In March 2015, YouTubers have produced over 10,000 videos which have generated over 1 billion views and upwards of 70 million hours of watch time.
Furthermore, according to Youtube.com, YouTube has over a billion users, almost one-third of all people on the Internet, and reaches more 18-49 year olds than any cable network in the U.S.
After being in place for just over 10 years, Youtube has earned it’s place as a powerhouse in the entertainment industry.
Everyday more and more people are drawn to not only watching YouTube videos, but using it as a platform to express their creativity and showcase their talents.
Some students right here at H-F are trying to cash in on the craze, in hopes for their own 15 minutes of fame.
“A ton of things inspired me to start YouTube. One of the main reasons was so that I can watch myself grow,” senior Nina Williamson said. “I also did it because of my lack of self-confidence. I hoped that this platform could help me boost that.”
Williams has had her channel since 2011, but only started uploading content in January.
“I was afraid of being judged by it, but I like making videos. My main motivation came from three channels. I’ve been watching them since I knew what YouTube was, and it’s been great seeing them grow as people. I can’t wait to see that same growth in myself,” Williams said.
Even though, her channel is small, Williams has big plans for herself and her YouTube career.
According to Williams, this is much more than a hobby, it’s a potential career.
She wants to gain upwards of 1 million subscribers one day, just like the channels she looks up to.
“I love recording and editing. Unfortunately a lot of teens today just see [YouTube] as the lazy route to fame because it doesn’t require a lot of talent. It’s mostly talking to a camera and editing, but it does take a lot of time,” Williams said.
Sophomore Cameron Collier is just the opposite. For him, YouTube is just a hobby, and he says that gaining a huge following is not his main concern.
“When you have a smaller, more personal channel, I feel like you’re more connected to your viewers,” Cameron said. “I take my channel seriously, but I also have to balance it with school and ACT prep, so sometimes it can take a backseat,” Collier said.
Collier said he loves making people laugh, which is why he has a comedy channel and was motivated by fellow classmates to create a channel.
“I started my current channel in 2013, but didn’t get serious until the summer of 2015,” Collier said. “I like when people come to school the next day after I upload a video and compliment it.”
Like anyone who is just starting out on any social media platform, both Collier and Williams have run into roadblocks with trying to gain a following.
“The biggest struggle I’ve faced with gaining subscribers is getting into a regular uploading schedule. Potential subscribers don’t want to subscribe to your channel if you barely upload, they want fresh, new content every week,” Collier said.