Noida-based YouTuber journey: From zero to 10 L subscribers to Rs 8 L investment
Noida-based journalist turned YouTuber Shakeel Ahmad has come a long way vis-a-vis his channel in the virtual world.
In December 2016 when he launched his YouTube channel after resigning from his job, he had no idea that in nearly four years time he would succeed in captivating 10 lakh people, who are subscribers to his channel, and will be honoured by Google video platform giant YouTube.
“It was historic moment for me when I got invite from YouTube very recently which honoured me with the gold button memento on completion of 10 lakh subscription,” Shakeel told OT over phone from his Noida residence.
Talking about how he quit a job at Sahara to start the channel with seed money of Rs 8 lakh by opening his studio equipped with all latest software and gadgets, he said initially he struggled but gradually over months he picked up the nitty-gritty of the virtual world to become a successful YouTuber.
With 8 employees, including part-timers, full timers and stringers, Shakeel work hard to keep his subscribers updated with latest Muslim issues at his channel NewsMXTV with presence in all social media platforms. Journalism was not new to Shakeel as he cut his teeth with Jain TV in 2001 after which he went to join Sahara TV national where he said he served for 13 years.
On starting his project, he said: “As I used to cover Muslim issues in Sahara I had built up good rapport with Muslim politicians so I approached them for financial help. When I got nothing I invested Rs 8 lak in setting up my studio with Apple mobile, high-tech camera for shooting, editing software and FCP machine. From day one I decided to give it a professional look and I have succeeded,” said Shakeel.
When asked how much he earns from his channel, he laughed and said the salaries of my employees are managed from my channel and today I am self sufficient.
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