Name: Katy Bellotte
Year: Freshman
What’s your major and why did you choose it?
I am currently undecided but I am choosing between Strategic Communications and Communication Design. I am incredibly interested and invested in the communications school here at Elon, but I haven’t quite narrowed down my major just yet. I also plan on minoring in Entrepreneurship.
How and why did you start making YouTube videos?
I began creating YouTube videos during the winter of 2009, when I was just 14 years old. I’ve always had a passion for videography, so I figured why not share the content that I’m creating with the world? Another aim in creating my videos was to inspire younger girls and create “big sister” style videos.
Five years later I have uploaded 760+ videos, garnered well over 21 million video views and 350,000 subscribers.
What has been your greatest experience through your YouTube channel?
My greatest experience that I’ve had through making my YouTube videos is definitely meeting my subscribers. Honestly, being able to speak one-on-one with the girls that my videos are positively affecting is the biggest thing keeping me going over the past five years. Also, because of my videos I am able to travel far more than I ever would if I hadn’t decided to create a channel back in ’09. Just this past month I’ve been to Boston, Orlando and Los Angeles for various opportunities with companies.
What’s your favorite thing about Elon?
Here at Elon, I am absolutely obsessed with the communications school. For a little while, I was very set on not attending college and launching myself straight into my career. However, once I discovered how prosperous the communications school is here at Elon, I was interested in giving college a try. I am so, so glad that I made this choice, seeing as though I am completely head-over-heels for Elon University. After four years of being enrolled in this prestigious school, I am sure I will have no problem attaining a job in communications — which is my ultimate goal.
What is the Playlist Live convention? What did you experience through it ?
I attended my very first Playlist Live convention just this past February. It was February 6th through 8th in Orlando, Florida. I was invited to appear at the convention, and was given the opportunity to hold an organized meet-up with my subscribers. I also attended some panels and meetings with brands that are interested in working with me. Conventions such as these with a plethora of other YouTubers are absolutely essential for growth as a blogger. Meeting people who are similar to you in the sense that they too are concerned with the workings of videography, graphics and Internet diagnostics is so valuable. I have made a variety of friends through YouTube who are scattered across the globe! I like to think that because of this, I essentially have connections practically everywhere I will go in life.
Did you know you wanted to join a sorority?
Since the moment I stepped foot on Elon’s campus in March of my sophomore year of high school, I knew I wanted to join a sorority. At the organization fair, I was able to hear more about one sorority in particular that caught my eye: Zeta Tau Alpha. I fell in love with the breast cancer awareness philanthropy that the girls supported, and the incredible sisterhood that they possessed. A semester later, I am in the pledging period of Zeta Tau Alpha, and I am ecstatic about being initiated soon.
Tell me about another one of your extracurricular activities?
Since the beginning of my first semester here at Elon, I’ve been involved with The Edge magazine. I began simply as a general staff member, but since then I have worked my way up to being assistant fashion editor and a handpicked member of the layout team. I really enjoy working for The Edge since I am able to work on set in downstairs McEwen 24/7. I thoroughly enjoy working on set, and hope to incorporate this into my future career. I also have a love for fonts, graphics and design, which I am able to translate into my work for the magazine.
How did you get involved with Keds shoes?
Keds shoes approached me back in November of 2014. The brand organized a meeting with my L.A.-based manager, Evegail, and myself and raved about my channel and how much they admired my brand. I soon became a brand ambassador for Keds, and have been flown out to both Montauk (the Hamptons) and Boston to witness the behind-the-scenes of several photo-shoots. I was also able to star in a Keds commercial alongside pop sensation, Taylor Swift. I thoroughly enjoy being a brand ambassador for Keds because their brand is very admirable, and they really allow myself to have a lot of freedom with the content I create for them. Fun fact: Keds actually invented the very first canvas-top “sneaker” back in 1960. It’s so cool being involved with a brand that has been around for so long, and clearly is not going anywhere.