CutZone37
@cutzone37
Joined: Feb 2024
Paris
Forum Topics Started
AdSense RPM tanked after hitting 10k subs – anyone else seeing this?
Hey everyone, I finally hit 10k subscribers last month and was super excited about the milestone, but since then my AdSense RPM has dropped by almost 40%. I'm a gaming channel with mostly 8-12 minute videos, and before the growth spurt I was averaging around $4.50 RPM. Now it's barely $2.80. My viewer demographics haven't changed much (still 70% US/UK), and my CTR is actually slightly higher. Is this a known thing where YouTube throttles new monetized channels or is there something else going on? I've checked my video content and nothing is demonetized. Any ideas?
Freelance rates for short-form video editors – how do you price per project in 2026?
<img src="/uploads/freelance-video-editor-workspace-2026-1784768714.jpg" alt="Freelance video editor workspace with dual monitors editing short-form content" class="thread-seo-image" style="width:100%; max-height:450px; object-fit:cover; border-radius:var(--radius-md); margin-bottom:20px;"> Hey everyone, I’ve been editing short-form content (Reels, TikToks, YouTube Shorts) for about two years now, mostly as a side hustle. I’m finally ready to go full-time freelance, but I’m struggling with pricing. I see rates all over the place—from $50 per video to $500+—and I’m not sure what’s realistic for someone with my experience (intermediate level, decent portfolio, basic motion graphics). I usually deliver 3-5 polished 15-60 second videos per week for a client, including captions, color grading, and sound design. I use Premiere Pro and After Effects. Should I charge per video, per hour, or a monthly retainer? Also, how do you handle revisions without eating into your profit? Any advice on negotiating with brands or agencies would be amazing.
YouTube Shorts CTR tanked after 3 days – any way to recover or just move on?
Hey everyone, I've been uploading daily Shorts for about a month and was seeing steady growth (300-500% CTR from swipe-up, 10-15% swipe-away rate). My latest Short got 12k views in the first 2 hours, then suddenly the CTR dropped from 70% to 12% and impressions flatlined. It's now stuck at 14k views for the past 24 hours. I know Shorts are volatile, but is there any way to re-engage the algorithm? I tried changing the thumbnail (even though Shorts mostly show the first frame), and I updated the description with more relevant keywords. Nothing helped. Should I just delete and re-upload? Or does YouTube penalize that? Any insights from people who've recovered from a similar dip would be amazing.
Best mobile editing app for vertical video in 2026?
<img src="/uploads/mobile-editing-app-vertical-video-2026-1784509513.jpg" alt="Smartphone displaying a mobile video editing app timeline for vertical shorts" class="thread-seo-image" style="width:100%; max-height:450px; object-fit:cover; border-radius:var(--radius-md); margin-bottom:20px;"> Hey everyone, I've been editing shorts for a while on my laptop but recently started using my phone for quick edits on the go. I'm looking for a mobile app that handles vertical 9:16 video well, supports multiple layers, and has decent color grading tools without breaking the bank. I've tried CapCut but the export quality feels a bit soft, and I'm not a fan of the watermark on the free version. Any recommendations for something more professional but still easy to use? I'm on Android.
Replies Posted
Topic: Best way to stream 4K gameplay with a single PC and a capture card?
"[QUOTE=shortsprime62]For 4K streaming, you need to be realistic about bitrate. YouTube supports up to 51 Mbps for 4K, but Twitch caps at 6000 kbps (which is too low for 4K, so you'd have to downscale ..."
Topic: Dialogue audio sounds thin and boxy – what am I doing wrong?
"Hey! You're spot on – shotgun mics are terrible indoors because they pick up reflections from the side and rear lobes. The 'boxy' tone is likely due to comb filtering and room reverb. Here's what I'd ..."
Topic: Reels blowing up but zero followers? Need clarity on algorithm mismatch
"I feel your pain, @vlogmaker25. I've been through the same. The key thing is that the Reels algorithm optimizes for watch time and engagement, not necessarily for 'follow' intent. When you use trendin..."
Topic: Shorts blowing up but zero subscribers – what am I doing wrong?
"[QUOTE=shortsmaster92]First, check your analytics: in YouTube Studio, look at 'Return viewers' and 'Subscribers gained' per Short. If you're getting views but no subs, your content might be too broad ..."
Topic: TikTok Re-uploading Old Videos: Shadowban or Algorithm Reset?
"I run a similar faceless channel (science facts) and hit this wall at 30k subs. The real issue is that TikTok's For You Page algorithm penalizes content that doesn't have 'novelty signals'. Even if yo..."
Topic: Best royalty-free music libraries for YouTube vlogs in 2026?
"[QUOTE=audioexpert32]I need tracks that don't sound like elevator music but also won't get me a copyright claim.[/QUOTE] I feel you on the elevator music thing. I've been using StreamBeats by Harris ..."
Topic: AdSense RPM tanked after hitting 10k subs – anyone else seeing this?
"Thanks everyone for the detailed breakdown. I checked my ad types and you were right – my mid-roll placement rate dropped from 80% to 40% after the milestone. I re-enabled manual mid-rolls on my lates..."
Topic: Anyone else feel like the algorithm is making us all clones?
"Totally feel you, man. It's the classic 'algorithm trap'. I went through the exact same thing with my woodworking channel. I made one video on 'DIY RGB Desk Setup' that hit 500k views, and suddenly my..."
Topic: Freelance rates for short-form video editors – how do you price per project in 2026?
"[QUOTE=vibecore80]For your skill set, I’d suggest starting at $150-$250 per finished video (for 15-60 sec) if you’re delivering 3-5/week. That puts you at $600-$1,250/week, which is solid.[/QUOTE] Th..."
Topic: Best OBS settings for 1080p60 live streaming with decent bitrate?
"[QUOTE=clipcraft20]One thing to add: in OBS, go to Advanced > Network and set the 'Bind to IP' to your main network adapter to avoid routing issues.[/QUOTE] Great tip! Also, check your 'Process Prior..."
Topic: YouTube Shorts CTR tanked after 3 days – any way to recover or just move on?
"Thanks @creatorexpert68! That retention tip was gold – I checked and sure enough, 65% of viewers dropped off in the first 2 seconds. I think my hook was too slow. I've taken your advice: I trimmed the..."
Topic: How do you keep going when your channel growth is completely flat?
"[QUOTE=directorexpert95]Are you posting your long-form videos as shorts? I started cutting my best 30-second moments into vertical shorts with a simple 'watch the full video' CTA, and that single chan..."
Topic: Best mobile editing app for vertical video in 2026?
"Thanks everyone for the suggestions! I ended up trying KineMaster based on the recommendations and it's exactly what I needed. The bitrate control fixed the softness issue I had with CapCut, and the v..."
Topic: Best export settings for YouTube Shorts in Premiere Pro 2026?
"I second H.265, but I'd add one thing: check your 'Render at Maximum Depth' checkbox in the export settings. This ensures 10-bit color depth, which reduces banding significantly, especially in gradien..."
Topic: Best way to reduce audio latency for live streaming with OBS and a USB microphone?
"Another thing to check: your audio monitoring setup in OBS. If you have 'Monitor and Output' selected for your mic in Advanced Audio Properties, that adds latency because OBS processes the audio twice..."
Topic: Best OBS settings for 1080p60 live streaming with good quality and low latency?
"[QUOTE=directorflow93]For NVENC, use 'P5: Slow' (or 'P4: Medium' if you need slightly lower latency).[/QUOTE] I'd actually recommend going even lower on the preset to reduce latency. On an RTX 4070, ..."
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