How Much Does It Cost To Start A Youtube Channel? (In 2024)
Looking to start a youtube channel?
But curious about:
- how much it costs to start a youtube channel?
- what are the typical youtube channel startup costs?
- or the actual cost of starting youtube channels?
Well, we have the data to prove it, supported by real youtube channels and how much they actually cost to start.
Let's go over it.
What is the average cost of starting a youtube channel?
Based on our data reported by actual youtube channel founders, the average cost of starting a youtube channel is between $100 and $50,000.
Additionally, our data shows that the the median startup costs for a youtube channel are around $750.
Remember, though, not all youtube channels are the same - and neither are people's budgets. It's important to distinguish between different levels or types of youtube channels
Real World Examples: How much does it cost to start a youtube channel?
We asked real youtube channel founders and business owners how much it actually cost to get started?
Here is what they said:
Michael Morris
Founder of Pursuit of Passive Income ($22K/month)
"Low Startup Cost. You can technically start a blog with about $5.00 although I don’t necessarily recommend it. A bare bones blog can be run using a few tools & plugins that will run you about $150 per month."
Michael Morris is the founder of Pursuit of Passive Income, a blog-based business that helps guide aspiring entrepreneurs in creating passive income streams and achieving financial freedom.
Eric Finch
Founder of Higher Levels ($10K/month)
"Our startup costs were around $500 as we transitioned to our brand Tech Sales Ascension."
Eric is the founder of Tech Sales With Eric, a YouTube channel turned educational platform, Higher Levels, that offers affordable tech sales bootcamps and generates over $10,000 per month in revenue.
Amman Ahmed
Founder of Music For Pets ($83.3K/month)
"In 2011, Amman Ahmed decided to invest what was left of his student loan in a company called Roundwaves, to make soothing audio to help busy people unwind."
Amman Ahmed is the founder of Music For Pets, a "Netflix for pets" business that helps pets relax with soothing audio tracks.
Cinquanta Cox-Smith
Founder of Cinquanta Cox-Smith ($10K/month)
"I started almost all of my businesses with less than $100. I started my Print On Demand business with $0."
Cinquanta Cox-Smith is the founder of Coins and Connections, a Print On Demand business known for its catchy and conversation-starting apparel.
Henrique Chappuis
Founder of Biteplay ($6K/month)
"The MVP took just 2 weeks to build and cost only $400. I registered the domain and it cost $12.99. It really didn't cost much."
Henrique Chappuis is the co-founder of Biteplay, a SaaS business that helps brands optimize their YouTube ad campaigns.
Holly Haller
Founder of Ask Holly Hall ($6K/month)
"I had approached my local entrepreneurial startup government program and pitched my radio project and found an investor. He invested a total of $25,000."
Holly Hall is the founder of Ask Holly Hall, a clairvoyant life coach business that has been endorsed by Dr. Shefali and featured on numerous TV shows, including multiple appearances on Oprah.
Jon Shanahan
Founder of The Kavalier ($6K/month)
"My startup costs were low. I was already buying a lot of clothes for my job, and I just used my phone to shoot videos."
Jon Shanahan is the founder of The Kavalier, a YouTube channel and blog focused on menswear that started in 2015 and has grown to make around $7,000 per month.
Andrew Stokes - Cameron Vilcsak
Founder of MTN SIDE BUILDERS ($40K/month)
"I even paid $10 for advertising on the video just to see what kind of viewers that would bring and how cost effective it was."
Cameron Vilcsak is the founder of Mountain Fire Woodworks, a business specializing in woodworking projects and YouTube content creation.
Aaron Marino
Founder of Pete & Pedro ($600K/month)
"My total investment was less than $5,000 and I didn’t even know if I would sell any."
Aaron Marino is the founder of Pete & Pedro, a premium men's grooming brand that features products like hairstyling aids and fragrances, leveraging his massive YouTube following for initial success.
John Pietrasz
Founder of Delray Watch Supply ($320K/month)
"I started this business with my partner, Federico Iossa (popular from the YouTube series ‘Federico Talks Watches’) 20 months ago with $4,000 in a kitchen, and now see sales of over $3.3 MM annually, at the age of 28."
John Pietrasz is the founder of Delray Watch Supply, a tech-driven luxury watch dealer that focuses on the true watch collectors, casually known as “watch geeks.”
Enjoyed reading these real world examples?
Our platform is full of case studies of successful youtube channels that you can learn from.
Starting a YouTube Channel - What You Should Know:
Starting a YouTube channel involves various costs that can significantly differ based on your approach and needs.
Basic Equipment Costs
At a minimum, you’ll need a decent camera and microphone to start your YouTube channel. A good starter option is a smartphone camera, which most people already own. For those wanting a separate camera, options like the Canon EOS M50 cost around $600. A quality microphone, such as the Blue Yeti, costs about $130. If you decide to invest in lighting, a simple ring light can be found for $20-$50, while professional lighting kits can range from $150 to $500.
Editing Software
Editing software is another expense to consider. Free versions like iMovie or DaVinci Resolve offer basic features, suitable for beginners. However, more advanced software such as Adobe Premiere Pro costs around $20.99 per month. Final Cut Pro, a one-time purchase, is priced at $299.99. Complex editing tasks might necessitate additional plugins or special effects, which can add extra costs ranging from $20 to over $100.
Additional Accessories
Tripods, external storage, and other accessories also add to the cost. A sturdy tripod can range from $20 to $100, depending on its features and durability. External hard drives for extra storage space start at approximately $50 for a 1TB drive, with higher capacities costing proportionately more.
Marketing and Branding
Initially, you might rely on organic growth, which is free but slow. Paid strategies like Google Ads can accelerate your channel's growth. Google Ads campaigns can vary widely but expect to spend at least $5 to $10 per day for effective reach, totaling $150 to $300 per month. Additionally, creating custom channel art and logos might involve hiring a graphic designer, costing between $100 and $500 based on complexity and experience level.
In summary, starting a YouTube channel can be relatively inexpensive if you leverage existing resources and free tools but can quickly become costly as you seek higher production quality and faster growth. Factoring in these potential expenditures will help you budget more effectively as you embark on your YouTube journey.
Potential Costs of Starting a YouTube Channel
Starting a YouTube channel involves various potential costs, which can range from basic equipment purchase to software subscriptions, and professional services if needed. Below is a detailed table outlining potential costs involved.
| Item/Service | Description | Cost Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Camera | High-quality video recording device | $300 - $2000 |
| Microphone | Professional audio recording device | $50 - $300 |
| Lighting | Set of studio lights for improved video quality | $50 - $300 |
| Tripod/Gimbal | Stabilization equipment for steady shots | $20 - $500 |
| External Storage | SSD or HDD for storing video files | $50 - $200 |
| Editing Software | Professional video editing software (e.g., Adobe Premiere Pro) | $240/year (Adobe Premiere Pro) |
| Thumbnail Creation Software | Graphic design software for attractive thumbnails (e.g., Canva) | Free - $120/year (Canva Pro) |
| Screen Recording Software | Software for recording your screen (e.g., OBS Studio) | Free - $300 (Camtasia) |
| Green Screen | Equipment for background effects | $50 - $150 |
| Music & Sound Effects | Royalty-free music and sound effects subscription (e.g., Epidemic Sound) | $15/month (Epidemic Sound) |
| Stock Footage & Images | Subscription for high-quality stock footage and images | $10 - $50/month |
| SEO Tools | Tools for optimizing video titles, tags, and descriptions | Free - $50/month |
| Internet Connection | High-speed internet for upload and streaming | $40 - $100/month |
| Thumbnail Design Service | Hiring a professional designer for thumbnail creation | $10 - $50 per thumbnail |
| Video Editing Service | Hiring a freelance editor for video editing | $50 - $300 per video |
| Channel Art & Logo Design | Professional design for channel art and logos | $50 - $200 |
| Analytics Tools | Tools for in-depth channel analytics | Free - $50/month |
| Content Research Tools | Tools to help with content ideas and trends | Free - $50/month |
| Office/Studio Space | Renting space to shoot videos | $100 - $500/month |
| Legal Fees | Consulting a lawyer for copyright issues | $50 - $300/hour |
| Marketing/Promotion | Advertising budget for channel promotion | $50 - $500/month |
These costs can vary widely based on your specific needs and the quality of services or equipment you choose. Starting small with essential items can help manage your initial budget, and you can scale up your investments as your channel grows.
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
