Singer Ryan Beatty on Going Viral and Getting Compared to Justin Bieber
Photo courtesy of Kii Arens1/4Do you have any tips for making a YouTube video?
"Some of my videos were on webcam, some were on a flip camera, and most of them were actually filmed on an iPhone. There were a few that were filmed on an HD camera when I had the opportunity. I think quality does help because when I'm watching a video and it looks clear, I'll want to finish it all the way to the end. But it's just about putting more videos up. I kept doing that, and that's kind of how I gained my fan base."
Beyond YouTube, how do you use social media to connect with fans?
"I'm so thankful for my fans, and I titled the EP 'Because of You' in dedication to them. I try as hard as I can to tweet at as many fans as possible, and I love to do streams through Twitcam. The more you connect, the more it feels like a real friendship than rather than a fan relationship."
Photo courtesy of Kii Arens2/4How did you break into the music industry?
"I had a YouTube channel back in February of 2011, and I put up my first cover ever on there of 'Forget You' by Cee Lo Green. It was stuck in my head! Within the first week, it hit about 10,000 views. I put up another one, and it got even more views! I started writing my own music in a studio, and released an EP. I'm working on an album — it's been a quick year!"
Photo courtesy of Kii Arens3/4As a young male pop singer, you get grouped with artists like Justin Bieber and Cody Simpson. What do you make of those comparisons?
"Justin Bieber's super talented, and I hope one day to be that successful in the music industry. I actually just went to Cody Simpson's show cause I'm good friends with his sister, and he did an amazing job. He's inspired me to play the guitar. I don't mind those comparisons. We're all young, teenage kids in this industry, but our music is completely different."
Photo courtesy of Kii Arens4/4Which artists inspire you?
"I love John Mayer, Jason Mraz, and Maroon 5 — especially their first album."
Have you had a specific song on repeat this summer?
"Everyone's is 'Call Me Maybe' by Carly Rae Jepsen. I hear the first note and it gets stuck in my head. I love 'So Good' by B.o.B; it's a feel good song."
If you could choose one artist to collaborate with, who would it be?
"I'd love to do a song with Demi Lovato; I love her voice so much. I'd like to write with John Mayer. I'm a huge fan of his."
