YouTube is undoubtedly one of the most popular web destinations. The sterling poster boy of Web 2.0, YouTube ushered in a new Internet era by democratizing video and making all sorts of content -- from the incendiary to the most ludicrous -- available to digital audiences all over the planet.
On the second installment of Q&A Tuesdays, we look at a question posed by a reader raring to make it big on YouTube.
I have a working knowledge on filming and editing. At the same time, I am not afraid to be in front of the camera. Which is why I'm thinking of setting up my own YouTube channel with the hopes of reaching out to audiences, expanding my network, and earning a little on the side. However, I'm not sure which track I want my channel to take. What are the sort of videos do netizens dig?
- Han (Vietnam)It used to be unthinkable to make a career out of YouTube. Not anymore. These days, a lot of people of all ages and across different countries have made YouTube their venerable source of income.
For the uninitiated, it may seem a little daunting to set up a YouTube channel and expect it to grow. After all, with millions of videos out there and hordes of other YouTubers trying to grab everybody's attention, it's hard not to wonder at how a newbie could possibly fit in and carve a niche in an already hyper-saturated platform.
But this is all well and good. It is best to use your fear, doubts, and hesitations in assessing yourself better and identifying the direction you want your YouTube channel to take and eventually be known for.
If you are still in the process of sorting out your plans and polishing your vision, it's best to see the sort of videos many newbie YouTubers try to create as a way of helping them break into the scene, so to speak.
These videos are resorted to because they are relatively easier and cheaper to produce. They have a track record of attracting huge audiences, too.
1. Mukbang videos
Mukbang videos feature YouTubers eating enormous amounts of food at any one time. Complete with sounds of chewing, slurping, sipping, burping, swallowing, and expressions of either delight or disgust, mukbang videos have crossed over from a niche segment in South Korea into the global mainstream.
It's hard to point out the sense behind these videos, but the fact that they are a crowd-drawer hints at how they manage to connect deeply to their audiences.
After all, isn't sharing a delicious meal over hearty chitchats a universal human activity? And in this day and age when eating together becomes increasingly rare, mukbang videos provide a convenient, albeit digital, alternative.
2. Reaction videos
Many YouTubers have built their entire careers on the platform filming themselves reacting to, well, YouTube videos.
The entire scheme is so meta, one is hardpressed to ask: Are there reaction videos of YouTubers reacting to reaction videos? You'd be pleased to know that there are.
3. How-to videos
YouTubers who choose to do these videos are usually motivated by their passion to share their knowledge and skills to the whole world.
So whether it be about proper makeup contouring techniques to DIY travel itineraries to software walkthroughs and everything else in between, finding the best solution to your everyday problems is just a click away on YouTube.
4. Prank videos
Prank videos hold a lot of virality potential precisely because they are fun (most of the time) and harmless (not always). They subvert normal, everyday affairs and turn them into something weird and unbelievable.
One of the most popular YouTube channels that regularly performs pranks is Just For Laughs. Their pranks range from simple situational scenarios turned crazy to elaborate schemes involving elephants and hundreds of participants, all directed at the clueless folks of Montreal, Canada.
5. Challenge videos
If there are videos that are highly dependent on ongoing trends and current craze, it's challenge videos. Basically, one person does some sort of challenge, becomes popular, and is later imitated by others in a phenomenon called bandwagoning.
Challenge videos range from the somber (e.g., Try Not to Cry Challenge) to the mildly insane (e.g., Kiki Dance Challenge) to the absolute whack (e.g., 5x Fire Noodles Challenge).
6. Cover videos
YouTube affords budding artists the chance to explore their creativity and attract new audiences through their covers of songs and dances. Who needs albums when you can simply upload your cover videos and from there attract new fans or else rake in additional dough.
Covers of songs and dances are probably one of the most staple content on YouTube. It is also worth noting that far too many celebrities and pop stars started out uploading covers on YouTube before becoming global superstars.
The six YouTube video formats enumerated above are just some of the most visible kind of content that can be viewed on YouTube. There are more, including skits and vlogs, but those require additional skill sets, such as writing a script, video editing, sound engineering, and color correction, among others.
In any event, becoming a YouTuber and intending to make a career out of it should be made with the following considerations in mind:
1. Know your self.
Make a thorough assessment of what your interests and passions are and proceed from there. If you're thinking of doing YouTube for the long haul, you might as well do something you are genuinely invested in.
2. Know your audience.
Identifying your crowd, your market, and your demographic is half of the process of content-creation. You may produce the best video visuals and themes, but this wouldn't do much if it does not resonate with its viewers.
3. Content is king.
Quality over quantity -- this should be your regular mantra. One excellently produced video definitely trumps a hundred poorly produced ones.
4. Upload on a regular basis.
Having new content posted on a more or less regular basis keeps your channel relevant. Doing so gives your audiences something to expect and look forward to.
5. Engage with your audience.
YouTube is a social media platform. It is where enthusiasts and hobbyists and casual viewers converge to look for videos on subjects they are interested in. Keeping in touch with your audiences allows you to gain a deeper insight of what they want and how they respond to your content. Engaging with audiences is also one way of fostering a loyal viewership.
In all, setting up a YouTube channel from the ground and making it grow requires commitment, love for what you're doing, and a lot of hard work. But down the line you are bound to learn the ropes and get the hang out of the whole thing.
Wishing you the best of luck!
* * *
Got a question yourself? Post it in the comments section below or on any of our social media channels. Watch out for the next edition of Q&A Tuesdays next week!