This post started as a three lines at g+. It's now 3,327 words and will take a while to get through.
the g+ bit, i wrote so need this, the Social Blade dashboard, I use it to track highly specialised and targeted media companies ie channels at youtube. Social Blade is the only site that offers a balanced analysis of youtube channels. This is super important. If you're a modest creator, then it could be a small step to give up your day job and scale up.