₹8 lakh spent, ₹0 earned: YouTuber Nalini Unagar quits in frustration. How does YouTube work?

Nalini Unagar, an Indian YouTuber with the channel Nalini’s Kitchen Recipe, said she is leaving YouTube after three years of unsuccessful attempts to turn her passion into a profit.

In a series of posts on X, Unagar revealed that he has invested Rs 8 lakh in his channel but has not received any financial returns. “I failed in my YouTube career, so I am selling all my kitchen utensils and studio equipment,” he wrote. : “I invested about 8 lakhs to build a kitchen, buy studio equipment and promotions? Come back?” ₹ 0”.

In three years, Unagar created 250 videos and amassed 2,450 subscribers. Despite his efforts, he struggled with YouTube’s algorithm, which he says favored certain creators and types of content.

“YouTube has given me nothing. It feels like the platform is biased, leaving others without recognition despite their hard work,” he said.

How to make money on YouTube?

YouTube’s revenue potential depends on many factors.

Advertising revenue

• YouTube pays Indian creators around Rs 53.46 per 1000 views.
• With 1 million views, the author can earn around ₹53,460.
• Some niches offer higher prices.
• Technical Reviews: ₹ 75-375 per 1000 views.
• Beauty & Fashion: ₹ 60-262.50 per 1000 views.
• Games: ₹37.50-₹300 per 1000 views.

Audience demographics

Views from countries like USA or UK earn more than those from India.

Engagement

More likes, comments and shares can increase a video’s revenue.

Additional income streams

Affiliate marketing, sponsored content, product sales, and channel memberships are common ways that authors increase advertising revenue.

Top earners

Big names like Bhuvan Bam and Amit Bhadana earn between ₹ 11.6 lakh and ₹ 1.7 crore per month, while the average Indian creative earns ₹ 4.17 lakh per year.

Costs of running a YouTube channel
Starting a YouTube channel can be cheap, but scaling up often requires a significant investment.

Basic setup

• A smartphone with a decent camera and basic editing tools.
• Estimated cost: ₹15,000-20,000.

Professional setup

• Camera: DSLR or mirrorless camera for better video quality.
• Microphone: necessary for clear sound.
• Lighting. improves the aesthetics of videos.
• Editing software. Tools like Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro.
• Computer. a high performance PC or laptop for editing.
• Total estimated cost from Rs 50,000 to several lakhs.

Additional costs

• Marketing and Promotions.
• Props or special collections for special content.
• Travel expenses for niches like travel vlogging.
• Unagar’s ₹ 8 lakh investment included professional kitchen equipment, studio equipment and advertising expenses, none of which resulted in sustainable income.

The Challenges of Finance
Earning on YouTube is not guaranteed. To join the YouTube Partner Program, creators must have at least 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the past year. Even then, low views, unattractive content, or niches with limited ad rates can hamper revenue.

Unagar’s experience also highlights the risks of relying solely on YouTube as a career: “Your store could be closed before you wake up the next day,” he said, referring to the platform’s unpredictable algorithms.

How does one navigate “bias”?
To succeed on YouTube, creators must prioritize producing high-quality, engaging content that delivers value to their audience while remaining relevant and timely. Great titles, accurate thumbnails, and optimized metadata, such as keyword-rich descriptions and relevant hashtags, improve searchability and recommendations. Viewer engagement is important, so asking questions, responding to comments, and using features like cards and ultimate screens can promote interaction.

Experimenting with different types of content, from YouTube Shorts to popular playlists, helps capture both the audience and the platform’s algorithm. Consistency is vital: maintain a regular upload schedule and experiment with posting times for maximum impact collaboration to reach wider audiences while using YouTube Analytics to refine their strategies based on performance metrics and audience behavior on

Staying informed about YouTube policies and features through official channels and creator communities ensures adaptability in an ever-evolving ecosystem.