In today’s society, YouTube has grown to be one of the Internet’s most popular video-sharing websites. When it first launched, YouTube was a place a person could spend hours looking up lyrics videos to his or her favorite songs, as well as short, humorous videos including the famous “Charlie the Unicorn.” Now, the platform has expanded its videos to a wider variety of topics. You can easily find thousands of videos ranging from movie trailers, makeup tutorials, baking tutorials, and even book reviews. The quality and professionalism of these videos has increased dramatically, causing YouTube channels to grow in terms of their subscribers and video views. Youtubers have created a more personalized environment on the web through their channels and have become very close to and thankful for their viewers. Here are five of my favorite YouTubers and reasons why they should be yours, too.
1. Ingrid Nilsen
Ingrid Nilsen launched her YouTube channel in 2009, under the name “Missglamorazzi.” When I first subscribed to her channel, her videos included simple nail tutorials, makeup hauls, and her recent fashion purchases. My favorite thing about Ingrid is that she is always so positive and honest in terms of what she’s talking about. She consistently adds new and interesting segments to her channel to appeal to viewers that aren’t 100 percent interested in makeup. She adds holiday-themed segments including #DIYDecember, as well as cooking and home decorating videos. One of her newest segments, #5MFU (five minutes for us) allows viewers to listen to Ingrid’s opinions and thoughts on random topics ranging from relationships, jealousy, emojis, etc. She’s succeeded in creating a relaxed and comfortable environment for her viewers, who she no doubt considers to be her friends.
2. Tanya Burr
Tanya Burr -- a friend of Ingrid’s -- is also a beauty blogger from the United Kingdom. Similarly to Ingrid, Tanya launched her Youtube channel in 2009. Tanya is well-known for her makeup tutorials, teaching her viewers how to achieve looks suitable for red carpet events, as well as creating casual looks for each season. As her channel grew in popularity and viewers, Tanya’s career really took off. She expanded her topics to clothes and makeup hauls, monthly favorites, and even baking videos. Tanya has even launched a second channel where she puts up vlogs -- video blogs documenting her daily life. Tanya is always happy and positive and lets her viewers see the other aspects to her life: her husband, Jim, and a Dachshund puppy named Martha. In addition to her YouTube career, Tanya published her first book this year and just recently released her very first cookbook.
3. Sasha Alsberg
Sasha Alsberg is one of my favorite YouTubers because what she does is so different to the stereotypical YouTube world (not that there’s anything wrong with that). Sasha Alsberg, or “abookutopia,” launched her channel in 2013 and posts videos solely on books and their movie adaptations. She shows her subscribers what she’s currently reading and later uploads review videos, so the audience can decide if they’d like to read the book or not. This is a great way for book lovers to come together to a place that assists them in choosing their next great read. Sasha is completely candid in her videos, but you can tell through her enthusiastic and bubbly personality that she truly loves what she’s talking about. Also, Sasha is only 18 years old and just started her first semester of college, so she’s an inspiration to young people that anyone can do this, despite his or her age.
4. Joey Graceffa
If you’re interested in watching videos that don’t cover specific topics like beauty, fashion, makeup, etc., then consider watching Joey Graceffa, a popular YouTube vlogger. Joey started his channel in 2009 and since then, has accumulated over 5 million subscribers! Joey uploads videos of his day-to-day life every day and achieves an authentic persona, which allows Joey’s subscribers to relate to him very easily. In addition to his daily vlogs, Joey uploads collaboration videos where he films with his friends -- including Ingrid Nilsen -- who also have YouTube channels. Furthermore, Joey is very open with his interests in movies and music and will upload videos of his current projects, so that his viewers can get an insight to that part of his life. In addition to his channel, Joey has expanded his career and has even published a book, where he talks about his journey as a YouTuber.
5. Tyler Oakley
Tyler Oakley is very similar to Joey Graceffa. Tyler launched his channel in 2007 and uploads videos every Thursday and Friday. His videos include vlogs, collaborations, as well as inspirational talks to encourage people to be happy and comfortable with themselves. Tyler has over 7 million subscribers and has created a safe environment for his Internet friends, which is why he has such a loyal fanbase. He reels people in with his kind heart, as well as the videos he uploads that include someone very close to him -- his own mother! Fans love watching Tyler and his mother interact because it gives Tyler an authenticity that some Youtubers lack. In addition to his Youtube career, Tyler published his first book and also guest-starred on Ellen DeGeneres’ popular talk show.
