Who's Making Money From Their YouTube Videos? Not Black People

KZbin was celebrated as the great equalizer for marginalized groups in the media but the video-sharing platform is not that much different than old media.
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[@chescaleigh]

thanks again Jorge and Color Lines for covering our panel.

[@chescaleigh]

funny you mentioned Becoming KZbin, I was disappointed to see that there weren't any POC included in the series. glad to hear this has inspired you to explore the topic, but hope you'll make sure to include some POC voices in the conversation. The "Girls on KZbin" episode left a bit to be desired, considering it was mostly men commenting on the "lack" of women on YT. anyways, thanks for checking this out!

[@LarryTeenMee]

Nice Job Franchesca, Jenny and Andre. You guys/gals providing the Videos got it tough all the way around. What I've noticed as a "newbie".and pleasantly surprised to see is that a lot of Sista's are "giving it a shot" and doing fairly well, some with 10k subs. Also, other than "Hip Hop" artist us Brutha's numbers gotta be the worst/I can't speak for the other races numbers. So Andre you deserve a medal! Lastly, YT needs stronger filters/sign in ID's to bring up the quality of commenters.

[@forevermarvel1421]

I needed to hear this, thank you

[@chescaleigh]

this is actually a really good point. the Asian beauty gurus tend to do really well in comparison to black gurus

[@chescaleigh]

that's a good outlook to have. also, check out the KZbin playbook. it's a PDF that outlines a lot of the stuff i mentioned, along with other useful stuff to help build your channel. best of luck! ;)

[@chescaleigh]

we're not saying that POC or LGBT aren't successful or don't exist on KZbin. we're saying they face different challenges as a result and there are a smaller margin of POC that are successful on YT. the numbers don't lie. this was about racism on KZbin and those are the numbers presented. I mentioned LGBT only to say that they can face similar issues with crossover audiences and also receive their own brand of vitriol

[@OrlaJoNotDead]

I'd love if there were links to some KZbinrs in the description to help find them, I'm already subscribed to Andre but these videos can help people find new YTers outside of featured-boxes.

[@OrlaJoNotDead]

Right after I posted that a friend linked me to your channel so it's good, I'm subscribed, love your stuff.

[@chescaleigh]

agreed! it seems that the UK community is a lot more tight knit.

[@chescaleigh]

honestly, what makes you we're surprised? Andre and I have been making videos for awhile now, and have both been black for even longer...

[@LarryTeenMee]

On a crossing over/"Overcoming Racism" note. Engaging content is crucial to building a strong relationship with your audience/subs. You gotta show your fans that they matter to you and treat them like you truly care about any contribution/comment they make, especially new subs/casual visitors. They may not be just from a new audience they could be the actual link to a "Front Page" opportunity. Like the Today Show, Oprah, etc. these are crossover opportunities in it's purest form. Tough Business

[@Cinnameltthat123]

I love how this is on KZbin, about KZbin, & it only proves the point by the amount of views this has...currently 556 views....Thank you for creating this video.

[@adrianliao]

Racism is NOT dead, and this video demonstrates racism in the opposite way, and ignorance. Also, stop mentioning LGBT to make your point valid, it's really pathetic. (Troye Sivan, Tyler Oakley, Connor Franta, Hannah Hart all popular & successful) It's true that the darker your skin is, the hate comments are about race, but you don't get successful by sitting on your ass complaining about racism. Look at fouseyTUBE, IISuperwomanII, Ryan Higa, sWooZie, Kingsley. Most top KZbinrs are American (live in the U.S.) or speak English (all of the above except Troye Sivan is American). I also cringed when the Asian woman complained about 90% of the top KZbinrs are white...

[@adrianliao]

+H Az Bitch better shut the fuck up, I'm not white and I know what I'm talking about, unlike you.

[@chescaleigh]

it took me 5 ;) first off, "success" on KZbin is relative and is also partially based on luck. with almost 1k subscribers, you're doing better than a whole bunch of people. with that being said, find other KZbinrs with similar audiences/content to collaborate with, create topical content that is easily searchable/discoverable, look at channels that are similar to yours and see what you can learn from them to make your videos better. trust me, my channel 4 yrs ago is very different from today

[@cjsamms]

At the same time, I see Asian American KZbinrs flocking to Ryan Higa because he seems to have KZbin figured out. For his part, he seems willing to help them out, collaborate with them, and cross-promote their channels. Last year, Justin Lin, Higa, and some other Asian Americans formed YOMYOMF to discover, train, and promote other (not just Asian) KZbinrs. There's a lesson in there.

[@chescaleigh]

le sigh. i so feel your pain. it's frustrating when you realize that intelligent content has a tougher time on KZbin than cat videos and people making fools of themselves. keep at it though, you'll find your voice and audience soon enough.

[@Setebos]

Thank you, I was wondering if anyone else was thinking this.

[@ceciliamaben]

This is so true especially the comments on KZbin something need to be done about that!!!!

[@thecreativelady]

@KZbin is definitely a game - a game of Chess and not Checkers. Most channels are pawns and will NEVER be featured on the front page unless it's something degrading that goes viral. It's all about advertising dollars and money makes some people do some wild and crazy things. I rarely watch the junk featured on the front page and what I have seen SUCKS! Disparity is alive and kicking!

[@PicoCharles]

I do believe as a black KZbinr in the UK community it's not really the insults but more the groups of KZbinrs that form. Unlike the US, UK KZbin is much more communal (as opposed to the more corporate side in America) and I feel it is difficult to connect with people besides a few exchanges on Twitter simply because they're not using to seeing a black person 'vlogging' as such. I think for me it should be about improving content because overall great content brings a great number of views.

[@chescaleigh]

nope. we're not "all racist"

[@chescaleigh]

no, it's Kingsley and DeStorm.

[@chescaleigh]

Jenny doesn't have a KZbin channel, and my channel is listed in the video footer with my name :)

[@LarryTeenMee]

Tough gig but like with any business when it comes to crossing over/expanding your sub/client base you have to put yourselves in the casual visitor/shoppers shoes. Especially if they aren't from your normal demographic/audience by welcoming/supporting them you give yourself a chance to get deeper and wider into the Market/Audience they came from. Every new view is a golden opportunity to expand into new territory. Tough to put into action in this anonymous environment. It's that or get Lucky!

[@PicoCharles]

And thank you Ben Cook for bringing me here, this definitely could be a Becoming KZbin topic.

[@zisforzoo16]

Yeah as a black person myself I try never read the comments on chescaleigh's channel because the comments are always about her race. I love chescaleigh she's awesome I love her hair and her content. I have doubt that racism will ever die out :( but I have hope.

[@TheF3kids]

I just know in black culture we are the most accepting people on the planet. Racial comedy is one thing, and can often be funny. The issue is when those thoughts trump reality.

[@Gracepeach1]

This was so interesting!

[@acchaladka]

Hey Chesca - smartest thing I ever heard on the subject came when I moved here to Montreal from Washington DC: we are all racists. All of us. Anyone who makes that snap uncontrolled subconscious judgement of anyone - called a heuristic. I was engaged to a black woman then, Haitian New Yorker who 'speaks white' by default like you and we moved from DC where people either wanted to be our best friend ever or start a fistfight. Here it's more subtle but it exists too. Anyway, long discussion that d

[@benisturning30]

It's not marginalizing; it's just what's trendy. Jeez!

[@VinnieBartilucci]

In short, it seems that the issues being faced (or at least the ones discussed here) are the SAME issues being faced in any medium. Perceived unrelatability, and the fear by the advertisers that they "don't hit the right demographic". Problems, yes, but nothing new. Education so that MORE people are GOING on KZbin is a fine idea.

[@4ridaque]

yet another obstacle to overcome...

[@kageryu311]

chescaleigh As a black person I'm going to say this, If you make a channel solely about black issues or things that primarily black people like, it's not going to relate to the general community so it's not going to get as many views. In order for a black person to get a lot of views and subscribers on youtube, the content provider has to be very race neutral. Outside of the people who post racial stereotypes and prank videos most everything else is race neutral. Bottom line is that on the internet, black people are outnumbered and if we act hypersensitive to black people not being in the top subscribed youtube channels we are lying to ourselves. Hope you understand.

[@chescaleigh]

truthfully, the black content creators who seem to pull the most views aren't doing "race neutral" content, they're usually relying on harmful stereotypes to pull in views. lots of "black people be like" and content making fun of women. my criticisms of the content on KZbin have nothing to do with myself and the type of content I'm making. I realize my content is niche, and I'm ok with that. I also don't just focus on black issues, I make content about all types of social issues including LGBTQ and women's issues. I also make beauty videos and lifestyle content. The criticism still stands though. There are lots of brands and people who assume that my content or content created by POC isn't universal because they are not white. Hence Andre's comments at 2:31. No harm done, I appreciate your feedback.

[@kageryu311]

chescaleigh I see your point on a few of these. But you have KZbinrs like XpertThief, even to an extent KSI and his brother ComedyShortsGamer even to an extent my buddy with Thatracingchannel who don't depend on stereotypes to get views. KSI has done some stereotypical videos but he hasn't made views on that. There are more black KZbinrs than you think that don't really bring their ethnicity into their videos and have a lot of subscriptions, even more than you. Women and minorites always sell with stereotypes because the status quo are white men. But stay tuned in a few months for my channel because I am going to make some crazy racing vids! :)

[@chescaleigh]

TheHitman™ oh of course there are always exceptions to the rule. the point still stands that KZbin's top 100 is still overwhelmingly white. Best of luck with your channel!

[@OrlaJoNotDead]

"What social factors?" Is that a joke? What social factors might contribute to not white people being marginalised? Seriously? Gosh, I don't know.

[@jdluv79]

Awesome Video!

[@Bdooski]

yeah, it's rough.

[@cjsamms]

DeStorm talks about his subscribers being upset that a change in direction in one of his new videos. And he says it's his black audience that's upset. That's not racism. That's an audience thinking they own him. Trying to dictate what he's allowed to create. I also see blacks calling out Wayne Brady for not being "black enough." Why? Because he appeals to white audiences? So you're not allowed to have crossover appeal?

[@Compani0nCub3]

why doesn't this have more views!?

[@DwightWalkerJr]

too true

[@Bdooski]

what the world needs is a bizarro button. walk around in each others shoes for a while so folks can get some perspective & not be so damn dismissive all the time.

[@AngiesDoingIt]

Todrick Hall is great on KZbin. He's universal.

[@benisturning30]

Everyone watches stuff on KZbin they like. I don't think anyone can stop you from watching something you like. The people with the most likes I guess get paid. Its also a sort of community effort. So why are the black and Asian people going to white themed events? Why aren't they "networking" I guess is my point.

[@cjsamms]

Is there racism on You Tube? Yes. All you need to do is read the comments left on any Black, Asian, or Hispanic related video to see that racism still exists. But is that really the reason there aren't more minorities in the Top 100? I don't think so. It's content related. Used to be mostly lip synch, how to put on makeup, "jackass," and cutesy cat videos. But we're starting to see more original content. As minorities, where are we on that front?

[@a_vjm5794]

i love that the moment things are questioned and racism is called out white people are like OH NO BUT WE HAVE IT HARD TOO :'( we're not even top rapper.s.s...... :'((((

[@benisturning30]

No. that's not what I'm saying.

[@benisturning30]

What "social factors"?

[@TheGlocktimusPrime]

Have these people heard of trolling?

[@jamalgking]

what the fuck kinda derailment is that? Let's expand that to be inclusive of all genre's and then see how it pans out

[@crazyteklg]

I'm sorry you don't get it. But I do know of a guy who can explain it to you so you can understand it. His name is Tim Wise. He is here on youtube check him out.

[@maryhadalittlelamb25]

YOU SEEM SURPRISED?....WEREN'T YOU PAYING ATTENTION WHEN MICHAEL MADE THE SONG THAT GOES... ALL I WANT TO SAY IS THAT...THEY DON'T REALLY CARE ABOUT US!... DID YOU THINK HE WAS JOKING WHEN HE MADE THAT SONG?... OR WERE YOU NOT LISTENING?

[@lyn8067]

Wow thats the truth racism still exist and it isnt going anywhere until we change it

[@OrlaJoNotDead]

And you think things just get trendy with no contributing social factors or biases?? White only clubs were "trendy" for a while there.

[@LanaDelGuey]

I love Andre and chescaleigh to death!!!! They are seriously my Scottie youtubers!!!! Of love to get autographs from them.

[@kageryu311]

What about KSI?

[@acchaladka]

In my childlike view, yes you probably must have a couple of people who laugh at your joke making fun of the Korean convenience store owner because 'HE TAK FUNNY CHINAMAN HAHAHA'! Racism and hate must manifest itself in oppression, control and influence, otherwise it's not racist? Poppycock. What you're referring to with the use of Nigga is people using the term on themselves to knock it down. (In some cases. In other cases they haven't thought it through and are just repeating after friends.)

[@acchaladka]

...doesn't fit here. Come visit Montreal and I'll buy you and hubs a glass of wine. Keep up the good work!

[@LeleLuvsUnicorns]

The black KZbin thing I get, but I don't think the same goes for Asian and LGBT. Have you ever heard of, oh i dunno, RYAN HIGA or Chester See or KevJumba or the whole YOMYOMF channel. Also wongfuproductions are pretty popular as are other Asian KZbin channels. As far as LGBT ummmm HELLO TYLER OAKLEY, MyHarto!?! Those are only the ones that I can think of off the top of my head; I know for a fact that there are plenty more.

[@Ribbletine]

I was so gonna say this.

[@benisturning30]

I don't understand the question. People put money into things they like. I guess you paid based on viewings.

[@MrYouTube1Y92]

Stop with the denial of racial bias.

[@lyn8067]

Wow thats the truth racism still exist and it isnt going anywhere until we change it