Allie Ostrander Built a Thriving Channel Documenting Her Running Career 🏃‍♀️

Allie Ostrander, is a professional runner turned creator from Kenai, Alaska. She has made significant strides on both the track and on social media

Allie began on YouTube in December 2020 and was quickly monetized <30 days later. Allie has developed a substantial presence on YouTube by offering insights into her training, races, and personal experiences

Today she is sharing insights into her YouTube earnings for 2024, providing a preview into the financial aspects of being a content creator. Let’s break down how she grew her channel, monetized her passion, and grew on YouTube in 2024

🏆 From the Track to the Algorithm

Allie ran at Boise State University and then professionally for Brooks Running, with a lot of success, winning 12 All-American honors, 3 NCAA D1 titles in the 3k steeplechase, and a spot on team USA at the 2019 World Championships

She is a three-time NCAA champion in the 3000m steeplechase, a competitor on the pro circuit, and a dedicated athlete who’s shared both triumphs and heartbreaks in the pursuit of her Olympic dreams

But beyond the track, Allie has built a powerful presence online—documenting her training, races, and personal journey on YouTube, where she’s grown a loyal audience of 92k subscribers. In 2024, her YouTube channel had its biggest year yet

📈 Allie’s Highest Earning Videos in 2024

Long Form

Can I beat All the Men in a 5k? 259,300 views → $855 ($3.42 RPM)

The End of My Olympic Dream 147,800 views → $891 ($6.03 RPM)

I Tried to Run a 5k Personal Best in the Local Turkey Trot 80,755 views → $899 ($11.16 RPM)

I Raced the US Olympic Trials || 3000m Steeplechase 2024 118,400 view → $953 ($8.05 RPM)

I Won a Pro Track Race vs Olympians 147,800 views → $1,493 ($10.10 RPM)

Short Form

Looking like an athlete ≠ being an athlete 1.04M views → $159 ($0.15 RPM)

Trail racing is wild 895,580 views → $189 ($0.21 RPM)

A 5min mile is no problem but... 1.4M views → $327 ($0.23 RPM)

💰 How YouTube Paid Her in 2024

Allie made more in 2024 than the prior 3 years combined!

• Long-form content (67 videos) → 4.5M views → $31,759 ($7.06 RPM)

• YouTube Shorts (165 videos) → 19.2M views → $3,831 ($0.20 RPM)

• Total YouTube earnings for 2024 → $35,595

This is complimented by other revenue streams like Sponsorships and she is developing a following on social media like TikTok and Instagram to develop new streams from new audiences in 2025

📊 Allie’s Biggest Wins & Lessons

Here’s what 2024 taught her about YouTube monetization:

✅ Shorts are Great for Growth, Bad for $$$

• Shorts are amazing for audience growth. They reach new people, gain large amounts of views and boost channel exposure

• But when it comes to revenue, it earns a fraction of long form content. Her RPM is low at $0.20 vs $7 on long form content

• Don’t stop making shorts, but balancing them with long form content can be useful to help maximize your channel’s earnings

✅ RPM spikes in the summer and Q4, while Q1 is historically weaker

• Summer and Holiday advertising budgets are high. Post-holiday advertising budgets are low, and people aren’t watching as much content

✅ Sponsorships fill the income gaps

• YouTube AdSense is unpredictable—so brand deals (like her partnership with Element) help creators stay financially stable

💡 Takeaways for Creators

If you want to build a profitable YouTube channel, here’s what Allie’s experience teaches us:

1️⃣ Make long-form content your priority. Shorts are fun, but they won’t pay the bills
2️⃣ Keep videos >8 minutes for mid-roll ad eligibility
3️⃣ Post more of your best content in high-RPM months (summer & holidays). Ad rates vary—timing matters
4️⃣ Watch time > views. A highly engaging video with fewer views can earn more than a viral one
5️⃣ Don’t rely solely on AdSense. Sponsorships, affiliate links, and products help diversify income

🎯 The Bottom Line

Allie’s 2024 earnings were a big step forward. She tripled her income from previous years, put more effort into her content, and felt more connected to her audience than ever before

Her story is proof that YouTube success takes time, consistency, and strategy—but if you play the long game, the results compound 🚀

If you’re a creator looking to turn your passion into profit, take a page from Allie’s playbook: make longer content, focus on engagement, and keep showing up

Connect with Allie

YouTube | Instagram | TikTok

Warmly,
Abe Colwell
Creator in Public