Start a youtube channel, long form: the real numbers
Building an audience on video you own. Below is what it actually costs, how long before money arrives,
and the part most guides leave out.
Startup capital
€500–€4,000
Hours / week
15–40
First income
~40 wks
Net margin
92%
Saturation
high
Realistic ceiling
€150–€4,000
What nobody usually tells you
The number nobody tells you: ad revenue runs roughly €1–5 per thousand views in Europe. That means 200,000 views a month for about €1,000. Monetisation also needs 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours first, which takes most people the better part of a year.
The route, in five steps
Pick one narrow topic and commit to 30 videos on it
Buy one good microphone before any camera — audio decides retention
Publish weekly at a fixed day and time
Study your own retention graph, not other people's advice
Only add a second format once the first has 20 videos
What you'll need to buy
These are the categories every youtube channel, long form pays for in the first month.
We break down what each one actually costs at this size on the
tools page.
cameramicrophoneediting softwarethumbnail tool
Does it hold up for you?
These numbers are the average case. Whether this business clears your target depends on
your capital, your hours and how long you can wait — put them in and see.