Pandemic leads to large social media following
Eddie Spurrell is putting his Newfoundland accent and his love for and the entertainment industry to good use.
Originally from Grand Falls-Windsor, NL, the College of the North Atlantic (CNA) graduate has more than 50,000 subscribers on his YouTube channel: Newfie Reactions.
“I just broke 50,000 subscribers on my music/comedy reaction channel. In addition, my newer channel that is focused on movie/TV reactions is getting close to 20,000 subscribers.”
Spurrell explains that his channel is his live reactions to movies, music videos and television shows.
“Reaction channels have been around for a long time. I’m actually late to the game; however, I enjoy watching reaction channels myself. When there is a particular music artist, comedian, movie or TV show that you really enjoy, you want to know what others think of it,” he said. “So, what better way than to watch along with someone and witness their initial reaction to the thing that you love? Watch them experience it for the first time and try and relive that experience.”
Spurrell graduated from the college’s Community Recreational Leadership program in 2004.
“I had a blast doing this course, and it was a great experience that really helped me to grow up … well at least a little. I’m still a kid at heart,” he laughed.
The program helped him hone his public speaking skills.
“The program helped improve my social skills and my ability to speak in front of large audiences. Even though I talk to a camera in my basement, it’s still the fact that I know the video will go out to hundreds of thousands of people,” he said.
He said CNA also helped him with his organizational skills which come in handy in his current role.
“During my time at college, I did learn to improve my time management skills and get projects done on time, which I feel has carried through into maintaining a strict schedule in my current job,” he said.
Spurrell says aside from the college he also inherited a lot of wisdom from his parents.
“In addition, my time at the college did reinforce what I was taught by my parents, that the harder (and smarter) you work the better the results will be, which will set you up to go further in life,” he said. “My drive to work 60-plus hours a week came from my father. He was the hardest working person I’ve ever known which carried through with me to this day.”
He says his channel started when the pandemic hit.
“I worked in the aviation field as a Departure Control Co-ordinator for many years,” he said. “When the pandemic began and the flights stopped, I found myself at home with a lot of spare time on my hands. Rather than waste it, I started up a YouTube channel recording myself listening to music for the first time.
“Within a short time, it started to take off. I haven’t returned to work in the aviation field because I am having fun creating online content. I am at a point of making about the same wages that I was with my previous employer.”
But it also means that working more than 60 hours per week as a content creator is necessary.
“Being an online content creator is a tricky thing, some months I’ll earn a good amount, while others not so much. It’s not a steady paycheck that most people are used to,” he said. “My channels are still young and I have to continue to push hard to build a subscriber and Patreon supporter base that can reliability cover my living expenses.”
One of his goals is to keep his subscribers entertained.
“I just am myself and try and have a good time,” he said. “I speak to the camera as if the viewer is in the room with me and let them share in the experience. I never did mind being in front of a camera or audience. When the music is going, I’ll dance in my chair and make a fool of myself. While the movie is on, I’ll laugh and cheer along with the adventure. I just have a good time and hope the viewer will join in.”
When it comes to starting one’s own YouTube or social media account, his advice is to “go for it!”
“I always encourage others to create a YouTube channel. No matter what hobby or interest you have, share your skills, thoughts, and humour with the rest of the world. Put yourself out there and see what comes of it.”
To view Spurrell’s videos, visit https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy8aCZOmFH4rQnEji__zoeg
For more information about CNA, visit www.cna.nl.ca.
