In 2022, I took a closer look at my earnings from YouTube as I pondered the possibility of turning content creation into my full-time occupation in 2023. With the year now behind us, it’s time to analyze the revenue generated from my channel, along with total views and the video that earned the most.

To give a quick recap, my channel's growth saw me earning $1,235.55 in 2020 with only 6k subscribers, relying on Google AdSense as my sole revenue stream. Fast forward to 2021, and I reached $7,751.51 with 14k subscribers and diversified into seven revenue sources, marking an impressive 627% growth.

But how did 2022 stack up against this trajectory? Let’s dive in.

Before I continue, I want to clarify that this article isn't about boasting or seeking validation. My goal is to share insights that may assist those interested in content creation or facing challenges with monetization.

In 2022, I gained 8.9k subscribers and achieved 781,412 views, nearly doubling the 467,235 views from the previous year. My average RPM stood at $8.42, while my CPM was $22.85. The video that brought in the most revenue was titled 5 Tips to Take Charge of Your Final Cut Pro Library & Never Run Out of Hard Drive Space Again, which earned $429.47.

My strategy for increasing revenue in 2022 revolved around expanding my income streams from seven to twelve. The most significant contributor to my financial growth came from sponsorships.

Let’s break down the various revenue streams, starting with the least lucrative and working our way to the top.

SUBSCRIBER DONATIONS I received two direct donations totaling $41.06. This figure reflects a 36.83% decrease from 2021, partially due to currency exchange fluctuations.

STOCK CONTENT SALES These earnings came from clips of b-roll footage uploaded to stock sites. I generated $70.82, marking a 21.48% decline from the prior year, largely because I didn’t add any new clips to the stock sites.

PATREON I earned $198.18 through Patreon, which I’ve since closed in favor of YouTube Memberships. Managing content on YouTube has proven easier than delivering value on Patreon, despite my ongoing struggles with consistency.

CONSULTING I earned $700 from consulting a company regarding Final Cut Pro—though it was not Apple.

COACHING I offer one-on-one coaching sessions for Final Cut Pro and YouTube through my website, bringing in $1,124.56 from these services.

For more information, feel free to visit: www.matthewobrien.co

TEACHING & SPEAKING EVENTS I made $1,350 from online seminars, a revenue stream I aim to enhance in 2023.

MEDIUM By adapting some videos into articles on Medium, I earned $1,453.08 in 2022, a staggering 21,332% increase from the previous year's $6.78.

AMAZON ASSOCIATES My Amazon affiliate links generated $1,777.83 from viewers who purchased items within 24 hours of clicking my links, contributing significantly to my monthly income.

DIGITAL PRODUCTS In 2022, I launched digital products like Finder Folder and Final Cut Pro Library templates, earning $4,390 overall.

AFFILIATE SALES From affiliate sales, which involve promoting products and services, I earned $4,766.50, an impressive 185% rise from 2021.

Now, let’s discuss my top two revenue streams…

GOOGLE ADSENSE This year’s earnings included not just ad revenue but also Memberships and Super Chats. I had around 13 channel members contributing monthly, resulting in total earnings of $6,155.89, a 33% increase from 2021.

SPONSORSHIPS Sponsorships emerged as a new revenue source in 2022, earning me $23,900. This success enabled my decision in September to pursue YouTube as a full-time endeavor.

In total, I generated $45,927.92 from my channel, reaching the minimum threshold needed to shift my focus from client video production to YouTube content creation as my primary source of income. While I earned additional revenue locally, I didn't complete any projects that transitioned from proposal to production throughout the entire year.

Reflecting on my earnings from last year, I mentioned that making $8,000 was insufficient for supporting my family and achieving financial stability.

At the start of 2022, if someone had told me I would approach $50,000 from YouTube, I would have considered that ambitious.

What excites me most is the potential for further growth—if I managed to boost my earnings by nearly 500% from 2021 to 2022, what could I achieve in 2023? Even a modest 150% increase would surpass my financial needs, allowing me to tackle student debt and build wealth.

I still have several revenue streams to develop, particularly a Final Cut Pro course, and I can enhance my existing income sources by refining my overall channel strategy and executing it effectively.

So, those are the numbers for 2022. I’m proud of my accomplishments, even if there are things I might have adjusted in hindsight. Overall, I feel good about the execution of my plan from the beginning of the year.

If you have questions or want to discuss your own YouTube journey, feel free to reach out in the comments, email me, or sign up for some YouTube coaching. I’m eager to share insights from my journey and help you navigate the challenges of content creation.

As 2023 begins, I’m committed to my strategy for continued growth. As many of my fellow YouTubers say, “Let’s get it!”

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For more content, check out my YouTube channel where I cover topics on Apple Tech, Filmmaking, and Final Cut Pro:

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