For many, quitting a stable job to pursue YouTube full-time sounds like a risky move, one that few dare to take. But for Bingyen, a 34-year-old Malaysian Youtuber and content creator, this was exactly what he did in 2018. It took seven long years of persistence, failures, and reinvention, but today, he finally earns a steady income of RM6,000 per month.
Leaving Journalism for a Shot at YouTube
In a Facebook post, he shared that he was a journalist at Sin Chew Daily’s Pocketimes before, earning nearly RM3,000 monthly.
As YouTube was booming in Malaysia, he was captivated by the freedom and creativity of YouTuber like Ling Big Yong and Namewee, and soon, he found himself wondering:
“What if I could do this too?”
With no guarantees of success, he quit his job, stepping into uncharted waters with just a camera and a dream.
Year 1: Making Less Than RM20 a Month
Reality hit hard in his first year. His YouTube channel barely made RM20 per month—not even enough for a meal. To survive, he took on small video gigs, many of which didn’t even pay money.
“I had no reputation, so brands were unwilling to pay. Some only offered free products, but I accepted them to build my portfolio,” he recalled.
At times, he even accepted controversial advertisements just to keep himself afloat, knowing that every little bit counted in his journey.
Years 2-4: Stuck in a Struggle, Making Under RM5,000 Annually
The next few years were just as tough. His channel was barely active, and his total yearly income from his YouTuber days never exceeded RM5,000.
To make ends meet, he co-founded a video production company with friends, earning around RM3,000 monthly—just enough to sustain himself while keeping YouTube as a side hustle.
It seemed like a never-ending battle. But he didn’t give up.
Year 5: The Breakthrough Moment
Everything changed in 2023 when his original music video “Xin Nian Tu Tu Tu” hit over 1 million views.
For the first time, his time as a YouTuber earns him RM8,000 in ad revenue.
“That was the moment I realized YouTube could actually make money. It wasn’t just a dream anymore,” he said.
The Power of Music: Finding a Niche That Works
After this breakthrough, Bingyen decided to focus on music content, knowing that good songs have a long shelf life.
“Even if the views are slow at first, people will keep listening over time. It’s a long-term investment,” he explained.
With this strategy, his YouTube earnings stabilized at RM6,000 per month—not a fortune, but enough to put food on the table.
199k Youtuber Shares His Tips
With over 630 videos under his belt, he’s learned what works (and what doesn’t) when it comes to growing a YouTube channel.
Instead of keeping these insights to himself, in a separate post today, he breaks down his 5 best strategies—so that whether you’re just starting or looking to level up, you can skip the guesswork and grow faster!
1. Ride the Trend or Create One
Some people look down on riding trends, but Bingyen says it’s one of the fastest ways to grow. News creators analyze trending topics, cover singers jump on viral songs, and dance creators perform trending choreography. If you’ve ever done a TikTok dance challenge, you’ve already used this strategy!
But what if you don’t want to follow trends? Then create them. If your content is high-quality, others will start copying you—making you the trendsetter instead!
2. Don’t Be Afraid to Spend on Ads
Many think ads don’t work, but Bingyen has spent five figures on Facebook and YouTube ads, and the results proved otherwise.
When starting out, even a small ad budget (RM50-RM100) can give your content an immediate boost. If a post starts gaining traction naturally, investing in ads can amplify its reach even further. The trick? Don’t waste money on every post—only boost content that’s already performing well.
3. Stop Overthinking & Just Post
Many YouTubers overthink their content and end up posting nothing. Bingyen warns against this mindset. If you wait for the “perfect” video, you’ll never start.
Audiences today prefer authenticity over perfection. You don’t need a Hollywood-style setup—just focus on creating content consistently. If you have the budget, hire professionals, but don’t let perfection slow you down. The most important thing? Post first, improve along the way.
4. Post More Often to Stay Relevant
A decade ago, posting once a week was enough to grow. Now, social media is too competitive—if you’re not posting regularly, you’ll get buried in the algorithm.
Bingyen suggests posting at least three times a week, using different formats like short videos, photos, or even text posts. The more you post, the more the algorithm favors your content, making it easier for new audiences to find you.
5. Repeat What Works
When Bingyen released his original music video “有舍必有得”, it hit 3.4 million views. Seeing the success, he created a dance version, which also reached 3 million views.
His takeaway? If something works, do it again! If a video goes viral, make a sequel. If a topic gets lots of engagement, expand on it. People love different versions of content they already enjoy, so don’t be afraid to double down on what works.
7 Years as a Youtuber – Worth It?
Looking back, Bingyen acknowledges that the journey was far from easy.
“I spent seven years to reach this point. It’s not financial freedom, but at least I can survive doing what I love.”
His story serves as a realistic reminder that success in digital content creation isn’t instant—it takes years of consistency, reinvention, and resilience.
For those dreaming of making it big on YouTube, Bingyen has one piece of advice:
“There’s always a price to pay for chasing your dreams. But if you’re willing to endure, it will all be worth it.”
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