Why Most Creators Don’t Scale: Power Laws, Fixed Costs, and Algorithmic Feedback

On platforms like YouTube, outcomes follow a power-law: a small minority earns most views and revenue. That’s not just talent; it’s economics. Big channels spread fixed costs (editing, research, gear) over massive audiences—classic economies of scale. Then the recommendation system reinforces momentum: engagement → more impressions → more engagement, a feedback loop that entrenches leaders. For new creators, the answer isn’t brute force; it’s niche positioning and repeatable formats that compress production time per video. Think of it as unit economics per episode: expected CPM + sponsorship value − production cost. Improve each lever systematically and you raise the probability of breaking out—without burning out.