Come Meet Teen YouTubers Annie Rose and Lily Kate

GenZ: Social Video First

It is absolutely fascinating how much as changed since I was a teen! Social media has completely changed the landscape for these kids and I do my best to keep up with the trends since I too, have a Gen Zer who frequently reminds me how old I am. HA! What a character, but I guess when we were kids we all thought our parents were old. We have seen an absolute explosion with video content and I am excited we had a chance to interview two YouTube stars who are doing some amazing things! See our interview below.

A study by Leflein Associates for Fullscreen surveyed over 1,200 participants between 13 and 17 years old (Generation Z) and between 18 to 34 years old (Millennials). They found that Gen Z actually wants branded content, social first is preferred, and influencers are still celebrities.

The Fullscreen study found that influencers play a significant role in defining what youth audiences like, view, and buy.

The study dug deeper and found that Gen Z prefers to watch, rather than read. They view digital video and short form clips almost six times as much as they read traditional digital publishers/blogs. It’s critical to note the dramatic rise in short-form video, a new format that has emerged and evolved alongside social platforms. While longer-form formats are still preferred for traditional entertainment genres like sports, comedy, and film, short-form plays a pivotal role for beauty, fashion, and how-to’s – and even general entertainment. (Source: TubularInsights.com).

This week we are featuring two popular YouTube sisters. They are the headliners at the upcoming Gen Z Social Summit this month in Atlanta and in Garden Grove in October hosted at The Great Wolf Lodge. These two have built quite the following and are just fun to watch! If your child has been on the fence or curious about starting a YouTube channel, Lily Rose and Annie Kate have some great advice!

About Annie Rose

A YouTube Vlogger formerly known for her Annie’s Vlogs channel. She gained popularity for her bi-weekly vlog entries that often provide insight into her everyday life as a preteen. She later transitioned to her Annie Rose channel, where she has over 750,000 subscribers. She began her YouTube channel on August 31, 2015. She posted her first video there on September 2, 2015.

About Lily Kate

American YouTube star who primarily posts lifestyle and slime videos to her channel. She has amassed over 270,000 subscribers to her channel. She first posted to her YouTube channel back in September 2015. She has gained over 10,000 followers on her lily_kate_cole Instagram account.

What inspired you to start a YouTube Channel?

Annie – My whole life I never had a ‘thing’ my 3 older siblings Matthew, Lily, and Laura were enjoying their own activities and I felt left out. I’ve always been a chatterbox and a storyteller so when I found YouTube it was such a perfect way for me to express myself.

Lily – Annie. Simple and sweet. She inspires me every day to continue posting, to keep up with trends and to always be myself.

What advice would you give someone looking to start a YouTube Channel?

Annie – Don’t stop. If you love it, do it. Don’t stop if you get picked on or because someone tells you to. If I stopped because someone hated on me I wouldn’t be where I am today! If you enjoy doing Youtube, that’s all that matters! Not the money, fame, or haters.

Lily – DO NOT GET DISHEARTENED! Growth is slow… so very, painstakingly slow. For example, I ‘inherited’ my current channel from Annie (it was an old one she didn’t use anymore) When I began posting on it and claiming it as my own, I lost 55,000 subscribers (maybe more!) over the course of 7 months – I am still losing them today. Although it is, in my case, negative growth a lot of times – I still continue to be patient.

Do you have a favorite episode?

Annie – tbh .. all of them hee hee!! I make videos only if I am proud of them. I love looking back at my old vlogs and remembering that time in my life even if it’s cringy haha. Each video represents growth. Every time I make one it’s one that I will look back on one day and smile :’)

Lily – That is a hard one. I have a range of videos from serious to informative to funny. They video I enjoyed filming most was hands down “Third Wheeling with my Sister and her Boyfriend” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyk-nKBPt0c&t=1s) I definitely got the best response from that video. The one I enjoyed editing most has to be “prom dress shopping lessons – it’s just like getting married” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kE-J3319Qc&t=1s) because the joke of shopping is like getting married was a fun motif to develop.

Do you have a favorite YouTuber? And why?

Annie – I am inspired by YouTubers such as Alisha Marie, Liza Koshy and Jojo Siwa and they are my favorites!! #girlboss

Lily – I mean… Annie Rose. You may have heard of her? She’s a boss.

Casey Neistat. He is a legend! His videos are aesthetic and entertaining. But recently I have been captivated by Matt D’Avella’s content. Although his style is starkly different than mine, I would love to be on his podcast some day.

Any news you want to share with our Dandelions?

Annie – wellllllll I just released a poetry/journal book on amazon for $6.99 https://amzn.to/2L8Rfo9. I’m unbelievably proud of it. I hope to inspire and help someone like me think through their life a little bit more. Even if it’s just one person. I also have a huge passion for fashion. I am releasing some adorable merch for summer!! I hope to create a whole fashion line later this year or the next.

Lily – I am starting an Amazon business. My first product could be ready as early as June! I will be vlogging all about that process.

Thank you girls! We are excited that you are participating in this years Gen Z Social Summit!