In an age when anyone can launch their own video soapbox, it takes a special talent to attract millions of followers who pounce on every post. Or does it?

In the past year, these five performers have amassed a following (not to mention real dollars – we’re talking millions in some cases) that rival even the biggest of Hollywood megastars simply by posting about the things they do on a daily basis. With an eclectic mix of comedy, creativity and cuteness, these Internet faces have proved it’s possible to stand out in the digital white noise.

Jenna Marbles

If you’ve had an Internet connection in the last five years, chances are you’ve come across Jenna Marbles (aka Jenna N. Mourey), whose videos regularly get a few million page views. The majority of Marbles’ videos are comedic in nature, often playing on observational comedy (think of a hyper-perky blonde Jerry Seinfeld) like “people you hate at the airport” or “what a girl’s makeup means.” She’s a great mix of goofiness and snark, and while she didn’t create the quick edit/pontificating style that is so popular among YouTube performers, she definitely brought it to a wider audience.

How wide? According to celebritynetworth.com, Marbles’ videos annually attract around 1.4 billion views, which would earn her a tidy $4.3 million dollars a year in YouTube revenue.

Michelle Phan

If the YouTube age has proved one thing, it’s that good service is rewarded. Take Michelle Phan, who rose to prominence with makeup and beauty tutorials. These how-tos (look like Lady Gaga or curl your hair with brown paper bags quickly garnered her a following in the millions, which in turn led to her very own makeup line with L’Oreal.

Phan’s strategy was simple – provide a service that people need and be extremely likeable while doing it. Her style is approachable – like learning from your best friend – and has obviously struck a chord with millions of women around the world.

PewDiePie

Think that’s a mouthful? Try the world’s most popular YouTuber’s real name: Felix Arvid Ulf Kjellberg. The Swedish star currently holds the number one spot for a personality on YouTube, with over 25 million subscribers. What does he do to attract so many eyeballs? He plays video games and – more importantly – reacts to them in a spectacular manner. Even fan-made videos (yes, he has fans who dedicate videos to him) of his often loud and incomprehensible reactions attract millions of views.

What’s the key to his success? Honestly, sometimes it’s hard to tell. But his enthusiasm is catching, and his subject matter (video games) has a built-in fan base. Sometimes a little luck and being good at what you do, even if what you do is trivial, is a strategy for success.

Nash Grier

Who the heck is Nash Grier you ask? He’s a 16-year-old Vine star who’s amassed nearly seven million followers. How? He’s a handsome kid with dark hair and bright blue eyes and he makes comedic videos that appeal to the younger crowd. His videos receive plenty of comments with adjectives like “cute” and “hot.” Think of it as the Bieber effect.

Grier was recently in hot water for a controversial YouTube video he posted with a bunch of friends titled “What Guys Look for in Girls,” which was criticized for its many sophomoric suggestions. Still, provocation works, as Grier’s followers on YouTube ballooned from 300,000 followers pre-video to over two million.

Lauren Giraldo

Imagine being able to make $2,000 at the push of a button. Now imagine you could do that as a 16 year old. That’s a reality for Lauren Giraldo, another Vine star who earns money by simply reposting an advertiser’s video.

The platform, which is tailored to comedy, is ideal for the witty and upbeat Giraldo, who can easily connect with other kids her age. If you were a young teenager, you’d probably either want to be her best friend or her high school sweetheart - she’s that adorable. And with 2.6 million followers, she’s an ideal candidate for advertisers hoping to reach that youthful market.

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