Remember a time without YouTube? Yeah, me neither.
Since its inception in 2005, the site has amassed a staggering 31 million channels. Each minute, 300 hours of video are uploaded to the platform, and 5 billion videos are viewed each day.
The quality vs. quantity issue certainly applies in the case of YouTube. While the numbers are gargantuan, the truth is, the majority of the videos aren’t getting many views. The hours upon hours of weekly planning, filming, and editing is enough to deter most people. Those willing to put in the work, naturally, have a higher chance of standing above the rest. In order to stand out, though, YouTubers must bring value, creativity, and consistency to their viewers.
Here are some channels that are killin’ the game when it comes to being entertaining and informative:
1. Hindz
You don’t always need to listen to a 2-hour podcast to gain transformative information. All it really takes is a few minutes of hard-hitting wisdom and motivation, which Hindz provides in his vlogs (as he giggles and sips tea). A mellowed-out dad with a slow, easygoing approach to life, Hindz aims to reacquaint viewers with their passions.
Hindz is big on continuous self-improvement, and he urges us to ask ourselves the uncomfortable. Every time I watch Hindz, I feel myself becoming a bit more present and self-aware. His soft-spoken voice will lull you out of your own mental chatter and anxieties.
2. Sheen Gurrib
Mauritius-born, Oxbridge-educated, and Dubai-based content creator Sheen Gurrib mixes sass with activism and curiosity. She interviews prominent figures in a variety of fields from mental health to politics. Last year, she even chatted with Akansha Arora, a candidate for UN Secretary-General. Her videos often touch upon current events, as she adds her own comments and critiques to major goings-on.
Perhaps my favorite video of hers was the one in which she discusses her family history. In five generations, they went from being slaves brought over from India, to earning PhDs at the most prestigious institutions in the world. You’ll walk away with valuable knowledge after watching Sheen’s vlogs.
3. Kaity Yoo
We could all use more laughs. And cutie pie Kaity Yoo’s vlogs provide a plethora of them. A Brown University student, Yoo turns to YouTube to stoke her creative fires. In one of her videos, she transforms her mom into an ABG (Asian Baby Girl). In others, she answers the question of what each college major would wear (if sleep and decent fashion sense were accounted for, that is).
For any aspiring bloggers, Kaity also has impeccable editing skills and shares tips of her own. Whether you’re watching her content for education or pleasure, it’ll be time well spent.
4. Traveling With Kristen
Even before COVID-19, figuring out the logistics of long-term travel was like digging through a vat of sand to find a single flake of gold. That is, a befuddling and frustrating process. However, Kristen aims to provide an antidote in her informative videos. Having traveled for over 10 years herself, Kristen’s digital nomad insights have a lot to offer for those looking to follow a similar path. She covers countries from Costa Rica to Estonia, and spurs a strong desire to see more of the world in the short time we have in it.
Though Kristen hasn’t published any videos for a few months, her content is still useful and provides a springboard for planning your next big adventure. Her relaxed nature and simple editing style make her content easy to consume and comprehend.
5. Alexa Donne
Often we need someone to tell it like it is. Alexa Done has no shame in doing just that. Her infectious energy takes the spotlight in her vlogs, which provide writing advice and a kick of motivation for emerging and seasoned writers alike. Through her own experiences in the traditional and self-published realms, Alexa provides insights into a complex process.
Alexa’s forthright manner doesn’t make her intimidating, however. Quite the contrary. She mixes in the right amount of compassion and vulnerability, which will leave you convinced that you have what it takes to write and send that novel out into the world!
6. Nathaniel Drew
I had to save the best for last. Nathaniel Drew is a polyglot, world traveler, and visual storyteller extraordinaire. His videos tackle the existential, and aim to capture the beauty that transpires when we surrender to life and all of its unknowns. An avid proponent of lifelong learning and experimenting, Nathaniel’s videos range from testing out famous figures’ daily routines to asking a bunch of random strangers to have dinner with him at the best restaurant on Earth.
Listening to Nathaniel is a gift. His words flow like poetry, and you’ll find yourself wanting to know more and more from this wise young man. A huge plus: he has a visual storytelling course and also just launched new merch.
***
Those are six YouTubers kicking major booty in today’s content-rich world. I think they each provide something unique and conducive to building a better life for yourself. Hopefully, they’ll continue to hone their craft and share their skills with an eager audience.
Who are some of your favorite YouTubers? Did you enjoy videos by any of the above creators? Leave me a comment and let me know!