Skip to main content

Week 6 [16-22.11.2015] YouTube Stars - a new type of celebrities



We all know YouTube - a platform which allows people from all over the world share and watch videos. It was founded ten years ago (in 2005) as a startup, today it’s the biggest video-sharing website in the world with over 800 million+ monthly unique visitors, four billion hours of videos viewed each month (that’s over 450.000 years of videos viewed each month!). With the increasing popularity of YouTube, a new type of celebrities has been born - YouTube Stars.

Who are they and where do they come from?

Generally anyone can become a YouTube star. All you need is a camera, the internet and most importantly –a  unique idea that people may like to watch. Most popular youtuber - Kjelberg (PewDiePie) shows himself  playing various video. We can watch his reaction to what is happening as well.  Another example of “a good idea to become a star” is Sylwester Wardęga from Poland, who performs jokes called “pranks”.

YouTube Stars more popular than “normal” celebrities?

            For many people above 25 they may be unknown, but it may change soon (as the young audience is getting older). Top 5 celebrities in US are the online video stars (a study commissioned last year by Variety among US teens between 13-18), ahead such names as  an actress Jennifer Lawrence or a singer Katy Perry.

Do they earn money on their productions?

            Yes. They receive money for the ads displayed during their videos. For 5000 views of one of your videos you can get around $7.5. So if you make 100 videos and get 5000 views each, you will earn around $700 to $1000. Most known youtubers are capable to earn even $12.000.000 per year.


What do you think about YouTube Stars? Do you subscribe to any of them?



References:

Comments

It's a very easy way to earn money in these days. What's quite different about this way of earning money is that you don't even need to have broad knowledge and be literate in many areas of life to be rich. Even if you come up with something stupid what will be accepted by society and you might become HUGE on the internet. Your situation might be better of course if you have some certain knowledge or if you like to experiment, invent something that world didn't see before. In this case you are on your right way to celebrities' top peak :)
I subscribe and watch ASAPScience for the educational aspect, Jaclyn Glenn and Laci Green because they're talking about important subjects, and videogamedunkey when I want some laughs.

However, I wouldn't call any of them "a star". For me, this word has some negativity to it, like "celebrity" - someone who's famous for no particular reason. When I watch a video on YouTube, I do it for the content - either informative or just funny. I'm not looking for a person who doesn't have anything to say.
Unknown said…
YouTube is the easiest way for young stars to shine. Of course if they're charismatic enough to beat funny cats and such.
Anyway it's a nice way to start - no fees, no commitment.
I have to admit I personally watch a few Let's players, mostly Polish ones though. I really enjoy watching a game with nice story while a dude tells some curios. So yeah, of course, if these dedicated people can earn some money doing what they love and putting it on YouTube then why not.
Another thing I love about YouTube are tutorials - there's a tone of those. They've helped me a lot with 3D, I've learnt many Photoshop trick this way. With some views from us and a thumb up the authors of these videos can get at least some money for their efforts.
Unfortunately, as far as I know, it's not that easy to become "rich" via YouTube as it takes quite some paid views (the ones with commercials) to earn any money and let's be honest, there's a lot of people using AdBlock now, so the number of views required gets even higher. Still though I wish all the best to those YouTubers giving people good time.
Tomasz Wojda said…
I would not call a YouTube "the easiest way"! Even in that kind of media as internet making content for YT is also a challanging thing! More over the adevntage of taking part in YT community is not only a cash from ads in this site. Gaining popularity brings a lot of new posibilities that you can use and make some money out of it! Perssonally i dont subcribe any of this channels as i always search randomly! Beside that to video content i'am a huge fan o TED talks which kill some time for me in the evening and weekends.I'am not counting any tutorials where you can learn propably more then everything :) Video materials are the most efective way of spreading information which make websites like YT so popular!
I dont know if you saw recently that YT make 360 degrees video possible, check out the link below :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7g2k0eEQUaM
Drag your mouse to move camera! Have FUN!
Unknown said…
Seriously? YouTube is 10 years old? I thought that it has existed from always. It's founder had one's head screwed on.
It hard to believe that youtube stars are more popular than normal celebrities.
Wow, youtuber's earnings are amazing.
I don't like youtube stars. I don't subscribe any of them. I don't spend many time on the youtube, but I know that people who spent all their free time on youtube exist.
Unknown said…
I am personally not a YouTube fan, I rather don't use this platform. I mean sometimes I want to listen to some music and then I go there, but very rarely since Spotify was released in Poland. Yeah, and sometimes I watch tutorials :) But I don't subscribe to any account and don't really follow all those YouTubers. But I know that working as a YouTuber can be very lucrative :) This is amazing how everyone of us can become a star nowadays. And I believe that it is hard work to create a popular YouTube channel! It might all look easy but I guess it's not :D Have you ever tried to run your own channel?
Unknown said…
Haha I have different thoughts! I thought "10 years old? Is it possible that it is so old?" Our generation remember when it all started and it's quite scary when you realise how old you are getting hahah :D:D
There is a lot of so called vlogers - people who have video blogs. It is hard to believe that after so many years of YouTube existence it became to be popular just not. What is interesting in Poland the most popular vlogers are not so creative. They show exactly the same things that was shown by other vlogers from USA. I understand that there are some funny videos like spider dog but mostly the movies are tragically stupid. It is sad that we have such stupid society who loves watching that.

What is more there is a lot of girls who recommend some products in this way. They make videos how to use it and what is their’s opinion. Again I don’t understand why people waste time to watch it. They are neither specialists nor celebrities. Personally I only watch Mariusz Max Kolonko and few other valuable presenters who can give me some valuable information and knowledge.
Julia Osiak said…
I don't follow any youtube stars or channels. I have afew that I watch from time to time but not on regular basis. I think that even though making money on youtube seems easy it really requires a lot of work. Making a short video takes couple of hours, with possible reshooting and editing etc. For some it turned out to be a full time job and if they put so much effort and energy into their videos why shouldn't they get the benefits from them? However, I still don't think of the most popular youtubers as stars or celebrities.
Unknown said…
I watch a lot of youtube videos. Many about movies and their production, video games, atheism and other issues that I care about. In a past couple of years the content is gradually getting better. People learn how to edit their videos properly and get better equipment. I don’t own a tv so I watch news (or people commenting on news) on youtube and I often listen to podcasts while I’m working.

I believe that making videos is a time consuming job and if people provide good, regular content they should get paid for it. In my opinion it’s a very good system, that people can pay their favorite youtubers via patreon and that best videos get most views and money. Many people have adblock and also youtube often prevents people from getting their videos monetized because of some stupid policies so small youtubers don’t really get that much money. I don’t really care about “real” of “youtube” stars, I care about the content they provide.
Unknown said…
I watch JaclynnGlen as well :) Do you watch any other atheist contributors on youtube? I also like TheAmazingAtheist and his podcast DrunkenPeasants, but I know that it’s not for everybody ;)
Unknown said…
YouTube is a great tool especially for people with a great talent. I think it’s the easiest way to promote yourself if you are a musician. As I remember, Lindsey Stirling took part in a talent show in which the jury told her she’ll never do a career. And boom, thanks to YouTube she’s now a well-known musician, a YouTube star and one of my favourite artist. I don’t subscribe her channel but I bought her albums. Also Ronald Jenkees turned out be a popular musician by means of the YouTube. I listen to his music since he uploaded a “Disorganized fun” in 2008.
Unknown said…
Wow some YouTubers really earn a lot of money, although I don't know any of those featured by Forbes. Unfortunately, the saddest thing is that most usually sells stupidity. Most often the largest audience have the channels where people do some stupid things :/ This doesn't speak well about the level of global society. I'm not fan of YouTube videos or YouTubers. I usually use this website to watch tutorials or music videos.
Unknown said…
I don't get this idea, I don't like it but at the same time I admire the ones who earn millions on such activity. They must be genius. Actually I'm not into youtubers at all, especially polish once. But to be honest from time to time I watch live gaming streams on Twitch.com, people play games and comment it. Famous PewDiePie do same thing but not live and with video editiion and earns millions - unbelievable.
Unknown said…
It's hard to belive that some people on YouTube making money comparably to movie stars. But it's true. Some 'ytb stars' make a lot of money just by posting few minutes films where they hide sponsors logo or recommend specific products. Viewers identyfi with them because they see them as normal people just like them.
Unknown said…
I've been following a few Youtube channels for some time, e.g. Screen Junkies for their Honest Movie Trailers or TED talks, but I don't subscribe to any of them as I don't watch these regularly. I've seen a few of PewDiePie's videos and well, they were ok, but that's it. It's great that people can get paid for this, especially those who create quality content because I'm aware it takes time and money to make a professional-looking video material. They just really deserve it for their hard work.

As for the starts, I can't remember watching any besides PewDiePie. I don't really care if someone is a star, I'm more interested in the subject and the content itself.
Unknown said…
I like orginal and imaginative people who share their passions. Sometimes I admire such people for the fact that they have an idea on create many vieos, not one or two but a whole „season”. I watch „Abstrachuje”.They show typical people behavior. it is funny channel.
Unknown said…
I don't think it is a very easy way to earn money, because it is really hard to get so many subscribers or just save already subscribed people. If you are going to earn a lot of money from youtube it should be your work. I don't think it is easy to record new and new videos every week or day, people don't care you have some problems in your life..you just have to post a video every Tuesday and Sunday.

Anyway, I think YouTube can be a good thing to earn extra money for talented people that have something interesting to show.
Michal Kulesza said…
I've heard that you are becoming star of Polish YouTube, congratulations! Is it easy to count income from ads based on number of views? Is there any direct relation? Or some of the views are 'worth more'?
Michal Kulesza said…
I don't subscribe any of YouTube stars, I usually just look for movies I want to watch - usually I don't even use YouTube but some other video sites.

I think that YouTube performers will soon lose some part of their income because of mobile companies wanting income sharing because of extensive infrastructure usage.
Unknown said…
I think there will be more and more celebrities coming out from the Internet. This is due to popularity of videos posted on the Web. Television is becoming less popular than videos on the Internet. In the net there are no barriers, anyone can record a video and become a star. In the case of television it is impossible. If you have a lot of viewers you can keep up with it and do not do anything else. Many „you tubers” earn a fortune out from the movies. I like to watch movies on youtube, there are some channels that interest me. Some contain funny videos when you can relax, others contain interesting information and some recipes. It is very useful and helpful in daily life. A world without the Internet would not exist …
Unknown said…
Youtube is kind of easy way to become a "Star". You don't need friends in television and nobody will tell you that you are terrible and camera hates you. You don't have to be and actor. The only thing you need is your own knowledge or sense of humor. In my personal opinion You tubers aren't stars. For me they are just wild spirits who want to shin or show their own way of world seeing. Some day i will also try for sure.
Aleksander M said…
Well, I don't subscribe to any of those youtube celebrities and this is one of those things I can't understand personally - what's so funny/interesting about them?

I might just be strange like that though - I don't watch any TV drama series either even though I really tried - I always felt like I'm wasting way too much time without any real reason.

I do admire their dedication though, and I definitely consider that being a "real job" - they provide content that certain kinds of people find attractive and that's what counts.
Youtube has became more popular way of watching than TV for young people. They spend more time in computer than watching TV. Broadcasting can be more independent and closer with people and show different points of view. Youtube makers can make more money than before it’s became very common.
Youtube is made by people for other people. In the future the business model has to change in order to keep up with social network trends. Like Facebook there is no free lunch.
Unknown said…
Of course, I often watch various videos on youtube but I didn't subscribed for any channels.
YouTube is a great place for talented people who want to show their skills to others. Currently, many famous singers started their careers on YouTube.
From what I know YouTubers earnings are varied and depend on the subject of films and advertisements that are displayed.
Unknown said…
I love youtubers, for me their vidoes are not only source of great entertainment but often a valuable source of information on various toppics.
Best part of youtube is that everyone can start creating for it. We live in times where creators can easily reach big groups of people with their ideas and content. I'm happy that they earn good money with their work as it only leads to better content for their viewers. I think I even preffer some youtubers over the so called big movie or music stars. I never felt the need to contact or see a movie star, while internet creators are people who I would love to meet, I think it's also part of the medium - those people feel more reall and accessible than hollywood stars.
These days it is really hard to not even once watch video of YT. It is the worldwide phenomenon and it is very difficult to disagree. I would lie if I say that I do not watch YouTube videos because I do it everyday. Probably most of my peers do the same thing. So yes, this is brilliant oportunity to promote itself and to become famous. Many YouTube Stars write books, have theirs clothing line or cosmetics and YouTube is basically theirs job. And I think that is great. 20 years ago there was no such a possibility to reach so many people all around the world and to earn money like this. The greatest thing is that everyone can find something interesting to watch, no matter what is it. Also people on computer screen feel much more close to us than people in TV. In most cases there are in our age so we can identify with them. I personally have my favourites youtubers and I subscribe theirs channels because I just enjoy watching them. It makes me laugh and I find it very relaxing.

Popular posts from this blog

Week 12 (12.01-18.01.15) Are you an early bird or a night owl ?

Owls are nocturnal creatures. They’re wide awake at night and they sleep during the day. If this sounds like bliss to you, then, like about 20 percent of the population who find themselves most active at around 9 pm, you may fall into the same category as our feathered friend. Night owls often have difficulty waking up in the morning, and like to be up late at night.  Studies of animal behaviour indicate that being a night owl may actually be built into some people’s genes. This would explain why those late-to-bed, late-to-rise people find it so difficult to change their behaviour. The trouble for night owls is that they just have to be at places such as work and school far too early. This is when the alarm clock becomes the night owl’s most important survival tool. Experts say that one way for a night owl to beat their dependence on their alarm clocks is to sleep with the curtains open. The Theory is that if they do so, the morning sunlight will awaken them gently and natura...

Week 11 [03-09.06.2019] The problem with ecological cars emission in UK

The problem with ecological cars emission in UK Since the adoption of the European Emission Allowance Directive in the European Parliament, all car makers have tried to submit. Since 1992, the Euro I standard has been in force, which limited the emission of carbon monoxide to the atmosphere. The Euro VI standard currently applies, which limits the series of exhaust gases. These include: hydrocarbons, nitrogen and carbon oxides, and dust.   The most significant change was brought by the Euro IV standard. For the first time it introduced the limitation of nitrogen oxides, which are responsible for the harmful compounds of smog.   What is smog?   Smog consists of sulfur oxides, nitrogen and carbon. In addition, solid substances such as suspended dust (PM). Dust suspend in atmospheric aerosols may be in liquid and solid form. These can be particles of sea salt, clouds from the Sahara and artificial compounds made by people. These compounds...

Week 4 [06-12.11.2017] This is what happens when you reply to spam email.

James Veitch is a British comedian. In today’s Ted Talk James with characteristic for himself a sense of humor shows how he deals with spam emails and why responding to junk messages may be sometimes dangerous. Questions: What do you think about James’s  way of dealing with spam? Why are junk messages legal, even though it sometimes may be a fraud? Dou you have a problem with spam? How do you deal with with it?