Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandon Duana.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I started creating YouTube videos in my sophomore year of college (2015).
At first, I started because I wanted to just capture my everyday life. Of course, back then vlogging wasn’t as common as it is now. Walking around with a camera on campus, classes, and around my friends was nerve-racking. Even my girlfriend at the time found it awkward, but I kept going.
I remember no one would watch my videos for a while, finally after two years of uploading and improving my craft. I found that video that got me the views I needed. One video was all it took for people to start noticing my other work. I almost gave up along the way, but I’m glad I didn’t.
Now I still make YouTube videos, but it also has given me opportunities to work with clients I never would’ve worked with. Creating YouTube videos has given me an outlet to promote my businesses, and now my friends understand why I carry around a camera. I’m glad I trusted in my own vision.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Nope, it wasn’t a smooth road at all. As mention previously, I had to over the getting comfortable with a camera always recording in public. I almost gave up because people weren’t watching my videos. I always question myself if it was worth putting in all the time and effort. Making videos takes a whole day of filming and hours of editing just so you can view 8-10 minutes of it.
It was draining me mentally and physically, so I almost gave up.
Now I’m about to hit 1 Million channel views. I definitely never saw this happening when facing my obstacles.
DudeBrd – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Well, I have many businesses, but the one I want to focus on is my YouTube channel.
Without it I wouldn’t be in the position that I am now. My content is not a specific genre, when people subscribe to me there are subscribing to a creator. Someone who likes to create content for them, not just a specific genre like other YouTube channels.
It has been a little hard since I don’t have a specific genre my engagement is a hit or miss. Some videos do better than others. I know if I were to just focus on the videos that do well, it would give me a lot more growth.
But then it wouldn’t be fun, it would be a job that I wouldn’t be happy about. Four years later, I still enjoy the process of making videos and I wouldn’t want to trade it for anything.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
My proudest moments have always been when a subscriber or viewer comes up to me or sends me a Direct message. Telling me that I make them want to start their own channel or that they enjoy watching my videos.
There is no greater feeling knowing that I can inspire someone else to start their own channel.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.youtube.com/dudebrd
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dudebrd/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/dudebrd
Image Credit:
Alison Mak
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