YouTube Automation: Is The Latest Passive Income Trend Worth it?

Heard of YouTube automation? It’s the newest trend of creating content with almost no effort. So here’s how it works.

| More on:
ETF chart stocks

Image source: Getty Images

Canadians, like many others, are always on the lookout for the next easy passive income stream. It offers the dream of financial freedom with minimal effort. The appeal of earning money while you sleep has driven past trends such as drop-shipping, where entrepreneurs sell products without holding inventory, and investing in real estate or dividend stocks.

The idea of generating income passively is particularly appealing when Canadians consider they have more control over their own time, reduce financial stress, and achieve a better work-life balance. Whether it’s through affiliate marketing, creating digital products, or leveraging new technologies, Canadians continue to seek out ways to build wealth without being tied to traditional 9-to-5 jobs. So let’s get into the latest option: YouTube automation.

What is YouTube automation?

YouTube automation is all about creating a system where you can run a YouTube channel with minimal hands-on effort. This typically involves outsourcing tasks like video creation, editing, and even content strategy to freelancers or agencies. That allows you to focus on managing the overall channel or simply enjoying the passive income it generates. The appeal of YouTube automation lies in the potential to scale and monetize content without being directly involved in every step of the process. Similar to how drop-shipping allowed entrepreneurs to run online stores without handling the products.

In practice, automated YouTube channels often rely on trends, such as compilation videos, voiceover commentary on popular topics, or even artificial-intelligence (AI)-generated content to keep the channel active and engaging. This strategy allows channel owners to capitalize on the vast audience YouTube offers without the time-consuming effort of creating every piece of content themselves. It’s a modern approach to building a passive income stream. Yet the key is to create content that appeals to a broad audience while streamlining operations to maximize efficiency and profits.

Getting started

Getting started with YouTube automation is simpler than you might think. But it does require some planning and strategy. The first step is to choose a niche that has broad appeal and potential for consistent content. Think about areas where you can find or create videos easily. These might be tech reviews, educational content, or trending topics like celebrity news. Once you’ve picked a niche, the next step is to set up your channel, ensuring it’s optimized with a catchy name, relevant keywords, and an appealing banner and logo.

After setting up your channel, the goal is to automate the content creation process. You can do this by hiring freelancers or using services for video editing, scriptwriting, and voiceovers. Some of which can even be done through AI. Websites like Fiverr or Upwork are great places to find affordable talent for these tasks. Additionally, tools like TubeBuddy or VidIQ can help you optimize your videos for search-engine optimization (SEO) and manage your channel more efficiently. The goal is to create a system where new videos can be produced and uploaded regularly without you having to be involved in every detail. With consistent content and good SEO practices, your automated channel can start generating views and revenue over time.

Putting it to work

We all hope to be the channel that would go viral. But, on average, Canadians could earn anywhere from $500 to a few thousand dollars per month through YouTube automation. For example, a well-run YouTube channel or a drop-shipping store could potentially bring in a decent income over time with consistent effort and smart marketing. These earnings can vary widely depending on the niche, effort, and market conditions, but let’s say you consistently earn $1,000 per month.

If you take that $1,000 per month and invest it in an exchange-traded fund (ETF) like Vanguard’s FTSE All-World ex Canada Index ETF (TSX:VXC), you could potentially see significant growth over time. VXC is a globally diversified ETF, giving you exposure to international markets across various sectors. Historically, global ETFs like VXC have offered average annual returns of around 6-8% over the long term. Though this can fluctuate depending on market conditions. By consistently investing that $1,000 each month, you could take advantage of the power of compounding, where your investment earnings are reinvested to generate even more growth.

Over a few years, those monthly investments could grow into a substantial nest egg. For instance, investing $1,000 per month with an average annual return of 7% could grow to over $140,000 in 10 years! This could provide you with additional financial security, future investment opportunities, or even early retirement options. The key is consistency and patience, allowing time for your investments to grow and for compounding to work its magic.

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

Fool contributor Amy Legate-Wolfe has positions in Vanguard Ftse Global All Cap Ex Canada Index ETF. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

More on Stocks for Beginners

woman looks at iPhone
Dividend Stocks

1 Canadian Stock to Buy and Hold Forever in Your TFSA

This Canadian stock offers perhaps the most value and best long-term outlook for any investor looking to buy and hold…

Read more »

sale discount best price
Energy Stocks

Canadian Natural Resources Stock on Sale: Why Now’s the Time to Invest

CNQ made a major win from buying assets from Chevron stock. And yet, this company still seems to be on…

Read more »

rain rolls off a protective umbrella in a rainstorm
Stocks for Beginners

Safe Stocks to Buy in Canada for October

Here are two of the most stable Canadian stocks to buy this month.

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

3 TSX Growth Stocks That Show No Signs of Sinking

These three growth stocks may already be up by over 40% in 2024, but don't let that scare you off…

Read more »

Stocks for Beginners

2 TSX Stocks That Could Secure Your Future

These two TSX stocks may be some of the best long-term buys today for investors looking for safety, security, and…

Read more »

Blocks conceptualizing Canada's Tax Free Savings Account
Stocks for Beginners

Maximize Your $7,000 TFSA Limit in 2024 

The 2024 TFSA limit is $7,000, the highest since the 2015 limit of $10,000. You could maximize this limit by…

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

High-Yield Alert! 3 Dividend Stocks to Buy Now for Perfect Passive Income

High yield dividends aren't always filled with risk. And these high yielders could certainly be well worth it.

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

2 TFSA Stocks to Buy Immediately With Your $7,000 Room

These two stocks provide stability and reliable dividends to grow your Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA).

Read more »