YouTube has unveiled its latest “YouTube Space: Toronto” – a first in Canada – teaming up with Toronto’s George Brown College for a 3,000+ square foot space in its downtown campus as a hub for aspiring online video stars to hone their craft.

Toronto has become the eighth city in the world to become home to a YouTube Space, joining Los Angeles, New York, London, Paris, Mumbai, Sao Paulo, Berlin and Tokyo.

Aspiring internet video stars get all-access to state-of-the-art equipment and two fully-equipped studios, workshops and courses ranging from entrepreneurship, video editing and even bookkeeping, and a creative space that allows YouTube contributors to wave goodbye to filming their series in basements and home kitchens – and they don’t have to pay a cent.

“It’s a great way to show Canada is on par with the rest of the world with all the amazing content providers out there,” Becky Wright, one half of DIY YouTube stars, The Sorry Girls tells BNN. “It’s a great source of inspiration to generate fresh ideas for really cool content.”

Alphabet has been making monetizing YouTube one of its major growth strategies, as it pushes out a subscription-based service, YouTube Red to compete with the likes of Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime. YouTube Red is priced competitively with its major competitors, but has not rolled out its service outside of the U.S.

The YouTube Spaces project hopes to foster new talent and content that could bolster YouTube Originals’ library and serve as a platform to hone Alphabet’s strategy as it expands YouTube Red.

“With YouTube Spaces I get to take a look at the funnel of new talent and who could be the next (YouTube) original,” says Lance Podell, Global head of YouTube Spaces.

5 Secrets to become a YouTube star from Canada’s The Sorry Girls

Whether it’s Justin Bieber and Carly Rae Jepsen or the 5 Million and growing subscribers to the AsapScience Duo’s YouTube page – Canada’s become a major force in fostering online stars.

Toronto-based The Sorry Girls have carved their space in the ultra-competitive DIY YouTube world. The Duo and co-founders Kelsey Macdermaid & Becky Wright shared some of their secrets with BNN for wannabe YouTube stars.

1. Start with a great idea

There are so many great YouTube channels out there but you need to be able to stand out. Try to find a niche that puts you at the top of a category. For example, to stand out from the cooking community, maybe try adding a comedic or musical spin to your content. There are ways to make every basic category unique to you and your talents.

2. Be passionate about what you are creating

Gaining subscribers on YouTube is often a slow process so a passion for what you are doing is one of the best ways to keep you dedicated and on the path to success. Keep experimenting, learning, and challenging yourself.

3. Have a routine posting schedule

Just like any television program, it’s best to post consistently and on the same day so that your audience remembers to keep coming back. A new subscriber needs to know that you post consistently and preferably the same day or days so that they can always expect great new content from you.

4. Collaborate

YouTubers big and small can benefit from a collab. Work with another YouTuber on a similar video idea, cross promote your channels and introduce yourself to a new audience!

5. Stay relevant in the marketplace

A great thing to remember is that YouTube uses a search engine. Whether it’s the release of a new movie, a holiday coming up, or a world event that happens, you want to make sure that if people are searching those keywords, your video comes up. You can apply these events to your videos which will give you content ideas and keep your videos relevant.