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.
Navigating algorithms intelligently is crucial for content creators to grow their audience without alienating core fans.
Transitioning from employees at BuzzFeed to their own independent company allowed The Try Guys to pursue their brand's full potential.
Deep dives
The Try Guys: From YouTube Show to Independent Content Creators
The podcast episode features an interview with Zach Cornfeld, one of the members of the YouTube group, The Try Guys. They started as a show where they tried unfamiliar things and became a successful YouTube company. The Try Guys focus on creating comedic content that combines their amateur experiences with expert guidance. The group has found success on YouTube, with millions of subscribers, and has diversified their content to include comedy cooking shows and other series. They discuss the challenges of being a YouTuber, the evolving landscape of digital media, and the possibility of expanding their brand and audience in the future.
The Impact of Algorithmic Changes on Creators
The Try Guys discuss the impact of algorithmic changes on YouTube and TikTok and how it affects content creators. They explain that creators must navigate the algorithms intelligently to grow their audience, but not at the expense of alienating their core fans. They talk about the challenges of adapting to changing platforms and trends, such as the shift to short-form content on TikTok, and the constant need to capture and maintain audience attention. The Try Guys also discuss the constant struggle of the YouTube algorithm and how it can negatively affect creators' viewership and monetization.
Transition from BuzzFeed to Independent Content Creation
The podcast episode delves into The Try Guys' transition from being employees at BuzzFeed to creating their own independent company. They talk about their creative journey at BuzzFeed, the explosion of their channel, and the decision to leave in order to pursue their brand to its fullest potential. The Try Guys discuss the challenges of starting their own media company from scratch and the importance of connecting with their audience directly. They reflect on the legal discussions with BuzzFeed and how they were able to retain ownership of their intellectual property.
Challenges and Growth Opportunities for Content Creators
The episode explores the challenges faced by content creators, including the ever-changing landscape of digital media and the constant need to adapt and innovate. The Try Guys discuss their desire to create artful content and the importance of fulfilling their audience's needs while staying true to their brand. They also touch on the implications of controversies and scandals in the world of social media, the impact on audience dynamics, and the long-term sustainability of their careers as content creators.
Born at BuzzFeed in 2014, The Try Guys make online videos where they try all sorts of things: earwax extractions, baking pie without a recipe, getting kidnapped, the usual. Since then, they’ve become their own independent media company, wrote a bestselling book, hosted a Food Network show — and broke up with one of their founding members in a public cheating scandal that was even parodied on Saturday Night Live. Vox’s Peter Kafka talks to one of the titular guys, Zach Kornfeld (@korndiddy), about what being a Try Guy is like almost a decade in, whether it’s time to try new Try Guys, and their recent live “Choose Your Own Shakespeare” Romeo and Juliet performance.
Host: Peter Kafka (@pkafka), Senior Editor at Recode
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