In today's digital age, businesses are continually seeking effective ways to reach and engage with their target audiences. YouTube, with its massive user base, can be a good way to push your small business from zero visibility to maximum exposure. However, the journey to building a successful YouTube channel isn’t an easy one and is filled with challenges.
This article explores the difficulties of achieving YouTube success, lists the pros and cons of using YouTube for business, and discusses why focusing on social media might be better for growth.
How Hard is It to Make a Successful YouTube Channel
The appeal of starting a YouTube channel is undeniable. As of 2025, the platform boasts over 2.85 billion global users, making it one of the most visited websites worldwide. However, it is very hard to become a successful YouTuber due to the vast audience that comes with intense competition. Approximately 64 million YouTube creators are vying for viewers' attention.
Studies show that the top 5% of YouTubers make up 95% of the platform's revenue. This means that out of 1,000 YouTubers, only about 50 are making a good amount of money, with the top 5 earning millions, while the remaining 45 make enough to cover their expenses. This disparity highlights the difficulty of breaking into the upper echelons of YouTube.
Moreover, a significant number of YouTube channels fail to gain traction. It's estimated that 97% of YouTube channels do not achieve significant success, highlighting the platform's competitive nature even further.
Pros and Cons of Using YouTube for Your Business
Pros
Massive Audience Reach: YouTube's massive user base provides an opportunity to reach a global audience. In 2023, YouTube generated $31.5 billion in global advertising revenue, indicating its vast reach and influence.
Visual Engagement: Video content can effectively showcase products or services by extensively demonstrating what they are. Approximately 80% of shoppers use videos for purchasing decisions, highlighting the impact of visual content.
Search Engine Benefits: Being owned by Google, YouTube videos often rank well in search results, enhancing visibility. This integration can lead to increased traffic and exposure for businesses.
Cons
High Competition: The vast number of content creators makes it challenging to stand out. With over 64 million YouTube creators, the platform is highly competitive.
Resource Intensive: Producing high-quality videos requires time, effort, and investment in equipment and editing. This can be a significant barrier for small businesses with limited resources.
Uncertain Returns: Even with quality content, there's no guarantee of gaining a substantial following or achieving desired business outcomes. Only 37.7% of marketers find YouTube marketing to be very effective in achieving their brand's goals.
Why You Should Use Social Media to Grow Your Business Instead
While YouTube has its advantages, a diversified social media strategy can offer more flexibility and opportunities for engagement.
Increased Brand Awareness
Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter allow businesses to reach highly targeted audiences, boosting visibility. Over 83% of marketers report that social media marketing has significantly increased their brand exposure. A strong presence on multiple platforms ensures more touchpoints with potential customers, leading to higher engagement rates.
Example: A local bakery uses Instagram Stories and Facebook Ads to showcase daily specials, attracting more walk-in customers and online orders.
Humanizing Your Brand
Social media allows businesses to showcase their personality, values, and behind-the-scenes moments, making them more relatable. Engaging with audiences through comments, direct messages, and live sessions fosters trust and customer loyalty. Studies show that customers who interact with a brand on social media spend 35-40% more on its products or services.
Example: A boutique clothing store shares behind-the-scenes videos of product creation and responds to customer comments, creating a personal connection with shoppers.
Establishing Thought Leadership
By sharing valuable content like industry insights, expert opinions, and educational posts, businesses can position themselves as leaders in their field. Consistently posting high-quality, informative content builds credibility and attracts a loyal audience. Thought leadership on social media also increases opportunities for partnerships and media coverage.
Example: A digital marketing agency shares weekly LinkedIn posts with SEO tips, attracting new clients who see them as an authority in the field.
Cost-Effective Marketing
Compared to traditional advertising, social media marketing offers affordable yet highly targeted promotional options. Businesses can start with organic content and scale up with paid ads, optimizing their budget for maximum returns. With the average ROI for social media ad campaigns at 250%, it remains one of the most cost-efficient marketing strategies available.
Example: A handmade jewelry brand runs a $50 Facebook ad campaign, doubling its sales within a week by targeting users interested in unique accessories.
Real-Time Engagement
Unlike traditional advertising, social media enables instant interaction between brands and customers. Quick responses to inquiries, comments, and feedback enhance customer satisfaction and trust. Real-time engagement also fosters a sense of community, encouraging repeat business and word-of-mouth referrals.
Example: A small coffee shop uses Twitter to answer customer questions about new menu items, leading to an increase in foot traffic.
Diverse Content Formats
Social media supports various content types, including text, images, videos, stories, and live streams, allowing businesses to reach different audience segments. Diversifying content formats keeps marketing efforts fresh and engaging while catering to varied consumer preferences. Businesses that use a mix of content types see higher engagement rates and better brand recall.
Example: A fitness coach shares Instagram Reels with workout tips, motivational quotes in Stories, and detailed YouTube tutorials to attract a broader audience.
Make It Even Better: Automate Your Social Media With Alkai
Looking to get on the social media hype train, without the hassle of maintaining it? Alkai does all the heavy lifting for you, so you can focus on other parts of growing your business. Here’s what Alkai brings to the table:
Generate content ideas for you based on your business goals and preferences
Create eye-catching posts, including hashtags.
Keep you on track by building a schedule for you.
Automatically post on all your social media channels based on your posting schedule.
If you’re a small business owner looking to get started on social media marketing but don’t have the time, try Alkai today.
Conclusion: Is Being a YouTuber Worth It?
Being a YouTuber can be worth it, but it’s definitely not easy. While YouTube offers a platform with vast potential reach, the path to success is steep and competitive. Businesses must weigh the significant investment of time and resources against the uncertain returns.
In contrast, a comprehensive social media strategy provides a more versatile and accessible approach to building brand awareness, engaging with customers, and driving business growth. By leveraging multiple platforms, businesses can create a robust online presence that is adaptable and resilient in the ever-changing digital landscape.
In summary, while YouTube can be a valuable component of a digital marketing strategy, focusing on a diversified social media presence may offer more practical and effective opportunities for most businesses.
Comments