Ending PhantomStrider (and why it's ending)

Summary

Phantom Strider, a YouTuber known for his engaging content, is facing financial struggles due to a dramatic drop in views. Unable to sustain himself on ad revenue alone, he must consider returning to full-time work as an electrician or plumber. He expresses gratitude for his time on YouTube and the community he's built. In a bid to save his channel, he's turned to Patreon, hoping that $2-5 monthly patrons can provide the support needed to continue creating content. He promises authenticity and treats his audience as equals, not just numbers.

Takeaways

• 🚫 The YouTuber 'Phantom Strider' is ending his channel due to an inability to afford living expenses as views have dropped dramatically.
• 📉 The decline in views has made it impossible to cover basic costs like rent and bills, which were previously covered by ad revenue.
• 🔧 As a result, he plans to return to full-time work, possibly as an electrician or plumber.
• 🌌 There's a slim chance that if enough people become patrons ($2-5 per month), he could continue making videos and they would essentially become his new bosses.
• 🙏 He expresses gratitude for the years spent on YouTube and the community he's built.
• 🎥 He's been working long hours on editing, writing, and filming to maintain content for his remaining viewers.
• 😓 The workload has negatively impacted his mental health, and with views dropping, he's unable to slow down.
• 🤔 He speculates on why viewership has declined but avoids over-analyzing it to prevent self-doubt.
• 📉 He notes a significant change in YouTube's algorithm where his videos used to get views just because of his name, but now they require controversial or clickbait topics.
• 💼 If the Patreon goal is not met, he will likely go back to full-time work and stop producing new videos, but old videos will remain.
• 💰 He prefers Patreon over YouTube memberships as it takes a smaller percentage of the creator's earnings and is more affordable for his situation.

Q & A

Why is the creator of Phantom Strider considering ending the channel?

The creator is considering ending the channel because of a dramatic drop in views, which has made it financially unsustainable to continue making videos.

What was the primary source of income for the Phantom Strider channel?

The primary source of income for the channel was ad revenue from YouTube.

What is the creator's plan if they cannot continue with the channel?

If the creator cannot continue with the channel, they plan to go back to full-time work, potentially as an electrician or plumber.

What is the 'cosmic anomaly' the creator refers to in the script?

The 'cosmic anomaly' refers to the unlikely but possible scenario where enough people become patrons to financially support the channel and allow the creator to continue making videos.

What are the benefits for patrons who support the Phantom Strider channel?

Patrons would become the creator's new bosses, receive exclusive member videos, shoutouts, early ad-free videos, and the creator promises to always make authentic videos that treat patrons like friends and equals.

How does the creator feel about the community that has formed around the Phantom Strider channel?

The creator is very grateful for the community and considers it a highlight of their time on YouTube, especially discovering that half the community is on the spectrum.

What has changed about YouTube that the creator points out in the script?

The creator notes that in 2024, YouTube is different from 2014, with viewers now requiring clicky or controversial topics to engage with content, rather than just being interested in the creator's opinions.

What does the creator promise to deliver if they continue making videos with patron support?

The creator promises to deliver regular, varied, interesting, and authentic content for as long as patrons want them to.

How does the creator feel about asking for help from the community?

The creator feels embarrassed and terrible about asking for help, but they are willing to do so if it means they can continue creating content.

What is the creator's stance on the quality of videos they produce?

The creator refuses to deliver a shoddy video and insists on maintaining high quality, even if it means working all night to edit, write, and film.

What is the creator's final message to the viewers of Phantom Strider?

The creator thanks the viewers for their support and expresses gratitude for the opportunity to have been on ad revenue for so long, and they are willing to wait for help if it comes.