Welcome to YouTube Millionaires, where we profile channels that have recently crossed the one million subscriber mark. There are channels crossing this threshold every week, and each has a story to tell about YouTube success. Read previous installments of YouTube Millionaires here.
As YouTube expands internationally, creators like Alejandra Ayala are finding new audiences.
Ayala, a beauty and makeup star who hails from Los Angeles, began making videos in English before discovering that she had a lot of Spanish-speaking fans. She proceeded to get in touch with her Mexican roots, and her Spanish-language StyledByAle channel has flourished as a result. She has more than one million subscribers and her own line of sunglasses, which led YouTube to feature her story in a recent video:
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We decided to ask Ayala a few questions of our own:
Tubefilter: How does it feel to have more than one million subscribers? What do you have to say to your fans?
Alejandra Ayala: When I first started making videos, I would have never dreamed I’d hit one million subscribers. It feels incredible — surreal! What is this life? There aren’t enough thank yous in the world to describe my gratitude to all the chulas who watch my videos.
TF: With so many fashion and style channels on YouTube, what would you say makes yours unique?
AA: I try not to directly compare myself to others, really. YouTube is magical and is there is a place for everyone! I do feel like one of the important characteristics of my content is the hybrid of Latina and Americana. It’s easy to look at me and say, “She was born in the US. She lives in the US. She’s American.” And it’s also easy to say, “Her parents are Mexican. Her videos are in Spanish. She’s Latina.” But I’m really proud to represent both of those parts of myself!
TF: Why did you decide to start making Spanish-language videos after initially launching your channel in English?
AA: I noticed how there was much less content available in Spanish and figured I’d give it a try!
TF: Do you find that English- and Spanish-language viewers like different types of beauty videos, aside from the obvious language difference?
AA: I think that my audience who watches my content regularly do so because they relate to me personally. So as long as I am myself and always honest there isn’t much of a difference. I often upload the same video voiced over with two different languages for my English and Spanish channels.
TF: How would you describe your relationship with your fans?
AA: My viewers inspire me and I love them to the blue sky.
TF: What’s one tip you would give to someone who is looking to start her own beauty channel?
AA: Be passionate. You have to like what you’re doing or you won’t be able to sustain it.
Make time. it looks really easy sometimes, but it takes a lot of work, sacrifice, and stamina to be a one-person show and always be making videos.
Stay consistent. remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day. Be patient and keep at it!
TF: What is your overall philosophy for your sunglasses business?
AA: Generally, when I go to the trade shows and curate the styles for each season I think to myself: “Would I wear this?” If the answer is no, I keep moving.
TF: How do you think YouTube’s Latina community will evolve over the next five years?
AA: I hope the community will grow! I’ve been lucky enough to have some incredible opportunities and experiences as a result of my channel and I’d love for there to be more Latinas making content in the space. My hope is that in doing so, Latinas will be less of a novelty for larger beauty programs and there will be more seats at the table for us.
TF: What’s next for your channel? Any fun plans?
AA: I do have some exciting projects coming up that I’ll be announcing soon. I also have some charity initiatives in the works. YouTube isn’t just a place where people are trying to sell you things…I want to use my influence for positive change.
