Well, here we are, at the close of another year of YouTube!
Although there were doubts, we all survived the storm that was 2016, and for some, it proved to be the best (personal) year so far! Just before the holidays, we caught up with some of our favourite creators to talk all things Crimbo, and now they’re back to tell us what made last year great for them, and what’s in store for 2017!
Evan Edinger
What is your proudest moment of 2016?
“I was more outspoken in 2016 online, and I’m proud I used my platform to promote open-mindedness.”
What is your biggest goal for 2017?
“ONE MILLION SUBSCRIBERS (to delete my channel).”
What advice would you give your past self?
“Stop caring about people that don’t care about you.”
Who is a creator you discovered or watched in 2016 that you think deserves a bigger reach?
“I really like Kaiman Wong‘s tech videos. I watched him on DigitalRev for a while, but he’s recently begun uploading to his own channel and I’m a fan.”
What is your best New Year’s Eve memory?
“I haven’t had the best of luck at New Year’s parties. This year I’m gonna have a party of one in my house and that’ll be my favourite memory.”
Jamie Jo
What is your proudest moment of 2016?
“Reaching 275,000 subscribers.”
What is your biggest goal for 2017?
“Making my first animation.”
What advice would you give your past self?
“Don’t be afraid to make friends.”
Who is a creator you discovered or watched in 2016 that you think deserves a bigger reach?
“I recently discovered BirdKeeperToby and he is lovely.”
What is your best New Year’s Eve memory?
“When I went to Paris with Tom [Burns] and we made homemade little blueberry muffins!”
Zannah Perrins
What is your proudest moment of 2016?
“My proudest moment of 2016 was when I finished the first edit of a music video I made (Toast by Maisie Peters, PLUG PLUG PLUG), because I’d never really made anything that wasn’t a vlog before and I was really happy with how it turned out!”
What is your biggest goal for 2017?
“My biggest goal of 2017 is to figure out what my thing is – everyone has a thing that’s their thing, and I don’t think I’ve found mine yet. I want to find out what it is that I’m good at and that I want to be devoting all my time to!”
What advice would you give your past self?
“Don’t worry if you think someone secretly dislikes you. If it’s secret, it doesn’t affect you, so there’s no use worrying!”
Who is a creator you discovered or watched in 2016 that you think deserves a bigger reach?
“Ladyioan! The amount of time and effort and creativity that must go into all of his videos is absolutely astounding.”
What is your best New Year’s Eve memory?
“I’m not a huge New Year’s Party person – I usually stay in – but when I think of New Years I think of my Dad and I having a glass of champagne, looking out of our big window upstairs at the fireworks.”
Tim H
What is your proudest moment of 2016?
“Probably graduating… I didn’t think I’d wind up getting a graduate degree in film in Los Angeles. I think 16-year-old me would have been very impressed.”
What is your biggest goal for 2017?
“[To] continue to work towards making a next big project. Could be a web series or an indie film. I’m writing multiple projects and I suppose I want to find my next big passion project because 2016 was more of a transitional year. I want to be as excited for my next gig as I was for Project: Library in 2013 or Bad Burglars and [The Fleeting Little Life of] Peter Wright in 2014/2015.”
What advice would you give your past self?
“Relax a little. Enjoy the little moments more and stop worrying about things you can’t control.”
Who is a creator you discovered or watched in 2016 that you think deserves a bigger reach?
“I’m a massive fan of Jenny Nicholson following her Suicide Squad Sales Pitch video. I think she has a great comedy voice and we’re only scratching the surface of what she is capable of.”
What is your best New Year’s Eve memory?
“The first New Year’s Eve I spent in London was 2010/2011, and I’ll always remember it fondly. Typical London house party, but to date my friends still do an impression of me inebriated asking for more rosé.”
Lex Croucher
What is your proudest moment of 2016?
“I got a job as a full-time video producer. My only video experience has come from YouTube, so this is mad and I fully expect them to realise their mistake any minute.”
What is your biggest goal for 2017?
“Do more yoga, write a YouTuber book and make lots of $$$, sleep with more strangers.”
What advice would you give your past self?
“That’s not really how you use a hair curler.”
Who is a creator you discovered or watched in 2016 that you think deserves a bigger reach?
“Helen Anderson is the greatest gift beauty/lifestyle YouTube has ever given us, and while she’s not super niche, I honestly feel like she should have about ten million subscribers and a solid gold bed for her dogs.”
What is your best New Year’s Eve memory?
“Probably the New Year’s Eve when I was about 16 and I had to watch the guy I really liked get off with one of my best friends while my recently ex-boyfriend looked at me like he was going to cry.”
Gary C
What is your proudest moment of 2016?
“I travelled to America for a second time – despite my anxiety and depression.”
What is your biggest goal for 2017?
“I want to record a second EP of original songs.”
What advice would you give your past self?
“Overthinking and worrying about things you cannot control will hold you back.”
Who is a creator you discovered or watched in 2016 that you think deserves a bigger reach?
“I love Xanthe’s videos! She’s an illustrator with a unique style, who also makes beautiful art.”
What is your best New Year’s Eve memory?
“The year I graduated university, my dad told me he was proud of me. It was a rare moment and I choked up straight away!”
Erika Felton 
What is your proudest moment of 2016?
“100% by far the entire CRAMPS series. December’s episode’ll be a testament to this, but without that wacky little creation, the majority of my 2016 would have turned out very, very differently.”
What is your biggest goal for 2017?
“Despite CRAMPS ending, a huge goal for 2017 is to keep my creative kick going by making more and pushing boundaries on what I think I can do. There’s a screenplay in the works and new projects under development – I don’t want the series ending to hinder the new year’s content.”
What advice would you give your past self?
“Stop sacrificing quality for quantity; just because you’re pushing yourself to make weekly videos doesn’t mean they’re going to be great. Stop, figure out what you want to be making, and then do that. Just because more videos can lead to more views, it doesn’t lead to you being happy with what you’re making.”
Who is a creator you discovered or watched in 2016 that you think deserves a bigger reach?
“Rebecca Day, she’s a literal gem. We became friends the old-fashioned YouTube way: she commented on videos, we met at Summer in the City, and have been real life friends ever since. She has a killer voice, is hilarious and is the real life manifestation the old saying ‘YouTubers are like your (more loving) older siblings’.”
What is your best New Year’s Eve memory?
“I was on a cruise to New Zealand (over New Year’s ayy) and they put a net across the fourth floor of the atrium and spent the whole day filling it with balloons. That night, as we rang in the new year, they dropped what seemed like 3000 balloons from the fourth floor and into the dancefloor, and it was the most magical moment of my life.”
Sam Saffold
What is your proudest moment of 2016?
“Finishing my first short film felt pretty great. Being on the Smaller YouTubers panel at SitC is something I don’t think I’ll forget, too. All in all, this was a year I’m pretty proud of.”
What is your biggest goal for 2017?
“I’d like to release two more short films. That, and finally reaching the elusive goal of producing weekly videos. I have no idea how people do it!”
What advice would you give your past self?
“This year is gonna be very hard and very rewarding. You can do this. Trust me, I already have. (Also you’re going to go to Brazil for a weekend and it’s gonna be awesome, I thought you should know.)”
Who is a creator you discovered or watched in 2016 that you think deserves a bigger reach?
“I’ve got a few names I want to shout out here, but the first one that springs to mind is Luna Leigh. I love the bedroom chat style of vlogs, and her channel epitomises that chilled-out personal style of video.”
What is your best New Year’s Eve memory?
“I went to this club last year, and it was really terrible, but towards the end of the night I realised I was there with people I really cared about that I had barely known at the start of the year. Just knowing how far I’d come felt pretty special.”
Mark Ferris 
What is your proudest moment of 2016?
“Hitting 100,000 subscribers!! NEVER thought that would happen.”
What is your biggest goal for 2017?
“I’d love to hit half a million and take my family on holiday!”
What advice would you give your past self?
“Not everyone thinks the way you do, in terms of friendships and making an effort.”
Who is a creator you discovered or watched in 2016 that you think deserves a bigger reach?
“Doodle Date! I love them!”
What is your best New Year’s Eve memory?
“Last year ended nicely for me. My friend threw a house party, everyone was in high spirits, and I remember how excited I was for 2016.”
Elliot Gough
What is your proudest moment of 2016?
“I guess my proudest moment of 2016 was returning to YouTube? I spent such a long time doubting myself and getting in my own way once I left university. I wrapped myself up in all these poisonous thoughts of hitting unreal expectations and crippling pride. Even though they only seem like three small videos, they were each a massive breakthrough for me. Renewing the lost confidence I once had in myself as a creator. I’m honestly so proud of what I’ve created, but I’m much prouder of how these creations have affected me.”
What is your biggest goal for 2017?
“Well, as of January 1, I plan on picking up the mantle of PMS. All my close friends have taken this concept, experimented with it. and made it their own. Especially seeing Hazel’s September PMS gave me this rush of inspiration. I want to force myself not only to create something every month, but really find myself in this project. I want to take such a deep person dive into my own life, my memories, and my flaws. I’m honestly terrified by the huge unknown this project is going to be, but that’s actually kind of exciting.”
What advice would you give your past self?
“Gosh! How long do I have?
“I would tell my past self that every step was worth the trouble it caused. Life is about the struggle. You’ll get your heart broken time and time again, but with each one you learn something about yourself. It’s okay to feel how you feel, and never be afraid to express the emotions bubbling within you. You’ll hold on too tight to memories, emotions, and the ones who you loved, but time moves quickly forward. At your lowest, you’ll feel disconnected from the rest of the world and spend many nights laying on a hard carpeted floor imagining a life worth living, but at your highest you’ll feel love erupting from your chest and happiness so pure you’ll feel almost immortal. You’ll lose family, friends, and the people you love, but gain character and a life you could never have dreamed of.
“There’s no up without down, no sound without silence and no love without loss. Keep your head up. Stay strong. Smile whilst you can.
“Also, don’t let yourself get in the way of what you dream to do.
“Also also, don’t go to all-you-can-eat buffets… Trust me.”
Who is a creator you discovered or watched in 2016 that you think deserves a bigger reach?
“I’ve fallen in love with so many incredible creators this year! I’m gonna give you three because I’M ABOVE THE LAW!!!
“BethBeRad is SO GOOD! She’s an animator, illustrator and currently a Vlogmas-er… And I just love everything she puts out.
“I frickin’ LOVE Hoolopee! Amazing VFX artist and sketch-maker. He did a hilarious Dark Souls parody series called Dark Survivor! He’s also just a lovely bloke.
“I can’t not recommend SuperSamStuff. He’s a phenomenal filmmaker and just all round intelligent and charismatic fella. (I expect the money to be transferred to my account by Friday, Sam.)”
What is your best New Year’s Eve memory?
“New Year’s Eve memory? Isn’t that an oxymoron? I don’t honesty think I’ve got a good New Year’s Eve memory… Last year I got broken up with on New Year’s Eve, which meant I spent it alone drinking cheap rosé wine and watching all the Marvel movies in sequential order. Good times… good times.”
Want more?
Check out some of the following features by TenEighty:
- TenEighty Yearbook 2016
- TenEighty’s Christmas Extravaganza 2016
- Is YouTube Leaving Creators Behind?
- Facebook Video: The New Champion?
For updates follow @TenEightyUK on Twitter or like TenEighty UK on Facebook.
