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.
After years looking up to the biggest names on YouTube, Derek Gerard has become one of them. Gerard, who is managed by Ellify Talent Agency, has reached one million subscribers by uploading an assortment of eclectic videos. Some are just labeled “Derek Gerard Content.” Others feature weird items purchased off the internet. The common denominator among them all is Gerard’s big personality, which he brings to all his work. Here’s our discussion with him:
Tubefilter: How does it feel to have more than one million subscribers on your channel? What do you have to say to your fans?
Derek Gerard: I’ve said this multiple times to friends and family but it honestly does not feel real. I’m not sure if it will ever set in that I have achieved a goal that I have been thinking about since i was a greasy little “moustache”-having 13 year old. I never take time to sit back and just live in the moment so it’s hard to soak it in. It feels surreal to say the least. Numerous times I will see fans comment saying things like “been here since 5k subs” and it’s usually a lie. The odd times I see names and faces that I recognize from upwards of 4 years ago and always make me smile.
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TF: What made you first decide to launch your YouTube channel?
DG: I did for the clout, girls, and money. Mainly the money.
No but in all seriousness I started making videos because I was OBSESSED with YouTube. My biggest idols growing up were creators. Shay Carl, Shane Dawson, Natalie Tran, the list goes on. I always thought it would be so cool to be able to reach an audience across the world and make people laugh. Me and my friends would always make dumb videos and post them on YouTube so when they went off to college and work I stuck with it and started taking it seriously. Now I’m here writing for an article that I’ve been reading for years. Life is nuts.
TF: What would you say are the most important qualities of a piece of “Derek Gerard Content”?
DG: – An idea that has been completely over saturated
– Originality
– Way too many hours of editing
– At least 6 fart sound effects
– At least 3 real farts
– Passion
TF: What is the most ridiculous thing you’ve ever purchased off the internet?
DG: A katana that is also an umbrella.
TF: Of you the challenges you’ve filmed on your channel so far, which one sticks with you the most?
DG: Definitely the “Try Not To Get A Stain Challenge.” Mainly because the video was made on such a whim and it has become one of the most popular videos on my channel. When we had finished filming i wasn’t even sure if the video was going to be worth posting or if it was going to be funny at all. This is the case with most of the videos I make though. After editing your own voice for 8-10 hours you tend to not be able to stand yourself and want to just discard the project. Good thing I didn’t…
TF: Where did you get the idea for the ‘Fast Food Olympics,’ and which result from it has been the most surprising to you?
DG: The food olympic series was my way of trying to get views off of the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. As sad as it is, it’s true. I had the idea of doing a video series where I compare food items from each fast food place and thought it would be a perfect way to incorporate the word “Olympics” to trick innocent people scrolling through YouTube into watching my video. It turned out to be one of my most popular series of all time! I will never get over how disgusting the gas station cheeseburger was. It tasted like I was eating a barbecued barbie.
TF: What is your all-time favorite trend on YouTube?
DG: Baking. *Shoutouts to the GOAT Rosanna Pansino*
TF: After so many videos, what strategies do you use to stay focused?
DG: Always staying focused on why you started doing what you’re doing is a great way to stay motivated. No matter what profession humans go through, you will most likely get caught up in the little things. Whether it be targets, views, sales, etc. Relating success to your happiness is an easy way to mess with your mental health and lose motivation. Always keeping your original motive in the back of your head is an amazing way to keep your mind and path clear.
TF: What’s next for your channel? Any fun plans?
DG: My next plan for my career is a very exciting one. After seeing the major success over the past couple months with YouTubers throwing their own conventions I have to decided to do my own! It’s going to be held in my backyard and tickets can be found for free at…never. Honestly, my plans are to continue making content I enjoy making and making the D-Squad happy. That’s all that matters! …oh and the money.
