CEO of AFTV: They Hated That I Made Money! How A Surveyor Built A Multi-Million Dollar Sports Empire
Apr 8, 2024
auto_awesome
Robbie Lyle, CEO of AFTV, shares his journey from a 9-5 job to building a multimillion-dollar sports empire. He talks about the truth behind the music industry, running a nightclub, dealing with media backlash, and the importance of faith and hard work in achieving success.
Success came from releasing same-day content for immediate fan reactions, setting the channel apart.
Jealousy at work arose over assumptions about making money from passion projects like AFTV.
Facing media backlash, standing firm against detractors, and continuing creative work are vital.
Navigating personal loss and stressful encounters with faith and perseverance are crucial for success.
Deep dives
Realization of the Growing Fan Base
The channel initially started with modest views, gradually building up to a consistent but relatively small audience. However, a significant turning point occurred when viral videos, like Chris Hudson's emotional fan commentary, garnered millions of views, trending at number one on YouTube. This unexpected explosion in viewership signified a shift from hundreds to millions of views, marking a new level of success and visibility for the channel.
Unique Approach and Content Creation
Before the viral breakthrough, the channel's approach involved consistent content creation garnering good views, particularly the popular transfer shows during the summer period. What set the channel apart was its distinctive practice of releasing same-day content, capturing raw and immediate fan reactions and emotions after games, a strategy that differed from the delayed or generic fan interviews seen elsewhere. This uniqueness contributed to the channel's appeal and eventual success.
Maintaining a Challenging Balance with Work
During this period of rapid growth and expanding viewership, Robbie was still juggling his work responsibilities alongside the burgeoning demands of the channel. Co-workers began noticing his videos, leading to discussions about his creative endeavors, including moments like interviewing fans outside of rival team stadiums. Despite the channel's rising popularity, Robbie remained dedicated to both his job and the growing success of the content platform.
Behind-the-Scenes Transition to Wider Recognition
The sudden fame and recognition brought by the viral videos transitioned Robbie from a realm of dedicated yet limited viewership to a newfound stage of wider public recognition. Conversations with colleagues about his unique content creation outside of work showcased the beginning of a shift towards a more prominent public presence and a distinct separation between the quiet office job and the burgeoning media sensation he was becoming.
Facing Work-Life Challenges and Jealousy in the Workplace
The podcast episode delves into the challenges faced while managing a full-time job alongside a passion project. The speaker narrates instances where jealousy arose in the workplace due to assumptions about making money from the passion project. There is a vivid account of balancing work demands, like going to a game during the week and heading to work with minimal sleep, showcasing the juggling act between work commitments and personal aspirations.
Navigating Public Criticism and Media Backlash
The episode discusses facing public criticism and media backlash while achieving success. A notable incident includes the aftermath of an interview segment where media figures made derogatory remarks about the passion project, leading to a clash of perspectives. Responding firmly to detractors and standing by one's creative work despite opposition are highlighted as essential to weathering such challenges.
Overcoming Personal Loss and Maintaining Faith in Adversity
The emotional impact of personal loss is intertwined with managing adversity while pursuing creative ventures. The speaker shares a poignant moment where dealing with a family tragedy coincided with a stressful encounter at a public event. Displaying restraint and faith during highly charged situations, coupled with honoring familial values through perseverance, emerge as crucial themes in navigating difficult circumstances.
Help us with the brand survey here: https://rebrand.ly/CalumSurvey
Check out Your First Million Live: https://rebrand.ly/YFLCJ
Follow Us!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calumjohnson1/?hl=en
Twitter: https://twitter.com/calum_johnson9
Guest: https://www.instagram.com/robbielyleofficial?igsh=MXUwdTF2NnRjM2UyYg==
Watch more about how to take control of your life | Dontez Akram https://youtu.be/SVxlIC6cTzQ
Timestamps
00:00 Intro
2:13: How Robbie’s parents set him up for success
13:20: How he scaled through the pitfalls of the music industry.
28:35 The Untold Truths about the music industry.
36:29 Robbie’s story of running a nightclub.
52:32 Why you MUST be different to win
1:00:20 I was living a double life (How Robbie built AFTV while working a 9-5)
1:08:12 When should you quit your day job to focus on your business?
1:13:19 Robbie’s confrontation with Gary Neville
1:14:55 The Media backlash
1:24:54 Don’t let the hate get to you.
1:31:47 The toughest moment in building AFTV
1:36:06 FAITH is the only way to make it through
1:39:43 You must suppress your emotions and do the work.
About the video
Robbie grew up in a poor background with his parents and 3 brothers who loved football. Fast forward to now, Robbie owns AFTV and DR sports, two media brands that have over nearly 2M subscribers, over 3.5B views on YouTube and are multi-million dollar businesses. In this episode, Robbie reveals the TRUTH about building AFTV in a way that he has never done before
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
