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Showroom ‘Creator Pop-up’ proves that influencers can go full-time
The last time we spoke to Chris Hall he was on the brink of premiering Showroom, an affordable online marketplace for premium fashion and merchandise for large social media influencers.
Fast-forward to a couple of months later, Hall and I found ourselves at Showroom’s first ‘Creator Pop-up’ at 393NYC.
The event was different as it provided a platform for social media influencers to connect with their fans over affordable high-end merchandise and apparel.
The influential content creators and artists in attendance, were Sara Dietschy, Timmy “Sloth” Ham, Jacklyn, Dotan Negrin, and Cody Jensen. All four have never done a physical pop-up before although their combined reach stands at over one million fans.
The pop-up made so much sense. Plus, the combination of dope merch and curious fans made for an entertaining event. All in all, Showroom’s pop-up was curated to bring designer-quality apparel and professional-level physical retail to an industry focused on greed.
It accomplished its job of putting the creators and fans at the forefront instead of profit like an ordinary out-of-date disconnected corporate operation.
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Our first popup last week with @saradietschy @iamsloth @nbt88yt and more.
Attendees were able to flip through high-end articles of clothing that were designed on Showroom. You could see the surprise on their faces. This was quality apparel that was soft to the touch, featured woven labels, and presented an original design.
“There’s something special about a physical interaction, the ability to see and touch the clothes, and actually see these people who you see online…,” said Hall.
If guests didn’t leave with any purchased merch they left with knowledge…
Besides fans chatting with their favorite social media influencers they were able to listen in on a panel that featured the five content specialists who spoke on making creativity their full-time job going into 2019.
Timmy Ham who goes by his artist name “Sloth” spoke on finding a niche. He focuses on finding what his audience likes to see in his art and for him it’s a “constant evolution of creating.” Now, having garnered almost a quarter-million worth of followers, he feels as if he has his brand down to a science. Sloth said,
“For me, it’s taken years to continue to sift thru if people kinda like it, kinda didn’t like it, and how can I evolve it. It’s just been this constant evolution of creating to where now I feel like I have it down to science.”
Something influencer Sara Dietschy focuses on is searchable content that caters to her and her audience. She described it as “one for me and one for them.” To the YouTuber and podcaster who has claimed close to a half a million subscribers, it’s important to generate searchable content that will get you your audience while still doing those videos that are special to you.
She spoke on what has kept her making interesting and personal content. She said,
“It gets discouraging when you are only catering to other people and that’s not fun. So, one for me and one for them…”
When it comes to working with brands vlogger Cody Jensen focuses on those that truly care about the creators. He believes in selective branding and finds it’s key to working with companies that ask him, “how can we help you do what you’re trying to do?”
It’s interactions like those, between creatives and corps, that get him excited to curate the content that he posts on social media daily and what landed his partnership with B&H photo.
“I only try to work with brands that I actually use in my day-to0day life that way I can truly be passionate about it and work with people who truly care about the creators…”
Dietschy added,
“Don’t get discouraged if you don’t have the numbers because if you have some connection with the company or you can help someone in any way you can come up with campaigns with them and offer your value. Brands will pay you for your dope content, run an ad spin, and get you followers from that. It becomes a win-win situation.”
In regards to young creators, there was an 11-year-old girl in the audience wearing Dietschy’s “creative life” hat who asked the panel for advice and 16-year-old tech YouTuber, Jacklyn couldn’t help but respond. To date, her YouTube channel NothingButTech88 has attracted close to 100k subscribers.
Imagine having 100,000 people following you at that age. She spoke on how she started her channel at 13 and how she made space for creating content while balancing a teenage social life. Jacklyn said,
“You need to have good time management skills and you need to be able to make sacrifices, but at the same time don’t kill yourself. Don’t push yourself to a point where you hate making the content. I work like 40 hours a week but I do it because I love to do it. I don’t do it because there is an expectation there…”
It’s possible to make a career out of your passion.
Simply, connect with your fans by making dope content and producing something that is tangible. These five influencers have done just that and with Showroom, as a weapon, their brands are sure to take off to the next level.
Don’t be afraid of the big brands, sell out, or get lazy. Continue to work on your brand and get your work out there eventually it will pay off.
Keep on hustling young bloods.