The Power of Consistency: How Daily Videos Changed Everything - Layton.

When I'm so far away from home, I can't go back even if I want to at that point. Like there's just no flights back. I really miss home. I think in the economy we're in at the moment, content looks easy. >> Yeah. >> Cuz you're watching people who make it all the time. You're in a country that people would die to be in. I've never been someone who's got a 5 or 10 year plan. I'm always somebody who would put a brick down today. Cuz if I do that, eventually I have a house. I can always renovate it. People are often like, I need a plan. I need all these systems in place. So tell me, what stopped you from doing that? What are you

doing to fix it? >> Probably a bit of self-doubt. >> Yeah. Okay. If you watch any of my content, the thing that you'll hear me say the most is just post, be consistent, and let time do its thing and it'll build. Today's guest, Leighton, has done that, and he's built over 400 days, almost 200,000 something follows. So, tune in and let's see how he did it. Mate, thanks for coming on the podcast. Good to have you here. >> Thank you for having me. Appreciate it. >> No, it's been like a little time coming. Like, I know you've reached out before. before we've talked. We've been I've been watching I've been seeing your stuff going around. Um and then yeah, it was Jono, right? Jonno like

Jono is like, "Mate, dear Later on, like why the hell you even got him on yet?" And I was like, "Oh yeah, sorry." So I said, "M get him on." And it's been cool actually to watch cuz like I don't know when you first I first you reached out to me or the brand account a while back when you're first building this day challenge. It was like real early on in the day challenge. >> Really? Yeah. >> And I was like, "Oh, this is cool. I'm going to see how this plays out and see where it goes." And then like every time I come back it's just like growing exponentially almost. Yes. And it's been massive. So >> I want to start off with like

it's what day 390 or something now. Where you up to now? >> Today is 400. >> There you go. I was close. Day 400. >> Yes. >> So it's day 400. So take me back 400 days. Like why did you start this thing? What happened? Tell me the story. Like get me at the beginning. Give us like a run through and then we'll start to like break down where we're at. Okay. So to break it down, I'd have to go a bit further back than day one. So I moved to New Zealand in 2020 height of COVID. Yeah. And the thing with that is >> when I'm so far away from home, I can't go back even if I want to at that point. Like

there's just no flights back. I really miss home. >> Yeah. >> And I think because of that, I didn't really give New Zealand a fair crack to begin with. >> I was probably feeling a little bit sorry for myself. Didn't really realize where I was. got married, went back on a honeymoon, had a great time. Came back to New Zealand, was kind of the same. >> And then I went back back to the UK, not on the high of being on a honeymoon. >> Yeah. >> Just normal, seeing life as it was. And I realized that everything was kind of the same. >> Yeah. >> Nothing had really changed. I went into the same pubs when I was younger and people were in the same

chairs doing the same [ __ ] and I was just like, "Fuck, nothing's changed." >> Yeah. And I still remember looking out of the plane window, landing in New Zealand, and thinking, >> "You're in New Zealand. >> What the [ __ ] are you doing?" >> Yeah. >> Start to enjoy it. >> Yeah. >> Start [ __ ] like living your life because it's not going to come back. You're in a country that people would die to be in. Everyone wants to be in New Zealand. It's beautiful. It's great. And it took me to do that to come into New Zealand, be like, "It starts now." >> Okay. >> Four months before that, I stopped drinking as well. >> Okay. Awesome. >> And then >> what was that decision? How did

that decision come about? Oh, well, it wasn't like a I was an addict or anything. I just wanted to get the full experience out of myself and what I could do my um >> my full potential. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> So, it was never a >> it was never like a I was drinking every weekend and it was big partying when I was younger. Yes. But then >> it would be just like I don't know the odd blowout, let's say, every month. And it just as you get older it just takes more days out and um >> yeah I think I think that probably inspired it a little bit just having that mental clarity and just like >> I felt pretty good I could probably

do this. >> Yeah. >> So yeah from that and then yeah landing in New Zealand and then I started running as well for the longest time I I didn't run. >> Running gets all of us. Yeah, like just turned 30. Cliche, you know, I'm not break I'm not in reinventing the wheel here, but um >> yeah, so I started running cuz I had really bad knees, but I found out I could do these stretches and I was like, "Fuck, I can run. Sweet. Invest in some running shoes." And then a couple of days after that, I was like, "Okay, I need to like get this business up and running. How could I do that? >> I wonder if I just started posting a video a

day >> just being consistent." That's what I wanted to do. I wanted to get rid of the perfection, be more consistent, >> not really care about what people think as much, >> and just like just really go for it. Just be like, this was a now or never moment. I'm like, I'm 30. And the weird thing was when I was in my 20s, >> and I was drinking. >> Yeah. >> And I was doing all the wrong things. I always said to myself, when I'm 30, it'll change. >> Yeah. >> I didn't really believe that. I just said that so I could carry on. I'll think about that when I'm 30. But then I got to 30. >> Yeah. >> I was like, [ __ ] it

actually happened. My brain just went, "This is it now. You've got to do something." >> Yeah. >> So, quit drinking, started running, looking after myself a bit more, and started this daily challenge. That's how I got to day one. >> Yeah. >> And all it was about was making a video that day. >> Yeah. I love it. It's a great story because um actually a lot of this conversation I wanted to ask you about was discipline and consistency given your story of what I know so far, which is great. >> Um it's also interesting you talk about the 30 thing. I mean, it was about the same for me. I was in I was literally 30 when I gave up drinking as well. And I

think there is a I think there is a real moment in time around that 28 to 32 bracket of where people like I mean there's there's true studies and that your brain fully develops by the time you're about 27 28 and it's fully and you're kind of locked in your personality and stuff by that stage >> and then you kind of go through this maturing process after that and I think it's quite interesting for young creators listening that like >> you almost want to spend that time 20 to 28 playing around like experimenting and doing stuff, enjoying your life, doing the crazy [ __ ] >> So that because you got to hit 30, it be like, "All right, I'm locked in." >> Yes. >> And I'm

going to go for some things, you kind of get into maturity. So it's quite cool hearing that story because I I was really much the same. 2017 was when >> I gave up drinking and I was 30 at the time. >> I was I was 30 something at the time. It wasn't on my birthday, but um I do think there is something in that maturity piece where you start your brain's just like like I want more than this. >> Yeah. Um Okay. So that's cool. So, I love that because you didn't you didn't just start posting every day and being consistent from day one. You actually were like, I'm going to give up drinking. I'm going to start running. I'm going to do these hard

things. >> Mhm. >> That are going to set me up to do another hard thing. >> Yes. >> And that and then I'm guessing as we go forward that started to knock down more and more hard things as we kind of went along because the discipline was there. Okay, cool. Love it. Continue. >> So, got to day one. Yeah. So, I think this is where a lot of people go wrong. They think they need to have this big plan. >> Yeah. >> Where I've got to today, it was not the plan at all. I literally just wanted to be consistent, get rid of the perfection, and just be better at what I did. Yeah. >> And also, my mom and dad were back in England,

and I'm like, it'd be really cool if they could see what I was doing every day. That's all it was. It was real just like get some clips of the day, do a voice over. How most people start. >> Yeah. >> There was no there was no real plan. But once I got to like day 50, >> I was like, "Cool, I can maybe start making some better videos." because my my body and my brain got used to it so much that it would be weird if I didn't make a video that day. >> Yeah. >> If I was just like, I'm not going to film today. My brain would be like, well, come on. We normally do something. >> So, you build that consistency

and from there you can kind of branch out. Then I got to like day 100, 140. And then I realized that my consistency people were more and more people were noticing. >> So, then I could be a what it be like um um what's it called? someone who's an authority in the space because I've done it. I've got all those reps in and people are like, "Oh, maybe this guy could teach me something." Then I started to do more educational stuff. >> Yeah. >> About how to make videos. That started going well. And then once I got so far again, I could make just more complex videos, but I already had the consistency behind me and enough reps in that it didn't feel too overwhelming.

>> Yeah. >> People are often like, "I need a plan. I need all these systems in place." Because they're thinking of like the big house at the end. They're thinking of that end goal. >> Whereas I'm I've never been someone who's got a five or 10 year plan. I'm always somebody who would put a brick down today. >> Yeah. >> Because if I do that, eventually I'll have a house >> and if it's not quite the house I want at the end, I can always renovate it. I can always change some things along the way. Do you know what I mean? >> Yeah. >> So >> that's kind of how it unfolded. And then it got to a point where people were like, "We really

like what you're doing. Are you going to do a course on how to make videos?" And I was like, "Shit, okay." People was never the plan at the beginning. >> Yeah. >> But it grew into that. I Yeah. That's I think that's the the main thing is I just started making a video a day. I wasn't even thinking about day three. I was like I need to do day two. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> Okay. Not day three. And then once you build up the consistency, you'll have those systems in place where you're like, I can make four videos out this one video today. >> Yeah. >> Cuz it started with just a video, but then I can make one piece of content. Like I

actually [ __ ] up quite a few lines there. I could do an out takes. >> All the ones where I get my shots and I walk back to the camera because I'm just filming on my own. That's a piece of content because it's like a behind the scenes into how people make videos and people are interested in that. So all of a sudden you've got multiple videos from one video, but it all started with just a voice over. It just builds up to that. >> That's great. E, I love that. It's um >> I can't like overstate the importance of that process. Um it is like core to our business. It's core to how we grew this business. It's core to how everything >> every successful

client we have is about the same process, too. Like it's not going let's make the perfect campaign for this client. It's like, let's just do some [ __ ] >> and let it figure itself out and like just keep adding to it every single day. >> Um, so I love that and I think that for anyone listening um >> they'll probably hear me hop on about this a lot on different platforms, but to hear it from someone else hopefully like sinks in for some people listening because it's um >> it is the truth like there is only one way to build a house and it's brick by brick. There is no way to just put a house into place, right? Like you've got to build society. So,

as you're doing this and you're going out, you did it initially because you're um you're you're a videographer and you had this as a freelance business that you were working as a freelance videographer. >> How how was that impacted by those first, you know, few hundred days or couple hundred days before you started this transition piece which we'll get into? Like how was the >> how did the work start to flow in there? Did it start to flow in there? Like what was the payoff >> for the longest time? Nothing. >> Yeah. >> I think I made a video on this. It was for my first Tik Tok video to get over 1,000 views. >> It's 243 days. >> Yeah. Wow. >> So for 243

days, I'm just I mean for the first 100 days, I didn't get a video over 65 views. >> Yeah. Wow. >> That was that was the reality. It was a lot of just >> throwing your time and effort into the void >> thinking, what the [ __ ] am I doing? Is this going to work? >> I love this. >> But I'm enjoying it. I'm just like I just keep going. I I'd liken it to say if you like you've got like a well and you look down into the well and you're just chucking let's go back to bricks. You're chucking bricks down there. >> [ __ ] I hope I hope it's stacking up. But then one day you'll just see one brick just land. You're like, "Oh,

[ __ ] It's working. Okay, cool." And then you start putting more. >> Yeah, I love that. >> More bricks down. So, for the longest time, it was nothing. Um I think it was >> six months >> of solid posting. So, like 180 videos before I hit 10K. >> Yeah. >> But before that, I've been I've been making videos on and off for three years. It was 180 videos. So, probably I don't know 250 videos before I got to 10K. That was November. And it's now >> What month are we in? July. June. >> June. Yeah. June. >> June. And now I've just I just hit 120K yesterday. >> Yeah. Nice. >> So once it hits 10K, it's it's kind it's like this. >> Yeah. >> For

the longest time and then it just go >> it just takes off. E. >> Yeah. But it's all those hard it's all those days of like nothing and no one caring and some pity comments from your friends being like, "This was really cool." Okay, cool. >> What changed about the um what changed about the videos for the first hundred to the second hundred? like has did things change or do you think it was just time? >> I think the first hund it really was about getting a video out, whatever it was. I mean, my earlier videos was about some of the most random stuff. One was about my dog's birthday. One was about me making pancakes. One was about a a lyric I heard in

a song. It's like a video talking about that. It was just whatever I would feel that day. >> Yeah. >> And I would wake up most days being like, "Fuck am I going to make a video about? I've got nothing on. Like, what am I going to do?" But you'd find a way. I think there's a lot of value in that pushing past. Yeah. that really like oh I don't know if I could do this because that hurdle normally is where this is where people would stop but if you just get past it there's so much reward past that but after yeah sorry so after those first 100 days built the consistency the second hundred were more educational stuff because I had those reps and

I had that I had all the videos there to prove I was that person who knew how to make videos consistently and there wasn't really >> I think anybody else really doing that a lot of people were teaching people how to make videos >> but not consistently I think that That's the thing that people are really looking for. >> How do I be consistent? >> It was different as well, right? No one else was doing it. So, it was a a new take on the same thing that everyone's kind of spouting, but like >> And you could go back to day one and see how it all started. Exactly. Like right now, you could see my video I post tonight, day 400, which is a

banger, by the way, but you can go back to day one and it's not that great. And you could be like, "Wow, that happened within a year," you know? >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. No, I like that. Um, so that's quite interesting. So actually some of the change in the video is that you got more specific and niched in the topics you're talking about. Is that correct? >> Yeah. Yeah. And you did that through uh understanding what the audience wants or did you do that through just going [ __ ] it, I only want to make these sorts of videos like what what what gave you that confidence to change make that change? >> So I'd say for the first Yeah. Say first 150 it was like I'm

going to make what I want. I'm going to use just my camera because I'm obviously a videographer by trade and I'm not using an iPhone. But the first video that blew up for me was an iPhone video. >> Yeah, of course it was. >> And I was like, >> why would it not be? >> I don't really want to put this up, but I'll try it. It was um I did six shots in 60 seconds. >> So, it's me basically just running around like a lunatic with my phone getting some shots. >> It's pretty much all it was. Real basic video. Didn't take many takes. >> Yeah. >> Blew up. Okay, this is what people want. I still made the odd video that I wanted

to make because that's the beauty of posting so consistently. >> Yeah. >> You could have so like a seven day week. I could have two videos like that. I could have three other videos and then I could you if you sprinkle in like a brand deal or a sponsored post in there like it's fine. Yeah. >> Because you've got that much volume in there. >> Exactly. >> Um but yeah, that's that's when it started to kind of take off and I realized that people actually prefer the behind the scenes. >> Yeah. >> To the actual thing. I can post like a really great video and I'm really proud of and people are like whatever. But if I show you how I did it, people like

this is amazing. Can we have more content like this? So I think um yeah, behind the scenes, >> don't be afraid to use an iPhone here and there. I actually think it performs better, which is so sad for me to say because I love love using a camera, >> but that's just kind of the reality of it, you know. >> Yeah, it is good to know because I think what you're saying there is that I I didn't try to um figure out what the audience wanted by using my brain. I figured it out by seeing what happened when I posted. You know, I used the audience's response to go to dictate where I went. And I think that's really crucial because a lot of people,

especially when they're beginning, they think that, oh, I'm going to make something that I think is really cool. >> Yeah. >> And I put it out and then no one thinks it's cool and then they get disheartened and they're like, oh, well, that sucked. I'm going to stop doing it because people don't like my art or whatever. >> But actually, like social that's not what social media is for. Like social media, people forget, they think it's >> but it's social media. There's a two-way exchange here that I have to make something that you want, not something that I want. >> Yes. >> And you've dictated and changed and adapted your strategy to be like, well, I did I tried this thing. I'd use an iPhone.

I hate using an iPhone, but [ __ ] it. My audience loves it. >> Yeah. >> Let's make more iPhone stuff. However, I still have a creative need. So, because I got volume, I can still do my creative process as a part of it. So, I get to satisfy both what I want to do, but also to grow the following because I'm making content the audience wants to see. >> Yes. >> Cool. Love that. Perfect. Okay. So then tell me 150 days in, 200 days in you started this any change to your business? Did it to your freelancing? Did it actually even have an effect? >> Yes. I think he gave me way more credibility. >> Cool. >> Same with a social following. Same with when a

business is looking at you. If you have over a certain amount, it shouldn't be like this. >> Yeah. >> It really should just be based on the work that you make and like that's cool. But you have that social credibility of like It's probably the same for you guys. They come and they see that big following. They're like these guys are legit. >> It's the same with the following. If you come across a creator that you really like, but you're like, 700 followers, >> I'll come back. >> I know what it's like. I'm the exact same. And it used to piss me off about my own brand, but I'm like, I I get it. I'm the same. >> Um, >> so yeah, the once I

got past 10K, it obviously like went quite quickly. But yeah, more business came in. >> But through that transitional period, obviously through the demand for it, I released a course on how to make videos, like how basically how I've done it. like a really really thorough but easy to digest breakdown of everything from your idea creation, your scripting, your filming, your editing. So it's like you can do this with this. You have everything you need. So there's that. >> Yeah. >> Then obviously from that I think in the economy we're in at the moment >> content looks easy. >> Yeah. >> Because you're watching people who make it all the time. So I think a lot of people are like, do you know what? I'm

going to give this a go because this agency or this freelance videographer are charging a fortune. I can't afford that. I'll give it a go myself. So, you do more like consultancy stuff and then there's people obviously through your following around the world. There's more people who do like one-on-one coaching calls >> and then you might go around and do like a consultation where you help people like their lighting setups. Like there's all these different things that kind of present themselves. >> So, from that I'm able to now really if I do like a videography project for a brand or a client, I can really kind of pick what I want to do. It's kind of given me that freedom, which is really cool. It's

a transitional period, but >> it's um yeah. Like I say, it's a transitional period, so I'm still kind of like figuring it out, >> but it's it's grown not in the way I would have expected it to. I'm thinking like, if I grow, I'll have these clients and these clients. But >> I think one of my biggest because this is actually quite important. One of my biggest strengths yet is also my weakness is how much I put myself out there off camera. >> Okay. >> I haven't really >> Yeah. Okay. >> enough. And I know that's so important. I really know it. I know it now. >> Yeah. But the fact I don't network and I'm I'm happy to just make my videos, put the

blinkers on and just do that, but at the same time I'm neglecting like new relationships and >> Yeah. >> because you can be as good as you want, but if people don't know who you are, you're not going to get the work. >> No. >> You know, and people would rather take someone who's a seven out of 10 but is a real sound guy and introduce themselves >> than a 10 out of 10 who I don't know who that is or he might be a [ __ ] I'm not going to take that risk. >> Absolutely. You know. >> Yeah. Absolutely. It's a huge thing. I think um a lot of people underestimate that and a lot of people don't think like a lot of people see

our following and our growth and our like our viewership and go oh yeah [ __ ] that's why they're growing and look it's a huge part of it it's the top of funnel right people get to know who the brand is and like you said I think >> um the numbers of followers and viewership is clout like people go well they must know what they're doing because look they've done it for them right so if they can do it for them they can probably do it for our brand >> but actually like where the real rubber hits the road is where I actually me or the team actually meet people in real life. We that's why we do so much like events, community stuff. I go to

networking events all the time, speak on stages, all that sort of stuff. That's where >> um of all the activities we do, networking, me speaking on stage or one of the team speaking on stage and our um events that we do run or participate in. >> Yeah. >> By far the number one thing. Like not even it's not even close. Yeah. the others of how much of that turns into money >> compared to um videos actually even what people don't know when they really dig into it like so inerson interactions number one yes revenue driver number two is the personal brand on LinkedIn number two and number three is the 1 something million followers we have just on our two socials inclusive of like the

35 million views we get a month >> that's number three down the line >> as accounts you think the other way around right >> yeah everyone would think it's around the other And then people argue, "Yeah, but like they're only going to meet you in person because of this." >> And it's like, "Well, actually that's not true because um I went to event like money hub the other day uh event down in Queenstown. >> Every single person in that room, a bar, six of the 140 in there hadn't seen our Instagram. >> I mean, they were 50. >> Yeah, of course. >> None of them had seen it. And you know, and when you show them, they're like, "What the fuck?" You know, like, "Well,

how are you making this sort of content and succeeding from it?" And I was like, "Because I I don't get it from there. I actually got it from here. I said, "Your marketing manager's seen that." So when you bring me in to have a chat and they're like, "Hey, marketing manager, like do you want to work with these guys?" They're like, "Holy [ __ ] yes, I do want to work with those." Yes. >> But you're still the decision maker. >> And because I have a relationship with you, this deal is going to go ahead. >> Yeah. >> So I think that's great for you to say that. So tell me why what stopped you from doing that or and and what are you doing to fix

it? >> I think what stopped me probably a bit of self-doubt. >> Yeah. Okay. I've like put myself in that situation because it's a big thing. I think um like before I did videos I was a Sparky. I was an electrician for like 10 years. >> Yeah. >> I never really had any much um client facing nearly. >> Didn't have much like client facing stuff any like times where I'd have to like you turn up to a house. >> Yeah. >> What do you want to doing? Cool. Sweet. I'll let you know when I'm done. That's it. Actually putting yourself out there and like I haven't got that much >> at that point sales experience. So putting myself out there and being like >> this

is what I do. I think this is why I'd be a good fit for you. Like it was quite alien to me and I think I kind of just like I thought you know what I'll let my work do the talking. >> Yeah. >> But it gets to a point where there's only so many >> I mean I've got a lot of work through people finding me on Instagram or referrals and word of mouth which has been great. >> But for those bigger bigger clients I guess like those brand deals that you want looking at other creators like why have they got that and I haven't. >> Oh they know them. They reached out. They proposed this idea. I'm like I'm not doing that. So,

what I'm doing to change it, I went to I didn't know about it till the last minute, but New Zealand Creator Con probably like two weeks ago. >> Someone told me about that. They're like, "Oh, you'd be going to that, right?" And I'm like, >> "What's that?" >> And I find out about it. They're like, "Oh, it's like all the creators in there. There's brands there. Like, you just get to network." And I'm like, "I I need to this is it. This is the sign. I'm going to do this." >> So, I kind of pulled some strings, forced my way in there. And I met like a load of cool people, creators and brands. And I was like, "That was good." But I don't know

if it's just come at a good time. Now I've built it and I'm way more sure of myself and what I'm doing. I think I present myself >> way better. >> Yeah. >> You know what I mean? So it might just be a timing thing. Maybe I was meant to do this >> meant to network at this point. Maybe that's just my journey that I'm meant to go on. Maybe I wasn't meant to network back in the day because I didn't know what I know now. >> Yeah. >> So I think it's Yeah. I think it is what it is. >> You know, I'm going to counter that, you know, because you didn't know what content to put out back in day one. >> Exactly.

>> So you also didn't So you didn't know how to put content to put out. you didn't know how to network or went to network. >> But what I'm I guess the point is is networking is no different to putting out content. You just need to do it every day and as often as possible and then the muscle grows just like I did with the content >> and and so like that would be my next question is like okay cool you went to critical and what's next? What are you doing now? >> Because that's what you did. What are you doing in the future to continue to meet and network? >> I don't know yet. >> Yeah. >> I don't know. >> I'm working on

this man. [ __ ] no. I love it. I'm going to press on this because this is good because this is this is your like in my mind your brand is discipline. Like that that's your brand in a nutshell. If you look at what you've done when I when I watch your content, I've seen you and I've been watching this journey that you've been on. It's about discipline. You've you've stuck to something for so long and you've got better as you've done it as well. And not better in quality of video, but in better of the videos become better for the audience. >> It's and and I think that's way more important than the good quality videos we've already discussed. So the the fact of you now

understanding that networking or at least meeting lots of people and building this like um army of people who are going to help you achieve your goals, >> that's going to take discipline again, right? >> Yes. >> That's all it's going to do. >> And actually the easiest way to do something to be disciplined at saying is actually to do it every day >> because doing it once in a while doesn't actually really build discipline. We've learned that already. You can't sometimes not drink. >> Yeah. >> You can't sometimes run. You got to be a runner. You've got to be a non-drinker. You've got to be someone who posts every day. >> So to be a networker, you've got to be a networker. You got to

meet people every day and do all this stuff. So like >> have you any thoughts of like if if I was to say to you, mate, there's a gun on your head. I'm going to pull the trigger if you don't tell me how you're going to go forward and build this networking. What would you do? Like what just comes to mind of like some ways of how you could do it? >> Can I turn it around and ask you? >> You can. You 100% can. But I want you to try just and and I want you to try because be honest, I'd hope you get it wrong and then we'll have a better conversation. If you get it right, then [ __ ] you've already got it.

Let's move on to the next topic. >> Yes. >> So, what would you do? What do you think you could do? >> Email. >> Yeah. >> Call call. I mean, that's like a >> I think maybe LinkedIn. >> Yeah, >> maybe. >> Yeah. >> But I'm not on LinkedIn. I tried it for a little bit and stopped because I just I don't really understand the platform if I'm honest. >> Yeah. It's a bit alien to me and with doing the daily videos, I'll come back to that. So, maybe it's time to go to that. >> I'm not really sure. >> You know what I love about those answers? It's like I was like, how are you going to do more networking? And you started to

list off mediums of communication. >> You're like, oh, I might email, I might cold call, and I might LinkedIn. And I was like, none of that was just like, oh, I might go walk in and meet some people, or I might go to a networking event. >> I don't even know how to get into a networking event. And and I but I think what I'm not trying to [ __ ] on your parade. No, what I'm trying to say is I think it's real normal. >> I actually had a young kid in here yesterday >> and he was um asking me really similar stuff. And I was saying to him like, >> "Mate, like just um it's it's not that complicated, but we make it more complicated

just the same way as the people you're trying to teach to post consistently make it too complicated inside their head. They're like, "Yeah, but I need like the right camera. I need the right gear. What am I going to talk about? Or >> do people even care that I'm posting about my dog's birthday?" Blah blah blah. like they're going to come up all these things, right? >> And then they're going to go, well, I have once seen that this thing and I have this little tiny loose knowledge on this, so I think maybe here is where I'll start. >> And actually, like in the world that we live in today, like we have all the world's knowledge at our fingertips. So, you can you don't

even need to come speak to [ __ ] me and go figure it out. You can just be like, "Hey chat, I want to start networking. I want a full-on comprehensive strategy on how to network the [ __ ] out of Aland." M >> and it will tell you and it would probably give you the links if you asked it for all the networking events you could find. >> Yeah, >> you could used to be able to 3 years ago just do that on Google. Now chat just makes it faster or Gemini or whatever AI tool you want to use. >> So that's one way and I and I and I'm going to we're going to talk about it so don't worry I'll be GBT for today. But I

think for people listening, I think that's like a real good bit. Like even people like yourself and me, I'm the same who have very good discipline and do things consistently and move forward and we've grown our businesses and our followings because of it. The next thing we need to do, we still struggle to know the next steps. And then the reason we struggle is we forget the lessons we learned from the other things, which is just put one brick down and then eventually you'll have a house. Like just do one phone call, just do one networking event, just do one podcast with someone who tells you the next step. >> Yeah, >> that's the trick. Like there is no way to become the best networker

>> except for one step at a time. >> And so for people listening, but also for you, like breaking it down, like that's what you got to do. The the the trick with networking is we're actually real easy. Networking is way easier than everything else. The reason people don't like it is because uh they're scared and nervous about meeting people in real life. You can't stop and pause and wait to respond. like you can on a message because you know someone asks you a question in networking you can't be like hang on charge what do I say >> I'll come back to you in a day and a half you can't do that right >> so that's why people get nervous and especially like millennials

and Gen Z like we suck at this sort of stuff like we don't pick up the phone when someone calls because I can't respond to you fast enough and what it is >> but actually like networking is not that hard it's just like finding um groups that you have some interest and alignment with >> and go to them and start and then also finding ones that put you slightly outside of your comfort zone and go to those ones. So like in New Zealand, in Oakland at least and in different parts of the world, there's different ways to do this. The first thing would be going okay, what am I interested in? And then second of all is like what do I want the networking to

do? Okay, so >> um what do I want it to do in your case? It might be business opportunities or it might be brand deals or it might like when I say business opportunities as a videographer in that side of your world. It might be um brand deals and opportunities. It might be more collaborations with other creators. Yeah. So there might be a whole bunch of stuff on your interests. It might be things like running for instance, right? It might just be actually videography and photography in general maybe. I don't know. You might have other interests. Um, that there is where you'd start because what you're trying to do when you network is find like-minded people, right? Obviously. So, what does like-minded people mean? It

means people who share some interest with me or some goal or outcome that I also have. >> So, tell me interest-wise, what are your biggest interests at the moment? >> What I thought I would >> What What do you like doing? >> I like making videos. >> Cool. You've got me. That's it. >> No. Uh I go to the gym. I run. >> Yeah. >> I like to I've got into making pizza recently. >> Cool. Love that. >> Real cool. >> Yeah. >> Barbecuing sometimes. >> Yeah. >> Running. That's probably about it. >> Okay, cool. Perfect starts. So, I mean, running is [ __ ] easy because it's blowing up everywhere. Run clubs are [ __ ] dime a dozen now. And [ __ ] we've even got one and we

all go to one on Wednesdays. Well, >> when I wake up in the morning um on a Wednesdays. So, there's run clubs everywhere. If you want Run Club to be a networking event, it 100% can. >> Like the ambitiousness of the kids that I see at these run clubs is [ __ ] outrageous. Like um I would never have done that at 25. I'd be hung over. I don't know why these kids get up at 5 to go to or 4:30 to go to a run club. It's amazing. They're awesome. Like they're just it weapons. >> So run clubs is one place. >> Um barbecue is an interesting one because barbecue in New Zealand's massive. The barbecue scene in New Zealand is huge. Some of the best

barbecuers in the world come from New Zealand and so there's a whole underground network of barbecue here and tapping into those networking is a real easy one to get into as well. Um pizza making I can't necessarily say I've seen but one thing that is interesting about pizza making or pizza or food >> is that supper clubs are a big thing. So supper clubs are essentially find a bunch of people and ask them to come for dinner and all bring something or set a theme or an intention around the supper and tell everyone. The only rule is you have to bring someone else. >> Okay. >> Right. And so therefore you might know five people but then now there's 10 people at the dinner. >>

Mhm. >> And then you tell those people if you want to come back you can. You just got to bring someone new every time. >> Yeah. >> And then eventually it turns into this [ __ ] wild chaos and it becomes massive. Yeah, >> but actually like they're really good and then you can set like you can set the intention of being like look we're going to keep it to 20 people or whatever or whatever but you just have people bring new people all the time. Supper club's a real fantastic way. The other ways that I've seen them done is once a month we all go to dinner somewhere. That's the same rules apply. It's there's a limit of say 150 bucks ahead. So you say to

everyone look who's in cool book the venue everyone it's 150 bucks and you all go to dinner and you try a new restaurant every time. Great way to network with different people. Plus, you also get to eat out at some really cool places. >> Yes. >> So, those are just like simple ways of like creating a group. That's networking >> because what you're doing is you're getting you're getting to meet people in real life doing something that you love doing anyway or you're going to go for a run anyway, so why not run with another hundred people? >> And you love food, so why not eat it in the company of other cool people, right? >> Yeah. >> What about um your business outcomes? Like

what are the business outcomes that you're looking for at the moment? Like just I know that this will change and chop and you're in a bit of a transition period but like what are some of the goals that you want from your following and from networking like from a more doesn't have to be like converting to business like in making money but who are the types of people from a business lens that you want to be like networking with? >> It's a great question. >> I couldn't give you an answer. >> Well, where you going to get your next dollar? or who's going to help you um who do you think could help build the brand to get more dollars? Like for instance, you went

to Credit. Why was that good? >> Because I got to meet other people and put myself out there, introduce myself, get some emails, get some phone numbers. >> Yeah. And of who? >> Sorry. >> Who were the people you got the phone numbers from? Emails. >> Oh, the brands that were there. So like Sony was one of them. I was like, I want to work with Sony. Introduced myself, told them who I was. They were like, "Here's an email. Email us." And they got back to me and like something could be happening there. So, >> and so if you could meet more people like those people from brands like that, would that be beneficial? >> Yes. >> Okay. So, what was the title of those

people? What were their jobs in the Sony at Sony? >> I don't know. They had basically had like a like a podcast set up like this >> and there was two guys working there and he was like, "Here's my email and here's like my boss's email." Yeah. It was just kind of like that. >> So, to let you know those people who would go to Creative Con, they're going to be a handful of titles. They're going to be marketing leads, like something marketing manager, lead, something like that. They're going to be uh brand partnerships or partnerships manager. Um or they're going to be a brand manager of some sort. So, there's going to be one of those things, right? Those sorts of people go to

like they go to every single marketing event possible. There's two big organizations in New Zealand who do majority of the marketing events. There's the marketing association which are the old school big in uh industry level events. So they do things like digital day out and um a whole bunch of other big massive events where all these brand managers, social media managers, marketing managers go to. Um and then there's uh the marketing club which is probably is the new engine on the block. They probably deal with the younger marketing manager crowd. A lot of people transitioning from university through into their full career. And then but they've also got a lot of like stable people who've been in industry for a long time who act more

like a mentor. So I think it's led by a girl called Chanel. >> Those two um organizations probably have on every any given month you could probably find four or five big events to go to. >> Okay. >> And they are all the people who book the talent. >> What's the criteria to get into something like that? >> Zero. Just just turn up. Marketing club is free. I mean they have a membership tier now which is um but it's like it's it's tiny. It's like 200 bucks a year or something. the marketing association has has paid and they are typically quite expensive events. When I say quite expensive for you know like their big events are probably like $900 to go to for the day.

Okay, >> it's a quite expensive ones to go to. That's digital day out. >> There isn't a big business in the country that doesn't send a representative to that. It's probably 600 people that sit in the room all brand marketing managers. So everyone you ever want to meet will be there. >> Cool. Um, so if if you really wanted to meet them, $900 isn't necessarily a huge price to pay if you can make that back in one deal, right? >> Of course. >> Um, they also have a membership tier. So, if you become a member with marketing association, then you can go to the events for much cheaper. Like, I don't know, I can't remember what the um membership tier costs, but then say digital

day out goes from 900 down to $600. Yeah. >> So, um, >> it's not a huge cost. It's way like I think just digital day out pays it back just about. Mhm. >> Um but so those are just some ways of doing it. There's also things like in say freelance videography I always talk about um BNI. Have you heard of BNI before business networking international? So BNI is a global networking group >> that um in Oakland there's probably 25 chapters. Um there's about roughly 20 people per chapter. So there's like 500 people in this networking organization. >> Chapter sorry. The chapter is a small group of people who meet once a week for an hour and a half every single week. >> Okay? >> They're

one different person from every um industry or thing. And they just they become like a sales group for each other. They sort of, >> you know, if I was part of it, I might say to someone, "Oh, hey mate, I I've got a client who needs a commercial lawyer. Like, I'll put them in touch with you, Tom, and got a commercial lawyer." You could like for like freelance videography which you know probably at the moment probably is still some big chunky work for you in terms of that space. There's heaps of it there. We started there like our first three years was like that was probably one of the leading things for our business. >> Um what's really cool with BNI and BNI probably hate

me saying this on camera but um you can go to a chapter twice for free. You might have to pay for breakfast. Some of the chapters is a bit stingy and they'll make you pay for the breakfast, but um you can go to two without paying any membership fee uh for each chapter. >> 25 chapters. You can go to 50 networking events for free. Maybe pay for breakfast, which you're going to have to have breakfast anyway. So, yeah, you're going to maybe pay for breakfast. You can do one a day every day for literally two months and you'll meet 500 people, >> right? All people who have small business. They're usually small businesses. Usually anywhere from like 100k to maybe 2 mil is probably the

average size. Once they get above 2 mil, they're probably they're starting to get a little bit too big for the group. Unless, of course, they're like a small business accountant or something who only deals with small businesses, then it makes sense. >> Yeah. >> Um or if they are a lawyer part of massive firm, obviously the firm's got lots of money, but that one lawyer books might be a lot less. >> Those sorts of networking events, they they're everywhere. The thing about them is like those sorts of networking events and the marketing ones are just the most scariest ones to go to. >> Like imagine, >> you know, like most people, if I tell you from for the next two months, you're going to get

up and go to a networking event at 7 a.m. every single day. Like he's already laughing cuz I'm used to make Connor go to one. >> Yeah. >> They [ __ ] suck at first. >> Yeah. >> But your growth from it is huge because every single one of those events, you have to get up and spend 60 seconds explaining who you are and what value you add. >> Yeah. How how did you find it? >> It's really scary at first. Yeah. Like be like so nervous like there and like trying to jump over your tongue, >> but by the end of it >> he was a pro. >> Yeah. >> Didn't you president or something at one point? >> No, I was on the leadership committee,

but >> Oh, yeah. >> I was the youngest in the room by 10 years. >> Nice. Okay. Connor, Joanie, Leash, other people in our team who did it. They I forced them to do it in the beginning. I was like, well, I didn't force them, but I highly encourage them to do it. >> Um, they have, of all our team members, they are by far the best networkers now. They're by far the best at just approaching random strangers and meeting and talking to them. Their ability to like network a room and like hold conversation, make people feel at ease is like through the roof. Like when you take them to a networking event, you see them do it. They don't need any guidance. The other

the rest of the team is like, "Bro, stop standing together. Get in spread out." Yes, we're all too nervous. These guys are just walking up to random strangers. >> So, it's a skill. You're getting two skills out of two things out of it. You're not just like building great uh relationships with these people that you're meeting. You're actually putting in the reps just the same as you did with putting videos out. Yeah. >> To be able to walk up to strangers and just meet them. >> Yes. >> And just have a conversation. >> I definitely felt it at that created myself to a few people. I was like, "Fucking do this. Sweet." I felt really good. But then obviously when you go and you stop,

it's just like you're back and now you're talking about that now. I'm like, "Oh, that sounds a bit like >> intense, right?" >> It's good though because you see the same people every week. So then you're all your mates, >> of course. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Gets easier. >> It gets easier. >> Is there an opportunity to speak at these events? Is there anything like that? Because that's something I want to do more. I think that's my next >> Yeah. >> step. >> I know you do a lot of that. So how how have you found that if you were going to start now? >> Yeah, public speaking is uh quite is actually quite easy to get into. The reason being is that like um

you there are lots of opportunities to speak in front of people. BNI is a good one because if you actually join a BNI, you're going to have to do one speaking 10-minute presentation every couple months anyway once you join one because uh every there's a a larger session, a larger talk every single week and it's someone in the group sharing a little bit more in depth about who they are. So, they get like a 10-minute slot to do that as opposed to the little 60cond slot they get every single week. So, that's one way in in BNI. Um, what I did, my approach to it was is find any stage I could just ask people just randomly like someone's having an event do it. Put

my own events on. Actually, I did that the most. I just like, "Oh, I want to speak." Okay, well then I'll host an event. >> I'll just put myself on stage >> to me. Exactly. Be the host of the party. And doesn't matter if you get one person turn up or 20 because then you just film it and you put it on your socials. Got to speak at this event. >> Yeah. And then people start to see you someone as speaking who's a speaker. And if you are good at what you speak at and as you get better at it because obviously it'll take a little bit of reps, people start think man I'd love for you to come speak at my event. And given

that you've already got the social clout of the following, if you speak about that and the discipline and the consistency and all those lessons you've got to teach people, >> yeah, >> people be like, "Mate, you should come speak at our event." You know, they will because you've just presented yourself as someone um who can do this. It was like actually I I I remember learning this from Jimmy Carr. So Jimmy Carr wears a suit because he wants to appear as someone who can host things. >> Nice. >> And he did that for his whole career. Still does it, right? But he's the guy who hosts all the shows >> whenever you see him. He gets to be the main person on all these BBC

and yeah, you know, Channel 4 and whatnot where you know, eight out of 10 cats or the bloody laugh try not to laugh show or you know, all these things. He gets to be the host of the show and he also gets offer asked to speak at corporate events and stuff. So when he was a struggling comedian, I'm going to turn up in a suit the whole time. So I look the part so people think on the guy. >> Nice. >> And it obviously worked out really well for Jim Carro. He's, you know, it helps that he's funny as well. But um it is a good thing to think about like if you just put out this content to demonstrate the person you you're trying

to be, people will be like, "Oh, that's really easy to go choose him. I already watch his content. and I think he's great. And also he does this thing I need >> which is speak on stage. >> Yeah. >> You know, so that's what I did. I just like every moment I speak on stage I film every single one of them and then I and then I um I get the team to cut it up and put it out constantly and then people constantly ask me to speak. So you know I spoke last week I'm speaking again uh or Friday we're hosting our own event actually an online one. So I'm speaking there I got a couple in July stuff like that. So the more

you can do it the better. And I guess if you approach people there can't be that many pe it's not like oh there's a waiting list for people to come up and talk >> for paid speaking probably. >> No but like if you just speaking >> like oh you're the only person who's asked this year. Of course you can. >> 100%. >> Yeah. >> 100%. There's so many people who want people to speak even just like you know going to a university or going to like a film school. >> Yeah. >> And being like hey I just wonder if you want anyone to come speak to your students about anything. This is who I am what I do. >> Yeah. You know, like the film

schools would be like, "Yeah, mate, like 100%." Or universities doing marketing even, right? Let me come speak. I speak at universities quite often. I probably do like four or five university chats a year, maybe more. >> Um, and they're really good because I they got the kids don't have to come. >> It's uni, right? They can choose to come to these things. They're not getting paid to and they're well, actually, they're paying to come to these things, let's be honest. Um, so they get to choose if they come. So, they're really engaged. the the client the staff that you go the [ __ ] the students that you get there are super engaged in it they want to be interesting and then you film it and you

put it up and then like let's say it was uni of Oakland that you went and spoke to for some marketing students >> and you're posting about oh I spoke at University of Oakland today the such and such that's like the credibility of that added with your follower account and your viewership massive especially if you did a day vlog about it you know maybe even talked about saying >> it's a branding exercise getting to speak more is a branding exercise that's all it is you just got to show the world that you do it more. Um, I would, if I was you, I would, um, first of all go do things like BNI or networking events because there's lots of opportunity to speak at those

sorts of things. And then I would, um, host an event. I just host a little small 20 person event. And in fact, if you want to run one, we'll do it together, as in we'll host it for you. You, we'll put it on at the studio >> and we'll just do it like we have we have events all the time. >> Promote it. We'll give you a stage and everything and then you just run it and film yourself and put it out. Super easy. >> And then it's good for us too because we'll be a part of it. We'll come do some stuff and look, we can do it as a joint thing as well. Maybe we have Joanie can talk or someone else on

the team can jump up and have a conversation. Maybe put Connor on stage because he never does it. Make it force him to go do. >> Um, but you build this sort of thing. You film it. You put it out and you just start one brick at a time. No different to what you've just said about how you build your audience. >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> That's great. I'll take you up on that. >> Yeah. >> See that, guys? That's networking 101. I got you. I reeled you in with that. >> I love it, >> mate. What else? What else are you struggling with? What else? Tell me a little bit. We got like three or four minutes before we wrap. >> What else are

you like What else struggling with, but you talked a little bit about transition. >> How else are you thinking about this transition from a um especially from a career perspective? Like what's how do you think how do you see this growing in the future? What what would you hope this brand does for you long term? >> I would hope big goal would be to just help as many people as possible. >> Yeah. >> Whether that be through a course or through talking or workshops, whatever it might be cuz a lot of people who are struggling to start content. I really I really see myself in them because I was never somebody who was in front of camera. >> I was very shy. I would never

go on camera. Hey, my photo being taken. This is the this is the last thing I thought I'd be doing like five, four years ago, you know? >> Yeah. So I feel yeah I want to help as many people in that stage because I know exactly what it's done for me. >> I can talk better. I'm more confident in myself. I know who I am. >> I just feel way more >> free almost and it's all because I took those steps >> made that start and it wasn't pretty at the beginning. It was rough and it just you just made it happen. But >> it's gotten to this. >> Yeah. >> So I'd like to do that for as many people as I could. >>

Yeah. But also, I'd like to work. There's some brands that I've got in the pipeline at the moment, ones I've been like dreaming of working with. Yeah. The ones where I'm like, you know what? One day, one day they're going to see my content. They're going to get in contact with me. Some of that is happening now. Like I say, it's a transitional period. It's still really kind of >> sorting itself out at the moment. But main aim, help as many people as I can. Cool. >> And then just become an authorative figure in that space. I think I want to be the guy that is known for, like you say, the consistency, the discipline. >> Yeah. >> Turning up every day. Is the goal

to um stop doing as much freelance and make the money in different ways? >> I think so. >> Yeah, >> I'd love to be in a point where I do my, you know, through my online course, consultancy, one-on-one coaching, all that sort of stuff. >> But also, like I said, to be able to pick the projects that I really want to be on. Doing that gives me that freedom to make the work that I really want to make. >> Yeah. >> Um I want to get more into YouTube. I think that's the next step for me. >> I think well, I'm gonna 400 is the end. I'm stopping now. I think I've proved I think I proved my point. >> I don't think um I

I feel like there'll be a bit of like audience fatigue from it to be honest. It's like people like we get it. You you make videos every day. It's cool. >> I think now long form is more >> where I kind of want to go. Still post but just not as consistently and just be more on YouTube as well. >> You know, I'm just going to challenge you on that a little bit. Mhm. I don't disagree with everything you just said there, but one of the things that we uh figure out a lot a lot in our business is that when you have a series that works, don't stop it ever. It will exponentially grow forever. The hardest thing is get a new series for

people to catch on to. >> It's real hard to get them to catch. Um, I mean when I was doing my daily vlogs, that's how my TikTok grew to 22K and then I [ __ ] I got I got burnt out by the end of the year of doing them and I I finished like five days before the end of the year. I was [ __ ] stupid. I should have just >> got through and got to the end of the year. >> But I haven't moved from that number since. And I've tried lots of different things and I just couldn't get to anything I could. And also the business got out of control. There's a lot of factors that I can make excuses for. I would argue that

like you got tound and something I mean it's more than that when you combine the two, right? Like >> 200 across. Yeah. >> If you did another 400 days, it wouldn't be 400K. It would be 2 million. >> That 10x in growth would also be 10x in opportunity. But for you to find another storyline, another series that would get that same level of growth, I don't I'm not saying you couldn't do it. Don't get me wrong, you definitely could. You're smart enough and you're clever enough to do it. I'm just saying it's like you've just made it way harder for yourself >> when actually if you just like imagine the guy who did a thousand days in a row >> that that exponential that's exponential.

It doesn't like it's not a I think I think a lot of people where they get to is like oh I'm going to stop doing this. I'm going to do this now. I'm going to do something else. It's like just do both of them. I know it's hard >> but actually you're looking for outsiz results. You know, you're looking for stuff that no one else can achieve. >> Mh. >> Do what you want. It's your life. Do what it is. But I just like from our experience every time we stopped a series that got us exponential growth >> because we had the same thing. Oh, audience fatigue blah blah blah. >> Mh. >> We just always proved ourselves wrong every single time. And now we

sit here with this coffee series, which is, you know, it's going fine, but like >> um it's kind of like a holding pattern at the moment because we haven't found the next thing that does our exponential growth. So, with all that said, >> I'm getting told to shut up and move this conversation on. Um it's been awesome watch your journey. Actually, awesome. I hope that uh I gave you the confidence that um the networking thing you can start. Oh, it's I'm super keen. And I'm super keen actually if you want to do an event together. We got this series of events that we're doing. So, it could be working really well. I'd love to do that. get you in front of a crowd and talk.

>> Um, but other than that, bro, thank you so much. That was awesome. I love the discipline of what you've done. It's everything I preach to every single person, and I'm just stoked to see someone actually put into action, and I'm stoked to have seen you at the beginning and watching that journey play out. You might not have seen me constantly watching, but I saw it, and it's been [ __ ] awesome to see. So, hey, awesome to have you here. >> Appreciate it. Thank you so much. >> Thank you. All right. All right, let's