How many times have you seen a photo on Instagram or a clip on Youtube that has gone viral? Now, how many of those pics or clips were so unimpressive that you have thought to yourself – “well, even I could do that!” I’m not going to doubt you because well, maybe you could – but would you be one of a handful of people whose social media accounts have skyrocketed them to internet fame?
Lucas Cruikshank knows a thing or two about the rise of Youtube stardom. Remember Fred Figglehorn? The obnoxiously-voiced character was created and performed by Cruikshank. The videos that he posted were made in his home, and featured him speaking directly to the camera – no heavy editing, elementary delivery, and over all poor quality. A few years later, he went on to star in his own Nickelodeon produced shows and movies. Fred literally went from this:
The rise of the internet celebrity isn’t a new one, but it has become much more profitable.
Forbes Magazine recently published this article, listing the highest paid online celebrities. For example, PewDiePie, a Swedish video game enthusiast, is currently seated at the #1 spot with $15 million in pretax income. Why you ask? What marvolous and innovative creative ventures does he share with the world that makes him worth 15 million dollars?
He uploads snippets of himself playing video games for 50 million subscribers.
Yeah…that is it.
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Okay, I’m not ACTUALLY naive enough to think that it is that easy. In fact, Most YouTube stars have varied revenue streams – but they have all stemmed from their online popularity. They monetize their videos through “pre-roll advertisements and by integrating sponsors into their content” according to Forbes. They also may tour, sell merchandise and make cameos on traditional forms of media like television. A few have their own products, like the aforementioned PewDiePie who has his own mobile platform video game (complete with in-app purchases). Here are some other examples of regular people who became famous by creating Youtube followings, as compiled by Forbes:
What is true no matter what, and perhaps the most valuable lesson, is that YOU the creator do not have as much control over your brand as the people WATCHING your videos do. Without the subscribers and without the groundswell, your videos are…well…just lame clips of your cat chasing a laser pointer.
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