a little more authority over how we catch them then before
So yeah, thank you so much
Looking forward to the books, definitely going to be a buyer on those! Suggestion on the recipe books... Maybe a section for follower submitted recipes. May get more people engaged, I know I'm always interested in what community members have to offer
Can't wait for the book, hopefully it comes out just in time for the holidays! Then I can gift it to myself and my friends haha
Your ice fishing videos are what helped me get out and target Perch. You have a ton of good information that has been really helpful.
Try uncut videos. Pick a subject you would like to talk about and burn few hours through.
🍀🎣
Thank you for sharing, your breakdowns are always facinating no matter the topic
Joined. I'm a small boat guy. I can't overstate how much I appreciate your style of content Tyler.
Thanks for all of the great content, looking forward to the recipe books!
I think merch and a higher ticket Kokanee fishing course would be a fantastic value-add & profitable for you.
Thanks for the insights. Be interested to know your impressions of the new Vibe iSUPs especially the one with pedal drive
The Uptown 100 looks super interesting for a lightweight pedal watercraft.
I know that Amazon compensates you when I use your link to buy fishing gear listed on your channel. My question is this: will you get some compensation if I click on your link and then buy some other product from Amazon, rather than buying the gear listed on your channel?
I get compensated for anything and everything. If you click on any amazon link and buy peanut butter and a television I still get the benefit.
Can't wait for the book! What is the timeframe on that? Thank you for all that you do for the fishing community. Your knowledge of the game is incredible!
Recipe book this fall. Kokanee in early 2025
Thanks dude, have you ever been demonotized for repetitive content since your niche is fishing? UA-cam seems to come up with all wxcuses they can these days and steal ur revenue😊
No never heard of that. But I know a lot of channels are 100% duplicating videos on their alternate channels.
Great videos. Good to hear about your results.
I appreciate your videos very much.
Thanks!
Thank you!
Thanks!
Appreciate your support!
sorry for NOT proofreading!!!
I tried to buy a sweatshirt on your site but it did not go through. Keeps giving me an error
Hmm 🤔 maybe try again later. It’s a third party print on demand vendor so I don’t have a lot of control over their website
Maybe plan a community fishing trip... Good chance to engage with your viewers and sell a decent amount of merch.
I already have community fish alongs with patrons/supporters. Merch isn't really that profitable.
@@spiltmilt as a casual UA-cam viewer, I'm not familiar with patron. But if I saw videos on a regular basis of you inviting viewers to a fishing event, id definitely consider it. Maybe you already have done that, sorry, I'm and new subscriber and you have a lot of content. I just purchased my son a feelfree kayak this winter and we are excited to get out on the water. Your videos are amazing source of information and act as a nice sedative to our anticipation to get the fishing season started. We are actually hitting the Columbia near wind river this weekend. Looks like it's going to be a wet weekend, but we are excited. Thanks for the reply, have blessed day.
What about doing collaboration videos? I know you've talked with Leif with NW Fishing secrets. But there must be more out there?
I've spoken with a lot of folks who have done this. Few ever see much benefit. Leif's videos are more "lifestyle" videos whereas a mine are education focused. We do have a lot of overlap on subscribers but we focus on very different topics.
@@spiltmiltAgreed, I was curious on the collaboration thing glad to hear you've looked into it.
Thank you
Nice
Hey Tyer, you do a great job on all your video's. I find them very interesting and informative. If you love what you do I guess it is easier to make less money. I'm sure if you keep it up you will see more money coming in. It takes time to start a good business but your time will come.
I have a question for you. When can I start fishing the Columbia River for King and Sockeye. I know July is good at Brewsters Pool but can you catch sockeye earlier farther downstream as they move upriver. are there places they hold for a time or do they just keep moving upstream constantly until they get to Brewsters Pool?
Yes mid-June in the lower river can be good for Sockeye. King Salmon starts now thru August
Thank you sir for broadening my knowledge of Kokanee and fishing for them. I also thank you for doing recon on so many water bodies for us. Saves some of us time and money and helps immensely in deciding where to invest our time!
I’ll try to spend a penny or two in your market.