The Internet has brought us many opportunities to move beyond borders and introduce ourselves to the world. The rise of the popular video platform YouTube has been particularly helpful for many people, especially gamers, vloggers, and singers that used the app not just to gain traction but also to make a living.
According to Influencer Marketing Hub, you can monetize your videos on YouTube if you have at least 1,000 subscribers, a minimum of 4,000 hours of watch time in the past 12 months, and if you live in a country where the platform is accessible.
These are only the basics of YouTube's monetization guidelines, but once you are qualified for monetizing your videos, you will earn from the advertisements that run on your content.
This is exactly how a village in Chhattisgarh's Raipur district in India is making a living.
According to a report by NEPWAVE, Tulsi Village is renowned as the "hub of YouTubers," where practically everyone is a dedicated content producer. In fact, Locals here make more money than they would in a typical job.
The Rise of YouTube Culture in Tulsi
Gyanendra Shukla and Jai Verma, two buddies, started the YouTube culture in the village, and it spread swiftly. The entire Tusli village adopted this custom after creating their YouTube channels.
The community of roughly 3,000 residents, according to a report by DNA, has more than 40 YouTube channels with educational and entertaining content. Many residents have given up their jobs and now make twice as much or three times as much money through these channels.
Shukla said in a statement:
"I worked in SBI earlier, as a network engineer. My office had high-speed Internet and I used to watch YouTube videos there. I was already fond of movies. In 2011-12, a new version of YouTube was launched. At that time, there were very few channels on the platform. I was not satisfied with my 9 to 5 job. So I left the job and started with YouTube. Till now, we have made about 250 videos and have 1.15 lakh subscribers."
The second man, Jai Verma, was a part-time teacher with an MSc degree. Verma claims that he currently makes between $376 to $438 each month with his YouTube channel instead of between $150 and $188 in his old job.
Shukla also said that they were initially shy about filming videos in public. However, the local elders encouraged them to act in Ramlila, ultimately alleviating their stage fright.
But YouTube is so much more than a platform for entertainment. For YouTubers such as Pinki Sahu, it is an avenue to empower girls in the Naxal-hit state where a conflict is happening.
Sahu has been uploading content for almost two years, and she said every local participates in the 40 YouTube channels in the village. She added that women are frequently not allowed to leave their houses, but through YouTube, they are given access to a wealth of information showing that women can do something too.
This article is owned by Tech Times
Written by Joaquin Victor Tacla
