THE SIMPLE CHAPTER: YouTube Channel Growth

March 04, 2025

How Much I Made in My First Month on YouTube – Monetization Breakdown

It’s analytics day! Today, I’m diving into my first month of being monetized on YouTube—how much I made, what worked, what didn’t, and what I’ve learned along the way.

If you prefer watching instead of reading, check out the full video on my YouTube channel! Watching the video helps support my content and gives you a real-time look at my analytics and what I've learnt.

Breaking Down My YouTube Earnings

Before getting into the total earnings for February, let’s start with my most recent week of analytics. For Monday, March 3rd, my channel had:

2.0k views

8 new subscribers (thank you for subscribing!)

Estimated revenue: $2.78

As you can see, earnings fluctuate quite a bit. Here’s how my weekly earnings looked for my first month:

Week 1: $3.13

Week 2: $1.70

Week 3: $1.98

Week 4: $3.78

That brings me to a total of $10.57 for February.

Shorts vs. Long-Form Videos – What’s Making More Money?

This week, my most-viewed content was actually Shorts:

Should I Keep Uploading Shorts? – 521 views

An analytics short – 199 views

A decluttering short – 163 views

However, I want my long-form videos to perform better since they bring in more revenue. Here’s what I found:

Shorts earned me $1.61 this week.

Long-form videos also made $1.61, but with fewer views.

Long-form videos bring in more subscribers than Shorts.

The takeaway? Long-form content is better for channel growth and revenue. While Shorts can bring in views, they don’t translate to earnings or subscribers as effectively.

Revenue Breakdown – Where Did My Earnings Come From?

Looking at my revenue sources:

Watch page ads: $2.10 (ads during long-form videos)

Shorts feed ads: $1.61

YouTube Premium earnings: $0.13

This shows that long-form videos contribute more to my earnings than Shorts, even if Shorts get more views.

My Total YouTube Earnings Since Monetization

I started tracking my monetization journey on January 5th, and as of March 3rd, I’ve made a total of $13.35 and gained 36 subscribers.

While it’s not a lot, I’m staying consistent, learning more each week, and making gradual progress.

What Helped My Channel Grow?

This week, I took steps to grow my channel:

1. Joined creator communities – Learning from others keeps me motivated and accountable.

2. Kept videos simple – Instead of overcomplicating edits, I focused on creating engaging yet straightforward content.

3. Decluttered my workspace – A cleaner space helps me stay productive and focused.

What I Struggled With

Despite my progress, I faced some challenges:

Seeing new creators get monetized and earn $1,000 in their first month was tough, especially since my goal is just $100.

Balancing content creation with life as a new parent has been overwhelming at times.

Investing in the right equipment without overspending—while I gave up on getting a gimbal, I did buy a tripod with built-in lighting, which has been a great addition.

What’s Next for My YouTube Journey?

I’m going to:

Prioritize long-form content to increase revenue and subscriber growth.

Continue learning from fellow creators to improve my strategy.

Keep my workflow simple to avoid burnout while staying consistent.

Whats Next?

Building a monetized YouTube channel takes time, patience, and consistency. While my first month’s earnings aren’t life-changing, they represent real progress. If you’re also on this journey, know that small wins add up over time.

Want to see my analytics in real-time? Watch the full video on YouTube! And if you enjoyed this post, don’t forget to subscribe to my channel for weekly updates on my monetization journey!

March 04, 2025

Making $100 On YouTube While Decluttering My Life (Week 4)

Starting a YouTube channel and making money from it sounds easy in theory—upload videos, get views, and watch the cash roll in. But the reality? It’s a grind. If you’ve ever wondered how long it actually takes to make money on YouTube, you’re in the right place.

I’m documenting my journey as a small YouTuber trying to reach that first $100 payout, and this is my Week 4 earnings update. In case you missed it here is week 1, week 2, week 3.

In this post I’ll break down my total earnings so far, what’s working, what’s not, and whether YouTube Shorts are actually helping my growth.

If you would prefer to watch the video, you can do so here.

Monetization Basics: What It Takes to Get Paid on YouTube

Before diving into my earnings, let’s quickly cover how YouTube monetization works.

To qualify for the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) and start earning ad revenue, you need:

1,000 subscribers

4,000 watch hours in the last 12 months OR 10 million public Shorts views in the last 90 days

Once you meet those requirements and get approved, you start earning from ads, memberships, Super Chats, and other revenue streams. Now let’s get into my numbers.

Week 4: YouTube Growth and Earnings Update

My YouTube Stats This Week

Here’s a breakdown of my channel’s performance in the past 7 days:

Total views: 1,125

New subscribers: +14

Watch hours: 89.6

Total earnings so far: $10.57

Not exactly life-changing money, right? But every dollar earned feels like a milestone when you’re starting from scratch.

How Am I Making Money Right Now?

At this stage, my earnings come mainly from:

1. Ad Revenue (Google AdSense)

Since I’ve hit the YouTube Partner Program requirements, I’m earning a small amount from ads on my videos.

RPM (Revenue Per 1,000 Views): $9.40

CPM (Cost Per 1,000 Impressions): $21.30

These numbers fluctuate depending on video topics, audience location, and time of year.

2. YouTube Shorts Bonus? Not Yet

I’ve experimented with YouTube Shorts to boost my reach, but so far, my Shorts aren’t making much money. The RPM on Shorts is extremely low compared to long-form content.

What’s Working and What’s Not?

✅ What’s Helping My Channel Grow?

1. Consistent Uploads: I’m posting at least twice a week, keeping my audience engaged.

2. Video Titles & Thumbnails Matter: My best-performing video has a curiosity-driven title and an eye-catching thumbnail.

3. Longer Videos = More Watch Time: Videos over 8 minutes tend to perform better because they allow for mid-roll ads (which means more revenue potential).

❌ What’s NOT Working?

1. Shorts Are Not Driving Substantial Revenue: They bring in views and subs, but the ad revenue is minimal compared to long-form videos.

2. Click-Through Rate (CTR) Needs Work: My CTR is 4.8%, but higher-performing YouTube channels aim for 6-10%. This means I need better thumbnails and titles.

3. Engagement Needs Improvement: Comments and likes help with video reach, so I need to encourage more interaction.

How Long Until I Hit $100?

Based on my current earnings of $10.57 in 4 weeks, it could take around 8-10 more months to hit the first $100 payout—unless I increase my views, upload frequency, or try other monetization methods.

My Plan for Faster YouTube Growth

To speed up the process, here’s what I’m focusing on:

Creating More High-Value Videos (solving real problems for my audience)

Boosting My CTR (testing new thumbnail styles)

Experimenting With Different Video Lengths (to see what works best)

Increasing Engagement (asking more questions and engaging with comments)

Final Thoughts: Is YouTube Worth It?

If you’re starting a YouTube channel, be prepared for a marathon, not a sprint. Growth takes time, but if you enjoy creating content, it’s 100% worth the effort.

Are you also trying to grow your YouTube channel? Drop a comment below! Let’s share tips and support each other.

February 28, 2025

How YouTube Changed My Life: 8 Lessons My Experience

A year ago, I was inconsistent, unsure, and honestly scared to put myself out there. Now, with around 2,000 subscribers, I finally feel like I’m on the right path. But it wasn’t always this way.

Today, I’m sharing how YouTube has impacted my life, what I’ve learned, and how I balance it with motherhood and trying to declutter my whole life and home. If you’ve ever felt unsure or stuck about starting YouTube, then this post is for you.

If you prefer to watch instead, you can check out the full video here: How YouTube has changed my life (with 2k subscribers) and 8 Tips for Growth

1. Consistency Over Perfection

This was a big struggle for me. I’m such a perfectionist, and letting go of that mindset was hard. My YouTube journey has been inconsistent, but for the past month, I’ve finally committed to showing up regularly.

What I’ve learned? Even if a video doesn’t do well at first, it might take off later. I have videos that started gaining traction weeks after I posted them. So, don’t be discouraged if your views are low in the beginning—your content has a long shelf life.

2. Overcoming Fear and Judgment

I’ve wanted to be on YouTube since it first became a thing. My first video was over 10 years ago, and I was so nervous speaking to the camera. I was young, shy, and not ready for criticism.

Now, I care a lot less about what others think. The older I get, the more I realize that the opinions of others don’t pay my bills. If fear is holding you back, just remember: the people who matter will support you. And the ones who don’t? They’re not your audience anyway.

3. Finding What Works

I’m still figuring out what content resonates with my audience. My most popular video? A jet ski trip in New Zealand. My second most popular? A beauty unboxing.

Completely different topics, completely different audiences.

So, if you’re overthinking your content, just post it. You never know what will take off.

4. Balancing Motherhood and YouTube

I film when my baby is sleeping or when her dad is playing with her after work. Editing happens in the kitchen while I keep an eye on her.

One of the biggest time savers? I stopped sourcing music for my videos. Now, I let natural sounds take over, whether it’s the wind chimes at home or the background noise of daily life.

If something in your process is slowing you down, ask yourself:

Can I simplify it?

Can I remove it completely?

5. YouTube as a Financial and Creative Outlet

Right now, I’m not making much money on YouTube. But I know that as I keep posting, my videos will compound, and I’ll be able to contribute more financially to my family.

My long-term goal? To reinvest my YouTube income into outsourcing tasks so I can free up more time for my family while continuing to grow my channel.

If you’re starting YouTube, ask yourself: Why? If it’s financial, what will that money provide for you? If it’s creative, what does that outlet mean to you? The clearer your ‘why,’ the easier it is to stay motivated.

6. Staying Motivated and Showing Up Authentically

In the past, I overthought everything. I had to have my hair done, makeup on, perfect lighting. Editing took forever. Now? I just show up as I am.

Yeah, sometimes I watch my videos back and wish I looked different, but at the end of the day, this is me. And when I watch my favorite creators, I realize the ones I connect with most aren’t overproduced—they’re just real.

So, my challenge to you: Make a video in your most raw and natural state. And post it.

7. Learning as I Go

Most of what I know, I’ve learned from watching other YouTubers, experimenting, and using tools like vidIQ (affiliate). I’ve also asked ChatGPT for help when I get stuck.

If you’re overwhelmed, break it down. Focus on learning one thing each week. One week, it could be SEO. Another, thumbnails. Another, writing better descriptions. Over time, it all adds up.

8. Supporting Other Small YouTubers

I’m not just here to grow my own channel—I want to help others, too. I love finding smaller creators and hyping them up. I used to follow all the big YouTubers, but now? Most of my favorite creators are small channels.

There’s something real and raw about watching someone at the start of their journey. It helps me stay inspired and reminds me that we’re all figuring this out as we go.

Final Thoughts

If you’re thinking about starting a YouTube channel, my biggest advice is: Just start. It doesn’t have to be perfect. You don’t need fancy equipment. You don’t even need to know your niche right away.

What matters most is showing up.

So, what’s holding you back? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear your story.

And if you prefer watching instead, don’t forget to check out my video here: How YouTube has changed my life

February 19, 2025

Making $100 on YouTube While Decuttering My Life (Week 3)

making money on youtube while decluttering my life - week 3 - dried flowers

Welcome back to another update on my journey to making $100 on YouTube! This is week three, and while I have some progress to report, I also have a few struggles to share. But first, let’s quickly talk about my decluttering progress (or lack thereof) before we dive into my YouTube analytics and lessons learned.

If you missed it, here is week 1 and week 2.

If you'd prefer to watch the video you can watch the full Making Money on YouTune Playlist here or this weeks video below:

Decluttering Update (Or Lack of It)

If you’ve been following along, you know that I film in the absolute worst part of my house. Why? Because this is where I have everything that needs to be decluttered. And if I’m being honest, I don’t think I made any real progress this week. But hey, we’re not here to judge!

One thing I’ve noticed is that wanting to film my decluttering process has made me procrastinate. I keep thinking about how I should structure it, and I don’t want to declutter everything off-camera and miss valuable footage. So, instead of making progress, I’ve been putting it off. Plus, life with Bubba has been extra busy this week. But anyway, let’s move on to what you’re really here for—my YouTube analytics.

YouTube Analytics: Week 3 Breakdown

So, I actually filmed this whole analytics section before and then realized I wasn’t screen recording. Yep, had to do it all over again. Classic.

Before we get into the numbers, I need to clarify something. When I shared my revenue last week, that was actually the total for the first two weeks combined. Also, YouTube’s estimated revenue isn’t always accurate—it takes a few days to fully update. So, while I’ll give you my estimated earnings each week, the real total will be more accurate at the end of the month.

Now, let’s check out the stats:

Week 1: 1.2K views

Week 2: 1.8K views

Week 3: 1.2K views (back to week one numbers)

In terms of subscribers, I gained 11 new subscribers this week! Thank you so much for your support. It really means a lot, especially since I was actually losing subscribers when I first started posting again.

Estimated Revenue: $1.98 for the week. Not life-changing yet, but progress is progress!

Video Performance Breakdown

My best-performing video this week was a YouTube Short, which isn’t surprising since Shorts typically get way more views. It was a snippet from my house tour video.

The next best-performing video was last week’s update, which I think did better because of my improved thumbnail and a catchy title: My YouTube Journey from 0 to 100 While Decluttering My Life. It really sums up what these videos are about, and it’s great to see that kind of engagement.

This week, I posted two long-form videos and two Shorts—which is less than I originally planned, but I’ll explain why in a bit.

What I Did to Grow My Channel This Week

1. Posted Consistently

I made sure to upload at least two videos. One was this analytics update, and the other was my home tour video. Since my decluttering process is ongoing, I decided to split the tour into a two-part series. That way, I can show the “before” now and the “after” later.

2. Learned More About YouTube SEO

I did some research on search engine optimization (SEO) for YouTube. This includes optimizing titles, descriptions, and tags to help boost my videos. I even went back to old videos and updated their SEO to see if it helps them gain more traction.

3. Started Tracking My Analytics

I downloaded a spreadsheet from Rob the Maritimer on YouTube and started logging my metrics. I even went back to the beginning of my channel and realized that I had two viral videos—and I had no idea at the time!

If I had known, I could have capitalized on those topics. Lesson learned: I’ll be tracking my analytics much more closely from now on.

4. Improved My Filming Settings

I tweaked my phone settings to get better video quality. This week’s video might look a little different because of that, but I’ll keep experimenting to find the best settings for my content.

Challenges I Faced This Week

1. Equipment Struggles

Last week, I bought a gimbal and a selfie mirror for my phone. This week, I ended up returning both. The gimbal didn’t work out, and I don’t think I need to invest in one just yet. Instead, I’d rather put that money toward a microphone, which I’m currently researching.

2. Storage Issues

My phone and computer keeps running out of storage, which has made filming more frustrating than it should be. I need to figure out a better system for managing my files.

3. Editing Problems with Filmora

I ran into issues while trying to create Shorts from my longer videos. Because of this, I wasn’t able to post as many Shorts as I wanted this week. Filmora support is looking into the issue, so fingers crossed it gets fixed soon.

4. Multiple Takes for One Video:

This was the biggest headache. I filmed one of my videos three times because:

The first take had audio sync issues with the app I was using.

The second take didn’t sync my voice and the screen recording.

The third take finally worked.

That’s hours of work lost, which is super frustrating. Hopefully, I won’t have to deal with that again next week.

Final Thoughts: Enjoying the Process

Despite the challenges, I’m really happy with how my channel is progressing. I’ve had people subscribe just to support me, and I’ve gotten some really kind comments. That kind of encouragement means the world.

I also feel like I’m finally enjoying the process instead of stressing over perfection. When I first started YouTube, I felt a lot of pressure to have everything figured out—my niche, my strategy, my audience. But now, I’m embracing the journey. I know things will fall into place over time, and for now, I just want to experiment and learn.

If you’ve made it this far, thank you for reading! If you’re on a similar YouTube journey, let me know in the comments what’s working for you and what struggles you’re facing. Let’s grow together!

See you next week for another update!

February 11, 2025

Making $100 On YouTube While Decluttering My Life (Week 2)

Welcome back to my journey of making $100 on YouTube! It’s now week two, and I’ve learned so much in just a short amount of time. From subscriber growth to the challenges of technology,

I’ve been documenting every step of the process as I work toward this goal.

In case you missed my first post its titled you can find it here.

In todays post, I’ll chat to you about my progress this week, the obstacles I faced, what worked, and what didn’t.

I’ll also share how much I’ve made so far, along with insights on what’s helping my channel grow (and what’s slowing me down). So grab a coffee and let’s get into the details of my YouTube journey as a small channel!

If you'd like to watch the video instead you can check it out here:

The State of My YouTube Channel: Subscriber Growth & Revenue

I’m excited to report that my channel is steadily growing. As of this week, I have 2,336 subscribers, which is a nice little jump from 2,328 last week. Though the increase might seem small, considering I’ve been inconsistent in posting, it’s a win for me.

I’ve also made $4.83 this week, which is a step up from the $3.13 I made last week. It may not sound like much yet, but it’s progress, and I’m inching closer to my $100 goal!

Breaking down the numbers, in the last 7 days, I made $1.92.

The bulk of my revenue is still coming from the first video in my “Making $100 on YouTube” series. This video has been performing the best because it has had a bit more time to accumulate views, and I suspect more people are interested in the concept of monetizing YouTube rather than watching a video about a caravan trip (my second video this week).

But hey, we’re just getting started, and I’m hoping the revenue will continue to rise as my content matures.

I’m also seeing some growth in my viewership. The total views on my channel for the week reached 724, which is encouraging considering I’m still building up my content library. And though I’ve had some losses in subscribers over the past week, it’s refreshing to see an overall increase in the numbers. As I continue posting consistently, I expect these figures to grow steadily.

The Struggle With Decluttering and Filming in My Wardrobe

A little side note—if you’ve been following my journey, you know that I film in the worst part of my house: a wardrobe. It’s been part of my ongoing decluttering project, which has been an interesting (and often overwhelming) process. I had hoped that every week, my filming space would become cleaner, but honestly, it’s looked worse. I keep moving things around instead of making real progress, and I’ll admit I procrastinate a lot. This week, I managed to declutter a few things, but there’s still so much to do. It’s been a challenge to stay on top of everything with a 3-month-old baby in the mix.

I’ve realised that I tend to be a chaotic declutterer—everything gets thrown in one space before I start organising. It’s overwhelming, but I’m pushing through it.

By the time this post is live, I hope to have made a bit more progress on the background. I know that when I tidy it up, I’ll feel more productive, and that will likely reflect in my videos, too.

My Video Strategy: Two Long-Form Videos & Six Shorts

This week, I focused on posting two long-form videos and six shorts (three for each video). I’ve learned that shorts are a great way to attract viewers to my longer videos, so I’ve been putting extra effort into creating engaging and catchy shorts. One of the long-form videos I uploaded this week was about a caravan trip I took with my newborn. The video focused on simplifying travel and living without all the creature comforts of home, which I thought would be an interesting watch for my audience who are interested in simplifying life.

The caravan video didn’t perform as well as the first video in the series, but that’s to be expected. I’ve been brainstorming upcoming video ideas that tie into my decluttering journey, as I think that will resonate with my audience. As I continue to simplify my life and tackle this overwhelming clutter, I plan on documenting the process to inspire others who might be going through similar struggles.

Struggles with Technology: Lag, Low Storage, and Editing Challenges

One of the biggest obstacles I faced this week was with my tech. My computer has been running out of storage space, even though I have two massive hard drives. The problem is that these hard drives aren't SSD drives (solid-state drives), which would speed up data transfer and prevent lag, and I don't have enough RAM (apparently). I’ve been dealing with frustrating playback issues while editing, where the video freezes, and it’s been tough to get things done efficiently.

To make matters worse, I experienced quality loss while editing my caravan video. My export settings weren’t optimal, and I’m pretty upset about how the video turned out. I’ve had a heart to heart with ChatGPT for advice on improving my video editing process, and I’m learning a lot.

To simplify things moving forward, I’ve decided to film with my iPhone and focus on mastering its settings for better video quality.

Additionally, I was hoping that some new gear I purchased—a mirror for my rear-facing camera and a gimbal—would help improve my video quality, but both items were a disappointment. I’m returning them because the audio didn’t sync up properly, and the quality wasn’t up to par. I’ve learned a valuable lesson here: I’ll stick to what I already have and work on improving my skills with the equipment I’m comfortable with.

The Decluttering Struggle: Finding Balance as a New Mum

As a first-time mum at 40 with a 3-month-old, finding balance is a challenge. Since having my baby, I’ve noticed that I’ve become a bit of a hoarder. I used to be the type of person who would throw everything away, but now I’ve started collecting things like boxes, wrapping paper and old receipts. I'm not sure if this is anything to do with nesting?

I’m trying to get back to my pre-baby self, the one who was okay with letting things go, but it’s proving difficult. My current goal is to tackle the clutter slowly, one section at a time. In the coming weeks, I plan on making videos documenting my decluttering process to share with you who might be in a similar situation. It’s something I’m passionate about, and I believe it could help others who are overwhelmed by their own clutter.

Improving My Thumbnails and Experimenting with New Tools

This week, I also worked on improving my thumbnails. I’ve been using VidIQ to learn about optimising my video titles and thumbnails for better click-through rates. I know that thumbnails are a key factor in getting more views, so I’m spending more time on these aspects of my videos. I’m learning as I go and experimenting with different approaches to see what resonates with my audience.

What’s Next?

As we head into week three, I’m excited about continuing this journey. I’ll be posting more videos about my decluttering process and sharing how I’m tackling the challenges of motherhood while building my YouTube channel. I’m looking forward to refining my video editing process, experimenting with new tools, and gradually improving my content quality.

It’s been a rollercoaster of a week, but I’m determined to stay on track and hit that $100 mark. I know it won’t happen overnight, but every step forward counts. Stay tuned for next week’s update, where I’ll dive deeper into the challenges I’ve faced and how I’ve been adjusting my strategy to overcome them.

Thanks for following along on this journey with me. I hope it’s been insightful, and I look forward to sharing more with you next time!

February 04, 2025

Making $100 On YouTube While Decluttering My Life (Week 1)

Have you ever wondered if making money on YouTube is actually possible? Well, I’m bringing you along on my journey to making my first $100 on YouTube. There’s no sugarcoating here—just real analytics, the highs and lows, and everything in between.

If you'd prefer to watch a video you can do so here, or keep reading.

Where I’m Starting From

My channel is monetized and has been for a while, but I still haven’t reached the $100 threshold to get my first payout. In fact, since my last video, I’ve actually lost subscribers. That’s just part of the process—people unsubscribe when they realize my content isn’t for them, and that’s okay. I want an audience that truly connects with my journey.

My Current YouTube Analytics

Views: 1.2K

Watch Hours: 22.4

Subscribers: Lost 2 in the last 28 days

Estimated Revenue: $3.13

I’ve been on YouTube for around three years and have yet to receive a paycheck. But that’s about to change.

Why I’m Taking YouTube More Seriously

I’m a stay-at-home mum who was working in digital marketing and social media management. However, juggling serious client work with a new baby wasn’t easy. I wanted to be present for my child’s milestones, and with daycare costing $147 per day, it didn’t make financial sense to return to work full-time. So, I decided to put more focus on growing my YouTube channel and diversifying my income.
What’s Working So Far

The latest video I posted is performing the best on my channel, which is a great sign.

However, my average view duration is 1 minute and 52 seconds, meaning most people aren’t watching my videos all the way through.

My main traffic sources are browse features and YouTube search, and I’m happy to see that 22 of my viewers are returning viewers.

Thank you for sticking around!

What I’m Doing to Grow My Channel

This week, I’m implementing a few key strategies:

Posting Two Videos a Week

One video will focus on my niche topics.

The other will document my YouTube growth journey (like this one!).

Topics I’ll Be Covering:

My minimalism journey (or “mediumism,” as I call it)

Decluttering my home

Our recent caravan trip with a newborn

Motherhood at 40, this includes product reviews

...and more

Upgrading My Editing Software

I was using iMovie and CapCut, but since CapCut switched to a subscription model, I’ve moved to Filmora. I considered Final Cut Pro, but the learning curve is steep, and I don’t have the time for that right now.

Learning YouTube Analytics & vidIQ

Understanding my analytics better will help me improve my content strategy.

vidIQ is a tool I’m exploring to optimize my videos for search.

Letting Go of Perfectionism

I’m focusing on consistency over perfection, so I can actually get content out there instead of overanalysing every little detail.

Wrapping It Up

This journey is just getting started, and I’ll be sharing my progress weekly. I’ll track my analytics, refine my strategies, and let you know what’s working (and what’s not). Hopefully, by staying consistent, I’ll hit that $100 milestone soon.

Thanks for following along—let’s see what happens next week!

(P.S. If you were wondering about the spider in the video… don’t worry, it wasn’t real!)