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7,000 YouTubers Attended VidCon This Year, Up From 1,500 In 2011, Five Reasons YouTubers Are Popular Than Web Series Creators

Disclaimer: YouTube now sponsors VidCon, but VidCon was successful in its own right before YouTube came on board! And I believe that with or without YouTube, VidCon would be a huge success, nonetheless.

This year, VidCon, the annual conference of YouTubers hosted 7,000 online video producers and fans, up from 1,500 in 2011. The Los Angeles Web Series Festival (LAWEBFEST) this year hosted 400 people at its closing ceremony, an amazing accomplishment, considering that LAWEBFEST is independent with no corporate sponsorships.

The potential to one day take web series conferences to VidCon levels is clearly there, but why are they more popular than us?

Here are five seasons from my observations over the years and some cool tips.

1. The YouTuber focuses on connecting with their audience and other YouTubers. The web series creator focuses on promoting to their audience and other creators. Tip: Connect with the audience you currently have through genuine conversations and build out from there, promoting every time you log on the Internet is the fastest way to lose your audience and gain none.

2. The YouTuber collaborates with other YouTubers whose work they respect and admire. The web series creator is so attached to their series that collaborating seems far-fetched. Tip: Do collaborations because you genuinely respect and admire each other's work, not because of views. Pursue honest creative and business collaborations, not views.

3. The YouTuber releases content consistently. The web series creator releases content when its available. Tip: A consistent audience requires consistent content. Think about it.

4. The YouTuber invest in themselves by attending conferences like VidCon to meet other YouTubers. The web series creator attends conferences if their series is screening or they're getting an award. Tip: Invest in yourself and leave your comfort zone. Get off the computer and into the real world.

5. The YouTuber is a person making YouTube videos and resonates. The web series is a "filmmaker" and almost always doesn't resonate. Tip: People resonate with people, not titles. Instead of a "filmmaker, be a person making web series and you'll resonate with an audience/other web series creators.

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Comment by Rich Mbariket on July 18, 2012 at 12:58pm: Maybe it's too much information. :)

Comment by Arik Schenkler on July 18, 2012 at 12:53pm: The horror show – meet Rich face to face.

And…..

He also ate beans……

Arik

http://www.AriksWorld.com

to laugh a lot

I am just kidding.

Comment by Rich Mbariket on July 18, 2012 at 12:39pm: Chad: you don't have to have to come to la or attend events to make an impact. Let your work do the talking and help others as best you can.

Comment by Rich Mbariket on July 18, 2012 at 12:37pm: By "actors" I actually meant web series creators with a chip on their shoulder. Those who think they know it all and have it all figured out!

Comment by Chad Media on July 18, 2012 at 12:35pm: As for Spielberg, not the least bit surprised, that's why he's a legend that is so well regarded even when he bombs.

Comment by Chad Media on July 18, 2012 at 12:34pm: The funny thing is I experienced it from CREATORS and in some cases producers but oddly enough not all that much from actors. (Didn't meet all that many full time actors when I was out there to be honest.) Needless to say I have no plans of returning to LA because clearly I wasn't welcome then in the web community there and won't be now.

Comment by Rich Mbariket on July 18, 2012 at 12:29pm: An aside: I was privilege to be in the same room with Spielberg when I worked at dreamworks. That man would open the door for you and step aside for you to pass. I learned humility from him. These "actors" in la never cease to amaze me! :)

Comment by Rich Mbariket on July 18, 2012 at 12:26pm: Wow! Well I'm not like that. I came from nothing and made it. Put myself through college while eating red beans and rice. I treat everyone with respect because that's what I want. Don't understand how ppl are the way they are in la, and the ones with a chip on their shoulder are usually the ones who have nothing. So you're good, just keep doing you. :)

Comment by Chad Media on July 18, 2012 at 12:22pm: Rich: I hear what your saying but in my past experiences in LA, most wouldn't even shake my hand so needless to say I have to look to the rest of the world if the crowd out there is so arrogant and mean spirited.

Comment by Rich Mbariket on July 18, 2012 at 11:58am: Model: sure social is 100% web based and that's fine, but face to face leads to more long term relationship. Theres something about looking into someone's eyes and shaking their hand. All the meaningful contacts I've secured over the years started on WSN, but have been cemented via face to face meetings. Honestly some folks just don't know how to work the Internet. :)