Hello! Right now you’re reading “The Creator Confidential”, a blog where famous YouTubers share their stories and tips they have for growing a YouTube channel. Over the past week, I had the pleasure of interviewing spudstudy (Rui), and here is the finished result. Enjoy!
Rui started her YouTube channel, spudstudy, only 2 years ago and since then, her study channel has grown quickly to over 38,000 subscribers and almost 1 million views. Unlike most other creators, one of the first videos she created got over 600,000 views and to this day is the most popular video on her channel. Spudstudy produces videos from Singapore but has viewers from all around the world. This is Rui’s story.
"I continue making videos because it's fun!"
What inspired you to create your channel?
I had always been interested in content making, and when I created my channel in 2018, I was starting to take my studies more seriously. So, I decided to make some videos that are related to what I am doing as a student. Also, the comments I receive motivate me to continue making videos and also, making videos helps me de-stress from my school work. I continue making videos because it is fun!
Do you think your family or background/where you grew up influenced your content? Can you talk about how your parents affected your YouTube channel?
My parents have definitely supported me and encouraged me to continue creating content. They watch my videos regularly (and even watch the ads fully to “earn the money”).
However, I think that growing up in Singapore, we are a rather conservative country and hence, there are not a lot of students in this industry. But, I must point out that study YouTube channels and Instagram pages are becoming increasingly common. This has encouraged me to continue making content in the sense that there is a sense of community of small YouTubers in Singapore doing something similar to me.
Top 3 tips you would give to small YouTubers trying to start a successful YouTube channel?
1. Enjoy what you are doing.
2. Be you, and present the truest version of you.
3. Have a topic or style you like and can base all your videos on.
How do you find new opportunities with brands? What is one of the best opportunities you've gotten from your YouTube channel?
I usually receive the email and consider if I want to work with companies! I look for a brand that I personally am interested in and feel my audience will like. I think that the collaboration between Domino's Pizza and Phomemo Printer were the best opportunities I have received.
Dominos Pizza contacted me as part of a collaboration video for Chinese New Year this year and I thoroughly enjoyed working with them. My friends and I enjoyed the pizza and I got to engage with my fans by holding a giveaway. For the Phomemo printer collaboration, they sent me their product (and this was the first thing I had to review on my channel). I loved the product and was glad I got to work with the company.
The very first video you made, a day in my life video, got over 600k views and to this day is your most popular video. Was that success overnight and were you surprised by it?
It is actually not my first video. I had a few videos before that, but I feel like they do not fit the content I am producing now, hence I have taken them down.
However, when the day in my life video blew up, I was rather surprised as I never expected a simple video like that to reach so many people. I did not really pay attention to it, but I knew that it was receiving a lot of attention.
What is your experience with hate and how do you deal with it?
I strangely do not receive hate online or in my life that I know of. There has been a lot of constructive feedback given to me by my viewers, which I appreciate a lot! In school, my classmates and friends found out about my channel last year although I tried to keep it as a secret. However, I have not received any hate from anyone. I feel grateful that the people around me are not judgmental based on the fact I have a YouTube channel.
What's the best comment you've ever received?
Honestly, there isn't one comment that is the best because I treasure every comment I receive, be it a sweet comment, a comment sharing their experiences and how I impacted them or advice given to me.
How long does it usually take you to edit one of your videos?
It depends. Sometimes it takes about 2 hours and sometimes it can stretch over a few days, and a total of 5 hours.
Since your main content is study videos, do you know what you're going to do with your channel in the future once you graduate school?
I am not sure how long I am going to continue YouTube for, so it is still uncertain. Also, I am 16 and working life seems too far fetched to plan for my YouTube career. I like to do things spontaneously, so I will decide nearing my graduation.
Thanks for reading! A huge thanks to Rui for taking the time to answer all the questions. Here are the links to all her socials:
Instagram: @spudstudy https://www.instagram.com/spudstudy/
YouTube: spudstudy https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCa5GwGk-purNFcEZITtxXwA/featured
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