Join Joss Fong, a former Vox journalist and co-founder of the YouTube channel 'Howtown', and Adam Cole, another Vox alum, as they share their journey of launching their new channel. They discuss the creative challenges of independent journalism, balancing storytelling and viewer engagement, and the evolution of their content strategies. Discover how diverse art forms inspire their work and the power of collaboration in overcoming obstacles in a competitive digital landscape.
Creating original content that captivates and demands curiosity is essential for standing out in a saturated media landscape.
Building a supportive community and fostering collaborations is crucial for independent creators to navigate challenges and enhance their creative output.
Deep dives
The Importance of Unique Content
Creating original content that stands out is essential for capturing audience attention. The guests emphasize that a successful project must be a spectacle, not just another addition to existing offerings in the media landscape. It is crucial to produce something that demands interest and curiosity to break through the noise of conventional content. By focusing on unique propositions, creators can better engage audiences and foster a strong connection.
The Journey of How Town
How Town serves as a YouTube channel that delves into the evidence behind commonly held beliefs and claims in the news. The creators aim to explore the methodologies of how information is verified, rather than simply presenting facts. Despite their extensive backgrounds in established media outlets, they felt compelled to strike out independently and share deeper explorations of knowledge. Their journey has involved navigating the challenges of launching in a crowded digital landscape while seeking to carve out their niche.
Challenges of Short-Form Content
The creators express reservations about the effectiveness of short-form videos in conveying nuanced topics, given the time constraints imposed by platforms like YouTube. Shorts may provide rapid audience growth, but they limit the depth of storytelling and complexity that comes with longer videos. Despite the advantages of immediacy and engagement, the creators suggest that the true essence of their mission lies in comprehensive explanations. They recognize the need for balancing short, attention-grabbing content with more detailed explorations that foster understanding.
The Role of Community and Collaboration
Collaboration and community support are vital components of their creative process and success. The creators highlight how partnerships have provided both emotional and practical support during their journey. They stress the importance of developing a network of peers, which can help mitigate the potential pitfalls of working solo in the demanding field of independent media. Ultimately, building a supportive community not only enhances their creative output but also strengthens their resolve in facing the challenges of their new venture.
In this episode of Rough Cut, we dive into the story of Joss Fong and Adam Cole, two journalists and former Vox production desk partners. After working together for years, they embarked on the exciting journey of jumpstarting their own YouTube channel, “Howtown,” where they explore the question: How do we know what we know?
Join us as their former colleague, Vox Video co-founder, and long-time VC member Joe Posner checks in with Joss and Adam just four months after their launch. They’ll share their journey, from figuring out how to get discovered with a new channel, building a loyal audience, and the art of finding a niche the video world (and whole world) is missing.
Credits Host Joe Posner Guests Joss Fong and Adam Cole Executive Produced by Sky Dylan-Robbins and Kat Vecchio Produced by Monica Gokey Music by Zack Wright
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