Kurtis Conner, a successful comedian and YouTube creator, discusses his growth on YouTube, the evolution of content creation, the impact of editing and algorithms, and his experiences of becoming famous on Vine while working at Starbucks. They also talk about money's influence on their ambitions, meeting Justin Timberlake, the financial aspects of touring as a YouTuber, and the struggles and challenges of fame and fan interactions.
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Quick takeaways
Curtis Conner's transition from Vine to YouTube allowed him to experiment with comedy styles and develop his comedic style.
Curtis emphasizes the importance of audience support and the camaraderie among creators in the YouTube community.
Vine played a significant role in Curtis Conner's career, providing creative freedom, confidence in stand-up comedy, and lifelong friendships.
Balancing creative work with other responsibilities is a challenge for Curtis, highlighting the need for setting boundaries and self-care.
Exploring new video formats and concepts in the commentary genre allows creators like Kurtis Conner to connect with their audience and go beyond typical commentary.
Deep dives
Career transition from Vine to YouTube
Curtis Conner discusses his transition from creating content on Vine to building a successful career on YouTube. He highlights the ease of creating short videos on Vine and how it allowed him to experiment and develop his comedy style. After Vine shut down, Curtis turned to YouTube and found success by focusing on commentary videos. He talks about the challenges of transitioning, the pressure to create consistent content, and the importance of scripting his videos to maintain his comedic style.
Finding success on YouTube
Curtis Conner shares his journey of growth on YouTube and the economics of being a creator. He talks about the importance of audience support and how they can translate from online engagement to physical support, such as attending live shows. Curtis discusses the sense of camaraderie among creators and the mutual support and inspiration they provide. He reflects on the scalability of his channel and the financial opportunities that come with increasing viewership.
The impact of Vine on Curtis's career
Curtis Conner discusses the role Vine played in his career as a comedian. He talks about the creative freedom and simplicity of making short comedy videos on Vine and how it provided a platform to experiment with different joke formats. Curtis mentions how his experience on Vine allowed him to develop his comedic style and gain confidence in performing stand-up. He reflects on the supportive Vine community and the lifelong friendships he formed through the platform.
Balancing creative work and other responsibilities
Curtis Conner talks about the challenges of balancing his creative work with other responsibilities, such as having a full-time job and managing personal relationships. He discusses the impact of overworking and the importance of setting boundaries. Curtis reflects on the need to find a balance between creating content and taking care of his own mental and emotional well-being. He also acknowledges the pressure to create more content for financial growth while being mindful of not overwhelming his audience.
Engaging with TikTok and the Influence of Slang Terms
The podcast episode discusses the speaker's experience with viral TikTok songs and the use of slang terms. They highlight how they were familiar with the niche TikTok slang and explore the impact of social media in spreading new words and phrases. The speaker reflects on the generational gap and humorously shares their perspective on understanding and using these slang terms. They emphasize the ever-evolving nature of language and how social platforms like TikTok contribute to the expansion of vocabulary.
The Journey from Making YouTube Videos to Becoming a Full-Time Creator
The podcast delves into the speaker's personal journey from making YouTube videos to becoming a full-time creator. They discuss the shift from traditional employment to pursuing a career in content creation. The speaker shares how discovering the potential earnings from their YouTube ad revenue made them realize that creating videos could be a viable career path. They also highlight the importance of passion and perseverance in pursuing creative endeavors.
The Complex Relationship with Money and the Anxiety of Financial Stability
The podcast explores the speaker's relationship with money and how it has influenced their ambitions as a creator. They reflect on their upbringing, where they had to earn their own money from a young age, and the impact it had on their work ethic. The speaker shares their initial excitement and anxiety when they started making money from YouTube videos, realizing the potential of turning their passion into a source of income. They also discuss the ongoing worries about financial stability and the lingering aftermath of the Vine platform's shutdown.
Evolving Content: Exploring Different Video Formats and Concepts
The podcast episode discusses the evolution of content creation and the exploration of different video formats and concepts, particularly in the commentary genre. It highlights how content creators like Kurtis Conner, Danny Gonzalez, and Drew Gooden have been experimenting with new approaches in their videos, incorporating elements of documentary-style storytelling, interviews, and live experiences. They aim to keep their content fresh and engaging while still maintaining their unique commentary style. This exploration allows creators to connect with their audience on a deeper level and create content that goes beyond simple commentary.
Challenges and Pressure of Being a Creator: Uncertainty and Self-Doubt
The episode also touches on the challenges and pressures that come with being a creator on platforms like YouTube. Kurtis Conner shares his personal experiences of feeling stressed and dealing with self-doubt on a regular basis. He acknowledges the constant uncertainty in the world of content creation, where success and failure can coexist. Despite his gradual and sustained success, he still faces the fear of people not watching or enjoying his videos. This discussion sheds light on the emotional and mental toll that creators often face in their careers.
