YouTube Star Lilly Singh earns the June cover of Canadian Business that delves into the business of YouTube. And key to it is a new generation of video stars such as Lilly Singh, from Markham, Ont., who has racked up 5.6 million subscribers on YouTube under the name IISuperwomanII.

Before we go talking about how you can create your own you tube stardom and make business out of it, let’s understand the secret behind Lilly’s success as as a vlogger. Here what Canadian Business writes in the article:

At 26, Lilly Singh still lives with her parents. She makes videos in the same bedroom as she did when she posted her first one five years ago. She started uploading videos for a couple of different reasons, she says. Singh cryptically references “overcoming difficulties” in her life and says she found the experience self-medicating. “I thought, if I make other people laugh, it’s going to make me laugh, and it’s like everyone helping each other.” But she displayed a savvy business sense even then. “The first thing that caught my eye was there wasn’t any other South Asian female doing this, and I thought, Hmm, this is kind of strange. That gap needs to be filled.”

Singh’s videos, like those of other prominent YouTube personalities, are a bizarre mix of confession, standup comedy and ranting. They often just feature her alone in her bedroom, talking into a camera for seven to 10 minutes, interspersed frequently with jump-cuts. Singh performs skits too, like when she plays exaggerated versions of her Indian-born parents. Her style is somewhat manic, with wild gesticulations and rapid changes in intonation. Her approach is earnest, and the humour is innocuous. She trades in observation comedy, sometimes about situations she’s far removed from (“Types of Kids at School,” for example).

“I’m talking about parents and relationships and things a lot of people can relate to,” she says. Her top video, with nearly 13 million views, is titled “How Girls Get Ready.”

Her content is strictly PG. She never swears. Sex is never addressed. Parents can feel safe knowing their kids are watching Superwoman.

Singh is firmly part of YouTube’s celebrity ecosystem, which is crucial to the platform’s success. Each time she posts a video (which she does twice a week on her main channel), millions of people are notified and come to YouTube to watch it, like it and comment on it. YouTube fame exists largely outside the mainstream, but the company argues its celebrities have relevance outside the platform, too. Last year, Variety commissioned a survey that found five of the most influential figures among American teenagers were YouTubers, ahead of Katy Perry and Daniel Radcliffe. YouTube ultimately needs more people like Singh to produce engaging content and attract more of the advertisers and ad dollars it’s seeking.

Uniqueness, Consistency. Relevance. Accessibility and Humor. Few things that will take you far in this career. So, from where you can start vlogging as a serious business? Follow these easy steps:

Choose a Niche

Before you jump in, choose a specific topic that you feel passionate about and that is useful or entertaining to your target market. For instance, if you are knowledgeable about finance, consider starting a vlog about topics such as how to retire early or how to invest in mutual funds. Compared to a broad or vague subject, a popular, in-demand niche attracts more lucrative advertising sponsors or more sales, depending on your business model.

Research

Spend some time researching your niche. One way to begin is to use the Google AdWords Keyword Tool (link in Resources). Check what search terms have low competition, high global searches and high costs-per-click. If you intend to promote an item or service with your vlog, investigate the market for the going rate. Another way to do research is to identify and follow the top vloggers in your niche. Subscribe to their YouTube channels and leave comments. Becoming an active subscriber to other vlogs can also help you learn more about your target market.