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The relevance of content creation, especially in Nigeria, has ignited a spark in the hearts of many, leading to a significant rise in the number of netizens.
The creative business which now ranks among the top 10 professions in the world has birthed the likes of Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and the biggest video creation platform, YouTube.
The first thing that comes to mind when vlogging is mentioned is the 17-year-old video-sharing site which has over 2.6 billion users across the world.
While for many, YouTube is a favourite pastime, others use it as a reliable source of income.
For Oladoyin Jane, her initial use of the platform was to have fun by creating memories. Subsequently, that would change.
“I just started YouTube because I love talking and doing things. So I was just like let me just open a youtube channel for fun. But basically these days, I don't want to do it for fun anymore because It gets to a point where I'm putting in so much effort; I buy things, and I get things to upgrade myself.”
AllNews Nigeria had a chat with a number of YouTubers and an aspiring YouTuber who delved into the fun and perks of creating content on the most popular video content creation application in the world.
Our interviewees had these to say:
I Pick What Is Trending And Flow With The Vibe...
My name is Oyedepo Blessing Adeola. I run a YouTube channel, 'TalkD'Talk with Adeola'.
Basically, 'TalkD'Talk with Adeola' is a lifestyle and talk show channel where I bring people to talk about different things.
It's not a static channel, I bring in so much content from different angles. I have lifestyle, I have games, and I have insecurity in the country.
Sometimes, I even bring in celebrities and we talk about how they're growing in the industry and so many things.
I talk about myself, sometimes, I talk about the country, I talk about the economy. I just try to diversify. Yes, I try to just pick what is trending at that time and flow with the vibe.
But basically, it's a talk show. Sometimes, I do it myself like alone to hear people's opinions and sometimes, I bring people on the show, so we can do it together.
Why Did You Choose YouTube For Your Content Creation? Why Not Instagram Or TikTok?
It Gave Me A Platform To Express Myself...
Okay, so for me, I think YouTube basically gives me the platform to express myself, unlike IG or TikTok.
In fact, my YouTube channel started in 2020, and at that time, TikTok was not really in vogue, it was just starting. So, it was YouTube for me.
For instance, on TikTok or IG, they give you a time limit. Once it is one or two minutes, people are already getting more of your video.
But on YouTube, when you're on somebody's channel and it takes like 30 minutes, you know you're here for the person's channel, so you're ready.
Unlike TikTok, you want to just go somewhere else and watch something else. That's why I chose YouTube because it gave me a platform to express myself well.
I Know There Are Times You Put So Much Effort Into Content And Post On Your Channel But Don't Get The Expected Feedback. What's The Effect Of That Psychologically And How Do You Cope When That Happens?
I Was Really Down, Contemplated Quitting YouTube...
Yeah, there are a lot of times when I put so much effort into my content and don't get the expected feedback.
Let me start with the first time I recorded a YouTube channel video with so much energy and there was no sound. Jesus! The makeup, the dress, the whole effort. And I didn't know there was no sound until like a day after because I was so tired and I didn't really preview the video. I was just like just put it out there, they'll be reading my lips to understand what I'm saying. I think that was the first time.
The second one was when I did a video about body shaming in contemporary society. I think I was expecting that this topic is very sensitive and I brought guys on my youtube channel to talk about it.
I was just probably feeling like it was going to go far, you know. But guess what? After like the day I posted and the next day, I had like 200 views and that was it. I didn't even have comments. People didn't even tell me that "I've been body shamed before o". You know, I was really expecting to see comments like " it's crazy, I've actually experienced it before".
I felt like can't they relate to what? I felt down a bit, yeah, but there's something about me: I just have this feeling of "unto the next" because you really might not know what would catch people's attention. So, I just moved on. But I was really down and I asked myself if I should just quit YouTube.
But, I think for all YouTubers generally, low views or low engagements really affect everybody, like why are people not engaging themselves in this particular content? Did I say anything wrong? Is the content not a good one? You know it is just what it is.
Lastly, What Would You Say To Upcoming YouTubers If You Had An Opportunity? What Should They Know Before They Begin And What Should They Expect?
If You Want A Youtube Channel, Take Money Off Your Mind...
First thing, YouTube is not like every other platform where you get followers easily. I think YouTube is the hardest social media platform you can actually get yourself into if you're just starting.
Like, fine, I feel every platform takes a while, but I feel YouTube takes the longest time. And also, if you want to start a YouTube Channel, remove money from your mind.
I've heard of celebrities like Tomike Adeoye and KieKie who have been doing YouTube for let's say four years and they just got monetised, like some this year and some last year. It takes a while. So, if you're starting YouTube because of money, you will not go anywhere.
Consistency also. Just start something. Do yourself, be yourself, you know. I think YouTube is a great platform for me, so anyone that wants to go into YouTube should have at the back of their mind that they are going into serious business.
Money should not even be the motive at all because you can even do it for four or five years and not get monetised. That's just it. And consistency, just having good content to put out there and you know, just do your thing.
I Juggle Between School And YouTube...
My name is Obanoyen Olusola. I go by the name 'Obasola' for my YouTube channel. I started taking YouTube seriously a year ago. Let me say a year ago, two years ago.
I’m a student so I juggle between school and YouTube. The journey has been fantastic. There have been growth and development.
I do lifestyle, vlogs, and makeup, I also help to promote healthy relationships between friends, boyfriends, yep. I also share my life as a Forestry and Wood Technology student.
Why Did You Choose YouTube For Your Content Creation? Why Not Instagram Or TikTok?
I Am More Of Myself, There Is No Competition...
First of all, you cannot post long content on IG or TiTok. But I think YouTube just allows me to be more of myself because I talk, I giggle, I laugh, and I crack jokes when I’m talking.
So, I think when I’m on YouTube I’m more of myself, like there is no competition. You’re just doing your own thing and you’re vibing. But you know, compared to TikTok, you have to join trends. You have to jump on things.
You have to struggle to make people like you. I am more of myself on YouTube. I enjoy myself. Indirectly, if you’re a YouTuber, definitely you will also have to be a content creator generally.
Like you also have to post on Instagram, TikTok and all of that. Because I do post on these platforms but I am more of myself. People see my day-to-day activities, people see my life because I do vlogs a lot when I go to school.
People see the real me on YouTube but what I do on Instagram is I post mostly beauty content like makeup and all of that. So, there is a limitation when it comes to Instagram and TikTok. But when it is YouTube, I am more open.
Who Or What Inspired You To Become A YouTuber?
YouTube Is Flexible, I Can Work Anywhere...
I want to be a travel content creator because I watch Tayo Aina a lot. I watch Vivian Okezie a lot and I want to reach their heights or pass them if possible. Yes, because I see myself as a creator. I know how to organise videos, and how to put things in order.
So, all these people that I’ve mentioned, when I watch their content, they inspire me because I see myself later on becoming that person, becoming who they are, doing what they do.
YouTube is flexible; that is also an inspiration because I know that I work anywhere I go. I can be on holiday, vlog about my holiday, post it online and people will fall in love with it.
You can have fun and do YouTube. YouTube is not strict, there is no dress code, it’s just flexible. You can do whatever you do on your own time, in your own lane. Nobody is forcing you, nobody is stressing you. You can take a break, you can move on.
That inspires me a lot because honestly, I work 9 to 5 but later in life, I don’t think I will be able to do 9 to 5 because I don’t like it. I don’t like it so I want a profession, a job, something that is comfy (is comfortable) and very, very flexible.
What Were The Challenges You Faced When You Started And How Well Have You Improved?
My Major Problem Is Nigeria...
So when I started, I started with an iPhone 6x. Storage was a problem for me because the iPhone 6x was 32 gig, so filming was not really convenient.
Also, when I started, I did not have a lot of gadgets and equipment, I was just managing. Sometimes, I would stack books and put my phone on them just to have the angle I wanted.
I have improved because I consider a lot of things. I'm exposed to a lot of information and knowledge now.
Before I post a video, I make sure I am satisfied. I do my research about it; are people watching it? Will people watch it? Has someone done this before? How did the person do it? I do a lot of writing down, more of writing a script down now.
My perspective has changed because now, I am aware that people want to watch you because of your quality, content, and how you place your video. So, I am more detailed in most of my videos right now.
When I started, I was a novice, I was not really open to a lot of things. But right now, some of my friends text me and ask “how did you do this?”, so I also give information out to my friends.
Right now, the major problem I have is Nigeria. There's generator sound here and there. The audio might be bad, the light might not be stable. The light sometimes can blow up your filming gears and equipment. Light stability is a challenge.
Generally, content creation does not really favour Nigerians because minus you getting money from influencing or whatever, as a content creator itself, making money can be hard.
Another challenge is that people don't just reference YouTubers, people don’t see it as a profession. When I started, my parents and my aunt especially did not like it. She felt I was exposing myself and that witches and wizards will locate me online.
The current challenge I am facing is working from 9 am to 5 pm even on Saturdays. I am really choked up.
To You, What Does It Take To Be A YouTuber And What Keeps You Going In The Face Of Challenges?
Seeing YouTubers Get Monetised Motivates Me...
It takes creativity to be a YouTuber. It is just making good use of your skills. If you are good at storytelling, making good use of that is what makes you a good YouTuber.
If you’re good with editing, if you have an opportunity to have big gear, good filming equipment, just making good use of that particular skill that you have is what makes you stand out. You don’t want to be in the crowd.
You don’t want to just be doing random things. You have to be unique in your presentation. And what makes you unique, what makes you a YouTuber is that one thing that you know to do and doing it best.
What makes Korty stand out is her storytelling habit and skills. So, you don’t have to know everything. Just that one thing that you know how to do, just make good use of it. Just give it to us hot, hot.
And what keeps you going in the face of challenges; seeing people that I used to watch, small YouTubers that I used to watch then getting monetised motivates me a lot. Like it keeps you going because I know one day my consistency would definitely pay off. Because it paid off for the ones I used to watch.
Lastly, What Would You Say To Upcoming YouTubers If You Had An Opportunity? What Should They Know Before They Begin And What Should They Expect?
It Is Normal To Start Rugged...
It takes time. Another thing is that consistency is important, they have to be consistent. Just be yourself, just have fun. It is very interesting because it gives you the opportunity to be yourself, to be who you want people to perceive about you.
It takes money because you have to buy things so you can improve your content. You have to buy your whole gear, you have to always improve and it takes time.
It is normal to start rugged, it is normal to start very unprofessionally. You cannot just stay in one place and think information will fly, you also have to do your research. If you are finding it difficult to do anything, you have to research. (rearranged).
I Want My Name Trademarked...
My name is Oladoyin Jane and I am a content creator, a YouTuber, and a student, I call myself a 'Jack of all trades'
The name of my channel is Oladoyin Jane too. I want that to be a trademark name around the world.
I focus on beauty, lifestyle, and growth content. I'm in-between everything, I juggle everything together.
Tell Me The Fun Part Of Being A YouTuber? What Part(s) Of Being A YouTuber Do You Enjoy The Most?
Comments Make My Head Swell...
I love the fact that when I have money, I get to explore. I think there was a day I wanted to do a restaurant review, and then I just took myself out. It's not something I'd do on a normal day.
I don't take myself out, I'm not someone that likes going out. So, it lets me go out more and I kind of appreciate that. It makes me explore things.
My favourite thing about being a YouTuber is when people are like "Oh! Are you Oladoyin Jane?" in school or when people are giving me comments and they're like "this one, this one, this one, that one", like, it makes my head swell. I'm like is it this small girl that people are actually praising like this?
So that one gives me that hope that because it's not smooth today, it's definitely going to be smooth tomorrow. That's one thing I enjoy about being a YouTuber.
And in the long run, I know it's going to pay me because that 'Oladoyin Jane' is going to be global. It's going to be on the lips of everybody. That's like the fun part, I know my name is still going to be global.
So, yeah, that's it. As time goes on, in the long run, it's going to make me meet very important people. So that's just some of those things I can remember for now.
What Were The Challenges You Faced When You Started And How Well Have You Improved?
I Had To Use A Cloth For The Background...
Errm, so when I started, I didn't have lighting. For my first video, I think I was using an iPhone 7 by then and funny how my first videos, people tell me that they have quality and I'm like 'seriously?'
Anyway, in my first video, I didn't have lighting. I used my friend's ring light to film the video. The background was not 'all that' I had to like use a cloth to do the background ish and I can't even watch that video fully today because I'm like " it's weird, it's cringy, why would I even do that?" Anyways that was what happened at the beginning.
So I got a small ring light, from there, I didn't like that one again, I was …with my friend's own. I didn't like the fact that I was borrowing something from somebody so I saved and got a ring light for myself, a bigger ring light. From the bigger ring light, I got a tripod stand. From the tripod stand, I got another light.
Like honestly, I can't wait to have my own space because it's not giving the 'quality quality' that I want right now. I got another stand.
I think I upgraded my phone too because I think one challenge I faced was that the phone I was using before was 32 gig and it is nothing.
I actually had to delete every one of my pictures because I wanted to film a video, so it was frustrating and I had to like save save save.
My money has gone into this thing a lot for it not to pay at the end of the So, I had to save to get more.
So, basically, I'm just upgrading. As time goes on, I hope to get a camera, and more lightning to give that quality 'ish'.
To You, What Does It Take To Be A YouTuber And What Keeps You Going In The Face Of Challenges?
Be Ready To Invest...
For me, being a YouTuber means being yourself, because there are different niches when it comes to YouTube.
If you're a lifestyle YouTuber, it means you just have to be yourself, except you want to be faking it 24/7 and you're just showing people the fake aspect of your life basically. But it's just being your original self.
And then, another thing about what it takes to be a YouTuber is that, be ready to invest. Be ready to invest in things, be ready to get things, be ready to put your money into things and don't expect immediate returns. Just put your money and do what you love doing.
And then what keeps me going in the face of challenges, I just know that everything is going to be good. I know that one day, everything is just going to work out for my good, that's what keeps me going.
if I'm expecting like a thousand people to watch my videos and 20 people just watch my videos, it means that 20 people are watching.
It will come to a time when a thousand people are going to watch my videos, a thousand people are going to see what I do, my authenticity and everything.
I just know that it's going to take time but those 20 just keep me going and it's still doing a good job. People are still applauding me for what I do, so basically, that's it.
Can you tell me the relevance of your channel to the public? What value do your contents add to society?
I Give Tips They Don't Give In School...
My content rallies through lifestyle, beauty and growth. If you come to beauty content, the value it's adding…probably, you need to see how it operates.
For example, if you go to my channel, you're seeing something that's helpful to you. Probably, like as a lady, you want to learn how to do makeup, you go to my channel, and then you pick up one or two from there. So that is one relevance.
When it comes to growth, I say things that are relevant to people in their 20s on how to grow personally, and budgeting, everybody needs that.
So, I'm adding value. I'm giving you tips that they don't teach you in school, tips that they don't teach you in church.
Just a different tip from what you're taught on a normal basis. So, it's like me giving you my own experience and telling you to learn from it. so, that's one relevance.
Another thing would be a lifestyle, just my life basically. I'm just telling you to live life. I'm expressing that you don't have to fake it till you make it basically. To me, that's a relevance.
Lastly, What Would You Say To Upcoming YouTubers If You Had An Opportunity? What Should They Know Before They Begin And What Should They Expect?
Start With What You Have...
Upcoming YouTubers, number one, don't be scared of the market. YouTube is a space for a million people. See, they've been doing YouTube since and new people are coming up and these new people too are 'blowing'. So just do it.
Start with whatever you want to start with. Do you want to start with makeup reviews? Start with it. Do you want to do this? Start with it. Like I'd advise anybody, YouTube is for anybody. Just start, don't be scared.
And another thing is that what they should know before they begin is you need to know the basic thing you'll be needing: a phone, you don't need to start with the big things.
As time goes on, you just invest in yourself. Start with the little things. If you have a good phone, take videos, sit by the window side, and use real sunlight, you don't need to use a ring light or anything. Like other people do, just start with what you have.
And then, what should you expect? Expect that there are days when you'll cry. There are days that you'll put so much effort into a video and they get low views. But just know that you're going somewhere.
Another thing, come to YouTube because you love it and not because of the money aspect. Like don't come because everybody is saying there is money inside, just come because you love it.
And then, when things happen, just know that everything is going to be good later.
I Tackle Matters On Relationships...
I’m Eunice and my channel is tagged bijou_talks. I aim at helping youths who aren’t married mostly through relationship coaching and also tackle matters on relationships with individuals around us.
To You, What Does It Take To Be A YouTuber And What Keeps You Going In The Face Of Challenges?
Have A Passion For What You Do...
As a YouTuber, it takes a lot. You have to be committed, you have to push forward and try to improve yourself.
You have to ask for people's opinions concerning your content. What they think about it and what you should change.
And sometimes people give comments that weigh you down and discourage you from continuing the whole stuff but if you have a passion for what you do and you don't allow people's opinions to weigh you down, but you use those opinions to get better, it will help you.
What keeps me going back is the reason for the whole video creation. Why I really started and how, the person that really made me start doing this and felt I could do it.
The reason I'm doing this is to people to understand the basis of relationships and how to help people tackle their problems.
Can You Tell Me The Relevance Of Your Channel To The Public? What Value Do Your Contents Add To Society?
I'm Here To Help People Who Are Going Astray...
It helps the youths out there to understand they can tackle problems in their relationships and the point that relationships now are not a scam because people are now of the notion that love and relationships are scams.
Why I'm out there is to make people understand that there's still something called love but people are not just getting the meaning of the word.
Deep down, some people understand that there's something called love, they just want to lead people astray. So, I'm here to help people that are going astray already.
Lastly, What Would You Say To Upcoming YouTubers If You Had An Opportunity? What Should They Know Before They Begin And What Should They Expect?
Make A List Of The Content You Want To Create...
I would like to advise upcoming YouTubers to try and get your information right and make a list of content you'll be making because it will help.
Although new ideas will come as you go on but at least have a list of things you need to produce so that when you run out of content, you'll be able to fall back on it.
My name is Daniel Ogunlolu, AI engineer and cofounder of Falcon Robotics and an aspiring content creator.
Why Do You Want To Become A YouTuber?
Inspiring People With My Passion...
I've always loved teaching. Teaching and talking are my things. You know, I like explaining difficult terms to people.
I just love talking and teaching. And I feel like content creation in terms of creating videos or content for the internet is also a very big deal in this particular generation.
A lot of people are on the internet looking for content to get entertained with, content to educate them, content to inspire them, right?
So, since that is there and I have a passion for teaching and explaining things, why not bring them together and use that opportunity not just to inspire lives but also to give myself some kind of convenience in terms of career path, because, of course, there's money in content creation once you can do it well.
Once you can put quality out there, you can make money from it.
So, one is my passion for speaking and teaching and because I love tech so much.
What Will Be The Relevance Of Your Channel To Society?
I Will Teach And Talk Tech...
So, it's going to basically be a tech talk, right? You know, blogging, tech vlogging, tech and lifestyle actually. So, on one episode, I can talk about VR (Virtual Reality), on another, I can talk about Metaverse, I can talk about Bitcoin.
You know, I'll just talk about tech stuff, tech tutorials, invite tech experts to talk on some tech topics, and random vlogging around tech generally.
Why Haven't You Started?
I Want To Enter The Game Smoothly...
I think I consider myself a perfectionist. So, I think the reason I've not started is because, although I know it's not a good thing, I'm waiting for everything to be perfect before I start.
So, I want to, at least, have a very good studio in terms of you know, good background, good lighting, good camera, good sound, before I even put my first video out that. I think if my video can be very good, I think it's going to go a very long way.
Imagine my first video being a hit not just because of the value of what I'm teaching but also because of the quality of the video itself.
So, I don't want to just come and spend five years trying to build my audience, I want to come and just enter the game so smoothly.
And I thank God that I'm already putting a name out for myself already. So it will not be difficult for me to get people to watch my videos.
As I said, it's not really a positive thing, but at the same time, I just want to ensure that my very first video comes with a lot of quality and it's standard enough, that's why I've been taking my time to buy stuff, set up my living room and everything.
As of the time of compiling this content, Daniel had not started his YouTube channel. However, he started creating content on YouTube in the month of June.
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