Youtube Gurus: What draws you in?

Jun 5, 2011

Nicole S.

There's like a MILLION beauty gurus on Youtube and I observed that some are doing great with thousands of subscribers and others have only a few. So my question is what makes you want to subscribe? What qualities in a beauty guru do u look for? And who's your all-time favorite guru? 

Jun 6, 2011

Korie S.

I look for people who have a good personality/is personable, someone who creates a wide range of looks, good quality videos, uploads videos often, and someone who explains details well (makes it easy to understand). Those are just my preferences :)

As for a favorite guru, I don't really have one now because there are so many out there nowadays! 

Jun 6, 2011

Jasmine P.

I personally love gurus who are down to earth and have a sense of realness to them. I like being able to feel like I'm having a normal conversation with them as opposed to feeling like what is being presented to me is static. I also love when gurus are a little more avante garde with their makeup technique and show new ways how to use makeup :)

Jun 7, 2011

Soma S.

There's two types:

1.) The ones that actually take the time to edit their videos and present viewer-worthy content. Genuine time and effort shows if you can put together a really good video. Example: DustyOHunter... [hope I got that right] He's funny, personable, and experienced. It shows, and makes a great video.

2.) Non-edited videos: true, there are LOADS of them out there. However, their interests match with yours, they make an effort to have good lighting and produce videos on topics relevant to what people are searching for information on. My favorite example of this is "BlushingPixie". She doesn't use frills in her videos, but I want to raid her closet and vanity area so badly.

Being genuine is really what hooks anyone in. It's easy to smell out the people that do it for sponsors and free things. I especially dislike the videos that haul TOO MUCH. It's okay to haul, but don't review things you've only swatched twice and tell me it's a "must-have" I'll never see you use again in your videos. A really easy way to spot whether people ACTUALLY use certain makeup items they try to sell you is to watch their vanity set up videos. Most of these "gurus" have their CS 88 palettes in their least used drawer w/ all their other makeup rejects. Just an example of how I smell out a fake when searching for info on whether something is worth having or not.

Believe it or not, people do notice these things... haha, at least I do.  =P

Jun 7, 2011

Keshonta B.

@soma 100% agree with your comment. My opinion I don't consider just because you have thousands of subscribers you are guru. I feel there are a lot of girls out there who can do makeup. I won't take that away from them but if your not doing it professionaly does it really make them a guru? It's more like a hobby. That whole guru name just blows me. Anywho I'm drawn to techniques,application,the ability to execute,and most importantly personality. Some videos are BLAH!!! Some are funny with out intending to be. And some are hit and miss. I think there are a lot of great artist arising.

Jun 7, 2011

Chineen M.

@Soma i love how ur so informative and real! i agree with everything you just said!

Jun 7, 2011

Jamie D.

@Soma totally agree! You can tell if they really love something quite easily. Very eloquently put!

Jun 8, 2011

Soma S.

Thanks, ladies! You're all too kind!

I said myself that I would attempt to try making videos this summer, but it's been a real challenge trying to find content that hasn't been done over 1,000,000x's... I'm also very picky when it comes to the design process [thanks a lot school... -__- ] and I don't think I could ever be happy with what I put out there.

To those of you that have made videos though, I have the utmost respect and love for you all. It take s a lot of guts to put your face out there and rise above the criticism that exists on the internet, and it's something even I am still iffy on dealing with if I ever do make a video. Just remember to be creative, and you'll find your target demographic. You don't have to reach 1,000,000 subscribers, as long as you can enlighten just one person or put a smile on someone's face, that's all that matters. Don't try to spam your page across the internet, because I find it somewhat annoying if it's the same cookie-cutter content everyone else has.

Remember: "If you build it, they will come..." or in this case, "If it's good content, they will watch."  =)

Jun 8, 2011

Althea N.

@soma soooooo true. I make videos on YouTube and I've been finding it hard to find subscribers. I think more of the "gimmick" channels have thousands of followers versus the real chicks who genuinely love beauty. Which is so sad.

Honestly, the second I notice that EVERY video a guru does is sponsored I definitely lose interest quick. Another thing to remember is... Just because a guru says buy it doesnt mean u have to! Sadly some just want to make a quick buck off of us! I usually YouTube that same product and if I notice it's been "pubbed" in the same way by 10 other huge gurus I become uninterested as well. Good luck with your channel! Let us know when you create a channel... I'll be sure to subscribe!!! :-)

Jun 8, 2011

Althea N.

@arkia there are a couple threads on here on how to edit! Try iMovie for Mac or movie maker for windows

Jun 8, 2011

Jamie D.

@Soma so true! Everything is so overdone; it's so difficult to set yourself apart. Everytime I have an idea I search for it first and I usually find that everyone has already done it and that makes me want to stop making videos.

Jun 8, 2011

Jasmine P.

@Jamie D. I know what you mean and the way that I look at it is doing a video for myself and really enjoying putting makeup on in the process. Regardless of whether or not a bunch of people have created a look online, I think that if you really enjoy what you're doing it will show through and people will appreciate it. Plus, it's always great to see a person's rendition. No one ever does a look exactly the same :)

Jun 8, 2011

Clara A.

I really like this thread! I'm new to the whole youtube thing and it's fun seeing and hearing what people have to say from all over!!

@Jasmine totally agree with you too!

Jun 8, 2011

Jamie D.

@Jasmine yes, I just feel intimidated if a big guru has done a look and I think I can't do it even half as good as they did.

Jun 9, 2011

Althea N.

@Jamie D. Don't underestimate yourself. Also, don't compare your look to bigger gurus. Just do what makes you happy! Your subscribers will notice that you genuinely enjoy what you're doing and they'll be drawn in by that!

Welcome Arkia

Jun 9, 2011

Tamara R.

I look for a few things:
- a skill set that I don't have
- staying on topic
- a genuine nature
- compatible personality

Very rare is the channel were I find all things of these things together, but I've learned to take what's useful and leave the rest. The biggest reason I watch videos is to learn, even if it's just a twist on something I'm already familiar with.

I've also noticed that I originally watched people who looked similar to me, but now I actually enjoy seeing how application and colour looks on someone different and figuring out how to make it work for me. ^_^

It's hard for me to choose one, but I'd probably say Pixiwoo.. I'm always excited to see a new video from them and I can always learn something from their artistry.

Jun 9, 2011

Dania M.

Oh my... There are hundreds of gurus on youtube until i couldnt even keep track of my subscriptions.. Today, i try to keep it under 100 subs

answering the question:

1. Skill/Experience/Knowledge of course. There is PLENTY of that on YT and I dnt feel like I am missing out on anything.

2. PERSONALITY, a unique and friendly one. "Fake" is not an option
(imo the more views and subscribers the more fake youtubers become... Here are some popular and down to earth guru's imo: PETRILUDE, AFRICANEXPORT, ANDREASCHOICE. I love em because they keep it real. I think the fakeness is due to the pressure and YT haters that come along with the thousands of views).

3. Use of cheaper products or suggestion of dupes, substitutes etc... I am not a fan of the All MAC movement.
Eg. when doing tutorials I rather the gurus who say things like "in the crease use a matte black shadow, here i use MAC Carbon" instead of "Place MAC Carbon in the crease". Hey I am cheap so ;)

4. Coloured/Black people: So I am filtering down here (under 100!!), If there is a caucasian/asian who fulfils 1, 2 and 3; and a coloured person / person close to my skin tone who also fulfils 1,2 and 3, I will watch the person closest to my skin tone.
Their info would be more relevant to me of course.

5. Originality ~> originality is kinda dead on youtube beauty because everyone has basically done everything half a hundred times already (hence my sub list shortens). Where there are 20 people doing the Superbass inspired tutorial and all 20 do a hell of a good job, I will choose to watch the ones who have fulfilled the criteria above.

I dont feel like I am missing out on anything anymore. One time i would subscribe to EVERY guru out there just because they did a good look. Nowadays, I care more about the PERSON than the makeup videos they put out. I buy into their personality more that the looks they come up with.

I find myself hunting for the Under-viewed and Undiscovered upcoming gurus of late. They are much more personable, more 1 on 1 and the friendly that I like. If I ask a question its not swept away by 1000 other comments. I cherish the "Underground" gurus so much more than say Allthatglitters and other guru with millions of views (though they have their place too eg. Xsparkage and Enkoremakeup)

Jun 9, 2011

Keshonta B.

Well spoken @Dania

Jun 10, 2011

Rikki P.

Can you get any more unique than a deaf girl actually talking in her videos?

HAHA, anyway.

I don't know. I never really have a certain type. I really like people with a personality like Nikkie's. Frankly, if you're not boring and don't sound like a robot when giving directions, we'll get along fine.

And I hate the "inspired tutorials" that are basically copying the same look 30 times. That's why my inspired tutorials from music videos are colours in the video rather than what the person is actually wearing. You have a lot more fun that way.

Jun 10, 2011

Arie C.

I love people that seem like people I would like to hang out with!

Thats what really drew my to Leesha, and then through her I discovered Josh, and then I discovered Justine, and everyone a part of that group and I just loved them because I loved what they did and who they were.

I also love the gurus that make mistakes and they're totally ok with that. I know when I was a beginner, it always made me feel better seeing people who I wanted to be as good as making the same mistakes I did.

I also am drawn into people who change up what they do. I love people who can go from crazy bright, to everyday make up, to some crazy avante garde masterpiece.

And I'm not gonna lie, a lot of the time I'll click on the thumbnail if I like they're hair. XD

Jun 10, 2011

Arie C.

*their

Jun 10, 2011

Rikki P.

You know what's really bad? When you have a good hair day and all that stuff but the YouTube thumbnails ruin it.

Jerks.

Jun 10, 2011

Jamie D.

@Freddie story of my life! I try so hard to look nice for videos and my thumbnail comes up with my eyes halfway open and my hair everywhere lol.

Jun 10, 2011

Rikki P.

My newest video, the thumbnail makes me look like I'm really high.

Jun 12, 2011

Althea N.

YT THUMBNAILS ARE THE DEVILLLLLLLLL!!!! Hahahahaha