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How to Build a $70K/Year YouTube Shorts Empire Using AI Automation

From JOHNWICK

The exact playbook I used to go from zero to six figures with YouTube Shorts — without showing my face or recording a single video

Photo by Nik on Unsplash

Eighteen months ago, I was broke, burned out, and desperately looking for a way to make money online that didn’t require me to be “on” all the time. I’d tried blogging, dropshipping, affiliate marketing — the whole entrepreneur starter pack. Nothing stuck.

Then YouTube Shorts exploded, and I saw an opportunity. Not just any opportunity, but one that could be almost completely automated using AI tools. Today, I’m pulling in over $70K a year from my YouTube Shorts channels, and I want to show you exactly how I did it.

The best part? I’ve never shown my face, never recorded myself speaking, and spend less than 10 hours a week managing the entire operation. This is the power of AI automation done right.

The YouTube Shorts Gold Rush (And Why You’re Not Too Late)

Let me be clear about something: YouTube Shorts is still in its growth phase. While everyone’s obsessing over TikTok, YouTube quietly built a short-form video platform with better monetization, superior analytics, and a built-in audience of 2+ billion users.

Here’s what most people miss: YouTube Shorts isn’t just competing with TikTok — it’s becoming the primary way people discover new channels. I’ve watched channels go from zero to 100K subscribers in six months purely through Shorts. The algorithm is hungry for content, and it rewards consistency above almost everything else.

But here’s the problem most creators face: creating daily content is exhausting. The ideation, scripting, filming, editing — it’s a full-time job. That’s where AI automation becomes your secret weapon.

My $70K/Year YouTube Shorts System

Before I dive into the tools and tactics, let me break down my numbers so you know this isn’t just theory:

  • 7 YouTube channels in different niches
  • Average of 15 Shorts per channel per week (that’s 105 videos weekly)
  • Total monthly views: 12–15 million across all channels
  • Monthly revenue: $5,800-$6,200 (mix of AdSense, sponsorships, and affiliate)
  • Time investment: 8–10 hours per week total

The key insight that changed everything for me: volume beats perfection in the Shorts game. The algorithm rewards channels that post consistently, and AI makes it possible to maintain that volume without burning out.

The AI Tool Stack That Changed My Life

Here are the essential tools I use to run my entire operation:

Fliki AI: The Content Creation Powerhouse

This is my secret weapon, and honestly, the tool that made this whole system possible. Fliki AI transforms text into engaging videos with realistic AI voices, stock footage, and automatic scene transitions.

Here’s how I use Fliki in my workflow:

  • Script to Video: I feed it a 60–90 word script, and it creates a complete 30–60 second video
  • Voice Selection: I use different AI voices for different channels to maintain distinct brand identities
  • Auto Scene Matching: The AI automatically selects relevant stock footage based on the script content
  • Subtitle Generation: Automatic captions that are crucial for engagement (80% of people watch Shorts without sound)

The beauty of Fliki is that it handles the three most time-consuming parts of video creation: finding footage, adding voiceover, and syncing everything together. What used to take me 2–3 hours per video now takes 10 minutes. Check it out (https://fliki.ai/?via=otobo).

ChatGPT: My Content Idea Machine

I use ChatGPT for two critical functions:

  • Generating content ideas based on trending topics in my niches
  • Writing scripts optimized for short-form content

My prompt template for script generation: “Write a 60-word script for a YouTube Short about [topic]. Make it attention-grabbing in the first 3 seconds, include a surprising fact or statistic, and end with a question to encourage comments. Format it for text-to-speech narration.”

Canva Pro: Thumbnail and Brand Assets

Even though Shorts don’t technically need thumbnails, I create eye-catching cover images for each video. Canva’s AI background remover and auto-resize features save tons of time.

TubeBuddy: Optimization and Analytics

This handles my SEO optimization, keyword research, and performance tracking across all channels. The bulk processing features are essential when you’re managing multiple channels.

The Niche Selection Strategy That Actually Works

Not all niches are created equal for AI-generated Shorts. After testing dozens of categories, here are the ones that work best:

High-Performing Niches:

  • Motivational/Self-improvement (my biggest earner)
  • Interesting facts/Did you know content
  • Life hacks and productivity tips
  • Historical mysteries and stories
  • Science explainers
  • Personal finance tips

Why These Work:

  • Information-dense: Perfect for short-form content
  • Stock footage friendly: Easy to find relevant visuals
  • Evergreen content: Videos stay relevant for months
  • High engagement: People love learning quick facts
  • Advertiser-friendly: Clean content that attracts premium ads

My Daily Content Creation Workflow Here’s my exact process for creating a week’s worth of content (105 videos) in about 8 hours:

Monday: Research and Planning (2 hours)

  • Use ChatGPT to generate 50+ content ideas for each niche
  • Research trending topics using Google Trends and YouTube search
  • Create content calendars for all channels

Tuesday-Wednesday: Script Writing (3 hours)

  • Batch-write 105 scripts using ChatGPT
  • Edit and optimize each script for the specific channel voice
  • Organize scripts in a spreadsheet with channel assignments

Thursday: Video Production (2.5 hours)

  • Upload all scripts to Fliki AI
  • Select AI voices for each channel
  • Let Fliki generate all videos (this runs in background)
  • Review and make minor edits where needed

Friday: Upload and Optimization (30 minutes)

  • Batch upload to YouTube using TubeBuddy
  • Add optimized titles, descriptions, and hashtags
  • Schedule releases throughout the following week

Weekend: Analytics and Strategy (1 hour)

  • Review performance data
  • Identify top-performing content themes
  • Adjust strategy for the following week

The Revenue Streams That Actually Matter

Here’s how I monetize this content empire:

YouTube AdSense (40% of revenue)

  • Requires 1,000 subscribers and 10 million Shorts views in 90 days
  • Average RPM: $0.50-$1.20 per 1,000 views
  • Consistent but not spectacular returns

Brand Sponsorships (35% of revenue)

  • Once you hit 50K+ subscribers, brands start reaching out
  • I charge $500–2,000 per sponsored Short depending on the channel
  • Focus on products that align with each niche

Affiliate Marketing (20% of revenue)

  • Promote relevant products in video descriptions
  • Books, courses, and tools work best for my niches
  • Amazon Associates and individual affiliate programs

Channel Sales (5% of revenue)

  • I’ve sold two channels that weren’t performing well
  • Channels with 25K+ subscribers can sell for $2,000–10,000+
  • Provides lump sum cash when needed

The Mistakes That Cost Me $20K (So You Don’t Make Them)

Mistake #1: Starting Too Many Channels Too Fast

I initially launched 15 channels across every niche I could think of. Bad idea. Focus on 3–5 channels maximum until you dial in your system.

Mistake #2: Ignoring Analytics

I was creating content in a vacuum for months. The data tells you everything — which topics perform, what times to post, which thumbnails work. Use it.

Mistake #3: Not Building an Email List

YouTube owns your audience, not you. I started collecting emails through lead magnets mentioned in videos. Now I have 15K+ subscribers I can market to directly.

Mistake #4: Inconsistent Posting

The algorithm punishes inconsistency. Better to post 3 times per week consistently than 10 times one week and zero the next.

Advanced Strategies for Scale

Once you’ve got the basics down, here are the growth hacks that took me from $2K/month to $6K+/month:

Cross-Channel Promotion

I create series that span multiple channels. For example, a “7 Days of Productivity Tips” series where each day is posted on a different channel, with end screens directing viewers to the next video.

Community Tab Strategy

Use YouTube’s Community tab to post polls, behind-the-scenes content, and teasers. It keeps your audience engaged between video uploads.

Shorts Shelf Optimization

YouTube often groups Shorts into themed shelves. I optimize upload timing so my related channels’ videos appear together, increasing the chance of viewers binge-watching my content.

Seasonal Content Planning

I plan content around trends, holidays, and seasonal interests. My productivity content performs better in January, finance content peaks around tax season, etc.

The Reality Check: This Isn’t Get-Rich-Quick

Let me be honest about the timeline and effort required:

Months 1–3: You’ll make almost nothing while building your audience and learning the system. I made $127 my first month.

Months 4–6: Revenue starts trickling in. I hit about $800/month by month 6.

Months 7–12: This is where things accelerate. I went from $800 to $4,200/month during this period.

Year 2+: Consistent $5K-6K months with occasional spikes during viral videos. The key is treating this like a real business, not a side hustle. Consistency, analysis, and continuous optimization are non-negotiable.

Tools and Costs Breakdown Here’s what I spend monthly to run this operation:

  • Fliki AI Pro: $89/month (absolutely worth it)
  • ChatGPT Plus: $20/month
  • Canva Pro: $15/month
  • TubeBuddy Pro: $9/month
  • Additional stock footage: $50–100/month
  • Total: ~$200/month in tools

Compare that to the cost of hiring video editors, voice actors, and scriptwriters. The ROI is insane. The Future-Proofing Strategy AI tools will only get better, and YouTube will keep pushing Shorts. Here’s how I’m positioning for the future:

  • Building email lists from each channel for direct marketing
  • Creating evergreen content that won’t become outdated
  • Developing personal brands around the most successful channels
  • Testing new AI tools as they emerge to stay ahead

Your Action Plan to Get Started Ready to build your own AI-powered YouTube Shorts empire? Here’s your step-by-step action plan: Week 1: Foundation

  • Choose 2–3 niches from my recommended list
  • Sign up for Fliki AI and ChatGPT Plus
  • Create your YouTube channels with consistent branding

Week 2: Content Creation System

  • Generate 50 content ideas using ChatGPT
  • Write and produce your first 10 videos using Fliki
  • Set up your workflow and scheduling system

Week 3: Launch and Optimize

  • Upload your first batch of videos
  • Analyze performance and adjust strategy
  • Scale to daily uploads

Month 2–3: Scale and Refine

  • Add more channels if the first ones are performing
  • Start reaching out to brands for sponsorships
  • Optimize based on analytics data

Remember: this isn’t just about making money — it’s about building a system that works while you sleep. With AI handling the heavy lifting, you can focus on strategy, optimization, and scaling. The YouTube Shorts gold rush is real, and AI automation is your pickaxe. The question isn’t whether you can build a $70K/year Shorts empire — it’s whether you’ll start today or watch others do it instead.

Read the full article here: https://medium.com/@reviewraccoon/how-to-build-a-70k-year-youtube-shorts-empire-using-ai-automation-89ab905ccd40

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