Welcome to Creators Going Pro, where in partnership with Semaphore — a creator-focused family of companies providing business and financial services to social media professionals — we profile professional YouTube stars who have hit it big by doing what they love. Each week, we’ll chat with a creator about the business side of their channel, including identifying their Semaphore Moment — the moment they truly went pro.
Alexandra Beth wants to tell girls all the things they need to — and yet so rarely — hear.
On Instagram, where she has 165K followers, she brands herself as her fans’ “big sister,” as someone they can come to for answers to burning questions like, “How do you tuck in a T-shirt so it actually looks cool?” and “How can I kill a chin pimple fast, because I have a job interview tomorrow morning?” But all the questions girls and women ask her, and all the answers she gives, really boil down to one question, and one answer. The theme of her channel.
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Question: Is it okay to be me?
Answer: Yes.
Alexandra, who prefers to go by her first name and hails from Canada, joined YouTube way back in 2010. She says things like body hair used to make her feel “quite literally physically uncomfortable” because she saw them as flaws, attributes that impacted her body image and her self-confidence — but now, her content is all about “helping other girls who have felt less than perfect more often than not,” she says.
Alexandra posts roughly one video per month on her YouTube channel AlexandrasGirlyTalk, where she has 3.2 million subscribers and nets an average of 9.5 million views per month. Her YouTube videos are lengthy, slick, in-depth productions, full of glam shots of Alexandra demonstrating things like skincare routines and clothing hacks. Most of her frequent updates for fans come from her Instagram, where she has different categories of Stories she posts to regularly — things like ‘Life’ and ‘Wearing,’ for general goings-on and outfits of the day, as well as ‘Motivation’ and ‘Work.’
Alexandra says she isn’t sure where the future will take her or her platform, but says she’ll take the right road, when it comes, with “integrity and passion.”
For now, Alexandra sets the scene for fans to tune in to her content the same way they would reach out to a big sister after a tough day or a bad breakup, or just when they need a little honest advice. One of her most recent Instagram posts features a snap of her hand pressed to a closed bedroom. Its caption reads, “I’m gonna give you a makeover. Can I come in?”
Tubefilter: So first, tell us a little about you! Where are you from? What did you do in ye olde days before joining YouTube?
Alexandra: I was in high school before I joined YouTube. I didn’t like it much, and struggled often. Watching YouTube was one of my favourite parts of my day.
Tubefilter: What made you choose YouTube as the place to share your content? What do you think it offers you, as a content creator, to help you grow your platform and build your career?
Alexandra: YouTube gave me a chance, really. Just by the very nature that someone like me has the opportunity to upload a file and watch it live across the internet is a blessing, and I will always be grateful that it was a resource available to me in this lifetime.
Tubefilter: Your channel is all about “girl talk.” You talk about fashion and beauty topics, but also about dating red flags, potentially awkward (but common!) things people don’t talk about, like issues with bikinis. Why is it important for you to create open and honest content for women?
Alexandra: I’ve been that person who is quite literally physically uncomfortable with myself on the inside because of something minor like body hair that’s happening on the outside. I know what it feels like to want to make myself smaller, and I have also felt what it is like to be transformed on the inside by something small like a beauty practice such as learning how to thread your own facial hair. I don’t like to stay “hush hush” about these things, although it’s not always easy for me to show myself in ways that trigger me a bit. I know it is for the purpose of teaching and helping other girls who have felt less than perfect more often than not. I think all of that can change when you watch my content.
Tubefilter: When did you get your first check for online video revenue? How much was it for?
Alexandra: I can remember, it was for $27. I can’t remember when, exactly…although this was certainly years ago. One thing that really struck me about receiving such a small payment was knowing how hard I had been working to get just that little bit of money, and how much more important this cheque was to me than my earnings in previous jobs. I felt like I was on to something.
Tubefilter: Have you had any partnerships or sponsorships for content on your channel?
Alexandra: Audience experience is and has always been at the forefront of my strategy. I personally have a passion to share transformational tips that can be a catalyst for self-confidence and a perspective change about the simple things. This means I did not have an interest in diluting my teachings and the meat of my videos with product integrations, even when I was quite literally using specific products. I wanted to send a message of accessibility and “hero” (if you will) my technique, rather than specific products.
Now, I have seen success and built trust with my audience. I am able to bring that to a brand here and there that I have personal purchase loyalty to, and oftentimes they have agreed to sponsor my content. On my terms. That’s always the catch. I get full creative control, and I don’t like being told what to say. I’ll keep it this way!
Tubefilter: How do you come up with topics for your videos? And when a topic may be something another YouTuber has covered before, how do you make your video unique?
Alexandra: I used to have this thing with “permission” to be myself. I guess I still deal with it, but I’ve gained a lot of confidence in recent times. I would go on to YouTube with my creator goggles on, so to speak, and try to see: What are other creators doing? What’s hot right now? What should I be doing? How can I make what I want to say fall into the cookie-cutter shapes that have already been placed in this space?
In my personal development, I started, more and more, to grant myself permission to do exactly what was in my heart and creative mind. I still watch YouTube videos that interest me on a personal level (quite often!). However, I no longer check to see what is happening in the space relative to my creation process. This means it’s rare that someone will share my unique perspective and video content!
Tubefilter: What was that Semaphore Moment for you—the first time you realized you were a professional creator?
Alexandra: I’ve felt professionally driven since joining YouTube, and it became very real for me last year, when I decided to incorporate.
Tubefilter: What makes you passionate about content creation as a career? Why is this profession one that engages and excites you?
Alexandra: I don’t like to rely on others to allow me to do something, or to validate my ideas! Content creation gives me an avenue where I don’t need permission to express myself or create what is in my heart…and that engages the most fiery passion I have inside of me. I am grateful that the video platform we call YouTube actually exists. It has given me a chance, and I will always be thankful for that.
Tubefilter: How long does it take you, on average, to put together a video, from scripting to filming to uploading? Do you take days off?
Alexandra: I would have answered this question very differently last year. Right now, I’m working on honouring my creative process and prioritizing quality, which has been, like…Okay, today, I can do a lot. Tomorrow, all I can do is observe. I take notes often. A week from now, it might all make sense, and I am able to blast through both the filming and a larger portion of editing. It is ever-changing, but I am becoming very grounded in my commitment to quality.
Tubefilter: What do you think is the most vital skill you possess as a creator?
Alexandra: Vision and purpose that is based in experience.
Tubefilter: What’s next for you and your channel? What are you building toward?
Alexandra: I want to continue transforming the perspective women and girls have on themselves, beauty as a practice in their lives, and ultimately integrating the importance of feminine energy into all of our lives. I don’t have my eye on exactly what’s next, but I know I will show up for it with integrity and passion!
Semaphore Business Solutions provides customized services for clients across the country, taking an all-encompassing approach to meet all your financial needs. Whether you’re a veteran YouTube entertainer or just starting out, managing your business correctly is crucial to avoiding major headaches down the road. The sooner you call us, the sooner we can help you put a plan into motion to grow, as well as to keep more money in your pocket, with advanced tax strategies. Semaphore Brand Solutions has established itself as a leading influencer marketing agency representing our exclusive talent relationships and services to the most recognized brands and agencies.
