An Open Letter to Professional YouTubers

In which John Green discusses some things he has learned in twelve and a half years of making YouTube videos.
I hope this can be helpful both to influencers and to viewers on YouTube, and I'm also interested to learn any advice you have for those of us who make stuff online. Let me know in comments.

Personal finance stuff:

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[vlogbrothers]

Hi! A couple of notes: 1. This video is not about any particular YouTuber. I wrote almost all of it over a month ago. I do know a bit about some of the current conversations around different "YouTube Dramas, " but only a bit. This video is meant to be broadly for YouTubers and the people who watch and love them.
2. I don't think there's any one right way to be a YouTuber. But I do think that we all have a responsibility to each other to try to be careful and respectful in how we treat each other, and that creators should work hard not to abuse their influence. As the poet wrote, We should be careful of each other. We should be kind. While there is still time.
3. Thanks for watching. I'm really interested to know what YOUR advice would be to YouTubers based on your time on this platform. -John

[bettyreads]

"Luck does not nullify hard work but hard work also does not nullify luck." Bless this wisdom.

[daniellorentzen]

I love how John and Hank are the wise dads of YouTube

[HistoryMatters]

'This did not happen because you work harder than anyone else or because you are more talented'


I cannot stress how accurate this is. I have no advice for anyone on how to become a YouTuber except for: 'get picked by the algorithm'.

[DuranmanX]

If I listen to John Green while on my way to work, am I driving under the influence?

[gryphonavocatio]

I, for one, have never thought of myself as ‘John Green, Youtuber’.

[dancerGirl]

What a fantastic summary of An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green

[molly]

Advice to unpaid professional youtube watchers: Be aware that whether you like it or not, the influencers you follow ARE influencing you. Understand that they impact not just merch you buy, but your interactions with others, your outlook on the world, your daily mood, and even your own reflection. Similar to what john said when dealing with financial opportunities, when following an influencer, ask yourself "are you getting more value from them, than they are capturing from you?"

[cassandee]

When one of the founding fathers of YouTube gives advice about youtubers, everyone better listen up. This was so helpful and appropriate and relevant to everyone whether you're in the public eye or just in the workforce in general.

[newcreation]

It almost seems like Hank wrote an entire book to this effect, and about what can happen if you don't take this advice.

An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green, available for purchase now at your favorite book seller.

[KatBurnsKASHKA]

This is great. I wish it was a mandatory requirement to watch this before becoming an "internet famous person"

[Maryam-mzjo]

can we get a whole series of these open letters please?

[nayafauzia]

"No career can healthfully carry all your identity."
These words mean so much to me as a uni grad who is still trying to figure out what the heck to do with my life. Thanks so much, John. Always the helpful uncle.

[NateandNoahTryLife]

John you’ve influenced me a lot. But not so much about which Fashion Nova bikinis to buy, but more about which charities to donate to and how to understand the health crisis in Sierra Leone. Both have their place I suppose but one will stick with me for a lifetime.

[torjune]

A video in which John Green addresses James Charles without naming him or degrading him while being stern and gentle.
Thanks dad!
(PS. This was posted before his disclaimer! Still, thanks dad!)

[julia.carino]

That personal finance bit is super important. Not just if you’re an influencer. Knowing how to plan for your future in a way that keeps both today and tomorrow sustainable is huge.

[RobertoBlake]

This is probably one of the most important videos anyone in the community could watch at any time in their online career.

[lucymoon]

All of this ten times over. Thank you endlessly for being the first vloggers I subscribed to, then later admired, and then looked to for guidance as this hobby became my job ❤️

[ellap]

As John Green once put it, "What a treacherous thing to believe that a person is more than a person." I try to remember this quote often, as someone who has a habit of idealizing and romanticizing people.

That being said, YES! JOHN GREEN IS A HUFFLEPUFF! MY LOVE FOR YOU GROWS DAILY MR. GREEN!!

[Isa.isa.isa.]

Notes/Summary (from Dear Hank and John advice to take notes):
1. Online careers are unpredictable and often short
2. Learn more about personal finance
3. Make decisions in line with community goals, and add more value than you capture
4. You are fortunate
5. You are a person
6. Diversify your identity