Authenticity-Driven YouTube Success Stories (Musicians & Comedians) 🎤🎸

In the past year or two, a new jump of independent musicians and comedians have built flourishing YouTube careers from scratch – all without TikTok dances, Twitch marathons, daily vlogs, or wild stunts. Instead, they focused on authentic content, intermittent quality uploads, and cultivating true fans who support them via Patreon, Ko-fi, Bandcamp subscriptions, etc. Below we profile 10 such creators – their style, content cadence, early fan outreach, and how they convert loyal viewers into $5,000+/month of recurring income. Each exemplifies the “1000 True Fans” model pushed forward by creativity and community, not gimmicks.

1. Bernth – Shred Guitar Mentor 🎸🎓 (Austria)

Bio & Style: Bernth Brodträger (aka BERNTH) is a metal guitarist who began posting virtuosic yet educational guitar videos on YouTube around 2020patreon.com. An accomplished player, he blends serious technique with a friendly, down-to-earth teaching style. His content often features “epic guitar battles” or “brutally honest” practice advice delivered with humor and precision, appealing to fellow guitar nerds.

Content & Frequency: Rather than daily uploads, Bernth releases about one high-quality video per week (tutorials, exercises, song challenges). He believes in “putting too much effort into things” – highly produced lessons with split-screen demonstrations, on-screen tabs, and flawless playingfollowfridaypodcast.com. This consistency (not spam) built him a loyal niche following of over 1 million subscribers. Every video invites viewers to “become my guitar student” by joining his Patreon for full coursesyoutube.comyoutube.com.

Early Fan Outreach: Bernth launched an email newsletter and YouTube community posts to share practice tips and announce new lesson series. Crucially, he positioned his Patreon as an online guitar academy rather than a tip jar. For example, descriptions link: “access 20+ full online courses here: patreon.com/bernth”, framing Patreon as a value-packed extension of his channelyoutube.comyoutube.com. This early messaging trained viewers to see Patreon as part of the learning experience.

Monetization Strategy: Bernth’s Patreon absolutely boomed by offering structured lessons, tabs, backing tracks, and personal feedback for one low fee. By 2025 he has over 18,000 members in his Patreon “Shred Guitar Community”patreon.com – an enormous base of paying students. His pitch is authentic and learner-centric: “All community students make enormous progress with weekly high-quality videos…full membership 1/10 of a monthly private lesson!”patreon.compatreon.com. This transparent value (tons of content, personal mentoring, a positive community) makes fans want to subscribe. Bernth doesn’t resort to clickbait; he simply demonstrates insane skill and invites viewers along for the journey. His authenticity (sharing his own practice routines and struggles) and consistent quality cemented trust – converting thousands of casual viewers into paying guitar pupils, netting well above $5k monthly (likely many times that).

2. HTHAZE – “Let’s Talk Tunes” Reactor 🎶😂 (USA)

Bio & Style: Hunter (known as HTHAZE) started on YouTube as a small-time musician but found his groove making lively music critique & reaction videos. With an upbeat, comedic personality, he reacts to albums, Broadway show tunes, and trending songs in a way that feels like watching with a friend. He began near zero audience in 2021; now he’s a top music reactor.

Content & Frequency: HTHAZE avoids burnout by posting a few big reactions a week (not daily). He might do a “Listening to My Subscribers’ Favorite Small Artists” series or react to an entire musical soundtrack in one sitting, bringing genuine humor and analysis. Each video is high-effort (multi-camera, edited highlights, funny captions) rather than churned out. His tagline “let’s talk tunes!” sets a welcoming, fan-driven toneyoutube.com.

Early Fan Outreach: From early on, HTHAZE engaged viewers through community polls (e.g. which album should I review next?) and newsletters where he’d recap his favorite music discoveries. Crucially, he created a Patreon for uncut reactions and bonus content and plugged it subtly in videos: “No sponsor today HT Hotties, just support the Patreon! REP Tour up now!”youtube.com. By giving patrons full, unedited reaction videos (which often can’t live on YouTube due to copyright), he funneled diehard music geeks to support him.

Monetization Strategy: HTHAZE grew massive recurring support by making Patreon feel like an exclusive fan club. He offers patrons early access to his reactions (so they can watch the full “Hamilton” musical reaction hours-longpatreon.com), plus a Discord “Theatre Kids Unite” serverpatreon.com. This approach skyrocketed his Patreon to over 27,000 paying members – yes, twenty-seven thousandgraphtreon.comgraphtreon.com – making him the #1 music category creator on Patreon. His exact Patreon pitch emphasizes community and shared love of music rather than begging. By focusing on quality over quantity (fewer videos but with real effort and heart) he won fans’ trust. Those fans then gladly chip in a few bucks for extra content and to keep their favorite reactor afloat, netting him well beyond $5k per month in steady income.

3. Charles Berthoud – Bass Virtuoso & Community Builder 🕺🎵 (UK/USA)

Bio & Style: Charles Berthoud is a bassist known for stunning slap and tap techniques, delivered with a smile. He began posting in 2020 with little following, doing obstacles like “I bet you can’t play this bassline”. His mix of implausible skill and goofy charm struck a chord – he’s now one of YouTube’s most popular bassists.

Content & Frequency: Charles posts about 1–2 videos a week, often concept-driven (e.g. “Bass contra. Guitar – Monumental Battle!” where he and a guitarist duel) and often meme-worthy. He doesn’t stream daily or spam shorts; instead he crafts each video to be entertaining and musically impressive, which has earned him a dedicated audience. He also shares short practice maxims and advancement updates on his socials to keep fans engaged between videos.

Early Fan Outreach: From the start, Charles treated fans like a community. He replied to comments, made jokey “bass memes” on Twitter, and crucially launched the “Charles’s Online Bass Academy” on Patreonpatreon.com. In early posts he invited viewers to learn bass with him, offering tabs, backing tracks, and beginner exercises for Patreon supporters. By framing it as an academy/class, he gave aspiring bassists a reason to join beyond just “support me.”

Monetization Strategy: Charles’ recurring income flows from providing real value to fellow musicians. His Patreon boasts over 10,000 memberspatreon.compatreon.com, and he personally mentors 500+ students therepatreon.com. Fans subscribe at tiers that include monthly live Q&A sessions, custom bass lessons, sheet music, and a patron-only forum. Essentially, he turned his fandom into a bass club. This consistent value delivery – new lessons every week, personalized feedback – fosters loyalty and justifies the subscription. Charles’ authenticity also shines: he often jokes about his own practice failures and encourages others, creating a supportive vibe. This has translated into an estimated five-figure monthly Patreon earning (with 10k members, even a low-tier ~$5 each is ~$50k) while still growing. No viral gimmicks needed – just phenomenal talent, humor, and treating fans like friends/students rather than customers.

4. Mary Spender – Singer-Songwriter Building Her Own Music Business 🎶✉️ (UK)

Bio & Style: Mary Spender is a British singer-songwriter and guitarist who, until a few years ago, played tiny gigs and had no huge following. She started a YouTube channel to document her vistas as an independent musician – sharing original songs, cover collaborations, and “behind the music” vlogs – with a warm, candid style. Her spirit: transparency and authenticity in an industry full of gloss.

Content & Frequency: Mary’s flagship series “Tuesday Talks” came out weekly, where she’d discuss songwriting, interview fellow artists, or share music industry lessons. By keeping a steady weekly rhythm (and not over-posting), she cultivated an audience that genuinely cares about her art. Her videos aren’t high-budget; they’re often simple sit-down chats or live home performances, which reinforces her genuineness. Over time this schedule grew her channel to ~765K subscribersyoutube.com.

Early Fan Outreach: Very early, Mary set up a free email newsletter, telling viewers “my newsletter is where the real connection happens”youtube.com. In it, she’d share personal updates, struggles with a song, or exclusive discounts to her self-made guitar courses. This gave her a direct line to true fans. Simultaneously, she launched Patreon, branding it as “a new music business, one video at a time”patreon.com. Instead of begging for support, she invited fans into the process: Patreon supporters get exclusive news, photos, and updates on current projectspatreon.com, early video access, and their questions answered in Q&Aspatreon.compatreon.com. Essentially, she treated patrons like her record label/team. This messaging resonated with those who wanted to help an indie artist succeed on her own terms.

Monetization Strategy: Mary’s recurring revenue comes from multiple fan-focused streams working in concert. Her Patreon has ~650+ paid memberspatreon.com contributing at tiers for special content and even credit on her albumspatreon.com – yielding on the order of a few thousand dollars per month. She also monetizes through her “Spender School” online courses (often promoted with Patreon discountspatreon.compatreon.com) and Bandcamp/Ko-fi for direct music sales. What sets her apart is authentic marketing: Mary involves fans in decisions (patron polls on which song to release next), shows gratitude (shouting out supporters), and remains transparent about her goals. For example, she openly shares how Patreon funds help her remain independent and pay collaborators. This honesty and community-centric approach led to a sustainable income – not viral riches overnight, but steady growth of a truly invested fanbase that yields at least mid–4-figures monthly in Patreon alone. It’s a slower burn model, but one that’s proven durable.

5. Cynthia Lin – Ukulele Educator Turning Fans into a Family 🎶🌺 (USA)

Bio & Style: Cynthia Lin is a jazz ukulele player and singer who transitioned from performing locally to creating online content around 2021. With a soothing voice and welcoming demeanor, she started posting ukulele tutorials and song cover play-alongs on YouTube for free, aiming to “share music with anyone who wants to learn.” Her artistic style is nurturing and inclusive – she makes even beginners feel like jamming with a friend.

Content & Frequency: Cynthia avoids any algorithmic rat race. She typically uploads a couple of polished tutorials or video “ukulele jams” per month. Each video might teach a classic song or a new technique, filmed casually in her living room. By not overwhelming herself or viewers, she maintains quality and approachability. Over time, her consistency attracted a devoted audience of aspiring uke players worldwide.

Early Fan Outreach: Right from the start, Cynthia fostered community interaction. She started a Facebook group for her “uke crew” and sent out monthly email newsletters with practice tips. Most importantly, she launched a Patreon early on, framing it not as paid lessons but as a mutual support system. She told her audience that by joining Patreon, “you’re helping me keep lessons free on YouTube, while getting bonus resources.” In fact, she posts all her lesson videos free on YouTube because of her philosophy that “learning an instrument should be accessible to all”cyberprmusic.com – which only increased fans’ desire to support her altruism.

Monetization Strategy: Cynthia’s authenticity-led strategy paid off tremendously. Her Patreon grew into a 8,000+ patron community of enthusiastscyberprmusic.com contributing monthly so she can continue providing free lessons. She offers patrons things like live Zoom jam sessions, chord charts, and a patrons-only forum where everyone shares progresscyberprmusic.comcyberprmusic.com. Essentially, she’s built a global ukulele club. By acknowledging patron support in each YouTube video (e.g. ending credits thank the “Ukulele Family”) and occasionally doing patron-exclusive song requests, she makes supporters feel personally involved in her work. This genuine care has translated into well over $5k/month – likely tens of thousands – in recurring income. Cynthia shows that prioritizing community over virality can create a stable creative livelihood: her fans stick around year after year, proud to fund an artist who puts education and heart first.

6. Alasdair Beckett-King – Viral Sketch Cmo with Cult Following 😂🎥 (UK)

Bio & Style: Alasdair Beckett-King is a British stand-up comedian and animator who was relatively unknown pre-2021. He began uploading short comedy sketches on YouTube during the pandemic – often nerdy, film-inspired parodies (spoofing Star Trek, Nordic crime dramas, etc.) filmed mostly by himself with greenscreen tricks. His trademark is meticulous, clever writing delivered in a deadpan-yet-whimsical style. As he jokes, “one of my principles is that putting too much effort into things makes them funnier.”followfridaypodcast.com Indeed, his skits have lush costumes, custom animations, and tons of Easter eggs, showing tremendous effort for a few minutes of comedy.

Content & Frequency: Alasdair does not post daily – far from it. Each of his videos can take weeks to produce (e.g. shaving his head to play Picard, compositing multiple characters). He might release 1–2 sketches a month. This slower schedule hasn’t hurt him; in fact, every video he put out in the past year repeatedly went viralfollowfridaypodcast.com, racking up millions of views, precisely because they were so well-crafted. Fans know an Alasdair sketch is worth the wait. He’s also diversified onto Twitter where his witty one-liners attract followers who then find his YouTube.

Early Fan Outreach: When his first couple of sketches unexpectedly blew up, Alasdair capitalized in a humble way: he set up a Patreon and simply let fans know that if they enjoyed his (free) work, they could chip in to support more. He didn’t dangle huge rewards – maybe occasional clandestine posts or early looks – but mostly pitched Patreon as “help me spend more time making these overly elaborate videos for you.” His candor about the work that goes in (often joking about how long a 1-minute gag took to film) helped viewers value his make and feel good helping or assisting it. Also, he interacted with fans on social media comments, building a personal rapport that fostered loyalty.

Monetization Strategy: Alasdair’s strategy revolves around creative freedom and fan input. On Patreon, he might poll supporters on which parody concept to tackle next, or share scrapped joke ideas for a laugh. By involving patrons in the creative process, he makes them feel like producers of his content. As a result, he converted a significant chunk of his viral viewership into paying supporters. (He’s mentioned in interviews seeing “high levels of Ko-Fi/Patreon donations during lockdown” when his sketches took offcambridgeindependent.co.uk.) While he may not have as many patrons as some others on this list, the income is substantial: enough to go full-time on YouTube. Moreover, his fanbase is incredibly dedicated. They buy tickets to his live shows after discovering him online (monetizing offline), and they rally to share his new videos (organic growth, no ad spend). In short, by staying authentic – focusing on smart, niche comedy he loves rather than chasing broad trends – Alasdair has built a sustainable career. Fans respect that he won’t force out content (“people ask for more Picard, but I won’t – it took ages to do the bald cap!” he quipsfollowfridaypodcast.com) – this integrity makes them more willing to support him financially so he only makes what he’s passionate about.

7. “Lost in the Pond” (Laurence Brown) – Brit in America Turning Curiosity into Cash 🇬🇧🇺🇸💰

Bio & Style: Laurence Brown, host of “Lost in the Pond,” moved from England to the U.S. and in 2020 started a YouTube series comparing British contra American culture. At first, hardly anyone watched his cheeky, educational videos. But his witty observations (and charming, slightly awkward persona) gradually found an audience of Anglophiles and Americans curious about their own quirks. His style is aware yet informative – think fun facts about why American peanut butter differs from British, delivered with dry British voyage.

Content & Frequency: Laurence posts roughly once or twice a week. Typical videos include listicles (“5 British Foods That Baffle Americans”), travel vlogs to U.S. landmarks with British commentary, or reaction videos to American things (like trying Thanksgiving dinner). He doesn’t do daily vlogging – each video has a researched angle and sometimes archival images, indicating preparation. By pacing himself, he maintained quality and a steady growth to 756k subscribers as of 2025x.com. Notably, 2023 was a breakout year where his channel “smashed its own records…70 million views this year”x.com, all from this consistent output of engaging cultural commentary.

Early Fan Outreach: Early on, Laurence realized his niche audience could be mobilized. He set up a Patreon and pitched “Secret Streams” – private live chats for supporters – and a monthly behind-the-scenes blog about his content creation. He also maintained an email list where he’d send “Ponderings” (short humorous essays that often led readers to his Patreon or merch). By giving his community a name (“Ponderers”) and inside jokes, he made fans feel part of something. For example, Patreon supporters get access to patron-only live streams and outtake reelspatreon.com, which he’d mention in YouTube outros: “If you’d like to see the bloopers from this episode, join us on Patreon.” This gentle call-to-action directed his most engaged viewers to take the next step.

Monetization Strategy: Laurence’s exact Patreon earnings aren’t public, but we do know he has 725+ members on Patreonpatreon.com. With tiers likely averaging ~$5–10, that’s easily $3–5k per month. Combined with YouTube AdSense and sponsorships, it allowed him to quit his day job. His strategy centers on authentic engagement: he thanks patrons by name in videos, involves them in choosing topics (e.g. a patron poll might decide which state he visits next), and shares personal stories (like culture shock moments) first with patrons. He also uses humor in his Patreon pitch – calling it “the Customs Officer tier” or other thematic names – to keep it fun. Uniquely, Laurence did not rely on any external platform like TikTok; his growth came from YouTube and word-of-mouth among expat groups and Reddit. And by avoiding any divisive or overly clickbait tactics, he’s maintained a trustworthy, “wholesome content” reputation, which encourages fans to support him long-term. In conclusion, “Lost in the Pond” turned a quirky passion (noticing transatlantic differences) into a stable livelihood by consistently delivering value and making viewers feel like friends on the journey. That friendship now pays his bills every monthx.com.

8. Daniel Thrasher – Musical Voyage Maven Making Fans Laugh (and Pay) 😁🎹 (USA)

Bio & Style: Daniel Thrasher is a pianist and comedian who started from near-zero around 2018. He creates sketch comedy videos centered on music – e.g. “When you accidentally write songs that already exist” or “When the piano plays YOU”. His style is zany and absurdist (lots of slapstick at the piano bench), yet musically impressive. Essentially, he found a way to merge his conservatory-level piano skills with Vine-style comedy. This unique blend slowly caught fire; Daniel’s “accidental song” skit in 2019 went viral, launching him into YouTube stardom. By 2023, his channel exploded to over 5.5 million subscribersyoutube.com.

Content & Frequency: Despite huge demand for his content, Daniel avoided the temptation to upload daily. He typically puts out one sketch per week or two – each ~5 minutes and tightly scripted. By not flooding the feed, he maintains a high hit-rate; every video feels fresh and well-crafted. He also runs a second channel for extras and behind-the-scenes, but doesn’t overdo it. His focus is on quality comedy writing and timing, which has earned him accolades (featured creator at VidCon, etc. as noted in pressyoutube.com). Notably, he often serializes funny concepts (a running joke about a sentient piano, for example), which keeps fans eagerly awaiting the next installment.

Early Fan Outreach: As his channel grew, Daniel smartly corralled his most ardent fans into supportive roles. He started a Patreon and a channel membership, offering minimal but enticing perks: occasional Patreon-only vlogs, early access to new sketches, and a Discord server called “Dan’s Fans” where he’d drop in to chat. His Patreon welcome message even jokes, “If you’re here in 2025, you’re here at exactly the right time.” – encouraging fans to feel they’re part of his journey as it unfoldspatreon.compatreon.com. By treating Patreon as a VIP fan club rather than a store, he cultivated a sense of community. He also used email newsletters to share deeper thoughts on comedy and life (especially during tough times – he posted “Thoughts on Comedy Through Times of Crisis” on Patreon as a personal essaypatreon.com). Showing this human side helped fans bond with him beyond the laughs.

Monetization Strategy: Daniel’s recurring income is solidly in the 5-figure range monthly, fueled by ~850+ Patreon memberspatreon.com and additional YouTube channel members. While Patreon content is relatively light (fewer than 30 posts so farpatreon.com), his fans join mostly to support his creative freedom. His strategy is to make supporting him feel meaningful: he frequently credits patrons with enabling ambitious projects (like hiring a string quartet for a comedy music video – and then thanking patrons for funding it). He also involves them in fun ways, e.g. patrons got to vote on which “already existing song” he’d parody next. This inclusion makes patrons feel invested in the content. Moreover, Daniel leverages merch and album sales (he releases the real piano pieces from his videos as music downloads) to supplement income – but even these are marketed playfully rather than pushy. In summary, Daniel Thrasher turned viral success into a sustainable career by building a fan-supported ecosystem. He stuck to his comedic vision (no random trend-hopping) and fans reward him for it. As one article put it, his “absurd comedic piano videos have gained him massive success”youtube.com – and behind that success is a legion of true fans happily contributing each month so he can keep the music and laughs coming.

9. Steven He – “Emotional Damage” Guy Goes Independent 😂🎮 (China/USA)

Bio & Style: Steven He was an aspiring actor/comedian posting short skits on YouTube with almost no audience in early 2021. Then he uploaded a sketch called “When ‘Asian’ is a Difficulty Mode” – featuring the now-famous catchphrase “EMOTIONAL DAMAGE!” – which meteoritically went viralyoutube.com. That video launched a meme seen around the world and catapulted Steven to internet stardom. His comedic style plays on his Chinese immigrant upbringing (the strict/funny “Asian parent” trope) blended with absurd gamer humor. He often portrays multiple characters (himself and his hilariously harsh father) in quick, punchy sketches. Importantly, the comedy never feels mean-spirited – Steven balances exaggeration with genuine wit and physical comedy.

Content & Frequency: Post-viral, Steven did not spam daily videos to capitalize (even though he gained millions of subs extremely fast). Instead, he maintained a schedule of maybe 2–4 skits per month, ensuring each one was top-notch. This kept his audience hungry but not overwhelmed. He diversified into related content (e.g. collaborating with Doctor Mike on a parody, streaming some comedy gaming), but always at a measured pace. As a result, he grew to over 13 million subscribers by 2025lakelandcc.edu while keeping quality control. His videos consistently rack up multi-million views (e.g. “Asian Parent Punishments” 8.3M viewsyoutube.com) – indicating a broad but loyal audience.

Early Fan Outreach: Steven smartly turned his one-hit wonder into a sustainable fan community. After “Emotional Damage” blew up, he immediately engaged with fans on platforms like Reddit (where memes of his catchphrase spread) and started a Patreon. He announced on Twitter/X: “I’ve launched a Patreon – join for exclusive behind-the-scenes and become part of the creation process!”x.com. This framing made fans feel like insiders helping him craft the next viral hit. On Patreon, he’d share blooper reels, early script ideas, and personal updates from his life as a now-busy actor/YouTuber. He also opened a Discord for patrons where he occasionally popped in for Q&As. By providing this extra layer for super-fans, he converted a portion of his massive following into paying supporters.

Monetization Strategy: Steven’s recurring revenue comes from a blend of merchandising and patronage, all anchored by his authentic persona. He monetized the “Emotional Damage” meme with merch (like the “Failure Management” sweater seen in his vids), which fans eagerly buy. But beyond one-time sales, his Patreon and YouTube memberships yield steady income. While exact Patreon numbers aren’t public, the interest is clearly there – even a small fraction of 13M subs translates to significant patron counts. His strategy is to give patrons fun exclusives without withholding his main content. For instance, after finishing “Asian Difficulty Mode 2”, he posted the “hilarious bloopers” exclusively on Patreonx.com, driving many to subscribe just to see more of the comedy they love. He also created a private Discord server “for Patrons only” (fans joke about wanting to join but being brokex.com). This scarcity and direct access to Steven adds value to the subscription. Crucially, Steven did not migrate to TikTok or other platforms fully – he used short-form to tease content but kept the focus on YouTube and Patreon, where he has more control and can monetize better. By riding the viral wave but then focusing that attention into a self-owned community, Steven converted fleeting viral fame into a robust, patron-supported career. He’s now branching into pro acting roles, but thanks to his Patreon, he has financial stability outside of that – likely earning well above $5k/month from fan support who simply want to thank him for the laughter therapy he provides.

10. Have A Word – Two Club Comics Turn Podcast into Profit 🎙️😂 (UK)

Bio & Style: Have A Word is a weekly voyage podcast by British stand-up comedians Adam Rowe and Dan Nightingale. In 2019, these two were gigging on the UK circuit with modest followings. They decided to start a no-holds-barred audio/video podcast from Adam’s spare room – just riffing off each other’s stories and roasting anything and everything. Their style is extremely irreverent and authentically unfiltered. Listeners describe it as feeling like “hanging at the pub with two hilarious mates.” Crucially, they came into this with zero YouTube clout; they built everything from the ground up.

Content & Frequency: They release one free podcast episode on YouTube every week (often ~90 minutes long), and over time started a Patreon-only bonus episode each week. They avoided overextending: no daily clips channel (at first), no Twitch streams – just consistency (every Sunday, a new ep drops) and quality banter. This reliability and word-of-mouth about their insanely intrepid chemistry caused their audience to snowball. By 2022, they upgraded from the spare room to a proper studio, and by 2023 their YouTube hit ~100K subscribers. The pivotal was that they didn’t chase trendy formats; they stuck to their comedic voice, which attracted a loyal fanbase who tune in religiously.

Early Fan Outreach: From early on, Adam and Dan fostered a sense of exclusive community around the podcast. They gave their listeners a nickname (“the Lids”) and would read out Patreon members’ names and questions on air, making them feel part of the show. When they launched Patreon, they offered huge value: patrons get an extra episode every week (doubling the content) plus early access to the public episodespatreon.com. They plugged this in every episode’s outro with genuine enthusiasm (and some cheeky humor like “£3 a month and you get to hear our worst stories we’d never say in public!”). They also used Patreon to organize live podcast recordings and give first dibs on show tickets to subscribers. By treating patrons as VIPs and integrating them into the content, they converted thousands of casual listeners into paying superfans.

Monetization Strategy: Have A Word is a prime example of recurring fan support at massive scale. They now boast nearly 30,000 paying patrons – making them one of Europe’s most successful comedy Patreonsgraphtreon.com. At roughly ~$5/month, that’s at least $150k monthly (indeed Graphtreon estimates between $24K–$279K, likely on the higher end)graphtreon.comgraphtreon.com – far above the $5k threshold. How did two regular comics do this? By offering real content for the subscription (that extra weekly show is essentially a whole second podcast just for supporters) and by prioritizing authenticity over ad money. They intentionally kept sponsor reads minimal on the free show, instead urging fans to join Patreon – framing it as “cut out the middleman and support us directly, and we’ll give you more of what you love.” This honest approach resonated. They also maintained a down-to-earth relationship with fans: they interact in the Patreon comments, take Patreon-submitted questions, and even invite some top-tier patrons to hangouts. All this makes supporters feel appreciated. Another smart move: exclusive merch and early live show access for patrons, which drove more sign-ups. In essence, Adam and Dan proved that a thousand true fans – or in their case, thirty thousand – can elevate working comedians into self-sufficient stars. They now run their own comedy club nights and have full creative control, funded by the reliable Patreon income. Their success underscores that being authentically funny and fostering community can outdo any algorithm or marketing hack – the fans themselves become your marketing and financial engine.

How You Can Build a YouTube Presence in 20 Minutes a Day (Singer/Cmo Edition) – A In order Plan 🎬✨

You’ve seen how these creators did it: authentic content, consistent (but not overwhelming) output, and community-focused monetization. Now, here’s a concise 20-min-a-day plan to follow in their footsteps as an aspiring singer-cmo on YouTube:

1. Define Your Niche & Voice (Day 0): Spend a short session identifying what makes your art unique. Are you a singing comedian like Bo Burnham or a musical impressionist? Clarify your blend of skills and comedic style – this will inform all content. (E.g. Mary Spender focused on songwriter journaling, Steven He on cultural comedy.)

2. Create a Simple Content Schedule: Plan to release 1 quality video per week or bi-weekly. Consistency is key, even if infrequent. Choose a regular day/time. This sets viewer expectations and keeps you on track. (All our examples – Bernth, Alasdair, etc. – kept a steady schedule without daily grind.)

3. Daily Micro-Writing/Ideation (≤5 min): Each day, jot down joke ideas, song concepts or funny observations in a notebook or app. This continuous idea generation will feed your weekly content. Some days you might polish lyrics or sketch a 1-minute script. Small creative bursts add up to solid material by week’s end.

4. Production in Batches (Use 1–2 days/week): On a chosen day, use ~20 minutes to film or practice your bit. You don’t need fancy gear – a phone and lamp can do. Another day, spend 20 min on editing (cutting dead air, adding a caption or two for punchlines). By dividing production into mini-tasks (write -> film -> edit over separate days), you make progress with minimal daily effort.

5. Engage with Early Viewers (5 min/day): As you start posting, take a few minutes to reply genuinely to comments. Authenticity is your advantage, so be friendly and yourself in interactions. This encourages that first handful of viewers to stick around and tell friends (your seed “true fans”).

6. Start a Newsletter or Discord (once content begins): In one 20-min session, set up a free Substack or Mailchimp newsletter (or a Discord server) for your budding community. Mention in your video outros: “Join my free newsletter for behind-the-scenes laughs and updates.” Sending even a monthly update builds a direct fan channel outside YouTube. (Creators like Mary Spender and Lost in the Pond did this early, yielding loyal followings.)

7. Introduce Monetization Softly: After you’ve put out maybe ~5–10 videos and see a small fanbase forming, consider launching a Patreon or Ko-fi without paywalling your main content. Dedicate a 20-min block to create the page. Offer simple perks: e.g. “Patrons get early access to new songs, blooper reels, and can vote on my next parody.” Keep tiers simple ($3 or $5 to start). Importantly, pitch it as supporting your journey in exchange for belonging to an inner circle – not a corporate transaction. (All 10 creators above framed their Patreon as fan communities, not just content mills.)

8. Leverage Each Video to Promote Community: Use 15–20 seconds at the end of videos to call viewers to action in an authentic way: e.g. “If you enjoyed, come hang out on my Discord – link below – or support the channel on Patreon to help me make more musical comedy!” Mention any cool thing happening on your Patreon (“patrons got to choose the cover song I spoofed this week”). This plants the seed for viewers to join without feeling pressured. Consistency here matters too – gently remind in most videos.

9. Focus on Quality & Originality, Not Virality: In your daily or weekly creative time, prioritize ideas that excite you and showcase your unique talent, rather than chasing a random trend. Authentic enthusiasm is contagious. For example, if you love 90s sitcoms, write a parody song about them; your niche passion can attract a devoted niche audience. One engaged fan is worth more long-term than 1,000 passive trend-chasers. (Recall how Alasdair stuck to nerdy parodies or how Cynthia taught ukulele her own way – authenticity drew the right fans who were willing to pay.)

10. Iterate Based on Fan Feedback: Spend a quick 5 minutes each week reviewing comments and messages. What bits do people love? What do they ask for? Let your true fans guide some content decisions. e.g. If multiple viewers say your latest comedic song brightened their day, maybe do more like that. This creates a feedback loop making fans feel heard, increasing their loyalty (and likelihood to become patrons). (Have A Word’s hosts, for instance, respond to patron suggestions, making supporters feel integral to the show.)

11. Reward and Acknowledge Your Core Supporters: As Patreon or Ko-fi members trickle in, give them shoutouts (verbally in a video, or in end credits). A simple “Thanks to my first 10 Patrons – you know who you are, you’re legends!” can delight those supporters and show others that your community is tight-knit and appreciative. Human connection is your strength over big corporate entertainers.

12. Stay Consistent and Patient: With only ~20 minutes a day, you won’t pump out tons of content – and that’s okay. The key is sustained consistency. After 6 months, you’ll have a nice catalog of 12–15 high-quality videos, a few hundred subscribers, and maybe dozens of them in your direct community. That’s a fantastic start. Remember, many of our profiled creators were virtually unknown in their first year but gained momentum through steady output and fan referrals (e.g. Lost in the Pond slowly gained traction, then suddenly 70M yearly views after a couple years of consistencyx.com).

13. Scale Up Authentic Offers: As your base grows, you can introduce higher-value offerings that generate more recurring income without extra daily work. For example, launch a $10 “VIP” Patreon tier that includes a quarterly 1-hour Zoom hangout or a personalized 15-second song snippet for each supporter. These kinds of personal touches can justify higher support levels. (Nick Lutsko, for instance, had tiers with exclusive Zoom parties and even producer credits for higher patronspatreon.compatreon.com – giving superfans special experiences.) Just ensure you can handle the promises with your limited time (set small numbers or infrequent intervals for labor-intensive perks).

14. Collaborate Authentically: Use a bit of time occasionally to network or collaborate with like-minded creators (maybe another singer or a comedian you admire). You can do a duet or a sketch cameo for cross-exposure. But only do collabs that fit your style – quality > quantity here. A genuine collab can introduce your channel to new true fans. (For example, Daniel Thrasher appearing on a VidCon panel or Mary Spender interviewing another musician – these expanded their audience authentically.)

15. Keep the Conversation Going Off-Platform: In 20 minutes, you can also repurpose content for other channels (tweet a one-liner from your latest stand-up bit, share a 30-second song clip on Instagram). This isn’t about going viral on each platform, but about creating multiple touchpoints for fans to connect with you and then funneling them to your YouTube and Patreon. Always include a call like “Full comedy song on my YouTube, link in bio!” on these posts.

16. Be Transparent with Your Fans: Once you have some patrons, don’t be afraid to share your creative and even financial goals with them. “Thanks to your support, I was able to buy a better mic”, or “If we reach 100 patrons, I’ll release two songs next month!”. People love being part of your growth. This transparency builds a sense of shared mission – they want to see you succeed (Kevin Kelly’s 1,000 True Fans principle in action).

17. Avoid Burnout – Quality First: Using only ~20 minutes a day forces you to be focused. Embrace that constraint. It’s better to upload 3 really funny songs in a month than 30 half-baked ones. Your catalog is your portfolio – keep it strong. If occasionally you need to skip a week because life happens, communicate honestly with your audience (they’ll understand – authenticity, remember). It’s far worse to push out content you’re not proud of.

18. Adjust Tactics with Growth: As things pick up (say you hit 5k subs, 50 patrons, etc.), you can consider scaling your time a bit more or outsourcing minor tasks (maybe hire an editor for a few hours, or use your Patreon income to free up an afternoon for filming). But the principle remains: keep your content authentic and your engagement genuine. Even with help, continue writing your own jokes, interacting personally with fans, and steering your creative ship.

By consistently applying these steps, in just 20 minutes a day you can gradually build a flourishing YouTube presence as a singer-cmo. It won’t be an overnight viral sensation (though who knows, you might get lucky with a hit!), but it will be enduring. You’ll develop a loyal audience that genuinely loves your work and wants to support it. Over a year or two, that could grow into hundreds of paying fans providing you a stable monthly income to pursue your art full-time – just like the 10 creators above. They proved that authenticity and consistency trump any algorithm. Now it’s your turn to apply their principles, one small step each day, toward your own creative success story. Good luck – we can’t wait to see (and hear) what you create! 🎉

Sources:

• Bernth’s thriving “Shred Guitar Community” on Patreon has over 18,000 members benefiting from his weekly lesson videospatreon.compatreon.com. His Patreon pitch emphasizes the value fans get (full courses, tabs, mentoring) and has turned his passion into a massive fan-supported academy.

• HTHAZE grew from scratch to the #1 Patreon music creator by offering uncut reactions and fostering a fun community – boasting 27,353 paying patrons as of this writinggraphtreon.comgraphtreon.com. He engages “theatre kids” in Discord and makes supporting him part of the music-reactor experience.

• Charles Berthoud’s Patreon-based Online Bass Academy now mentors 10k+ students, with 500+ receiving personal coachingpatreon.compatreon.com – illustrating how a niche talent can monetize through fan education.

• Mary Spender’s journey shows the power of newsletters and Patreon for indie musicians. She has ~648 patrons investing in her “one video at a time” music careerpatreon.compatreon.com, and she stresses that her newsletter is where real fan connection happensyoutube.com.

• Cynthia Lin similarly turned 8,000+ patrons into a supportive ukulele family, enabling her to keep all her tutorials free on YouTubecyberprmusic.com. Her Patreon is a hub of live chats and community sharing, exemplifying authenticity.

• Comedian Alasdair Beckett-King went viral with elaborately crafted sketches; he observed that “videos on YouTube and Twitter have repeatedly gone viral over the past year” due to his high-effort, niche approachfollowfridaypodcast.com. He leveraged Ko-Fi/Patreon donations during that surge by offering extra content and has sustained a strong fanbasecambridgeindependent.co.uk.

• Lost in the Pond (Laurence Brown) broke out by 2023 with 70 million yearly views on his culture-comedy videosx.com. His Patreon of 700+ members gives access to behind-the-scenes streams and supports his transatlantic observationspatreon.compatreon.com, turning curiosity into a career.

• Daniel Thrasher’s “absurd comedic piano videos” brought him massive successyoutube.com – he now has ~858 Patreon supporterspatreon.com funding his creative freedom (exclusive blogs, etc.), while he keeps millions laughing for free.

• Steven He’s “Asian Difficulty/Emotional Damage” meme fame (13.5M YouTube subs) led him to open a Patreon where fans get BTS contentx.com. By 2024 he was collaborating broadly, but crucially on his own terms, backed by fans rather than just brand dealsyoutube.com.

• Have A Word podcast showcases the zenith of community support: nearly 30,000 paying subscribers on Patreongraphtreon.com, placing it among the top creators. Their combination of “sharp wit and relatable chat” cultivated a dedicated fanbaseacast.com that now provides a very comfortable recurring income, all earned by being authentically themselves with their audience.

Each of these examples reinforces that you don’t need to post daily or chase every trend to succeed. By focusing on authentic content, fostering genuine fan relationships, and giving your audience ways to support you, you can gradually build to meaningful, recurring income as a creative YouTuberfollowfridaypodcast.comcyberprmusic.com. Just take it one day – and one true fan – at a time. Good luck! 👊😊