How One Creator Hit 10 Million Subscribers By The Age Of 21

How One Creator Hit 10 Million Subscribers By The Age Of 21

Jordan Barclay

Jordan Barclay

At just 21 years old, Jordan Barclay has already achieved what many creators only dream of – over 10 million YouTube subscribers and a thriving media company on track to generate $10 million in annual revenue. Known to his fans as EYstreem, Barclay’s journey from making videos in his bedroom to running a global enterprise offers valuable insights into the evolving creator economy.

Like many young creators, Barclay’s foray into content creation was driven by a simple desire – to afford video games his parents wouldn’t buy for him. “My parents were quite strict around my studies, quite strict around money, and they wanted me to learn how to make money,” Barclay recalls. After seeing his father earn $1,000 from a viral video, the young Barclay had an epiphany: “You’re telling me I could play video games and I can make money? I’m sold. Sign me up.”

However, turning that dream into reality proved challenging. “I didn’t end up making money for like, six years from when I started,” Barclay admits. This persistence in the face of uncertainty would become a defining trait of his entrepreneurial journey.

As his channel grew, Barclay faced the difficult task of balancing his budding career with the high academic expectations placed on him. “I was expected to perform very highly,” he explains. “My mom’s Malaysian, and I grew up in that kind of environment and culture, so I was expected to be the top performer.”

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Remarkably, Barclay managed to excel in both arenas. He achieved the highest academic honors in his school and city while simultaneously growing his YouTube presence. But this success came at a cost: “I had to say no to friends’ parties, say no to family vacations, say no to basically everything. And I had to manage my time with absolute precision.”

This grueling schedule – waking up early, maximizing every minute at school, and working on content until 10 PM each night – offers a sobering glimpse into the reality of life as a young creator. It’s a reminder that behind the glamorous facade of YouTube stardom often lies years of intense dedication and sacrifice.

As Barclay’s channel grew, he recognized the need to build a more sustainable business model. “You have creators like Mr. Beast and many others, where the brand is solely built around them and their face,” Barclay observes. “We have tons of employees. We have tons of people depending on us, and I want to build a company that’s going to last long after I am living.”

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This forward-thinking approach led Barclay to establish Spawnpoint Media, a company with a team of 90 people across the globe. The transition from solo creator to business leader hasn’t been without its challenges, particularly when it comes to finding and developing talent.

“The reality is, unis don’t produce this kind of talent,” Barclay explains. “They don’t, in fact, because the courses don’t exist yet. What we’re doing doesn’t exist yet. There’s no playbook.” To address this skills gap, Spawnpoint Media has developed an extensive in-house training program. “We have full training courses teams that can bring in a team member with no experience and get them up to scratch in about three months,” Barclay proudly states.

A key to Spawnpoint Media’s success has been its focus on channel diversification. The company aims to launch two new channels each year, each targeting different demographics and content niches. This strategy not only spreads risk but also allows for more diverse revenue streams.

One of their recent successes is the Milo and Chip channel, which Barclay describes as “one hour long, TV focused content that is low stimulation.” Aimed at families looking for wholesome content to watch together, the channel has already generated $1 million in revenue since its launch at the end of last year.

Barclay’s approach to content creation and business strategy is heavily informed by data analytics, but with an important caveat “we use that to support the conclusions that we’re coming to from human psychology,” he explains. This nuanced approach allows Spawnpoint Media to avoid the pitfalls of blindly following metrics without considering the human element of content creation.

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Looking ahead, Barclay sees the creator landscape evolving in two distinct directions. “You’re gonna see two ends of the spectrum,” he predicts. “You’re getting these micro influencers that have extremely loyal audiences… And then on the flip side of that, you’re going to have your mega stars, like your Mr. Beast, who appeal to everyone.”

He believes the middle ground between these two extremes may start to disappear, as creators and brands focus on either building highly engaged niche communities or achieving massive mainstream appeal.

As for the role of AI in content creation, Barclay remains skeptical of its immediate impact. “With creative stuff, here’s the issue, right? People watch YouTubers or creators for the authenticity, for the genuine nature of the content. AI is not even close to replicating the human,” he asserts.

For those looking to follow in his footsteps, Barclay offers some sobering advice: “First off, make sure you actually do love doing it… It’s still a business, and it still sucks a lot of time and energy. You gotta really want it.”

He also emphasizes the importance of consistency and patience. “Consistency is key… Even though you have to move quick, you can’t expect quick results. You still need to be consistent day in and day out, and over time, you will see the success.”

As Barclay continues to build his media empire, his journey serves as both an inspiration and a reality check for aspiring creators. It’s a testament to the opportunities available in the digital age, but also a reminder of the dedication, strategic thinking, and adaptability required to turn content creation into a sustainable business. As the creator economy continues to evolve, entrepreneurs like Barclay will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping its future.

Excerpts of this are taken from an exclusive interview on The Business of Creators podcast.

Originally Appeared Here