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Influencers

by kenmichaels
8 replies
I want to connect with Youtube and Video Game Streamer influencers.

I thought a pile of money and a can-do attitude would be a good start, instead, I realize there is an entire subculture I need to learn in order to be effective at what I want to do.

Can anyone recommend any shortcuts, books, blogs, courses, whatever?

[edited by moderator: no soliciting in discussion areas, please]
#influencers
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  • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
    Yup, get on their patron accounts, be a monthly supporter. Engage with their content, show them you're a human being. It doesn't take a whole lot, but as a show host I have to say every time someone approaches me from zero to full contact about their product being a great feature for my show, I back the F*Off. The gentle approach goes far. I'll bet you could make genuine connections this way and be having the kind of conversations you really want to be having within 30 days. And on their end, if you do it right, they'll feel like they've known you much longer.
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  • Profile picture of the author Profit Traveler
    Ironic I was just watching a YouTube video yesterday with young Founder of GymShark brand.

    He spoke of how there really was not the "influencer" concept back then but it was surely still taking place as he "gifted" some very popular YouTube trainers with his Newly created workout shirts. It worked and was beginning of his empire.


    It looked kinda funny these hard work out oriented type guys deciding to invest in sewing machines and make their designs a reality but it separated them from dreamers to ballers


    I think one route we can still take would be the interview technique or successful "list post" of the people we want to reach. Either asking for interviews on how they became successful or featuring their stories and making sure they get eyeballs on it and they may link to it. Just one way to get a foot in the door so to speak.
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  • Profile picture of the author Princess Balestra
    It is easiah for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for cash an' can do to suck up sweet into the niche a-hole of gamer culchah zealots.
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    Wanna smoochie with Moi ovah Yuletide? Or ... you jus' STOOPID?
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    • Profile picture of the author kenmichaels
      Originally Posted by Princess Balestra View Post

      It is easiah for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for cash an' can do to suck up sweet into the niche a-hole of gamer culchah zealots.
      That one took me a min to understand
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  • Profile picture of the author Profit Traveler
    23 year old Kylie Jenner tops Celebrity/Influencer income list for 2020. 590 Million. Kardashians world...love or hate em, or join em.

    https://www.forbes.com/celebrities/

    If you can align with some responsive list/database owners you should still be in the game.

    It will always be what is in it for them and their following.
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  • Profile picture of the author socialentry
    As a first step. Jason's probably the best suggestion. You'll get a feel of what the fans are like by joining their Discord. I do know that some patreons have a "hang out" tier so if that's the case, your work is cut out for you.

    If what Jason suggested doesn't work,I don't think there's a one-size-fits-all answer.

    Gaming isn't one subculture. It's more like hundreds of subcultures. Each of them has a canon and often their own slang. I think if you want to grok the subculture in the shortest amount of time, it's best to check who you want to reach then go backward from there.

    The good news though is that those subcultures tend to be really small worlds that are more or less self-contained.

    For example, one possible angle of attack might be anime conventions.

    The crew who organizes them in my hometown is very small (There a small army of volonteer, but I think only about a dozen core organizers.) and led by hardcore fans that aren't hard to get ahold of.These conventions do have some weight, as they easily get 20k + attendees.I think becoming a corporate sponsor or volonteering for some US convention would give a say as to which industry guests to invite and that might be an "in". I know someone who was gaga over a particular singer, and he did this to get a private interview with her.

    It might be a good fit if you're looking for Japanese youtubers.
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    • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
      Originally Posted by socialentry View Post

      As a first step. Jason's probably the best suggestion. You'll get a feel of what the fans are like by joining their Discord. I do know that some patreons have a "hang out" tier so if that's the case, your work is cut out for you.

      If what Jason suggested doesn't work,I don't think there's a one-size-fits-all answer.

      Gaming isn't one subculture. It's more like hundreds of subcultures. Each of them has a canon and often their own slang. I think if you want to grok the subculture in the shortest amount of time, it's best to check who you want to reach then go backward from there.

      The good news though is that those subcultures tend to be really small worlds that are more or less self-contained.

      For example, one possible angle of attack might be anime conventions.

      The crew who organizes them in my hometown is a very small (There a small army of volonteer, but I think only about a dozen core organizers.) and led by hardcore fans that aren't hard to get ahold of.These conventions do have some weight, as they easily get 20k + attendees.I think becoming a corporate sponsor or volonteering for some US convention would give a say as to which industry guests to invite and that might be an "in". I know someone who was gaga over a particular singer, and he did this to get a private interview with her.

      It might be a good fit if you're looking for Japanese youtubers.
      Yup, and they resent people slamming into their world. Take some time--it needn't be long, and supporting via Patreon while participating with their Q&As is a much less expensive way than trying to lump sum pay your way into their attention.

      Of course, nobody wants to hear "it'll take a little time" and "there's no magic bullet". But this is something that's hard to rush--they're protective of their space and their brand. I've rode along with many gaming channels as they went from under 100K, to 200K, to 500K, to 1M+ subscribers over just a couple of years. There's a definite process to it. People can talk all they like (and I never understand what the hell Princess is talking about, I admit it) about outliers like the Kardashians but frankly when have any of you ever been in touch with them or their representatives? Get real. Talk is cheap.

      I've actually connected with and built long term relationships with influencers in my industry and in gaming. And I feel my post here got blown off because I didn't talk about some BS big game none of you have a chance of getting on the radar screens of without real outside partnership assistance, which is frustrating. So Thank You, socialentry, for your comments.

      Take TheRadBrad. I knew him when his channel was little ;-) Now his channel is huge. He's a regular guy from Atlanta. Steam was using his endorsement to sell games awhile back.

      Angry Centaur Gaming (ACG). Another guy, this one from Oregon, who has struggled and fought and bit his way to success with a great rating system and an articulate, funny style. I'm connected with him personally on FB and occasionally he comments on my stuff. Has grown his channel to over 700K subscribers and apparently doesn't sleep because he produces more content than I do. I've gifted him money by Paypal plenty of times.

      Jim Sterling. Argumentative. Hate to have him as an enemy. One of the biggest stand-up-against-the-man speechmakers ever. Amateur UK masked bodyslamming wrestler. Can't stand him more than about once a month, but god is he insightful. Will blast you away with his oratory. Coming up to 1M subs.

      Sub Brief -- formerly Jive Turkey (actually changed his channel name, WTF! For a reason we'll see in a second). Small time, 60K subscribers, but boy do they trust him. Former submariner in real life. Played the hell out of Cold Waters for two years. Moved, physically out of Florida and mentally to doing submarine vessel briefings because guess what: that's what pays. Doesn't play the games anymore. Talk about a choice to qualify your viewers--and disappoint many including me!

      I work all the time and do not have much left over to follow influencers, but these are just a handful of the gamer/influencers I personally have some connection with. It did not take crazy effort or extra long periods of time, but I know a bit about these guys. I give a damn about their lives.

      The hit and run business perspective does not work well with these people. Their dander will get up, their hackles raised, and they will not trust you if you fly directly at them. So people can blab all they like about big dogs, but that's all they're doing...talking.
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      > SALES ON FIRE: 8-year-proven founder sales & mindset training program
      ** Thru 12/31 get 33% OFF with code "WARRIOR" at checkout!
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      • Profile picture of the author kenmichaels
        Originally Posted by Jason Kanigan View Post

        Yup, and they resent people slamming into their world. Take some time--it needn't be long, and supporting via Patreon while participating with their Q&As is a much less expensive way than trying to lump sum pay your way into their attention.

        Of course, nobody wants to hear "it'll take a little time" and "there's no magic bullet". But this is something that's hard to rush--they're protective of their space and their brand. I've rode along with many gaming channels as they went from under 100K, to 200K, to 500K, to 1M+ subscribers over just a couple of years. There's a definite process to it. People can talk all they like (and I never understand what the hell Princess is talking about, I admit it) about outliers like the Kardashians but frankly when have any of you ever been in touch with them or their representatives? Get real. Talk is cheap.

        I've actually connected with and built long term relationships with influencers in my industry and in gaming. And I feel my post here got blown off because I didn't talk about some BS big game none of you have a chance of getting on the radar screens of without real outside partnership assistance, which is frustrating. So Thank You, socialentry, for your comments.

        Take TheRadBrad. I knew him when his channel was little ;-) Now his channel is huge. He's a regular guy from Atlanta. Steam was using his endorsement to sell games awhile back.

        Angry Centaur Gaming (ACG). Another guy, this one from Oregon, who has struggled and fought and bit his way to success with a great rating system and an articulate, funny style. I'm connected with him personally on FB and occasionally he comments on my stuff. Has grown his channel to over 700K subscribers and apparently doesn't sleep because he produces more content than I do. I've gifted him money by Paypal plenty of times.

        Jim Sterling. Argumentative. Hate to have him as an enemy. One of the biggest stand-up-against-the-man speechmakers ever. Amateur UK masked bodyslamming wrestler. Can't stand him more than about once a month, but god is he insightful. Will blast you away with his oratory. Coming up to 1M subs.

        Sub Brief -- formerly Jive Turkey (actually changed his channel name, WTF! For a reason we'll see in a second). Small time, 60K subscribers, but boy do they trust him. Former submariner in real life. Played the hell out of Cold Waters for two years. Moved, physically out of Florida and mentally to doing submarine vessel briefings because guess what: that's what pays. Doesn't play the games anymore. Talk about a choice to qualify your viewers--and disappoint many including me!

        I work all the time and do not have much left over to follow influencers, but these are just a handful of the gamer/influencers I personally have some connection with. It did not take crazy effort or extra long periods of time, but I know a bit about these guys. I give a damn about their lives.

        The hit and run business perspective does not work well with these people. Their dander will get up, their hackles raised, and they will not trust you if you fly directly at them. So people can blab all they like about big dogs, but that's all they're doing...talking.
        I didn't blow you, off I'm formulating real questions and thoughts. The same goes for this post and social's. I have a company with unlimited funds who asked me if I can do something, and I and my huge f-n ego spoke my standard line and said, "Of course, I can, and If for some reason I can't, I will figure out who can and make it happen."

        Tada! And now I'm reconning a way to pull my foot out of my mouth.
        Because I found out fairly quickly that people don't care about the money unless they know who you are...At least that's what it seems like so far to me.

        So my next great idea was - I'll just start reaching out to wannabees and almost there's and learn the hard way.

        Then I remembered the power of the Warrior Forum and posted - without much clarity. I appreciate everyone's time.
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