I'll go into some more detail so people can picture how it works in 2020 better.
100k subscribers is the gateway to really making it on YT.
Above that you start going self-viral, so some artists have snowballed very fast (in months) from 100k to 300k+. It's like they're on YT, but their channel is "their own private island" and takes on a life of its own.
1) US artists will need to live at home (or in a van) or be very frugal to make it with the numbers I provided - but it's doable, and they will get a lot of free gear.
And they'll be full-time musicians, which is living the dream for most.
However, low-COL artists can (and do) earn the average local salary, plus free gear. So they have it all figured out.
2) US (and European) musicians will have a hard time touring as the bandleader on that income, since it's pay-to-play now for non-headliners in the US, typically $500 per show, and often T-shirt sales are restricted (see Sarah Longfield's interviews for the details.)
So that means keep uploading on Patreon/YT, or have your sponsors/fans in each city put you up.
3) "Be your own label.", "Own your publishing.", etc.
The important thing to realize is that there is no label deal available for new musicians (the exception would be super-strong writers) in 2020, and even if you signed one, advances have to be repaid. And oh ya, "360 deals" go after your Patreon and YT/Adsense, publishing and show revenue now - just say no.
So go whole hog on Patreon/YT/Adsense (ie. be your own label) because it's not like there is another funding option for most people, aside from a few guys making it as contract performers (ie. paying their dues) for regional touring bands.
See Rhett Shull's YT channel to learn more about that - he's a road dog contract hired gun guitarist with a knack for YT vlogging. Hats off, man, and congrats on the 100+k subs!
Also see Yvette Young's (from San Jose) meteoric rise - she just got an Ibanez signature guitar in her 20's!
100k subscribers is the gateway to really making it on YT.
Above that you start going self-viral, so some artists have snowballed very fast (in months) from 100k to 300k+. It's like they're on YT, but their channel is "their own private island" and takes on a life of its own.
1) US artists will need to live at home (or in a van) or be very frugal to make it with the numbers I provided - but it's doable, and they will get a lot of free gear.
And they'll be full-time musicians, which is living the dream for most.
However, low-COL artists can (and do) earn the average local salary, plus free gear. So they have it all figured out.
2) US (and European) musicians will have a hard time touring as the bandleader on that income, since it's pay-to-play now for non-headliners in the US, typically $500 per show, and often T-shirt sales are restricted (see Sarah Longfield's interviews for the details.)
So that means keep uploading on Patreon/YT, or have your sponsors/fans in each city put you up.
3) "Be your own label.", "Own your publishing.", etc.
The important thing to realize is that there is no label deal available for new musicians (the exception would be super-strong writers) in 2020, and even if you signed one, advances have to be repaid. And oh ya, "360 deals" go after your Patreon and YT/Adsense, publishing and show revenue now - just say no.
So go whole hog on Patreon/YT/Adsense (ie. be your own label) because it's not like there is another funding option for most people, aside from a few guys making it as contract performers (ie. paying their dues) for regional touring bands.
See Rhett Shull's YT channel to learn more about that - he's a road dog contract hired gun guitarist with a knack for YT vlogging. Hats off, man, and congrats on the 100+k subs!
Also see Yvette Young's (from San Jose) meteoric rise - she just got an Ibanez signature guitar in her 20's!