Earlier this week I wrote a post about having a recurring nightmare about college. Well, someone on Twitter responded to the tweet and I ended up checking out their tweets. I soon discovered that this person, Christine Patko, was both a UAB student and somewhat of a mini celebrity on YouTube. Once I watched a few of her videos I was both intrigued and especially curious. How could it be that this girl from UAB had this huge captive audience on YouTube and that some of her videos were getting thousands, even hundreds of thousands, of views. Well, I got so curious that I decided to interview her. Below are a few questions and answers regarding Christine’s success on YouTube, as well as a few of her videos. Enjoy:

Name: Christine Patko

Major: Chemistry

Class Standing: Junior

Subscribe to Christine on YouTube: Christini Beani

Follow Christine on Twitter: Christini Beani

So you’re a UAB Student….awesome! Why did you decide to come to UAB for college?

Well, actually, this is the second college I’ve been to. I went to the Art Institute of Philadelphia for photography for one semester, but I realized that photography can only get you so far in a career. So I moved back to Birmingham and decided to major in something that would challenge me intellectually. Not that photographers aren’t intellectual… Anyway, I decided to go to UAB on the off chance that I might want to do something medical. I don’t. But I still love UAB!

How did you first hear about YouTube and why did you decide to start making videos?

I joined YouTube in July of 2006, probably just for the heck of it. And for a while I just liked to watch random funny videos. Then I saw that some people were vlogging (video blogging) about their lives, and it seemed like a really fun thing to do. It’s like there was a whole vlogging community on YouTube, and I really wanted to be a part of that. So I started making YouTube videos. Just like that.

What is the proper term for the type of videos that you create on YouTube? Is it like a video cast?

A video cast sounds kind of official. I don’t classify myself as official. I mainly classify myself as a vlogger. Who creates vlogs. A vlog is a short video consisting of a person speaking about his/her life, thoughts, interests and opinions. Also I try to make my vlogs entertaining, since that description by itself seems a little dull.

Holy cow! You’ve got like 1000 subscribers on YouTube…how did you pull that off?

Apparently they love me! Actually, some of them are old friends, some of them are new YouTube friends, and some are just random people who came across my videos. It’s really just a matter of making videos that people want to send to their friends, who will want to send to their friends. Hey, the videos might even become “viral.” Like the Numa Numa guy or Sneezing Panda videos with millions of views.

How long have you been creating and producing videos of yourself on YouTube?

I uploaded my first video in October of 2006, and began randomly vlogging about my day. Every day. Sometimes twice a day. And I admit that they were quite boring, and it’s hard to look back on them and watch them. But eventually, a few people started coming across my videos, and they began subscribing! But the answer to your questions is, “Off and on for about 3.5 years.”

I noticed you are part of the YouTube Partners program. Do you videos provide you with some decent $$?

I haven’t been in the YouTube partner program very long, but I do keep an eye on the earnings, and it’s pretty exciting to see how much I get each day. It’s not much, but it adds up! And just a little plug here: When you’re watching YouTube videos with ads (like mine), CLICK the ads. It tremendously ups the earnings, and it only takes like five seconds. Unless your computer freezes when new windows open. In that case, you don’t need to click the ads. You need a new computer.

How often do you upload new content?

While school is in session, I only can make a video or two about every other weekend. The summer will be filled with lovely little videos, though!

You have a video with 800,000+ views….how did that happen?

You’re talking about my “New Webcam” video. Well I personally think the video is a bit silly. But apparently people were drawn in by my stylish wit and charming humor. On YouTube, you can see where a particular video is getting the most views, and I noticed that the video was posted on numerous websites. I guess someone liked my video enough to post my video on his high-traffic website. I’m not complaining.

Do you have any tips and tricks for fledgling YouTubers?

Well, little fledgling YouTubers, a good start is to just begin making videos. It may seem awkward at first. I mean, you ARE just talking to a camera. But making videos more and more will make you more comfortable and upbeat. Also, learn how to edit your videos and try to watch other videos that teach you how to upload better quality videos. Just keep making videos, and follow your heart! Your YouTube dreams may too come true some day.

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