CAREERS: YouTube Phenom
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Credit: ©Keith Eng 2007
You’ve heard the story before: average, everyday people who make a video on YouTube and become overnight celebrities with millions of followers, their own clothing lines, movie deals, and more. Of course, when one considers how many people post videos to YouTube, the chances of becoming a YouTube phenom are actually incredibly small. Most people make videos because they’re passionate about something, not because they ever plan to build a career out of it. Still, there are a few things you can do to boost your chances of creating a video that goes viral. And while it may not lead to fame and fortune, it’s still satisfying to reach out to people who enjoy your message.
Look On the Bright Side
Okay, so becoming an overnight internet celebrity isn’t exactly the most solid career plan. But there are a lot of advantages to this idea that makes it super appealing nonetheless. First of all, you don’t have to have any kind of degree or special training to make a video. All you need is yourself, your screen, and the desire to express yourself. Secondly, you don’t need investors or a lot of start-up capital the way you do with a traditional business. You don’t even need to pay for marketing or advertising. Therefore, in theory at least, everyone who makes a video has an equal shot at making it big.
Improving the Odds
There are things you can do, however, to improve your odds of success. Take a moment to consider your favorite YouTubers. What do you like about them? Most of them aren’t experts in their field; rather, they are people who are passionate about something they enjoy and want to share that passion with others. Most successful YouTubers are good one-on-one communicators with engaging personalities who manage to make the viewer feel like they are speaking only to him or her. In other words, to become a well-known YouTube personality, it isn’t enough to know a lot about a topic. You have to be able to connect with your audience as well. It’s also a good idea to post updates about your videos on other social media platforms, such as Facebook or Twitter, in order to boost your exposure.
Once you’ve made a great video, it’s important to remember that you need to continually engage with your fans. Ask for their feedback and use it to continuously update your brand. Don’t be afraid to try new things and branch out. YouTube successes have gone on to sign movie contracts, write novels, open restaurants, and more.
Before You Begin
It may seem that internet celebrity is an easy way to make a living, but it has its challenges. Before you give it a try, consider your personal strengths and weaknesses. Do you have an idea you are passionate about or are you just looking for quick fame? If your video isn’t an immediate success, do you have the patience to stay with it? Even more importantly, are you able to accept criticism? And if you do wind up in the small percentage of YouTube success stories, do you have the commitment to continually engage with fans and critics alike? If so, grab your laptop and good luck!