Marlson Selifis speaks with the conviction of an avid YouTube consumer and a seasoned content creator. He swoops into frame onto the bottom bunk of a bunk bed and enthusiastically greets viewers, “What’s up guys, it’s your boy, Marlson! And I’m back at it again with another video.”
As he takes the camera from its position on the bed and swings it in front of him, arm outstretched in typical vlogger form, Marlson adds, “Right now, let’s visit the kitchen.”
Because he’s a kid, Marlson is likely limited to a few places he can freely roam. But because he’s a vlogger, he makes the best of it.
In the next clip, he’s in the kitchen. He whoops and pans the camera to show his surroundings. In the next scene, this time back in the bedroom,(see: few places to roam feeling) Marlson lets out a “Yeah!” He then completes the vlog with him seated comfortably on a couch. “We’re at the living room,” Marlson singsongs into the camera, smiling and again panning across the room.
The 46-second vertical video, seemingly unremarkable, is the first of what will become the M3E YouTube channel. It’s the first of what will be over 100 uploaded videos. Now, three years and half years later, M3E has collected over 1.7 million views and counting from their videos.
The channel has grown quickly in the last year. Through their vlogs and now their gospel music, the Selifis family attracted over 4,000 subscribers and they’re closing in on reaching the 5,000 subscriber milestone.
Muti Selifis explained the channel name, M3E, is inspired from his kids’ initials: Marson, Marlson and Elston. He and his wife Lily and their family are in the states now. They hail from Chuuk State, specifically Weno and Ta islands.
Muti explained that Marlson was the one who inspired the family channel’s beginnings.
“My son Marlson was actually the one who inspired me. I noticed he would always like to video himself on my phone trying to be a Youtuber and at the time I wasn’t even paying attention to YouTube at all,” Muti said. “I figured he was good and so I decided to upload his videos.”
Muti added that he wanted to find some ways to connect with his kids and they decided to make videos for fun.
The family started off making vlogs and trying their hand at the YouTube challenges that would make the rounds. They filmed some prank videos, too.
“After getting a little traction from the prank videos, then we started to kinda expand on incorporating vlogs from church functions, cooking/bbq episodes and wedding ceremonies,” Muti said.
With the pandemic restricting movement, the family didn’t upload as many vlogs. Then they decided to upload gospel music sung in Chuukese. The Chuukese gospel music videos were a hit and earned thousands of views on each video.
Muti has a few theories why his gospel music videos have done so well. He said during lockdown more people were on YouTube and Chuukese viewers like listening to music, but there weren’t a lot of Chuukese folks uploading music videos. Muti also said 2020 was a good year for gospel music and for people to reflect on life.
“There’s so many reasons but I’m just glad they enjoyed it,” he added.
“I like all the videos we made but I feel more encouraged/motivated and have a sense of accomplishment in fulfilling my duty as a Christian from all my gospel music videos. It is profoundly glorifying to know it has touched so many lives in some ways both directly and indirectly and not because of me but by the grace of God,” Muti said.
Big decision
It was a big decision for them to move forward and make a YouTube channel. Muti knew he’d put his family in the public eye.
“On a personal level, it was a big decision to make on the fact that I will now have to put my family on the line for the world to see not to mention getting criticism from the outside. It’s a tough one!” Muti said.
They started YouTube without knowing exactly what they would be getting into. What they learned was YouTube isn’t easy. The platform requires dedication and commitment to reap the rewards of consistent viewership.
Nonetheless, the Selifis family has embraced the challenge.
“For almost a year and half, I have never taken a rest from the stress of thinking day and night for what kind of content to put out there. All I have to say is, YouTube is not for everyone and I know because I am a victim of the struggles and commitment that you have to put into YouTube. Our biggest challenge is really building our community system-the support for your team,” Muti said. “But we’re grateful that we have come a long way.”
They record, edit and upload regularly.
Muti said the family hopes to move forward with their other content as things start to return to normal but he expects they’ll continue to make gospel music videos.
To other Micronesian content creators, Muti said that YouTube requires hard work.
“It’s not easy. They say, ‘Just pick up your camera and start filming and it’s that easy.’ They are wrong,” Muti said. “Work hard and be consistent!”
He also urged Micronesians to support other Micronesian creators.
“Support your own people and just search up Micronesian YouTubers and you’ll see them out there. But look for those that are more consistent in their work so you know they are serious about their uploads. I don’t recommend you follow big YouTubers and try to compare yourself with them,” Muti said.
Thank you to Muti Selifis for agreeing to answer my questions! I really appreciate it!!!
Be sure to subscribe to the M3E YouTube channel and check out their videos.
Thank you for reading. Write to you again soon.
Cheers,
Jasmine
Subscribe to get this newsletter from my fingertips flung into your email inbox!