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.
Summer McKeen‘s sun-dappled lifestyle is proving to be must-watch content for her fans. McKeen, whose recent move into her own Laguna Beach home is chronicled in the Snapchat original series Endless Summer, is a creator who thrives on authenticity. Despite reeling in more than one million subscribers on her YouTube channel, she still shares videos from a point-of-view teenage girls can relate to. She put some of that authenticity on display in our recent conversation with her:
Tubefilter: How does it feel to have more than one million subscribers on YouTube? What do you have to say to your fans?
Summer McKeen: It’s pretty insane. It’s so hard for me to picture that many people! But it doesn’t make me more nervous or anything while filming videos. Here’s what I have to say to my fans: I seriously LOVE and appreciate every single one of you! My Mckbabes are the BEST—SO cute and SO supportive. You’ve seriously changed my life.
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TF: What’s the most dramatic way your life has changed since you first gained a significant following on social media?
SM: That I’m able to support myself all on my own. I got to live out my dream by moving out to SoCal all alone. The best part is that my “job” doesn’t even feel like a job. It’s just something I enjoy doing so, so much.
TF: How would you describe your personal style?
SM: I honestly never know how to answer this question. One day I could be wearing something simple and chic, and the next day I can be wearing super bright colors and be totally different with my style. Something I love about clothing and makeup is that I can express myself anyway I feel. Being comfortable and feeling confident is my go-to.
TF: With so many vloggers on YouTube, what would you say makes your videos unique?
SM: I think that I am 100% myself and as real as I can be with my followers/viewers. I try not to be anyone but myself and share whatever I want online…I look at my followers/viewers as my friends. Also, I really enjoy editing and take a lot of pride in how my videos turn out.
TF: What advice would you give someone who’s just starting out on YouTube?
SM: BE YOURSELF! Sure, that may be a little cliché, but that’s seriously the best advice I can give to new YouTubers. Everyone else is taken—be yourself and do what YOU want to do even if it’s “not trendy” or weird, because the world needs that!
TF: How do you decide which videos to share with your fans and which ones to keep to yourself?
SM: I do share sooo much of my life with them, so I really don’t think much about holding anything back. I know they appreciate my honesty and openness. And I do pay attention to what they respond well to, so whatever they want to see, I’ll create for them!
TF: What part of your Snapchat series do you find most exciting?
SM: I think how professional it feels. That may sound kind of funny, but usually it’s just me and my own little camera. Filming Endless Summer, I get a microphone put on me and there are huge cameras in my face with a whole crew behind them. I think that’s really exciting and something very different than anything I’ve done.
TF: In five years, do you think the videos on your channel will look similar to the ones you’re releasing now?
SM: Definitely. My interests may change a little, but I never will.
TF: What’s next for your channel? Any fun plans?
SM: Just continuing to create whatever makes me and my viewers happy! Expressing more of myself in my videos is important to me, so that’s something I’ll be working on overall.
