Podcast Summary: The Think Media Podcast – Episode 393: The NEW WAY People Are Going Full-Time on YouTube!

Introduction

In Episode 393 of The Think Media Podcast, host Sean Cannell delves into the evolving landscape of YouTube as a viable full-time career path in 2025 and beyond. The episode features insightful conversations with Kyle Anderson, the Director of the YouTube Channel and Content Team at Think Media, and Craig Pruitt, the Lead Content Creator. Together, they explore the dynamics between solo creators and those who join creator teams, highlighting the advantages, challenges, and personal experiences associated with each path.

Guest Introductions

Sean Cannell opens the episode by introducing his guests:

• Kyle Anderson: Director of the YouTube Channel and Content Team at Think Media. Kyle transitioned from a full-time musician and worship director to a full-time YouTuber, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to the team.

• Craig Pruitt: Lead Content Creator at Think Media. Craig joined the team in July 2024 after building his solo channel while maintaining a full-time job at a university. His decision to join Think Media was motivated by the desire for a sustainable full-time creator role.

Solo Creator Path: Pros and Cons

Sean and Craig discuss the inherent benefits and drawbacks of pursuing a YouTube career independently.

Pros of Being a Solo Creator:

• Creative Freedom: Creators have complete control over their content without external constraints.

  • Craig Pruitt [07:07]: “I could chase trends a little bit. If there was something viral, I could tackle that and then be freed up for new creative energy.”

• Full Earnings Retention: Solo creators keep 100% of their ad revenue and brand deals.

• Personal Branding: Building a personal brand is streamlined as all content directly reflects the creator's persona.

• Flexibility: Ability to manage one's schedule and create content at a preferred pace.

Cons of Being a Solo Creator:

• Lack of Accountability: Without deadlines or a team to hold them accountable, solo creators might struggle with consistency.

• Full Responsibility: Handling all aspects of the business, including taxes, equipment maintenance, and content creation, can be overwhelming.

• Higher Burnout Risk: Managing both personal life and a demanding content schedule can lead to burnout.

  • Sean Cannell [08:56]: “There's a higher chance of burnout because the workload is heavier. You take all the risk, you get all the reward, but there's also a heavy burnout chance.”

Team Creator Path: Pros and Cons

The conversation shifts to the dynamics of working within a creator team, emphasizing the structured support and collaborative environment it offers.

Pros of Being on a Team:

• Shared Responsibilities: Different team members handle various aspects of content creation, from video editing to thumbnail design, allowing creators to focus on what they do best.

  • Kyle Anderson [20:36]: “We have a graphic designer who just does thumbnails for us. He's focused on that and doesn't have to worry about making a video or writing copy.”

• Stability and Support: Teams provide financial stability, health benefits, and paid time off, reducing the uncertainties faced by solo creators.

  • Kyle Anderson [11:55]: “In 2025, you can be a full-time YouTuber and not even make a single video. You get paid full time for doing YouTube packaging, videos, concepts, ideas, thumbnail ideas, etc.”

• Collaborative Growth: Working with others fosters skill development and creative enhancement through collective brainstorming and feedback.

  • Craig Pruitt [16:20]: “My creativity can be enhanced through our team structure. Ideas are optimized for positioning, ranking, and search with team input.”

• Opportunity for Advancement: Teams often provide clear pathways for career growth and skill enhancement.

  • Sean Cannell [17:05]: “If you work yourself out of the job, I'll always give you another one. Your vision can live inside of it.”

Cons of Being on a Team:

• Potential Loss of Creative Control: Depending on the team’s structure, creators might have to compromise on their content vision.

  • Kyle Anderson [15:36]: “At Think Media, I have creative freedom because the departments communicate well, allowing my ideas to flourish within the team structure.”

• Increased Expectations and Deadlines: Teams often have set schedules and performance metrics that can add pressure.

• Less Direct Earnings: Earnings are typically shared among team members, which might limit individual financial upside.

Personal Experiences from Craig and Kyle

Craig Pruitt’s Journey: Craig shares his transition from a part-time content creator juggling a full-time university job to joining Think Media. Initially earning an extra $1,500-$2,000 per month through ad revenue and brand deals, Craig faced the challenge of balancing work, family, and content creation. Joining Think Media provided him with a sustainable income and a supportive team environment.

• Craig Pruitt [02:14]: “I had aspirations to create content full time and was working after hours trying to build up my YouTube channel. Joining Think Media was a no-brainer for setting my family up for success.”

Kyle Anderson’s Journey: Kyle recounts his shift from a full-time musician and worship director to a full-time YouTuber. Without prior media experience, Kyle learned on the job, eventually overseeing a team of ten and contributing to Think Media’s main channel. The stability and collaborative environment have significantly transformed his life.

• Kyle Anderson [17:05]: “My life has completely changed because of YouTube. I was folding keychains at 4 AM, and now I have a home studio and a six-figure income.”

Building a Personal Brand on a Team

Sean explores how being part of a team like Think Media doesn’t hinder personal branding but can actually amplify it. By leveraging the team's collective reach and resources, creators like Craig have seen their personal channels grow exponentially.

• Craig Pruitt [22:18]: “Joining Think Media has given me way more eyeballs. It’s enhanced my personal brand and aligned with the company’s vision to succeed online.”

Tips for Aspiring Creators

Towards the end of the episode, Sean shares three essential tips for creators contemplating whether to go solo or join a team:

1. Self-Awareness:

   • Assess your strengths, weaknesses, and personal preferences.
   • Conduct a SWOT analysis to understand your position.
     • Sean Cannell [29:42]: “It’s about self-awareness. What’s your vision? What are your personal strengths and weaknesses?”

2. Seasons of Life:

   • Reflect on your current life stage and how it aligns with your career goals.
   • Consider family obligations, financial stability, and personal well-being.
     • Sean Cannell [32:22]: “What season of life are you in? If you have dependents, it might be smarter to seek stability through a team.”

3. Flexibility to Switch Paths:

   • Understand that your career trajectory doesn’t have to be linear.
   • Be open to transitioning between solo and team environments as your needs and circumstances evolve.
     • Sean Cannell [40:15]: “You can always switch it up. If you’re burning out or need a change, transitioning to a team or another role is possible.”

Conclusion

Episode 393 of The Think Media Podcast provides a comprehensive exploration of the modern YouTube creator landscape. Through candid discussions with Kyle Anderson and Craig Pruitt, Sean Cannell highlights the significant benefits of joining a creator team, including stability, collaborative growth, and enhanced personal branding, while also addressing the challenges such as potential loss of creative control and increased expectations. For solo creators, the episode underscores the importance of self-awareness and the risks of burnout. Ultimately, the conversation emphasizes that whether to go solo or join a team depends on individual circumstances, goals, and the current season of one’s life. Aspiring creators are encouraged to evaluate their personal and professional needs carefully to make informed decisions about their YouTube careers.

Notable Quotes:

• Craig Pruitt [07:07]: “When you're a solo creator, you can decide what your schedule looks like and chase trends that energize your creativity.”

• Sean Cannell [08:56]: “There's a higher chance of burnout because the workload is heavier. You take all the risk, you get all the reward, but there's also a heavy burnout chance.”

• Kyle Anderson [17:05]: “My life has completely changed because of YouTube. I was folding keychains at 4 AM, and now I have a home studio and a six-figure income.”

• Sean Cannell [29:42]: “It’s about self-awareness. What’s your vision? What are your personal strengths and weaknesses?”

• Craig Pruitt [16:20]: “My creativity can be enhanced through our team structure. Ideas are optimized for positioning, ranking, and search with team input.”

Final Thoughts

This episode serves as an invaluable resource for YouTube creators at any stage of their journey. Whether you're considering taking the leap into full-time content creation solo or contemplating joining a supportive team environment, the insights shared by Sean, Kyle, and Craig offer practical guidance to help you navigate your path to success on YouTube.