In order to become a Gen-Z millionaire, Caleb Boxx invented a way to help YouTubers automate their channels. His business model includes using teams of skilled freelancers to outsource tasks from narration to video editing.
His creator clients love working with his company, Automate Channels, since it lets them create more videos in less time with fewer hours of work. So, in the end, they make more money in less time while still doing what they love — coming up with engaging video ideas that their audiences will love.
As someone who has made their fortune alongside trained freelancers, who also profit nicely from working with him, he is a wealth of knowledge and advice on the best ways to work with — and as — a freelancer.
“It all comes down to skillset,” Boxx said. “In my business, I’m not the actual creator of YouTube channels. I’m the business mind behind how to maximize the profitability of the channels and work fewer hours at the same time.”
His entrepreneurial spirit and interest in questioning the traditional ways of doing things have made him a Gen-Z thought leader with half a million Instagram followers that look to him for business tips, money-making ideas, and energetic enthusiasm.
In fact, he’s the inventor of the YouTube trend of faceless videos and channels and has a team of 200 freelancers on his payroll to assist clients that boast one billion subscribers combined. So, he’s uniquely suited to offer advice on working with or as a freelancer.
Time and Cost-Effective Labor
For Boxx, working with freelancers is time- and cost-effective. He can hire them only when he has projects and never has to pay staff for idle hours.
But, to the founder, there’s a more noble and important reason to work with freelancers: they are more hungry for and appreciative of the work you send them. This means they are more enthusiastic, positive, and typically return a higher-quality project than staff members who may become ‘quiet quitters’ and just do the bare minimum to get by.
“Giving a freelancer a job is something they really value, and they work harder to keep that role. They also know they can’t get away with turning in so-so work, or you won’t use them next time,” said Boxx. “They know what it’s like to try to hunt for their next job. They’d rather hold on to steady and reliable clients,”
Working as a freelancer is also more efficient for motivated individuals. For example, a staff editor can only make a certain amount of money for each 40-hour workweek, whether they are slammed with projects or twiddling their thumbs waiting for assignments.
When you’re in charge of your own time, you can work with the clients you most enjoy working with, or the highest paying and fill your time with as much work as you want. Then, when you have less to do, you are not tied to your desk but can go out and enjoy life.
Relaxed Relationship Development
Another reason that Boxx loves working with — or as — a freelancer is the ability to build consistent relationships with freelancers over time. This means that you can get to know them — and they can get to know you — before either of you commit to something more permanent.
He noted that working with freelancers or companies on a project-by-project basis lets each side observe the other’s culture, work ethic, skill level, attitude, and more. And after learning more about each other, if you want to create a more formal arrangement, both sides can do it from a place of certainty about the other.
As an example of this, Boxx offered up his early experiences with the man who now runs his India office. “I worked with my first freelance video editor in 2017 or 2018, and we gelled really well,” shared Boxx. “We developed a loyalty to each other based on mutual respect and admiration for each others’ skills. When my business went through a rough patch, he offered to edit videos for free until I got back up, running, and making money. Now, that former freelancer runs my India office, managing more than 50 video editors.”
Gen-Z and Skillset-Building
As a young entrepreneur, Boxx often observes his peers struggling to find direction or a foothold in their preferred field. He sees friends living paycheck-to-paycheck, and they often ask for his advice.
“I always tell them that if they want to make good money, they have to develop the skillsets needed to get hired,” he said. “Find the skillset that few people have, learn it, and fine-tune it. Soon, people will be coming to you, as a freelancer, because your skill is so specialized.”
He also strongly recommends taking an apprenticeship — even if it means working for free for a bit to build your skillset. “You have to have experience working under someone else who is very successful in a space first. Then, after a year or two of understanding how it works and getting low pay, you can strike out on your own,” he said.
Using Boxx’s wisdom about working with and as a freelancer, we can begin to see how useful on-demand workers are for many business models — as well as for those who prefer not to work in a traditional office environment.
About Caleb Boxx and Automate Channels
Caleb Boxx is a founder of YouTube Automation, a business model that allows people to automate their YouTube channels creating passive income. Boxx has helped hundreds of content creators. To learn more about Caleb Boxx, please visit www.automatechannels.com/
