I tried to write this email last week and deleted it.
It was about hitting $50,000 in total revenue from my YouTube business.
But when I read it back, it felt gross. Like I was bragging. Like I was one of those guys who posts income screenshots on Twitter with a "here's how you can too" thread underneath.
That's not me. So I scrapped it.
The truth is, I'm not sure how to feel about it.
On one hand, it feels like a milestone worth sharing, so that others feel encouraged to take a bet on themselves, the same way I have.
On the other hand... well, I'll get to that.
I suppose the best way to handle a sensitive topic like money is to just be objective about it and let you decide if it's good or bad.
So here it is. The real version. Not the curated one.
I've crossed $50,000 in total business revenue. And it took me 20 months. That's about $2,500 a month.
I've been working 60-hour weeks for over a year.
That's about $10/hour.
The "creator lifestyle" of working from anywhere, 4 hours a day?
That my friends, is nowhere in sight. I've been in pure hustle mode and will be for as far as the eye can see.
Most of my earnings came from coaching and mentorship — helping people like you figure out YouTube strategy, content, and growth.
Most of it has also been incredibly rewarding. Usually my days don't feel like work at all, but rather a massive project I'm simply tending too.
And while $50K over 20 months doesn't sound all that aspirational on paper, there's one part I am quite proud of…
It's the trend.
The last 5+ consecutive months, I've cleared $5k. And I know that's not life-changing money. But it's a positive signal, and an important one that validates what I'm doing.
But here's the part I almost left out.
I still feel behind.
I look at other creators who started around the same time I did and they're further along.
More subscribers. Bigger launches. More revenue. And that comparison voice in my head is loud.
You probably know exactly what I'm talking about.
Maybe you look at channels in your niche that started after you and already passed you. Maybe you wonder if you're doing something wrong. Maybe you've thought about quitting because the gap between where you are and where you want to be feels impossible.
To answer your question. No, there is no amount of success on YouTube that quiets the comparison voice.
It's something, I've learned, we simply live with.
But here's another thing I've learned sitting on both sides of this, as someone who feels behind AND as someone who's earning a full-time income from YouTube:
The trend matters more than the total.
Your version of this might be 100 views per video turning into 300. Or 3 new subs a month turning into 30.
More often than not, it's hard to see the momentum, unless you really look for it.
But momentum is the thing that actually matters.
So if you're in that messy middle right now, past the excitement of starting but nowhere near the payoff you're working toward, I just want you to know:
This shit is hard.
But also doable.
It takes a lot of time to build momentum, but once you do, things start to feel inevitable.
So I think the message is this.
Cravings are the root of unhappiness.
So go find the gratitude for where you are right now in this moment.
It's there somewhere, but you have to choose it.
And if you devote your time to giving freely and with intention.
You will be rewarded, in time.
Talk soon,
Ty
P.S. If you want help finally building that momentum for your channel, book a call.
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