Youtube stigma and paid promotions? | Chats with Liv Rook (Interview)

Hi guys!

So this is a bit of a different post tonight. Recently, I reached 1000 followers on this blog! I’m forever grateful and it’s something that means so so much to me but after having this blog for an extremely long time, there’s many things that have become apparent to me with time-Positive and negative. However, with quite a small following, I assume that these effects of being on social media and putting out content only become more prominent as your following increases. Therefore I’ve decided to start a new series on my blog where I interview other bloggers, youtubers, social media influencers and advocates in general to present the effects that the industry has. This post, I interviewed the absolutely amazing Liv Rook. Liv has been an absolute star and she was so patient with me and extremely polite. I’ll leave her links at the bottom for you to check her out.

A overview of Liv: An inspiring mental health advocate who posts videos online ranging from hauls and updates to mental health check ins and information posts which include my personal favourite (anxiety bakes). She’s managed to rack up an amazing 24.6k on her channel with her inspiring videos and she’s helped so many people come to terms with- and recognise- their mental state. This post isn’t about me but as an anxiety sufferer I can assure you that Liv helps you to cope with yourself and not necessarily get rid of it- which I think is essential. She is also a music photographer who takes amazing and vibrant photos, which quite frankly as a photographer I’m extremely jealous of.

Let’s get onto the questions!

–Have you done a paid promotion? If so, do you regret the first one? (Eg:did it too early or for the wrong reasons)

I have done many paid promotions during my time on Youtube and I think the only thing I regret about my first one is that they were able to pay me less due to the number of subscribers I had. I should’ve asked for a bit more.

-is this something you want to do as a job or is it just a hobby?

My Youtube channel was always a hobby, and in fact I’ve stopped producing videos for now to focus on my dream career; to be a music photographer.

-You’re known quite widely for your mental health and self care work, have you found it difficult trying to sustain your channel doing something different to the crowd? 

In terms of getting my content seen by a wide audience: yes. The algorithm only shows exciting/ clickbait/ prank videos on the home screen. It’s a shame that something important such as mental health awareness is being ignored due to the more popular content.

-If there was one thing you could change/stop about YouTube what would it be?

I think the algorithm definitely needed changing a good few years back. It only allows popular/ big Youtube videos to be seen and it really excludes smaller Youtubers. I would maybe add ‘topics’ like Netflix, where you can select videos based on your interests rather than finding the most exciting looking thumbnail in your subscription box. A mental health section would’ve been amazing.

-was/is there a stigma around YouTube/blogging at your place of education?

There was. I knew people made fun out of my Youtube at the very beginning, but then as my numbers went up people thought it was cool. Then I entered Sixth Form and the external students based a judgement off of me being a Youtuber, rather than the rest of my personality.

-What’s your favourite thing about your channel?

I love the community it’s formed. I think with studytubers and mental health Youtubers, you will always have a loving, supportive community. You will have an audience who are open to education and learning and I love that. I love people trying to become less ignorant and just give something new a go.

-if when you started your channel, YouTube was like how it is today, would you still start it?

I think I would just because I made my channel because I loved making videos and loved speaking about what is important to me. It would definitely be harder with today’s Youtube and I probably wouldn’t have the same numbers, but I would still have my channel.

-What’s your funniest/best memory that has come out of your channel?

Ah there’s way too many but all of them include my Youtube friends. I’ve been lucky enough to meet some amazing people and travel the world with them and a lot of good memories have come out of that.

-What’s your worst memory from your channel?

I’ve never really thought of this before? Maybe when my boyfriend got a lot of hate from my GCSE results vlog? That annoyed me quite a bit.

-What’s your favourite video of yours? Why?

I really like my relaxing, cinematic videos. I’d say maybe my Prague video because it reminds me of a happy time in my relationship. It didn’t get many views but I think it represented me as a content creator quite well.

-Were your parents and family supportive of your channel from the start?

They were. They didn’t really understand it but as soon as they saw it made me happy and that I was gaining support, they supported it.

-If you could immediately go to 10million subscribers or go back to 1000, which would you choose?

1,000 for sure. I love a close-knit community and at that time, I was really producing the content I wanted to make. 

-if you had to choose between all of your subscribers and your friends you’d made from your channel, who would you pick?

Ah no this is a horrible question! I can’t choose! They both mean so much to me.

-As most people know, youtube is not the same as it was in 2012-2017. Do you think that the ‘new youtube’ (Logan Paul, dangerous challenges, etc) is as bad as it’s being made out to be?

I think it is. As someone who advocates for good influence, their content really pisses me off to be frank. These types of Youtubers will say ‘oh it’s just for a laugh, it’s just to get views’ but they don’t understand the effect it has on their viewers. Young kids are so influential and can easily copy half the stupid stuff they put in videos. It really does worry me about the new generation.

-Is there times where you regret making your channel? Why/ why not?

No. It’s made me who I am today and although I have stopped making videos, I know it was meant to be like this and has been a massive part of my teenage years.

Finally, a fun, unconnected question that I like to include at the end of them all:
-What flavour and brand of crisps would you eat if you could only eat one for the rest of your life?

Probably prawn cocktail!

So they’re all the questions I had to ask Liv! Got to admit, think I agree with the prawn cocktail answer, it’s a very divided community! Seriously though, blogging and youtube has so many positives but it’s not always so glitz and glam, which I think Liv highlights perfectly here. Thank you again to Liv for agreeing to be involved and let me know who else you would like to be involved in this series!

See you next time!

Emma x

Q:What’s your favourite crisp flavour?

Liv’s Channel

Liv’s Instagram

Ways to aid your self care | ATypicalLife

Hey guys! Sorry I’ve been a bit vacant, blogging resolution going strong (not) but I’ve been giving myself time to get back into my college routine and making sure I have time to do all my essays and tests I’ve been given. I also had a dance show two weeks ago and have another one in just less than three weeks (so please bear with me) which is pretty exciting! However, I’ve also had some time off to focus on self care, which is what this post is going to be heavily focused on. Towards the end of last year, from October really, my mental state plummeted. I’d just started a levels, I didn’t want to go into college, I was constantly worrying about my future and having break downs to my family- I never really admitted to anyone how bad it was. However, the new year started off positive and, give or take a few mishaps, has stayed that way. I love going to college, except full days pretty obviously, and this new mindset is predominantly the result of one change but there are a couple of tips I want to share with you, literally some so trivial they probably make you want to laugh, but have a big effect.

1. Be selfish and get rid of anything negative: I know this sounds so obvious and vague but there’s a reason for that. Whether it be a friend or a situation that’s giving you anxiety, drop it as soon as you feel something isn’t right. I know If it’s a friend you’re getting rid of then it’s ridiculously hard to do without making things awkward for everybody else, especially in school or the workplace but if it’s going to make you feel better, it’s really worth it. For me, it wasn’t a friend it was school stress. As you know from earlier in this post and other posts, I’m a dancer. I go to two different dance schools and am currently in my college’s dance company. I was also doing level 3 BTEC dance as my fourth a level which at the start I loved. However I just felt so out of place and it was so much stress. Obviously a levels are stress but it was unnecessary stress which was making me hate dance- something I NEVER want to do so I dropped the subject. I want to enjoy dancing and make it fun and it wasn’t like that anymore. It was so hard for me to do as I hate quitting, it’s not me. But one message I really want to express is quitting is okay if it’s affecting your mental health, do everything for yourself.

2.

Clean room: Okay so if my mum reads this she’ll be laughing right now thinking I’m very hypocritical. Hear me out, though my room has only been clean for a solid week and a half. It’s like a massive weight that’s been lifted from my shoulders. They say: tidy room, tidy mind and it couldn’t be more correct. A massive declutter is essential to make you feel less stressed and disorganised. However, don’t do what I used to do and just shove everything into draws- it comes back to haunt you! I’ve had a clear out of my wardrobe and plan to do my dressing table draws tonight- let me know if you would like a post on this because a decluttering post is actually something I’d really like to do.

3.

Music: I ADORE a good music playlist in the morning when I’m getting ready. As you’re reading this, make a playlist of your favourite feel good tunes. There is always an urge to put some slower ones on but don’t! Make this a separate playlist if you want but keep your morning one as positive as you can to get you ready for the day. Some of my favourites currently are ugly heart-GRL, Party in the USA- Miley Cyrus and Classic by MKTO. They’re some older ones but absolutely essential to get me in a good mood for the day!

4.

Buy a new razor, loofer, toothbrush, flannel etc: Something so simple but makes such a big difference. It’s the little things that can affect how you’re feeling. Also buying yourself new things doesn’t exactly mean new expensive makeup or clothes. You should swap your toothbrush every 3 months, I know I don’t do that but it’s actually really important for hygiene. I don’t even want to think about when I last got a new loofah, all the bacteria on it makes me feel a little ill

5.

The correct way to make to do lists: So for me, to do lists make the world go round. I don’t think I’d be able to get through the day without one, It helps me to remember everything I need to do and those tiny squares you need to tick really do motivate you to get going! My favourite way to do them is to actually buy a cute to do list booklet, I’m not completely sure where mine’s from but I know it was some place cheap like Wilko or Poundland, and it’s SO cute! The physical doing of writing your goals for the day is scientifically proven to motivate you more to achieve them. So you can write them on your phone if you want – but it’s not something I recommend, it’s way more satisfying to actually tick the box. Also, break your goals down. For example, a lot of my old to do lists would be:clean my room. And it wasn’t quite specific enough and if I’d spent ages cleaning my wardrobe but never got my desk done, I’d feel as if I’d failed for the day. So it’s best to break down your list into smaller categories like ‘clean desk’ ‘clean wardrobe’ to get more done in the day. Also, there’s nothing I stress more than putting fun aspects or less stressful tasks on your to do list. For example on mine I include:wash hair and shave. Sometimes even: put on a face mask. To do lists are great out if you’re not including self care, it can spiral into days of constant work. My final tip on to do lists is to categorise them into subs. I split my list into Urgent, semi important, and relaxed. That way I know to do all my urgent ones straight away and work down, because I used to always have a habit of doing the easy ones and not tackling the harder ones with deadlines!

6.

Go get your hair done!: This is one is pretty self explanatory, whether it’s going for a whole new cut and colour (which can be very refreshing and motivational) or just a cut and a wash, getting my hair done is one of my absolute luxuries and something I look forward to majorly when it’s just around the corner. Speaking of, I need to do exactly that very soon as it’s starting to be nearer to spring, and I love my blonde hair in the warmer months.

7.

Do some exercise: I know this is probably the most hated, and when I used to see things like this on YouTube and blogs I would ignore it but that’s why I’ve put it last. When you think of treating yourself you think of chocolate and a movie, and though that can be great, it’s not always the case. Getting a sweat on is the best self care you can give yourself, whether it’s dancing, running or just some simple stretches. The endorphins released make you extremely happy and the chemicals in sweat do your skin more wonder than any other cleanser or moisturiser ever could. Plus, getting blood pumping round your body and making yourself healthier, fitter and more toned can never be a bad thing right?

So they are my tips! I know a lot of these types of posts are usually read and ignored but I PROMISE you that these work an absolute miracle. Please give them a go, none of them are insanely big changes and don’t cost you an extreme amount of money (unless you do go for the whole new hairstyle) and have helped me dramatically, I swear once you do this you’ll never look back. If your mental health is deteriorating please never fret to talk to someone about it! I’ll leave links below for anyone struggling and my social media’s are always open to talk. Again I’m sorry for the hiatus and posts might be a bit wobbly for the next few weeks or so but I promise I’ll get back into a schedule when the chaos is over! Byee!

ATypicalLife

Q: What is one of your self care tips?

https://www.mind.org.uk

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk

https://www.time-to-change.org.uk/what-are-mental-health-problems/mental-health-help-you/other-useful-organisations -list of mental health and suicidal hotlines