In November 2018, the world of digital content creation was at a crossroads. Creators were consistently approached with proposals for new streaming platforms, many of which ended in failure. This situation was most notably exemplified by Vessel, a platform that tried to offer creators a better revenue share while allowing users to pay for early access to content. Despite its appealing proposition, Vessel could not attract enough viewers away from YouTube, leading to its eventual demise.
However, amidst the uncertainty, a new vision began to take shape through a seemingly casual conversation at Sydney International Airport. The vision focused on creating a sustainable platform for creators—a platform that would thoughtfully align with creators' needs while avoiding the pitfalls of its predecessors. This newfound idea would later become known as Nebula.
The seeds of Nebula were planted when a simple DM from Philipp Dettmer, founder of Kurzgesagt, led to discussions around a freelance sponsorship agent named Dave Wiskus. The world surrounding YouTube at that time was fraught with unethical practices and poor representation for creators. Dave's approach stood out; he offered transparency, better rates, and ethical practices, which resonated deeply with creators who found themselves frustrated and undervalued.
As Wiskus developed the freelance sponsorship company Standard, which focused on education-based content creators, this groundwork laid a crucial framework for what Nebula would become. The turning point came during the inaugural VidCon Europe in 2017 when the founders first began envisioning how to scale up their operations and create a more defined path for creators.
On May 23, 2019, the official launch of Nebula took place with a video from Isaac Arthur, announcing the new platform to the audience. Initially, the strategy was modest: creators would host ad-free versions of their content, along with exclusive material, for a nominal subscription fee. Despite skepticism from critics who anticipated its failure, the launch exceeded expectations, resulting in over 4,500 trial sign-ups within the first weekend.
Early growth was promising, and while Nebula began building traction, the creators involved needed to find a way to monetize their involvement sustainably. By offering a profit-sharing model, creators stood to benefit directly from the platform’s performance, giving them a vested interest in its success.
One of the most significant breakthroughs in Nebula's growth was the partnership with CuriosityStream, another streaming service focusing on educational content. Instead of viewing each other as competitors, the two platforms recognized their complementary nature. This collaboration allowed creators to offer services from both platforms through bundled promotional deals, dramatically boosting Nebula’s visibility and attracting new subscribers.
As Nebula's paywall began to climb steadily, the company remained focused on the creator-first mindset. Creators would earn direct payouts for their promotional efforts on YouTube while also receiving benefits from viewer engagement on the platform itself.
By late 2020, Nebula had established itself as a viable entity within the streaming landscape. The pandemic created a surge in demand for digital content as the world shifted to online engagement. The creators saw a steady influx of revenue from new subscribers, which further encouraged them to produce exclusive content tailored specifically for Nebula.
This momentum spurred the transition of Nebula into a full-fledged business, allowing it to better capitalize on the available talent from its creator network.
In 2022, leveraging the momentum gained from its creators, Nebula explored further investment to boost its growth. While past streaming models may have faltered due to pressures exerted by investors, Nebula remained committed to its core principle: prioritizing creator revenue and fostering a collaborative environment.
As the streaming landscape began to experience shifts toward profitability, Nebula understood that adapting its marketing strategy was essential. They transitioned to direct marketing offers, effectively allowing creators control over their future while propelling the platform's reach. Notably, data indicated over 80% of sign-ups opted for annual subscriptions, drastically improving cash flow and enabling Nebula to invest further in new projects.
However, not every initiative succeeded. The introduction of Nebula Classes—the platform's venture into educational offerings—served as a crucial lesson in understanding market fit. As consumer interest waned, a reevaluation ensued, leading to the decision to incorporate classes into the existing Nebula subscription rather than as a standalone offering.
Looking Forward
Today, Nebula stands as a testament to the benefits of collaboration, ethical practices, and a commitment to creator success. As it moves forward, there is a collective anticipation for upcoming projects that the streamlined operational model promises. Nebula graduates from a fledgling idea into a thriving ecosystem of creators, partners, and an engaged community of subscribers.
As this journey continues, the lessons learned and the relationships forged will undoubtedly shape the future of Nebula, offering pivotal insights into the evolving landscape of content creation. The story of Nebula is one of resilience, community, and an unwavering belief in the potential of creators to lead their industry forward.
Part 1/11:
The Journey of Nebula: From Idea to Success
In November 2018, the world of digital content creation was at a crossroads. Creators were consistently approached with proposals for new streaming platforms, many of which ended in failure. This situation was most notably exemplified by Vessel, a platform that tried to offer creators a better revenue share while allowing users to pay for early access to content. Despite its appealing proposition, Vessel could not attract enough viewers away from YouTube, leading to its eventual demise.
Part 2/11:
However, amidst the uncertainty, a new vision began to take shape through a seemingly casual conversation at Sydney International Airport. The vision focused on creating a sustainable platform for creators—a platform that would thoughtfully align with creators' needs while avoiding the pitfalls of its predecessors. This newfound idea would later become known as Nebula.
The Beginning of an Idea
Part 3/11:
The seeds of Nebula were planted when a simple DM from Philipp Dettmer, founder of Kurzgesagt, led to discussions around a freelance sponsorship agent named Dave Wiskus. The world surrounding YouTube at that time was fraught with unethical practices and poor representation for creators. Dave's approach stood out; he offered transparency, better rates, and ethical practices, which resonated deeply with creators who found themselves frustrated and undervalued.
Part 4/11:
As Wiskus developed the freelance sponsorship company Standard, which focused on education-based content creators, this groundwork laid a crucial framework for what Nebula would become. The turning point came during the inaugural VidCon Europe in 2017 when the founders first began envisioning how to scale up their operations and create a more defined path for creators.
The Launch of Nebula
Part 5/11:
On May 23, 2019, the official launch of Nebula took place with a video from Isaac Arthur, announcing the new platform to the audience. Initially, the strategy was modest: creators would host ad-free versions of their content, along with exclusive material, for a nominal subscription fee. Despite skepticism from critics who anticipated its failure, the launch exceeded expectations, resulting in over 4,500 trial sign-ups within the first weekend.
Early growth was promising, and while Nebula began building traction, the creators involved needed to find a way to monetize their involvement sustainably. By offering a profit-sharing model, creators stood to benefit directly from the platform’s performance, giving them a vested interest in its success.
The Power of Collaboration
Part 6/11:
One of the most significant breakthroughs in Nebula's growth was the partnership with CuriosityStream, another streaming service focusing on educational content. Instead of viewing each other as competitors, the two platforms recognized their complementary nature. This collaboration allowed creators to offer services from both platforms through bundled promotional deals, dramatically boosting Nebula’s visibility and attracting new subscribers.
As Nebula's paywall began to climb steadily, the company remained focused on the creator-first mindset. Creators would earn direct payouts for their promotional efforts on YouTube while also receiving benefits from viewer engagement on the platform itself.
Navigating Growth
Part 7/11:
By late 2020, Nebula had established itself as a viable entity within the streaming landscape. The pandemic created a surge in demand for digital content as the world shifted to online engagement. The creators saw a steady influx of revenue from new subscribers, which further encouraged them to produce exclusive content tailored specifically for Nebula.
This momentum spurred the transition of Nebula into a full-fledged business, allowing it to better capitalize on the available talent from its creator network.
Part 8/11:
In 2022, leveraging the momentum gained from its creators, Nebula explored further investment to boost its growth. While past streaming models may have faltered due to pressures exerted by investors, Nebula remained committed to its core principle: prioritizing creator revenue and fostering a collaborative environment.
Challenges and Adaptations
Part 9/11:
As the streaming landscape began to experience shifts toward profitability, Nebula understood that adapting its marketing strategy was essential. They transitioned to direct marketing offers, effectively allowing creators control over their future while propelling the platform's reach. Notably, data indicated over 80% of sign-ups opted for annual subscriptions, drastically improving cash flow and enabling Nebula to invest further in new projects.
Part 10/11:
However, not every initiative succeeded. The introduction of Nebula Classes—the platform's venture into educational offerings—served as a crucial lesson in understanding market fit. As consumer interest waned, a reevaluation ensued, leading to the decision to incorporate classes into the existing Nebula subscription rather than as a standalone offering.
Looking Forward
Today, Nebula stands as a testament to the benefits of collaboration, ethical practices, and a commitment to creator success. As it moves forward, there is a collective anticipation for upcoming projects that the streamlined operational model promises. Nebula graduates from a fledgling idea into a thriving ecosystem of creators, partners, and an engaged community of subscribers.
Part 11/11:
As this journey continues, the lessons learned and the relationships forged will undoubtedly shape the future of Nebula, offering pivotal insights into the evolving landscape of content creation. The story of Nebula is one of resilience, community, and an unwavering belief in the potential of creators to lead their industry forward.