The world of YouTube, Vine, and other social media platforms has its own universe of celebrities who share original content with millions of followers. Known as creators, they have turned their online personas into a business, which includes speaking to groups, appearing at events, and working with brands such as Ford, Wendy’s, and Target on campaigns.
In addition to their engaging personalities, these speakers can present important messages about building an audience, reaching the millennial market, and other insights. Another benefit: As social stars with massive followings, they can promote the event ahead of time or even create content at the event, depending on the details of the contract.
Here’s a look at some of the biggest social media stars to consider as speakers at your next event.
A classically trained violinist who now pairs her music with electronic beats, Lindsey Stirling used YouTube to promote her early career and now has more than 6.9 million followers. Stirling calls her rejection in the quarterfinals of the TV show America’s Got Talent in 2010 a defining moment, and she has gone on to success that included a nomination at this year’s Teen Choice Awards for Choice Web Star: Music. Raised as a Mormon, Stirling can speak about inspirational topics such as her faith, not giving up, remaining strong and true to yourself, overcoming trials, personal progress and change, her prior struggle with an eating disorder, and positive thinking. She is represented by WME.
The YouTube personality Jenna Marbles (whose real name is Jenna N. Mourey) reaches more than 15.4 million subscribers and is the most popular woman on the social media site. Fresh off an appearance last week on James Corden’s The Late Late Show, Marbles posts a variety of videos, from ones starring her dog to an impersonation of Hillary Clinton. As a speaker, she can discuss her journey and the challenges she’s overcome to achieve YouTube stardom while authentically connecting with fans. She is represented by CAA Speakers.
The Vine and Snapchat specialist Jerome Jarre is a favorite of brands like Pepsi and has been profiled by Fast Company, People, and The New Yorker, among others. His Vine following grew to 8.5 million, making him one of the top users on the service. His native French accent and huge smile feature prominently in the 25-year-old’s posts and endear him to fans. With social media guru Gary Vaynerchuk, Jarre co-founded the mobile marketing agency Grape Story, and he can share his tips for using mobile marketing to reach customers through engaging and interactive stories. He is represented by CAA Speakers.
Filmmaker Sawyer Hartman uploaded his first short film to YouTube in 2011 and since then has amassed a following of more than 1.8 million subscribers. His latest project, a full-length feature called The Parallax Theory, debuts on Vimeo on September 22. He is represented by the Gersh Agency.
The comic video specialist Timothy DeLaGhetto, also known as Traphik, counts more than 2.9 million subscribers and 601 million views of his posts, which show off his skills as a rapper, comedian, writer, and videographer. His work includes original skits, parodies, rants, and a series called “Dear DeLaGhetto.” He currently appears as a cast member on MTV’s Wild N’ Out and Guy Code. DeLaGhetto, who is Thai-American, can speak to groups about his creative process and how diversity plays a role in content, audience reach, and success. He is represented by CAA Speakers.
YouTube pioneer Philip DeFranco—he joined in 2006—produces a humorous news and pop culture show Monday through Thursday that reaches nearly 3.5 million subscribers. At events, DeFranco can perform a live version of “The Philip DeFranco Show.” He is represented by CAA Speakers.
Yousef Saleh Erakat, better known as FouseyTube, has a combined following of more than 6.7 million subscribers on his four YouTube channels. His videos, which include pranks, social experiments, and comedy sketches, nearly always have a moral undertone, which he can translate to speaking appearances. He is represented by CAA Speakers.
