Channels with Peter Kafka How The Try Guys survived going viral
Aug 24, 2023
Zach Kornfeld, one of the founding members of The Try Guys, talks about the origins and growth of the Try Guys, their branding and approach, expanding the brand with new talent, transitioning from YouTube to traditional media, the impact of the writer strike and rise of TikTok on content creation, and navigating sustainability and engaging with the audience.
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Comedy Through Earnest Learning
- The Try Guys blend earnest learning with heightened physical comedy to create contrast-driven videos.
- Zach says that mix of expert instruction and their amateur exploits creates both education and comedy for viewers.
Leaving BuzzFeed To Own Their IP
- The Try Guys left BuzzFeed after four years because they wanted creative control and to exploit the brand's full potential.
- Zach recounts buying their IP from BuzzFeed and immediately pursuing tours, a book, and an independent channel.
Hire Traditional Producers To Scale
- Build a team that fills gaps left by a corporate structure and raises production quality.
- Zach advises hiring producers from traditional TV to craft 3-act storytelling and better-edited long-form videos.