Listening to your last video had me in night sweats over how much I really loved the brand collab I was doing. I’ve been on this journey lately of not wanting to take brand deals if they do not align with my values.
Ahh mannn sorry to give you night sweats 🤣🙏🏽 honestly I think it’s a journey though, I think our deals get more and more aligned as we continue thoughtfully.
As always, your videos are great! I said no to companies too, who simply wanted me to create content in exchange for receiving the product. They said the same "other people do it for free, just receiving the product and they don't charge for content creation" . It is an absurd! I know how tempting it can be, especially if it is a product that you want, but it is not fair. It takes a long time to test the product and record videos, or take good photos, edit those things...
Thanks for sharing!! The "other people do it" is my PET PEEVE. Cause it's like first, that doesn't make it right, and second... leave me alone and go find 'other people'. 😂
I live to say NO. I often worry that I’ve pigeonholed myself by do so. But, I always feel better knowing that anything I choose to promote my audience knows I’m being truthful and they can trust my recommendations.
I definitely can hear the fear of being pigeonholed! I think there's a balance too--like if you naturally and strategically share more sides of yourself that still aligns with people, you could make way for wider options. But if it's still something you don't/wouldn't use than yesss keep up what you're doing!
Also there is an accounting software who will not be named that is desssssperate for me to promote them... which makes no sense because I love and ALWAYS promote Sage Accounting 😅 my audience would've been like wtffff lol
First, awesome talk and thank you for sharing your experiences. It's hard to find people sharing those "this is not a HELL YEAH brand deal, should I refuse it still?". I found a few on Discord and podcasts but not as detailed as yours 🙂 so thank you again Second, gear talk. The videos, that bokkkeeehhh 🤤the colors are nice and shot selections are really good. But that audio is GODLIKE, how da way did you capture this 😆 Ok, yeah, great relaxed and soothing "podcast", really loved this format
I'm so glad this resonated haha and THANK YOUU.. Let me settle in, I love talking gear. 😂 I'm using the Hollyland Lark M2, not even with the wind muff, you can see the little circle tucked beneath the collar of my green jacket. I also always throw the Adobe Podcast Voice preset over it too in premiere pro, but it's solid on it's own! I have a video about buying it here with more test scenarios--> ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-JO1KL3ID5Sg.html
@@CreatingwithKaya OMG, I didn't see it during the whole video 😂, I thought you had an expensive shotgun microphone ahah. It sounds great! I rock a DJI Mic (sometimes paired with a Rode Lavalier Go) on the go, I usually find Adobe Podcast a bit strong so I just overlay a 35% strength Adobe Podcast processing over the raw audio. But now I'm inspired to go back and refine my custom audio pipeline for my videos 😄 Anyway I was looking for another pair of wireless microphones for recording live meetups so might give your Hollyland a try 😁
@@andfanilo haha yesss I think I might start wearing more collared things because it hides it so well!! 🤣 and to clarify, I’m not using the Adobe podcast like AI tool, it’s just the dialogue tag “podcast voice” in the audio tab of premiere. Ooh if you give them a go, would love to hear how you think they compare to the DJI!
Glad you enjoyed it!! It's definitely tough when you're in it, and I think we'll always make decisions that maybe we shouldn't--but it's just trying our best to move with discernment.
This is the most helpful sponsorship video I think I’ve seen yet (on RU-vid in general). I really like how you organized the different reasons to say “no”… it could make a really handy checklist for deciding what’s a good fit or not! Thank you so much for your awesome work 😊
also the nature scenery is so calming 💐✨ i filmed my podcast outside a couple times and the social anxiety is not fun but overall i enjoy the experience way more
I'm so glad!! It made me actually feel *super* at ease while filming--maybe a lil too much because I got a little long-winded. 😂 The key for me was finding a place that was out of the way enough that no one was hanging out there themselves, just kinda travelling through in the background.
Ahh that is the highest compliment. 🥹👏🏽 That really is a lens that I create content from, just helping out those on their journey with whatever experience I've gained.
It would have taken everyting in me to not reply that hotel (politely) to point out how predatory picking influencers who do not recognize the worth of their work. I quit a medi-spa job in 2016, because the marketing manager told me to approach influencers but refused to offer money since it was "low worth" publicity. Some marketing managers have a lot of resent me towards freelancers/influencers.
Ahh I love that you saw the sketchiness of it but so unfortunate that that was the reality! So many people lean into it, or just watch it happen. I *kind of* pointed it out to them, saying that other creators just probably didn't know what they were signing on for and could likely find themselves stuck in the future because they can't work with another brand while that hotel was continuously pushing their face out in ads without compensating them.. But hey just kinda were like _oh well_.
Resonates with you and not with your audience? Time to create a new channel 😂 Trovatrip - that's how we used to do things with Breakaway Tours in high school, but the industry's developed quite a bit since then. You know I'd chill with then... for a reasonable price 😂 Love it as always!
Heavy on that new channel one 🤣 Ooh never heard of breakaway tours, gotta research up! But I really do think at the heart of it these trips are fine, it’s just that people aren’t disclosing their relationship. Also I really thought about it today… it would be my introverted self’s worst nightmare to go on a group trip centred around me. 😂😭 I can already *feel* the burnout.
@@CreatingwithKaya Okay, well that's an ENTIRELY different story 😂It has to be a space where you're energized from being the centre of attention, constantly, for days on end 😂 I think the peak of that for me was in my 20s, and now I'm enjoying life in different ways, so I get you 😊 But yes, as long as people get into it with eyes wide open, I think it can be a good vehicle for creators to build custom experiences that really speak to their audiences - imagine further partnership with tourism boards and local vendors; if done right, it could be amazing... but it would take WORK!
@@CaseyPalmer haha hats off to you because I never hit that peak 😂 But yess you're so right--like anything with the right work, it could open up a lot of opportunities!
Another fantastic video from the beautiful Kaya and it's good to say No when a brand partnership isn't in line with your brand or your beliefs. Love 🥰 the video and love 💓 Kaya.
I'm a travel influencer. Trova Trip is not a great brand and seems like they are pitching everyone and anyone. They also WAY overcharge for their trips to make a profit and pay you which is great but as someone who has been sharing how to make travel more affordable I can't get behind 4-6k trips when that same trip can be done 3x over LOL
Oooh thank you for sharing!! That’s the thing, looking at some of the trip costs I’m like… I have been there for way cheaper 🫣. And don’t think ✨my presence ✨ is worth that up charge 🤣
Trova Trip feels exploitative to me especially when I heard people spill the tea about it. A lot of people in the book community were promoting it last year and framing it as "I can't wait to hang out with you my friends!" "we'll go book shopping together in Europe!" and just not being upfront about getting a free trip and a kickback from it.
THIS!! I didn't realize it had extended to the book world too! I think there's no problem with hosting a curated trip and profiting from it (especially when it has other perks involved past 'hanging out with you', like educational sessions, a type of special experience, or like providing some type of value they couldn't get just booking it on their own). But there needs to be clear disclosure--like even if you're not going to break down the comp structure, something up front like "I've partnered with Trova trip" is better than making it sound like you are just using a trip organization service to bring everyone together...
@CreatingwithKaya Exactly! I'm fine with group travel (going on a retreat soon myself) and I know upfront costs are gonna be more than usual. My problem is framing it like "OMG bestie, let's travel together!" It feels like exploting on parasocial relationships for profit. Cuz this Trova Trip is in the realm of sponships which need to be disclosed.
@@CreatingwithKaya I only saw people being more honest about it after getting called out. Plus some people have had issues with not getting their money back from Trovatrip despite trips being cancelled or activities being g canceled and they seem to always put the blame on the hosts and tour operator.
Thank you for sharing this!! Btw I love your hair and the background looks great. Advice pls? I’ve never done collabs and I know everyone says to do free collabs to start out with… I get a bunch of emails a month, maybe 20 emails or more… from Amazon products. They want to send me free products in exchange for a YT video. Idk specs bc I just reply with no thank u, but now I’m wondering if I should say yes to a lot of the products I’d actually use and then saying I’ll do a “haul” like video and include their product. Any thoughts??? 😂😅😅 I know u say no to Amazon but I’m wondering for someone who doesn’t have any collabs…. Idkkk lol.
Oh great question! I definitely think there’s value in taking gifted partnerships, when you don’t have anything in your “portfolio” yet. I think the key is to make sure it is mutually beneficial. If somebody wants to send you something without payment, they shouldn’t be sending over a brief with talking points, they shouldn’t be allowed to approve your content, there shouldn’t be deadlines, or a bunch of crazy deliverables. This is an old video of mine but it explores the other side of the coin a bit: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-X6_oLran9Xc.htmlsi=jJCk0OHC6FK0BWjq Also my example here, was just that I shop at Amazon, which is a company with a bad reputation-to show that I’m not trying to put myself on a high horse. I also have Amazon affiliate links in my description, I’ve done posts on things you can find at Amazon, and I honestly couldn’t tell you if I’d be above partnering with them or not- due to the monopoly they have on like everything… they almost feel unavoidable. 🙃🥲
Ooh this is a great question--I think it really depends on your existing content + your niche. A lifestyle blogger like me promoting an iPhone one day and a samsung phone the next would be weird because it's like which one *do you REALLY* use every day? And the brands probably wouldn't go for it. BUT say you are a tech channel--and one day apple pays you to talk about a special launch of some sort and another Samsung wants you to talk about a special feature it might be less weird with your audience. Also say you were promoting a samsung TV and an apple watch--a lot less conflict. But ultimately it would probably come down in that case to the brand's expectations.
@CreatingwithKaya you could sell coaching easily or offer your content strategy/workflow. Or recommend more products or software that you already use as an affiliate
@@JakeyWakey Oh yes, so I do already do 1:1 calls and affiliate marketing, (though I'm definitely hoping to scale the latter)..and have adsense from here and my blogs, which is why I'm definitely in more of a privileged position to turn down a lot of things. I just don't have a product in the sense of a course or more formal longterm coaching--which I'm personally really on the fence with. I see too many people doing it poorly, and so I've definitely been in my head about it. 😂
@CreatingwithKaya Apologies, i usually would check the description before making such a comment. It's cool that you use Artlist for music. They have really talented artists and take care of them well. But if for some reason you need some emo alt-rock/pop tracks for your videos, let me know.
@@JakeyWakey no need to apologize! It’s great advice regardless! And will keep you in mind! I just checked out your channel! Great topics being covered!
Everything I say "No" to as an influencer, Creating with Kaya. Hey. I"m back. And I'm back. And I'm back and I'm watching you. I'm seeing you. That is half the battle right? Getting seen. That is what it is all about......... I like what I see. I really like the outside look. I like the way you decided to film this one. The sun is hitting you just right. You should do more stuff like this. I guess, when it is nice outside. I know it's not always a nice day. You speak really well. You sound and look really professional. You take YT serious. I like it. I appreciate it. Makes you easy to watch. You deserve your success. Very cool. Very cool. You did a good job with this one. Great video! I am and I continue to be a proud subj7scriber to your channel. I am and I continue to be. Hopefully I look familiar to you. I want you to recognize me as a returning person to your stuff. I am an advocate on this platform for engaging with others and supporting one another. And returning love and reciprocating feedback. I think that kind of community on here is what we need. If there were more people like me, you might have an extra 11,000 fans and friends to your channel; right now. Extra. I truly am being sincere when I write that. I am a content creator, just like you. Let me get half the battle too. Let me know that you see me. Who knows you might even like one of videos there.