How A YouTube Company Actually Makes Money

I don't know if you'll be surprised by this, but even though I'm, like, constantly in the weeds of the budget, some things still surprise me when we zoom out...like, specifically that YouTube rev-share is still such a huge part of our business (it used to be like 90% though...so I guess it just feels smaller because it's been shrinking.)

Thanks everyone for being a part of what we do!! We try to do it well, even if sometimes we don't know how to do it perfect!

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[MminaMaclang]

This is like a Nerdfighteria version of a shareholders general assembly. I vote yes on the calendars.

[alexreid]

Personally, I’m a crash course patron because I used it for free from literally middle school through much of college. It got me through AP classes and college microeconomics lol. Once I finally got enough money to spare $3 a month, I felt the need to give some of the value I got out of it back

[deemon]

Man. I don't see any other companies breakdown their money like this. Amazing transparency. Thanks!

[kimberlyyohn]

As a teacher, I am so grateful for all the ways that you make Crashcourse happen. I know so many colleagues and students who benefit from your work -- I can't help much, but I'm grateful for the privilege to support you a little and for all those who do the same!

Definitely buying the space calendar for my astronomy teaching husband :)

[MandJTVPlays]

This was interesting! I love getting looks behind the scenes of YouTube businesses. I'd love a deep dive into DFTBA at some point too

[PIRATERBTNINJA]

As just a friendly FYI, for colour blind people like myself it’s really quite hard to see what’s going on in infographics when certain colours are placed right next to each other. I have a lot of trouble distinguishing blues from purples, and genuinely can’t tell where Crowd-Funding stops and Sponsorship begins. Alternating darker colours with lighter colours can make that immeasurably easier for people with many of the more common forms of colour blindness (e.g. here, switching the colours of “Sponsorship” with “Licensing”).

[aekaydubs]

“After the record labels take their cut.” Wait, so if I’m paying for YT Premium, am I just giving a few bucks to record labels every month?

[AntiComposite]

Complexly: Throwing science at the wall and seeing what sticks since 2012.

[King_Jab]

Nice to see the return of the squares. I was surprised just how effect they work as a visual aid.

[nathanlovin]

Thank y'all for building this beautiful thing you've built. My wife started at Complexly a couple months ago, and I haven't seen her this happy and fulfilled in her work-life in years. It's been a "coming home" moment.

[untappedinkwell]

Frankly, Crash Course had me at "Free. for everyone. forever."
I love the cool things we get to do, and the cool calendars that come out of it.
And I also love how curious I am to know which calendar will sell best.
Very happy to support this community.

[adithyansubramanian]

When Hank started talking about crowd sourcing, I held my crash course coin in the air triumphantly. My girlfriend said "you're a mess"

[eddiesunder]

Hank: "I imagine complexly"
Me: Oh hey that's cool of you, I have a lot of trouble with that myself, but am getting better and hopefully...

Hank: "to be a project of Nerdfighteria"
Me: ...it appears I misunderstood your last phrase

[spacey-sam]

Working for Complexly is literally my dream job, you guys are so awesome and the work you do is amazing!! I’m so glad that the content you guys produce exists!!! Keep up the great work!! 🖤

[Ariel_thenotsolittlemermaid]

Usually, I hate it when YouTubers push to sell products and make entire posts/ videos about merchandise- but both you and John keep stressing how all of your things are for good causes and not for your own gain, show statistics and reasoning why this is necessary and explain exactly what will be done with the money.
For that, you have my respect.

[katiehartzler]

I used crash course in middle school, high school and college, and now as a first year teacher I am using it, along with scishow kids with my class. Thanks for all your hard work!!

[rachelfang]

Thank you for sharing that YT premium views are usually worth more. I'd always been a little worried I was hurting the space, and this makes me feel better about the model.

[TwistedRiddles]

Hank, this is something I have always wondered. I know you constantly say you are well off financially. But I also know that almost all the money from these projects get donated or put into creating them. So, if it’s not too personal, his do YOU get paid?

[bobcosmic]

Keep on keeping on to the Green Brothers!

[okaykatieokay]

i love being a part of the dh&j patreon to contribute to making complexly exist



(also to hear the medium quality podcast of this week in the stuff 😂)