Andrew: “This is pretty awesome ...Thoughts?”
Aaron: “ Haha, thoughts? DANG!”
Andrew: “Right!?”
[Pause effect]
VidCon is pretty awesome. You can see how excited I was to go to my first VidCon in
2016. You might wonder. “Should I go to VidCon? Is it worth it?” I know that when
I was stuck in my small town, I always wondered that. When I first went to VidCon, I was 21,
starting a new career with TubeBuddy, and had no Idea what to expect. I’m lucky enough
through TubeBuddy, that I’ve gotten to go to VidCon US every year for the last four
years. After going for so many years...I …. I… For you to best I understand I think it’s
best to start at the beginning of this year here.
[Fast forward the past three years.]
First was getting to the event with my Girlfriend Tiffany, and friend Roberto Blake.
We had a live stream for TubeBuddy on pre-registration day, so getting that setup was important.
Then we went to register, and…. They had us going everywhere, I’ve made videos in
getting your badge in the past. It’s suppose to be a fun time for you to build hype, and
have fun. However, on VidCon’s Tenth year it was confusing.
Once we did FINALLY get to the badge area the new bag policy was displayed on signs.
This was a point of contention. In years passed we had laxer rules and I felt just as safe.
However things change, and you can change with them or be left behind. Speaking of changes,
TubeBuddy now has a booth on the creator level, compared to four of us walking around the
floor, four years ago. We now have a diverse team, and more and more TubeBuddy users! We
want to make those users happy, and we do that in one way with our streams.
Our group stream went well, a few mistakes were made, but overall I was happy with the
final live stream. It was great to sit down with my friends. Friends are one of the best
parts about VidCon, and most everyone you see here in this video, I met for the first
time in person at or because of VidCon. If you are going to do anything at VidCon Take
the time to make friends, because the person standing next go you, might be the person
you needed to meet at the event. That said, Tiffany Von Gravely, we missed you! She was
the first person I met at VidCon that wasn’t Aaron, and is a great friend.
Another opportunity at VidCon is you can meet brands. I met the people at Joby my first
VidCon, and have developed that relationship ever since. Last year they gave me an upgraded
3K kit, because I had a product of theirs from generation 1, and it was really used.
This year they gave me the 3K pro kit. Joby, thank you again for the free product. Just
to note not sponsored by Joby. However, I am very appreciative of the free product.
The first official day of VidCon was super busy, we did our livestream with Roberto.
We got a lot done, but I barely had time to film. I made a challenge to myself this year,
I was going to release a VLOG everyday this year. [Play Clip] If you look at my channel,
that didn’t happen. What did happen, was that I got to see my Boss’s Tesla. Something
that was awesome to see, and a measure of TubeBuddy’s Success.
Success is something I struggle with. I earned my success by pushing as hard as I can go,
but that’s not healthy for you. Vidcon is a lot like YouTube in that it’s a marathon,
not a sprint, and truthfully you want to avoid what I did, overstress and overwork yourself.
I think part of the reason I work so hard I’m afraid of what happens if I don’t.
At the party we had I finally clicked what was feeling off at VidCon.
I started resenting VidCon, all the changes, some rude people, a lack of clarity, and I
was very busy working that I became angry. Why wasn’t VidCon What it use to be? Why
am I not enjoying myself? Why am I not happy? Do I belong here? Truthfully, it was because
I didn’t let it be all of those things. It was the same event, but I’m not the same
21 year old I was when I first came to VidCon. You can Jade yourself with bias and expectation.
I should have taken the advice of the Lion King House TubeBuddy got. “Hakuna Mata”
- It means no worries ya know.
However, realistically some of the best things in my life happened to me at VidCon. I got
to meet You. This is my GF Tiffany, and I met her while working at VidCon. She might
be the best person in my life right now. I got to meet my friend Aaron in person at the
first VidCon, and he has stayed by my side for every VidCon. My friend and newer coworker
Ike, who I am thankful to work with everyday. The entire TubeBuddy Stream Team. Brian G.
Johnson, Daniel Batal, Dee and Nick Nimmin, Roberto Blake and our amazing help Eric and
Joshua.
Friends are made meeting on the floor, talking and getting to see the event and discuss our
mutual passion. Online content creation! The person I had to meet this year, was Preston
McNair. Someone who helped me get YT certified, help me keep my skills fresh, and has been
a great supporter. It was on Day 3 I was starting to remember why I love VidCon.
VidCon is the place that reminded me that this video thing, it’s all possible. That
when I found YouTube in the sixth grade, it would lead to something. Since I was a kid,
I loved telling stories, so when you ask? Is going to VidCon worth it? My answer is
yes, but it’s only as worth it as you make it. The talks from the panels, they’re fine.
The people you meet, the friends you make, the laughs you share. That’s what’s always
going to be the best part, and to have a place like VidCon, where you can go back every year
that’s worth it. I’m 25 now, and I’m dropping this film on my 25th birthday 7/27.
All I ask from you, is share this with someone who has, or wants to go to vidcon if you do
go to any VidCon. Have fun, make it count, and remember it’s only as good as an event
as you let it. Thanks TubeBuddy for taking me again. I’m Andrew Kan, and if I Kan you
kan too!