Could you first introduce yourself to the reader?
My name is Noelle Gallagher and I talk about books, reading and my time in graduate school on YouTube.
What does running your Youtube channel involve? Give us the typical outline of a day?
A day in the life of a YouTuber probably changes from person to person! I have a full time job from 9-5 on weekdays and go to graduate school which means the bulk of my shooting and editing has to be done on the weekends. Sometimes I use my lunch hours to shoot videos and then edit late at night once I get everything else done!
What’s great about being a Youtuber?
This might be cheesy – but the community! Everyone is so wonderful and kind. My subscribers are absolutely hilarious and other creators have been nothing but extremely thoughtful and welcoming with me.
What are the bits you don’t like or find challenging?
Reading is such a fun thing and yet there’s a small group of people who try to gatekeep the activity. They try to alienate other readers by saying what they’re reading isn’t “real” reading and that in order to do “real” reading you have to focus on classics. I love a good classic but in no way is that the only form of valid reading.
What are the highlights of your Youtube career to date?
Hitting 100,000 subscribers and getting my silver plaque button was something I only dreamed about! When it happened I cried.
What was your path into this job?
I am a full-time video editor for my actual job, and with that comes editing software and an incredible mentor who taught me how to edit. Once I learned that, then I started my channel!
Can you describe your biggest challenge so far in your Youtube career? How did you overcome it?
I think the first three years were challenging because it was three years of very little growth and when you spend hours and hours filming and editing videos with no real change it can feel discouraging. Glad I stuck with it, ha!
Have you noticed any changes since you started your channel? If so, what?
The growth! The hundreds of wonderfully kind subscribers who make me feel lucky and loved every day.
You’ve been granted the ability to send a message to 16-year-old you. What do you say?
Focus on school because being cool is not the most important thing.
Do you have any advice for young people interested in starting their own Youtube channel?
Use the equipment you already have (phone, headphones for a microphone, iMovie)! Don’t invest money into it until you know you love doing it and stay authentic to yourself. Don’t try to be any other YouTuber because you can only be you.
What do you think is a book every young person should read?
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien!
You can find Noelle on Instagram @_ngallagher and Noelle Gallagher on Youtube.
So interesting to hear about the career of a YouTuber, great article!