By JESSICA ROSS
Samantha Miller is your typical 22 year old from Green Brook, N.J. She loves to cook, shop, watch Netflix, read, etc. But she is also an avid YouTuber, who films fashion videos, routine videos, and monthly favorite videos every Tuesday and Saturday mornings for her 1,612 subscribers.
“You can tell from my first few videos to my new ones how comfortable I’ve gotten not only in front of the camera but with myself. I include embarrassing bloopers in almost all my videos to remind myself not to take myself too seriously and to always have fun with it,” Miller said. “I also made new friends and have really become more confident through the whole process.”
For a quick introduction to what Millers channel is all about, click here.
YouTube: Broadcast Yourself
Miller is among the growing number of young people who are making a name for themselves on YouTube. A few people who have branded themselves on YouTube include Zoella, Tanya Burr, Gabriella Lindley, Emily Noel, and BfvsGf.
YouTube, an online video web site, was created in 2005 by PayPal employees Chad Hurley, Steve Chen, and Jawed Karim. On April 14, YouTube celebrated its 10th anniversary. The first video, posted by co-founder Jawed Karim, was titled, “Me at the Zoo”. In November 2005, YouTube became official thanks to a $3.5 million investment from Sequoia Capital. According to the press tab on YouTube, YouTube has more than 1 billion users and 300 hours of video are uploaded every minute.
“I watch YouTube every single day and I could watch it for hours on end. I like to watch daily vloggers from England, DIY stuff, and beauty things,” Kelly Ross, an avid YouTube watcher said. “YouTube is my new television. I’m obsessed. I don’t watch tv anymore but I have to keep up with the people I do follow on YouTube.”
Inspiration
A year before starting her own YouTube channel, Miller had mono which lasted a whole year, making her not feel well. Because of mono, her energy was low and YouTube gave her something to feel good about, especially getting to the end result.
“I was proud of the result when I edited a video and it was done. Even if no one watched, it was something I was proud of because I did it myself,” Miller said.
Miller began watching other YouTubers such as Kandee Johnson and Tess Christine before starting her own channel. “I loved watching people share their thoughts on makeup and fashion and I thought, wow, I know a lot and there’s things I wish they would include that I knew I could do,” Miller said.
Branding Yourself on YouTube
According to Bethanny Mota, a YouTube star, there are a few ways to become more popular on YouTube. Mota talks about being consistent with posting videos, so uploading as often as possible is better than being inconsistent with videos.
A second tip she provides is to be engaged with the viewers. Mota suggests to not just upload a video and walk away, but rather respond to viewers through YouTube comments as well as other social media outlets. She says connecting with the audience is huge because it shows that she is herself and not just reading everything from a script. “The audience wants to get to know you as a person,” Mota stated.
Mota also says to not try to be successful because it will end up becoming a lot more work than if you are passionate about what you are talking about.
Mashable suggests promoting your videos through other channels that you already have. Facebook allows you to automatically add your videos on your profile page. Twitter and Google Reader also provide auto sharing which allows you to automatically upload your video after uploading it to YouTube. Mashable also say to embed your videos to a blog or traditional website. Lastly, they suggest to link your YouTube channel as well as your videos anywhere and everywhere that you can. You will have a better chance of getting your name out there if it is seen through different places.
Popular Videos
Some of Millers most popular YouTube videos among her subscribers include foundation reviews, “get ready with me” videos, and celebrity looks. Along with these, she also covers fashion, hauls, challenges, and rants.
View Millers Spring Essentials video below.
By following over 200 people on YouTube, Miller is constantly getting inspiration from her own videos from others, as well as posting videos on topics that she would want to watch.
Loren Letcher, 24, a fan of Millers videos, appreciates Miller as a YouTuber as well as a friend. “I’ve been subscribed to her since the end of 2012/ beginning of 2013. I always liked her videos because she’s genuine about how she comes across and isn’t afraid to tell her viewers if she doesn’t like a product. She’s very enthusiastic also. [I’ve] always loved that.”
Working hard > Buying Subscribers
“Gaining an audience for sure [is the hardest thing about being on YouTube]. I’ve been at it for over 2 years and haven’t come close to where others have in a few months,” Miller said.
Miller advertises her videos on social media, including Instagram, Pinterest, Google+ and Facebook.
“I find it very hard to spam people and beg for subscribers. I work extremely hard on my videos and put hours of effort in daily and it is sometimes discouraging to think that people with less passion and determination are more successful,” Miller said.
Miller does not believe in “buying” subscribers and says that she follows those who genuinely have the skill, passion or potential, and hopes that when she follows certain people and they follow back, they see it the same way she does.
Makeup Basics
While Miller films a variety of different topics, her most popular videos are the ones talking about makeup, whether it be a haul or “how-to” video.
She started using makeup while in middle school after suffering from acne. Her obsession started with concealer and then went on to foundation, leading into exploring everything else.
“I sort of picked up the basics on my own. Then I found YouTube when I would search celebrity looks and try them out,” Miller said. “And I’m definitely not a professional by any means but I know the basics and more than anyone whose not obsessed I’d say. So I mostly learned what I know from YouTube.”
Miller is obsessed with anything beauty related. Some of her top “must haves” include, a beauty blender, St. Tropez Bronzing Mousse, Revlon lash curlers, It Cosmetics, Bye Bye Under Eye, Batiste Dry Shampoo, Dove Purely Pampering body wash.
“I could probably name like 100 more,” Miller laughed.
Influenster
YouTubers love to do reviews on makeup, new hair products, books, etc. Because of their love of reviews, many do reviews of products through a website called Influenster.
Influenster is a website that does just that, gives the user an opportunity to share their opinions on products with friends and followers through social media.
“They’ll never post to your account or ask for a credit card,” Miller said. “ They send you surveys through email if you qualify, they send you a box of free products from detergent to makeup to skincare and food. I got the Keurig 2.0 for free since I was approved in the survey because I drink so much coffee.”
Filming Process
Many viewers often do not know the process that goes into making a successful YouTube video.
“I usually can only film if the sun is out since my artificial lighting isn’t great. So I have to set up with my camera and tripod, which takes awhile. It’s different for tutorials or chatty videos or fashion videos,” Miller said.
Being very particular in how she wants her videos to turn out, Miller often films each video three times before she gets it the way she envisioned it. She finds that while filming takes awhile to do, it is the easiest part because she can talk forever.
“Then the clean up is a nightmare cause I need to take out products and clothes and set up my lighting and camera. But I pre film so I don’t edit sometimes for a week after I film. I like to have videos on standby.” Miller said.
According to Miller the whole process can take hours from start to finish. While it takes so long, Miller loves everything about it.
Editing
Editing brings Miller joy and a feeling of accomplishment. She enjoys sharing her skills with people all over the world.
“I slowly slowly learned how to edit. I watched so many other people and tried to pick up different ways of editing. I went from having an intro with the title of the video to adding music to jump cuts and then I would explode iMovie until I was blue in the face. I learned how to speed things up and slow them down just by playing around,” Miller said. “Then a little over a year ago, I realized how much I say uhm and repeat myself so now I spend hours editing until I get it perfect. I also got the new iMovie finally and theres so many more options that make it way easier and cleaner.”
As for tips on beginning to edit movies yourself, Miller suggests taking inspiration from many people. Some of her favorites that helped her with learning to edit her videos include Bethany Mota, ThisisSmileyandShell, and Tess Christine.
“You have to try to edit with the style and mood of your video and your channel over all or it’ll be all over the place and won’t feel right.”
Give it a Go!
While it can be tough to reach a high number of subscribers and edit videos, Miller encourages people to give YouTube a try if it is something they would like to do.
“Before you buy the fancy expensive equipment and learn all the editing mumbo jumbo, sit in front of your Mac or your phone and film something. Watch it back a few times and keep doing that until you don’t cringe when you see yourself or hear your recorded voice,” Miller said. “Then ease into editing and all the other stuff will come later. As long as you love it and feel comfortable, it’ll all work out.”
Miller has big plans for her future as a YouTuber. She hopes to improve her quality of filming as well as meet other YouTubers.
“Without YouTube, I’d be a lot more bored and not motivated. Other than having family, I wouldn’t really have a dream or life goal. I love YouTube and hope to grow my channel enough to do it as a full time job,” Miller said.
Listen below to see where Miller hopes to be in the next 5 years.
Keep up with Samantha on her social media networks:
YouTube: @newjerseygirl92
Facebook: @samanthann92
Instagram: @samanthann92
Twitter: @samanthann92
Pinterest: @samanthann92