5 APAC creators paving their way to 10 million subscribers with YouTube Shorts

How do you come up with ideas for your Shorts?

In three ways: first is from my experience having worked as a cook for many years, so I had skills and know-how and that's basically where I get most of my ideas from. From these cooking tips I have accumulated over the years, I select recipes that are really useful to people who aren't familiar with cooking and are practical in everyday life, and share them on my channel.

Secondly, I like cooking food based on my own recipes or adding a slight twist to existing recipes and serving them to my family and friends. I choose the ones that people liked the most and make videos on them.

Lastly, food is consumed based on the taste and choice of the general public so there's a trend. As a person working in the food service industry, I search for trending food ingredients or menus, and I also check comments or requests that are posted on my videos to get ideas.

You gained over two million subscribers in a very short amount of time! Can you tell us how you grew your channel?

I'm really making videos without thinking too much about numbers, like the number of subscribers and views. I have a clear message that I want to communicate with many people watching videos on my YouTube channel so I'm just doing my best to make content that I won't be ashamed of based on this philosophy.

When I watch videos from my earlier days, I see many things that I lacked so I get embarrassed. But I remember that excitement about starting my own YouTube channel and putting my best effort into it. I wouldn't have been able to come this far without those days of pushing myself to the limit so those videos mean a lot to me.

Any tips for other creators who are yet to or starting to explore Shorts?

I am a fan of YouTube Shorts and I thought the beginning of the video decides whether the viewer would continue watching the rest of the video or not. So I also thought hard about how I can captivate viewers in the first three seconds of the video, and I often put highlights within the first five seconds after the video starts. I also think the date and the time of the upload is a promise I must keep with my subscribers so I have continued uploading videos since I began the channel, and I believe this has contributed to the success of my channel.

How do you come up with ideas for your Shorts?

I love movies and I love to spend time watching them. It’s crucial to have an interest towards the subject you’re going to target. Since I enjoy it, it’s easier for me to deal with moments when I’m tired or running out of ideas. Sticking with the theme also makes creating content easier, because I already know what type of topics I’ll cover.

I also make time to connect with my audience as much as possible. I want them to know that they are being heard. By engaging with them, I have been able to adjust my content strategy to include topics they are interested in.

You have already gained more than five million subscribers! Can you tell us how you continue to grow your channel?

I am really thankful to have gathered five million subscribers on my YouTube channel. The feeling is really amazing, something I’ve never imagined before!

My focus now is on being consistent in creating attractive, engaging and entertaining videos especially on Shorts. It’s fantastic for getting exposure and growing subscribers, since it helps me grab the attention of the audience better.

I love that YouTube puts the Subscribe button on Shorts feeds, making it easy for people to subscribe if they like what they see. Shorts also plays a huge role in bridging my audience over to my long-form videos. Just by leaving a pinned comment, I can direct them to watch my long-form content as well.

Any tips for other creators who are yet to or starting to explore Shorts?

The best way to learn how to do Shorts is to just get started and play around with them. But don’t just post random content on your Shorts, and don’t just create for the sake of creating. There are tons of catchy videos out there. To stand out amidst all the competition, you have to produce great content consistently. Choose a topic that you are passionate about and create succinct, snappy, valuable content that grabs and retains people’s attention. YouTube Shorts is comparatively easier to create. You just need a smartphone and you’re good to go!

How do you come up with ideas for your Shorts?

I prioritize two things: having longevity and getting results quickly. My videos had to be about something I liked, so I chose food and eating — I'm really happy when I'm eating lots of delicious food! I was also a personal trainer and I used to cook low-sugar meals for myself every day, so I decided to also share cooking videos regularly.

To get results quickly, I watched popular cooking and eating videos on YouTube. I learned that a lot of the videos were for horizontal screens and were with ASMR and non-verbal to help it easily go global. I followed the exact style thinking my videos will also trend globally, but they did not do so well.

From then, I have been evolving my style through trial and error, and got to where I am now!

You passed eight million and are on the road to 10 million YouTube subscribers. Tell us about your journey!

It’s my big goal. When my video creates buzz, the number of subscribers will increase — it’s what I’m focusing on now. However, it is difficult to do so with the same videos all the time, so I think about combining innovative ideas with cooking.

There are times when I can't think of any ideas, but I still try to make and post videos every day if possible. I also try to catch trends by watching as many videos as possible from all genres, not limited to cooking . By incorporating trends, viewers will respond better.

Any tips for other creators who are yet to or starting to explore Shorts?

It goes without saying, but Shorts is short. They have to stand out from the rest in a very short time. You have your own ideas, skills and characters that you can utilize to stand out. Please use what you’re good at, and share your wonderful Shorts videos!

How do you come up with ideas for your Shorts?

I spend about 30 minutes every day on my balcony observing the street below, often getting inspiration for my next video by adding my own spin on everyday situations. I also love talking to different people and getting different perspectives on life. This inspires me and gives me a new point of view every time.

You just reached 10 million YouTube subscribers! What an achievement! Tell us about your journey.

I have learned that the audience asks for something new and unique – you can't use stale ideas. New content types, new types of comedy always helped me grow. I have to keep my content original; the key to success is new originality and to constantly evolve. All of my subscribers are like my family; they are my strength and they made me who I am today. I love them all so much and would forever be thankful for their support.

Any tips for other creators who are yet to or starting to explore Shorts?

Always listen to your audience, or even actively seek their feedback. I engage with my audience in the comments or through the Community tab and I try to do it as regularly as possible. Based on those interactions, you can adjust your content strategy.

Another tip: write out your idea and think about how you would implement it. Making a simple mental model of your idea on a piece of paper helps with creating it exactly the way you envisioned it.