Hey honeys and hustlers,
Iāve been a YouTuber for as long as I can remember. YouTube was my first and preferred source of on-demand video content online. In many ways, it still is today, competing for my attention alongside Hulu, Netflix, and whatever else comes up on my laptop screen. In high school, I was watching the likes of Luan Legacy and Tre Melvin make comedic masterpieces with nothing but a camcorder and a dream. This was wayyyy back when they still had the King of YouTube competition (and yes, Luan Legacy won this title like the amazing person he is).
Fast forward to a year that is slightly past my 10-year high school graduation anniversary, and the landscape of YouTube has completely changed. People are using the platform to create podcasts, independent newsrooms, creator businesses, and yes, TV and film production studios with original programming. Investing in a YouTube setup and set designing your recording background are the norm now, a vast difference from when I first began watching. To my delight, the diversity of people creating has also changed and increased.
Women have been pivotal forces in video creation and filmmaking since the industry's inception, though their contributions haven't always received due recognition. In early Hollywood, women dominated film editing roles because studio executives considered it similar to sewing - a "woman's task" of stitching pieces together. As film historian J.E. Smyth notes in "Nobody's Girl Friday: The Women Who Ran Hollywood," this misconception actually led to women like Margaret Booth and Barbara McLean becoming some of the most influential figures in cinema history. Today, groundbreaking directors like Ava DuVernay, ChloƩ Zhao, and Greta Gerwig are challenging industry norms, while digital creators such as Lilly Singh, Michelle Phan, and Safiya Nygaard have built media empires through their innovative approach to video content. In the influencer marketing space, women creators are particularly dominant, with studies showing they drive higher engagement rates across most niches, especially in lifestyle, tech, and educational content.
pictured left to right: Lilly Singh, Michelle Phan, and Safiya Nygaard
According to YouTube's 2023 Impact Report, women creators have seen significant growth on the platform. Female-led channels generating six figures annually grew by 35% year-over-year. Statista reports that women-led channels in tech and business have experienced a 50% increase in viewership since 2020. Despite these gains, Pew Research notes that women still represent only about 30% of tech-focused content creators on the platform, highlighting the ongoing need for greater representation in these spaces. So letās take a look at some incredible women YouTubers.
Becca Farsace. You probably recognize her face from The Verge. She decided to ditch New Yorkās ever-increasing cost of living and head to upstate New York, where she could take tech outside. I love her video about using an iPod as a camcorder, and how playful she gets to be on her own channel.
Nicky Saunders. She creates videos at the intersection of AI, social media, and content creation. Sheās probably tried every AI product in existence, so I would check her out as the go-to source for information on adding AI to your workflow (if thatās your thing).
Aya. One name. Iconic. I found her when I was doing research on the R3D Komodo, and stayed for her independent films and behind-the-scenes breakdowns. If you want to build a filmmaking business, I highly recommend her perspective.
Brittany Janae. Iāve been following her DP/Cinematographer journey for some years now. Sheās an incredible colorist, and seems to have found her film crew niche in doing behind-the-scenes video content for feature-length films. Sheās in South Africa doing this as Iām writing this. Totally happy for her, not jealous at all. If you want to learn how to get better at coloring and working as a commercial DP, she has some great videos breaking down her work.
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Hallease. She uses her channel to create short films, vlogumentaries, and tell scripted and unscripted stories. I found her through her web series, This Could Have Been an Email, and canāt wait to see what she creates next.
XayLi Barclay. If you want to become more confident on camera, this is the channel for you. She shares some videos that are as unique as her hair. Sheās even made a physical product to compliment what you learn on her channel. Her husband edits her videos from what I understand, and he does a great job.
Erin on Demand. Sheās building her online creator business from the ground up and taking you for the ride. I found her through her video on moving to Substack, as Iām sure many people are. Her video dropped at the right time for the right people looking for alternative social media options with a splash of email. She has her videos organized in plenty of playlists for you to choose from.
Sara Deitschy. Rhymes with peachy. Sheās the biggest name on this list, and has likely been a full-time YouTuber the longest. However, I can honestly say I still love her approach to the platform and her voice in the camera and tech space. Her collaboration with Matt DāAvella was a really cool way to learn that sheās also a night owl. That Creative Life was an early inspiration for Honey & Hustle, and sheās had to navigate motherhood and moving in a very public way. I appreciate how she handles the ups and downs of the platform and her journey as a creator.
Bike Shop Girl. Also known as my friend, Arleigh Greenwald. I put her in a category with Epic Gardening and The Dogist. Highly niche content that goes deep, then wide. Her channel is made for people and families that want to bike more for any reason ā health, transportation, or recreation. Sheās proof that your YouTube channel doesnāt have to be a catalog of cinematic masterpieces. If your videos are SEO-friendly, clear, and valuable, then theyāre exactly what youāre audience is looking for.
This concludes my Womenās History Month spotlight series. Thank you for tuning in for these curated lists of women podcasters, newsletter writers, and video creators. Is there someone you think I missed? Share them with me or drop them in the comments! I love learning about new creators.
In the next article, Iāll be sharing my thoughts on the future of audio and podcasts. Iām headed to Podcast Movement Evolutions today! If youāll be in town for the event, be sure to say hello! Michelle and I will be going live on Substack from Podcast Movement Evolutions, so check us out on the app or desktop! Iām not sure when, but Iāll be sure to post the recording if you miss it. If you missed the last one, you can watch the replay here. Happy Monday and happy creating!
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