The rise of Youtube and other video sharing sites and the industry of content creators supporting them has changed the way we think about media and who produces it.

Enterprising individuals or groups of outgoing, aspiring entrepreneurs create videos documenting their lives, commenting on current events, presenting how to do DIY projects, creating independent films, narrating video game play by play, or recording comedic situations are able to make a living providing entertainment to the masses.   In an earlier time, this fantasy would be dismissed as pure nonsense and a swift verbal kick from a voice of reason would follow. You cannot do this. In the real world, you need to get a job and do something with yourself. Instead, for some people, this is their job! And many do quite well for themselves.

In reality, it is not as simple as it sounds. Viral videos do not grow on trees and throwing a channel on Youtube or gameplay from the latest DOTA on Twitch does not mean you will be an overnight sensation or a millionaire. The reality is that success takes work, dedication, and persistence. There may be a few exceptions to this, but contrary to the naysayers criticism there is work involved. Many content creators plan and strategize how to present their content. The content creator may work with a video editor and artist to create custom graphics to incorporate into the final product. Some creators learn how to use applications to increase the quality of the video to be presented and spend time learning how to produce and create film. In turn, the content creator may be the script writer, artist, and director of their own content by themselves. Then there is the challenge of accumulating subscribers, building a brand, getting more views, and generating revenue from ads, brand products, direct product marketing, and other services.

Being successful in the content creation industry is not a foregone conclusion. Distribution of content and its availability does not equal riches by default. It takes work and aspiring entrants should not just assume that if they make a jackass of themselves that they will be successful financially and gain fame and fandom. In truth, you may have to work a more traditional job while working towards making your channel a hit. What if the channel does not take off? Would an employer want to hire you even with all the skills you have learned from this experience? Promoting and attempting to profit off illegal or illicit content can have an audience, but if the audience does not support you then not only did you fail to profit from it you burned your personal reputation in the process. Sometimes there is no reward unless you take a risk, but this does not mean you should burn bridges or opportunities haphazardly and create headaches for yourself down the road without a thought. Be careful out there.