Gone are the days when performers had to rely on mainstream media to get their music and art to reach millions of people. With social media sites like Facebook and YouTube, musicians now can reach billions of people across the world by posting music on their own accounts.
The social media star is a concept the older generation might still be having difficulty understanding, but how to become a social media star is actually quite simple.
Justine Vasquez, Calmell Teagle, Naisa, and Dagen Teagle
It’s starts off as a hobby for many, taking videos of themselves singing, dancing, or making video blogs — then upload it online. Whether or not it goes viral depends on how much your audience feels like sharing it.
The most successful viral stars get book deals, live tours, and others cross over to the mainstream. The opportunities for digital content creators are limitless.
Coconuts Manila caught up with four digital influencers who attended the YouTube Fanfest which happened in Manila last week. We asked them for tips or words of wisdom on how to conquer the digital world and how to handle the fame once you get there:
Calmell Teagle: Self-awareness is key
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYgdS1nmyRU
On her YouTube channel: Song covers and random conversations with her sister
Her story: Opinionated and infectiously energetic, 19-year-old Teagle practically grew up performing (Her Filipina mom introduced her to karaoke!). She had been singing since she was eight but she only started taking it seriously about four years ago.
Claim to fame: Teagle has joined Australia’s X-factor four times. Now, she’s trying to grow her social media following with the help of her younger sister, Dagen.
Words of wisdom: “A lot of people think it’s just about talent, it’s so much more than that. Aside from hardwork and dedication, I think you really need to know yourself before you portray yourself out there because if you are not sure about who you are as an artist, other people will know. Knowing yourself as an artist and being passionate about what you do will help you so much.”
Jayden Rodrigues: Stay grounded
On his YouTube channel: Dance videos and tutorials!
His story: Rodrigues became a YouTube star by accident. It started around 2009 when he uploaded a video to help students in his dance class remember the routine he was teaching. Months later, he was surprised that it got as much as 40,000 views. Since then, he has started to upload more and more material. He now tries to share a new dance video every week.
Claim to fame: He has nearly one million subscribers on his YouTube channel. He also appeared on Silento’s music video Watch Me (aka Nae Nae).
Words of wisdom: “It’s a job now. It doesn’t feel like a job, but it’s a business and I am very happy with it… You can’t let it get to you. I definitely don’t. I feel privileged to be sharing the stage with the other stars. I am still waiting for someone to tell me, oh no, we made a mistake, you don’t need to be here.”
Justin Vasquez: Sing what you want to sing and post
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXRag0cy298
On his Youtube channel: Song covers. He plays the guitar too.
His story: Justin Vasquez is an 18-year-old Filipino-Australian who recently decided to move to the Philippines from Melbourne because he wants to be more serious about his musical career. He is excited about signing with a Filipino agency that can help him enter mainstream showbiz. Uprooting his life is a small price to pay for making his dream come true, luckily his family is very supportive.
Claim to fame: He has more than 23,000 subscribers on YouTube. Most of his followers are from the Philippines!
Words of wisdom: “Be out there. Sing what you want to sing, and write what you want to write. At the moment, I am just chilling for a bit and enjoying as much as I can.”
Naisa Lasalosi: Ignore the haters
On his YouTube channel: He doesn’t have one yet, but he says he’ll make one soon.
His story: Prior to starting his musical career, the 22-year-old Polynesian stayed in Cebu as a missionary. He always used to hear Aegis songs on public transportation, and the band’s music made him fall in love with OPM (Original Pilipino Music). He learned the lyrics to Halik and joined a local talent show, I Love OPM.
Claim to fame: He won I Love OPM and eventually joined Australia’s X-factor
Words of wisdom: “I come across people who have a strong opinion about how I perform, but I would always just ignore them even though it’s hard. I try not to get really personal with their thoughts… I wouldn’t let them affect the way I perform unless I need to. It’s part of the package.”
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