“Help us make up who we want to be” is the phrase I constantly saw on some subway advertisement lately (please refer to the picture). What caught my eye at once were not only the amazing make-up looks, but also a girl named Michelle Phan. On the advertisement, it says Michelle had over 5 million YouTube subscribers. This YouTube millionaire girl interested me and I decided to watch some of her videos on YouTube. Surprisingly, when I looked her up on YouTube, her subscribers on YouTube had raised to over 6 million already. Later on, I found out all she used to become a successful woman today is a laptop and a camera. She started with posting make-up tutorial blogs at first, however, as more bloggers requested; she posted her first video on YouTube in 2007” (Wikipedia). Her growing popularity on the internet attracted many beauty brands to offer corporate sponsorship to her, such as Lancôme. In last year, L’Oreal sponsored Michelle to start her own beauty brand “EM” (Wikipedia).
Michelle’s successful career reminded me of Steven, the 14 year old skateboarder in the video Generation Like. Similar with Steven, they are both popular people on YouTube, and they both earned corporate sponsorships by their popularity on YouTube. All they used to become known was a camera to take videos and a laptop to upload videos. It was the power of social tools that made their talents known. Without YouTube and blog, Michelle would probably only become an ordinary make-up artist. It was the social tools that empowered Michelle to reach out to public who may be interested in her videos. In other words, it was the social tools that allowed Michelle to attract her consumers and sell her brand today. Do you have great business ideas, too? If yes, then utilize these social tools to start to build your own business today!
For Michelle Phan’s interview by Australia Sunrise TV Program, click Here.
Yes, I’ve been seeing many of these YouTube advertisements on and in subway cars recently! I actually follow some of these makeup gurus as Michelle Phan on YouTube and I think that it’s really amazing to see how with just one great hobby/skill, electronics, and with the help of social media brings fans, income, fame, and sponsors who support ones likings.
It remains me how people are becoming popular through social media in Generation Like. I looked at the Michelle Phan on YouTube and I can see that how social media share and spread her idea to people from all over the world and how it makes her to become a star.
I love watching her youtube videos! I thought the DIYs were very useful and helped save a lot of money. I haven’t seen those ads yet but it’s cool how she went from being a blogger to making videos to where she is now today. I agree, it is very similar to Generation Like where she got sponsors and even started her own brand.
I remember seeing this ad on the subway yesterday. I saw Rosanna Pansino’s face and I was thinking wait a second, I know this person. And then it dawned on me that I subscribed to her. You guys should definitely check out her channel if you have the time. She hosts a show called “Nerdie Nummies” which is a show that is about baking gaming themed food.
I’ve seen a few of her videos too! I have yet to see her in ads though. It’s crazy how successful she has become. Pewdiepie (YouTuber with the most subscribers) also makes tons of money by just uploading his gaming experience/reactions. It’s ridiculous how much money they make.
I absolutely love Michelle Phan, and the other two YouTuber’s who also have ads up. I’m subscribed to all three! I just think it’s amazing what they do- turning their hobby into something more tangible and into a real business. Especially Michelle Phan. I remember when she first started out, and i agree with how you said that it reminds you of Steven the skateboarder. It’s crazy how uploading a few videos of you doing something you love can open up a million opportunities. This goes back to how powerful likes actually are. A lot of YouTuber’s like Michelle and probably Steven have experienced people thumbing down their videos and making comments that they are “sell outs” because they are teaming up with brands. This action of thumbing down a video can be just as powerful as liking someones post or video and Michelle, and Steven are only some of the few examples of those who have used social tools to their advantage and have succeeded despite the negativity thrown towards their way.
She has become very famous, she started her own YouTube channel which lead her to start her own makeup line. She is like a celebrity because people take pictures with her and post it on Instagram and Facebook. She also had a pop up store I believe? And there was a line for it. I agree with everyone that it is similar to the Generation Like video that we watched in class but she expanded her YouTube channel by creating her own line of makeup. I feel that a lot of YouTubers are expanding by producing physical products. I saw physical because before they just provide an online make up reviews but now they are providing actual products.
I’ve seen these ads as well and I’ve actually met Michelle Phan and own some of her products from her Em cosmetics makeup line. I remember watching her videos back when she first started making videos on YouTube and I still watch her videos. YouTube has become a business from when it first started and those people who started posting videos when YouTube started have become very successful. Nowadays it’s very difficult for people to get recognized if you are just starting a YouTube channel. Those who have been posting videos for a while and gained many subscribers have gotten many opportunities such as sponsorships, brand deals, and even started their own companies. The interaction that online content creators have with their subscribers help them get recognized and have a support system for other opportunities.