If you've spent any time in the YouTube communities on Reddit lately, you've probably come across a few threads discussing a rather alarming trend: big creators are leaving YouTube.
This influx of posts highlights a growing concern within the YouTube community lately. But why is this happening, and more importantly, how can it be addressed? Let’s delve into the reasons behind this issue and how Breeze could actually provide the support that these creators need.
Burnout: The Silent Epidemic Among Creators
One of the primary reasons big creators are leaving YouTube is burnout. The pressure to constantly produce high-quality content can be overwhelming. Creators often wear multiple hats – they are writers, directors, editors, marketers, and sometimes even actors in their videos. The workload can be staggering, leading to physical and mental exhaustion.
Consider the case of Jenna Marbles, a beloved YouTube creator who announced her departure from the platform in 2020. Jenna cited mental health reasons and the overwhelming pressure of constantly producing content as key factors in her decision. Similarly, creators like Liza Koshy and PewDiePie have taken extended breaks from YouTube due to burnout.
Creators need more than just financial support – they honestly need a team. That’s why at Breeze, we provide fair and easy funding so that creators are able to hire professionals who can take on some of the workload. Imagine having a dedicated editor, a social media manager, or a production assistant. This not only lightens the load but also allows creators to focus on what they do best: creating content. With our funding, creators can invest in a team that helps them maintain a healthy work-life balance, reducing the risk of burnout and ensuring their longevity on the platform.
Loss of Control Over Content
Another big issue we’ve noticed that has been driving creators away from YouTube is the loss of control over their content. Many creators work with other companies that provide funding opportunities but end up taking control of their channels and even buying their back catalogs. This can be devastating for creators who not only value their independence and creative freedom, but take pride in all of the content that they’ve created.
Take Smosh for example. One of YouTube's oldest and most popular channels. In 2019, Rhett and Link's company, Mythical Entertainment, bought Smosh. While this provided the creators with much-needed financial stability, it also meant they no longer had full control over their channel. However, our team at Breeze was able to help provide funding and as a result, Smosh was able to buy back their channel and regain control over their content.
Getting financial help can be great but it often comes with a big cost of losing ownership. Breeze offers a different approach — we provide funding without taking control of your channel. Our goal is to empower creators, not to own their content. By partnering with Breeze, creators can receive the financial support they need while maintaining complete creative control. This ensures that their vision remains intact and that they can continue to produce content that resonates with their audience.
Managing Multiple Revenue Streams
Handling multiple external revenue sources like sponsorships, brand deals, subscriptions, and monetization platforms (i.e. Patreon) can be incredibly challenging. Many creators rely on these revenue streams to stay afloat, but managing them can be time-consuming and stressful. Each revenue source comes with its own set of requirements, deadlines, and expectations, which can detract from the time and energy creators need to produce content.
Creators like Marques Brownlee (MKBHD) and Casey Neistat have openly discussed the complexities of juggling various revenue streams. While these sources of income are essential, they often come with strings attached, making it difficult for creators to focus on their core content. It also takes a lot of time to receive payouts from brand deals and sponsorships. Some creators even wait up to a month to receive payment for a campaign. It gets annoying having to wait months and keep track of all the brand deals that you’re doing, especially when you have important things that you need to pay for.
With Breeze, creators can get the funding they need in just a few weeks, without the hassle of managing multiple revenue streams. This funding can be used however they see fit, whether it's investing in new equipment, hiring additional team members, or simply providing a financial cushion. By streamlining their revenue sources, Breeze allows creators to focus on what they do best – creating content. This not only improves the quality of their work but also reduces stress and increases satisfaction in their career choice.
Stagnant Content Due to Lack of Funds
Many creators have big dreams for their channels but lack the funds to bring those ideas to life. This can lead to stagnant content, where creators feel stuck producing the same type of videos over and over again. The inability to innovate and expand can be incredibly frustrating and ultimately drive creators away from the platform.
Creators like Philip DeFranco and Grace Helbig have talked about the challenges of keeping their content fresh and engaging. Without the necessary funds to invest in new ideas, equipment, or travel, creators can feel limited in what they can produce. If creators continue to feel like they’re stuck in one place when it comes to producing content, many of them feel like the only logical thing to do is disconnect from YouTube and find an alternative way to fulfil their creative purpose.
Breeze funding can honestly be a game-changer for creators looking to expand their content. With access to capital, creators can invest in higher quality production, explore new formats, and even cover travel costs for unique content ideas. We have creators using their funding for things like travel costs, product purchasing, content expansion, starting a podcast, etc. The world is their oyster! By providing the financial support needed to innovate, Breeze helps creators keep their content fresh and exciting, ultimately keeping them engaged and motivated.
Is there hope for Big Creators on YouTube?
Yes! The surge of big creators leaving YouTube is a multifaceted issue, but it's not without solutions. Burnout, loss of control over content, managing multiple revenue streams, and stagnant content due to lack of funds are all challenges that can be addressed with the right support. And that’s what we’re here for! At Breeze, we understand that these are struggles for real people and we want to help creators stay on YouTube by providing the funding and resources they need to thrive.
By working with Breeze, creators can:
- Hire a team to alleviate burnout and manage their workload.
- Maintain complete creative control over their channels.
- Simplify their revenue streams, reducing stress and increasing focus on content creation.
- Invest in their channels, bringing new and exciting ideas to life.
We believe that by addressing these key issues, we can help keep talented creators on YouTube, where they can continue to entertain, educate, and inspire their audiences. If you're a creator facing any of these challenges, reach out to Breeze today and see how we can help you stay on the platform and achieve your goals.
