💥 Embrace Your 9-to-5: Why Your Day Job Can Boost Your YouTube Success

If you’ve spent any time exploring “Make money online” content, you’ve likely heard the common advice to “Quit your day job.” It’s tempting, especially when you consider the frustrations that come with traditional employment—long hours, lack of fulfilment, and the pay check that barely covers your expenses. But before you rush to hand in your resignation, consider how your day job might actually be your secret weapon in building a successful YouTube channel.

The Stability of a Steady Pay check

One of the biggest hurdles for aspiring YouTubers is the financial uncertainty that comes with trying to make content creation your full-time gig. While some creators manage to achieve quick success, most face an unpredictable income stream, especially in the first few years.

This is where your day job shines. The stability of a regular pay check allows you to invest in your channel without the constant pressure to monetise every video immediately. You can afford better equipment, take courses to sharpen your skills, and experiment with different types of content—all without the fear of missing rent or skipping a bill. Your day job can provide the financial security you need to build a sustainable YouTube presence.

Don’t Undervalue Perks and Benefits

Your job likely offers more than just a pay check. Health insurance, pension, paid time off, and retirement plans are all benefits that many content creators must pay for out of pocket if they go full-time. These perks are valuable, and losing them can be costly. By maintaining your 9-to-5, you keep these benefits while you grow your channel, reducing financial stress and giving you more room to breathe as you work toward your goals.

Leverage Your Professional Skills

Your day job isn’t just a source of income—it’s also a training ground for skills that can set your content apart. Whether you’re developing technical expertise, honing your problem-solving abilities, or mastering the art of communication, these skills can directly enhance your YouTube content.

For example, if your channel is about tech tutorials, the troubleshooting skills you’ve developed at work could be your biggest asset. The experience you gain from your job doesn’t just support your content creation financially—it also enriches the quality of the content you produce.

Finding Balance

The goal isn’t to discourage you from pursuing your passion for content creation. Instead, it’s to help you see that your day job doesn’t have to be the enemy of your YouTube dreams. In fact, it might be the very thing that allows you to succeed. By embracing the stability and benefits of your 9-to-5, you can build your channel on a solid foundation, giving you the best chance to thrive in the long run.

So next time that 19y/o social media guru, who lives at home, never done a days hard graft and has zero responsibilities…starts giving you life advice. Consider how their viewpoint might be slightly skewed and in actual fact, the day job could be the safety net you need to build your business in peace (Or is my own 40 something years of experience also very skewed here?)….

You can read the full article over on my Medium page here.

▶️ YouTube Lessons (From The Experts)

Colin & Samir, one of my go to podcast and YouTube creators. Like Cheese & Beans, Salt & Vinegar, Fish & Chips. A great combination that deliver excellent product.

The video above is packed full of excellent advice for YouTubers. Watch it.

▶️ Say “Yes” Now & Figure It Out Later

Without any intentioned weirdness…. Riza creates content that makes me feel like I’ve just took a deep refreshing nap (on a cloud!). No, I don’t mean its boring and sends me to sleep. Quite the opposite.

Riza has such a calming aura that comes across in her cinematography, voice, soundtrack and story. Truly, one of the brightest young creators on the tube.

In the linked video she talks about a phrase (and tattoo) that she is tying to live her life by.

Why am I telling you this?

It could be that you live for the moment, act swiftly and decisively and never step back from a challenge (no matte how big or small it is).

Me, I am the opposite.

Simple things like, “Should I start a Newsletter”, “Should I join a local sports club”, “Should I buy that delicious looking sandwich”

Often, these are not life changing decisions. However I struggle to act on impulse and with decisiveness. I think, think a bit more and over plan anything.

This newsletter was 9 months consideration. Why? What was the risk really?

I watched that video by Riza and I agree it’s an area I need to develop. I’m not suggesting I go full carefree and spontaneous, I am who I am, to a degree. But I could certainly say yes more and just do the thing.

Worse case, it doesn’t work out. I stop. Move on.

It could be the same for you. If you are reading this because your life is busy AF yet you want more, you want to start a YouTube channel but you can’t because of all the things….

Well, read that quote above. Say YES and figure it out later. Anything you can’t figure out, hit me up, let me know where you are struggling, maybe it’s something I’ve experienced too and can signpost you or help you myself.