The REAL Reason Influencer Brands Are Failing | And Why Some Are Thriving 

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the way i have a parasocial relationship with you… in my head we’re besties

so here I am…watching and vibing and then Forvr Mood pops up! hehehe thank you! I enjoyed this video and this topic a lot! As a recent brand founder and a creator these are my thoughts in a nutshelll: everyone can’t be a brand founder and everything does not need to be a brand lol. Every time I post something, pretty much daily, people do tend to say “that should be your next brand” “you should start your own___” etc a lot of times the audience, when they really like a creator and see them talk about something frequently in their content, will urge a creator to create their own. For some creators it may be hard to navigate that without getting caught up….But if you’re going to put your name on something it should be because you have the investment, business plan, foresight, labor, vision, a very clear and intentional “why” and not just the initial excitement. I kinda blame grind/hustle culture lol I also wish consumers had a more realistic picture of what entrepreneurship is and what it requires, especially for Black founders who are still majority underfunded. Most small startups fail (brand ownership is not as easy as it looks lol) so as a consumer and creator it has always shaped how I speak about brands publicly as well!!

Influencer brand: if the influencer knows the industry, understands colors, understands formulas, etc, yes I will support their brand and them. If they’re just someone who has a random following and is like, “Oh I use shampoo! I’m going to do a hair care line” immediately no. On TT vs YT, on YT I feel I get to know the persons personality and gravitate to those like mine. On TT, I just want to see someone organize their bathroom and vacuum their sofa before I fall asleep. I don’t want their life story or personality, just show me the funny thing your dog did and let me move on.

Speaking from experience as a teacher: TikTok cashed in on the shorter attention spans of the younger generation but then also began contributing to it. Every year, I have students who chase instant gratification in class - they try a sum once, they don't get it right, they give up. I'm generalising here but i see this so often. Now think how that translates to make up. They might use the product incorrectly, not get the results they want, then abandon the product AND warn all their friends off of it too.

influencer brands promoted so much over consumption. Every brand was releasing 20 plus makeup pallets every 2 months. It was so ridiculous. Plus, the drama was insane and was used to promote even more products.

Idk why influencers don't stick with doing collabs with brands. I've spent waaay too much money to find my perfect makeup and skincare products, I'm not going to risk wasting money on an unknown brand that hasn't proven itself to be reliable and quality. Especially not if this is someone's side hustle trying to capitalize on their internet fame! That being said, would I buy something like a limited time eyeshadow or lippie collab between an influencer and an established brand? Yes, those aren't "high risk" or high investment products and I'm more likely to try out something "non-essential" like this with a brand I already trust. Like a tried-and-true product from a well-known brand with an influencer's style.

Calling Lisa Eldridge an influencer is like calling Erin Parsons an influencer😂 like no these women are very talented professionals.

Loved this topic and video As someone who’s been on RU-vid since day one and as a person just finding a modicum of success with short form content, I have a lot to say: I’ve been going to Vid Con for the past 7 or so years and the one thing Ive observed about the TikTok crowd is that they almost never return as often as I have. Every year there’s a new person or persons that have exploded that I have never heard of and while the numbers are impressive, the success feels like it’s very short lived. I think everyone defines success differently and for some creators it looks like having a million subscribers on TikTok. For me it looks like being able to make pay my bills, live comfortably and have leisure. I have just shy of a half million on RU-vid and to some people that would define me as a “small youtuber”. I don’t get the views others get. That may sound like I’m failing hit the reality is I’m quite comfortable. I get paid quite well for public speaking and I can say there are people who’ve followed me for a decade and likely will continue to do so. I have a long career that has sustained the interest of enough people to consistently live comfortably and that has long term value. Short form content is really amazing imo. I didn’t get it at first but I do now. The difference is by the nature of short form content, so many of the viral moments that come from them are so short lived that people don’t stick in your mind. The trends are more popular than the people. The most known are the ones who popularize the trends themselves, perform their own version or create something unique. I think for sustained success, TikTok creators should consider creating more long form content or at least content that exists beyond TikTok. I think right now making both is the key to success. I find my short form audience is way different than my long form audience. As VidCon has become more tiktok focused, I’ve seen less people come. There’s a large and passionate group of mostly younger people who come for a few of these TikTok stars and that’s what they cater to more these days. But I have not seen these TikTok stars necessarily maintain ongoing success until they create something independent of TikTok (like a brand) that even people who aren’t in a parasocial relationship want

I'll chip in my 2 cents. I feel like the RU-vidrs genuinely care about their community and TikTokers just want followers. I love that Robert really replies to us and engages with his followers.❤❤ I had one TikToker be super rude to me on IG because I disagreed with her on Sunscreen

Honestly I don't know how people can maintain parasocial relationships in this day and age. As someone who grew up in the 90s and watched basically everyone from media in that time period be outed as scumbags I trust no one. Even my favorite entertainers and RU-vidrs I don't tend to support financially because it feels like at any second they'll be exposed as a scummy weirdo. In a way I think it's kind of for the better as now I can focus on just bettering myself and working on my own skills instead of caring about what others are doing

The only influencer brand i trust is SkinUp!

Loved the video clip you shared regarding empty calories vs. protein - I think this really describes the difference between TikTok and RU-vid. It would be really difficult to sustain a loyal relationship with empty calories, if that makes sense. P.s. Almost at 1M followers!!! Yay!! 🖤🖤🖤

I feel it depends on the relationship the influencer has to their brand. Do they seem to genuinely care about their products? Do they care that their audience is why they can even have a brand? Does the brand become more than just merch? I feel like Lunar Beauty is a great example of genuinely innovative makeup with someone who genuinely cares if it's good or not.

I can understand if the influencer is an MUA or a skin therapist or something like that. If they make a product within their profession - it makes sense. Then they have to care about the product itself. It can’t be someone like Kylie Jenner who likes their products because they are nice. They have to shown genuine interest for the products and the process. Not just ”slap my face on any product just so I can make money”.

Robert your opinion about makeup is the only one that really matters to me. You're the best 💜

"You watch them get engaged, buy a house together, get married, have a child, and then also get divorced" Good chuckle moment right there 🖤💜

Ugh!! I swear! Every single time i watch you do your eye looks i just sit in awe thinking "how tf does he do it?!" It's always perfection from start to finish & no matter how hard i try.. i cannot for the life of me get anything to look cohesive & "put together" if u will; if it isn't basic neutrals or simple shimmer i'm at a total loss 😢

"... it's inevitable that a RU-vidr will start a brand..." I sure hope that's true when it comes to you, Robert!!! 🤩

No Tik Tok, no make up here. I watch your videos and admire your makeup (especially the eyes!), love your talking and laughing and improve my english by listening. Your videos and the Welsh Twins are a blessing for people with depression. Often caught myself giggeling 😊

I'd put SkinUp as my number one influencer brand, $50 a piece, you can't go wrong or get confused at pricing at checkout and it's Jackie approved (some may even stolen idea, I'd like to say borrowed/inspired) I think One Size is doing amazing things too, but is slightly lagging behind what you and James put out with SkinUp 💜 In all seriousness though, I'd buy from yourself, Alexandra Anele and Nicki La Rosé if you brought one out. Your unproblematic, professional MUAs I'd love to support and have actually learnt a lot from. In my 30's I can finally say I have the confidence to apply and wear makeup 💄 I don't have TicTok, never had, nor do I want it. I love RU-vid 💖

You know what would be an epic influencer brand? You and James doing a skin prep, makeup removing, cleaners / makeup line together. It’s a bit different that what is out there. And it can be for different skin types. God I would love that!

Parasocial relationships are why people like Zoella had a massive following in their heyday. People would send fan mail to her and speak to her like she was not only their best friend but like a family member or somebody that they looked up to. In the comments, people would write about how they were saving their money to purchase any product she showed in her videos, or she was about to release. People would wait and be hyped for her website/blog relaunches. This power she had over her viewers goes beyond the young demographic because a lot of them are still there. They grew up with her, and as her content has changed, they are still there. They still look forward to her blog /Instagram posts and whatever she offers now because they grew up with her. Granted, it’s no longer the ten million+ people she had before, but a considerable amount of people still follow her after all these years, and she still pulls in views consistently. That kind of long-lasting fan base is something only a few RU-vidrs can boast.

This is such an interesting topic. It seems you have to stream live on tik tok constantly to gain any sort of relationship with fans but it also seems a very fickle climate. I think in terms of longevity youtube still wins. Also, love you Robert 🖤 you are so articulate with your opinions, another fab debate!

I think the only influencer brand I genuinely like from a makeup artist’s standpoint is Lunar Beauty. I feel like Manny puts in a lot of thought and effort into his brand and the quality reflects that effort. It doesn’t hurt that the aesthetic is witchy and completely up my alley. And I ABSOLUTELY agree with you about the influencers who come out with a brand and then their YT presence dwindles. Their YT channel is literally what gave them their brand, and to then disappear after launching really rubs me the wrong way.

I don't follow beauty influencers on tiktok, and I've always preferred quality over quantity with who I choose to follow on youtube, and even on tiktok. I'm not fully opposed to buying makeup from youtuber brands, but it would really need to be from a youtuber I genuinely enjoy watching, and who has proven they actually know their stuff. In a way, buying a makeup palette, which is a collab between an established brand and a youtuber seems like a safer bet than a whole new influencer brand. I have some trust issues with influencers these days. 😃

I laughed when you mentioned that tiktok users find content longer than a minute to be stressful.... because I agree! I'm really not interested in hearing long 5 part stories from people I'm not invested in or people I've never even seen before (because of algorithm), if that makes sense. It's a lot easier for me to watch youtubers' long videos because I feel much more connected to them than people on tiktok.

I think that if an influencer creates a brand and lets it exist as it's own entity, apart from their own face/personality, then it stands a better chance to be successful long term, as opposed to just launching a brand with their face slapped on it. But either way, if they then take a 6 month hiatus from RU-vid, then they are not nurturing the connection that made ppl become subscribers in the first place. So it would be understandable for the brand to take a hit.

So so true + I feel like some influencer brands don't rely on any form of marketing or outreach, but rely only on the owner's success and continuous promotion..

This was a very interesting video - quite enjoyed it. I think the RU-vidr/Subscriber relationship can also provide those who struggle with shyness, social anxiety or other factors a safe place to be seen and feel part of a community without stress. I remember when I got my first response back from Robert, it was exciting! You felt seen by this person (in my case) I was looking up to in order to finally learn makeup. I totally agree there’s a preconceived cash grab mentality if TikTokers get a brand. I personally wouldn’t purchase their brand because, even if I had TikTok, I don’t think I could trust them

The only makeup brand from an influencer I bought from is Makeup Geek and I’m devastated it went under. Marlena stan forever ❤

The reason is the 99% of influencer brands are the cash grab. The quality is neglected,as it is considered that people will bay it notwithstanding the quality because of the parasocial relations between influencer and it's audience. Basically , 💯 f.cks are given regarding quality

This was a really good discussion on TikTok versus RU-vid, and brought up a lot of great points I’d never really thought about. It makes me want to learn more about it!

Ever since celebrities were only doing perfume, it made me less likely to buy something, let alone influencers. Oh, I'm not on TikTok, but you see it anywhere on Facebook and RU-vid

I think people get so invested in influencers, and then when they conduct their business like the whole point is to make money (which, news flash, it is!), the viewers feel like the influencers had been lying in some way and then they lose that parasocial relationship you were talking about. Very interesting topic, Robert! I love learning about this stuff with you!

I literally don’t scroll on tiktok, I feel like the content is being forced on me. I only go on it to post and I only watch the TikToks people send me. I prefer IG reels or YT shorts if I’m going to watch short form content. But I prefer long for content. Having a snack or a tea and watching a creator for 20 mins is a nice break through the day.

Love these videos! It’s like chatting with my beauty pro girlies about my industry shower thoughts. I get the impression that the beauty industry had a ton of money pumped into it once it started to explode online, and we are feeling the rebounds of industry overvaluation similar to tech. All these brands created to capitalize on a market without taking the time to build the audience. And now those relationships with the beauty base are being put to the test you’re definitely right

This was a really thoughtful video. As a RU-vid watcher that has not gone over to TikTok, I do acknowledge that there’s an entire group of branded influencers that I know nothing of. But even with the personalities that I’ve come to enjoy on RU-vid, I still think that there is a large push of over consumption of products that generally people don’t buy but every so often. So I’ve gotten even more selective about who I watch often, and who I may actually support with my dollars. But on the positive, I love how much easier it is to access actual professionals through their content on the platform. I may never meet Lisa Eldridge or Danessa Myricks - but I can watch them create and gets tips on using their products. Thanks for the knowledge drop today. 😊

I am right there with you… i watch tiktok to just fill up spare time, however i watch youtube as a priority… when i have enough time!!!

Omg soon 1M subscribers 🥹 I can’t believe I have followed you since the beginning 🥰

Loved this video Robert. I'm a PhD student finishing my degree in researching para-social relationships. I can tell you that what you said here is certainly what we see on a larger scale across social media platforms and even what we see with the relationship the younger current generation has with "real" celebrities (e.g., actors). RU-vid is king in harvesting *communities*, something that other social media platforms, although have similar or greater follower numbers, can't seem to get right. In my opinion, short form will come and go but RU-vid will remain if it continues to highlight its strengths in community building, rather than chasing the short form hype.

As always, a very nuanced look at a topic! I most definitely agree. Massive difference between someone like Caroline Hirons, who has DECADES of knowledge and experience behind her (and is a trusted voice in the community), and some fly by night TikTok'er (such as the self dubbed "skin care" expert who started his own line that quickly went belly up - can't recall his name right off hand). I think age of followers is also a major component. Most of TT is a young audience, and folks under 18 are likely to buy and try the products of an influencer they like once or twice before moving on to the next big thing. That type of market is fine for a quick cash grab (which is what most of these influencers are after anyhow tbh), but it's not going to sustain a brand long-term.

Happy Sunday, Robert! I love these “chats” about trends in the beauty space. I could not agree more about the importance of parasocial relationships for content creators in order to build a following; in fact I am very particular about who I choose to subscribe to or follow. As for supporting influencer brands, I think without that connection to your audience, a brand would struggle. For example, when you launched your makeup brush collar with Sigma (a beauty brand I had never heard of until you), I rushed and bought the brushes for two reasons: your name was attached to them, so I was supporting a friend (sounds creepy) and because you said how awesome they are and I trust you. This was also the case for you Ciate collab. Since I’ve followed your channel, I’ve been introduced to so many beauty brands and have my favorites, but that first step is always having that trust in the content creator you’re watching. I think if we like an influencer, we will do anything to help them succeed. There also content creators whose content I’ll watch (depending on the content), but I haven’t subscribed because they come across as disingenuous and as soon as their following grows, they change (this is not only in the beauty space either). So, I want to thank you for being consistently genuine and building a relationship with your audience, and just know when , and if, you launch your brand, I’ll be first in line. Have an awesome day! 💗🖤💗🖤💗🖤💗🖤💗🖤💗🖤💗

Subscribed! Not sure why I have not earlier, love you content. Thank you! Almost at 1 million!!! Congratulations!

It's my first time being so early so I just wanted to say how much I love you and the videos you make ❤. I appreciate all the effort and passion you put in the things you do. Your whole channel radiates wholesomeness and peace. 😊

I've never really thought about it that way, I agree! I think the push for decreasing consumerism has also had an effect as it's unrealistic to buy the makeup palette for every single beauty RU-vidr/TikTok-er you watch, especially if that is the majority of what you're consuming on YT.

I think you are 100% right and I really like how you specifically talked about this subject/topic with a new angle and a perspective that haven’t really been delved into. It was very informative and interesting, plus extremely refreshing, that you didn’t put focus on the individual influencer or the drama etc. but chose a statistical and analytical context/viewpoint. I would love to see more like this, it looked like you genuinely enjoyed creating this (and by that I do not mean, that I think you aren’t genuine or that you don’t seem to enjoy what you usually do, because I absolutely think, that your channel is awesome, as it is and your content is always really great, but it just felt like you had a little extra sparkle in your eyes, because of the excitement of doing something a little different and new again). Your makeup looked fabulous as always. This was just awesome, I hope you have a lovely day🙌.

I am an oldie so no Tik Tok for me. I personally think it is short-circuiting young people's attention span...this was a very interesting video. Makes total sense. I love Lisa Eldridge, I would love to purchase her products but a bit out of my price range right now. Your comment about 'drunk karaoke singer criticizing Beyonce' made me laugh out loud

Speaking of millions, our bestie Robert is close to reaching million subs. This is huge!!! Congratulations, Robert.❤️ And what you said makes so much sense. A lot of social media people say this all the time (not all). And part of the reason why I had to leave the freelance marketing space was because a lot of people don’t understand this and I couldn’t find a way to tell my clients that we need to build relationships and not gain numbers for the sake of it. It’s still a huge problem. Maybe this video will change their mind.✨

Robert, always straight up thoughtful content! Thank you.😎

I watch your videos every day. You and James are my favourite creators and I rewatch videos to help me sleep. Your voice is so soothing. I hope you all keep making longer videos

Your content is fantastic. You're so grounded and informed. Your opinions and narrative is educated, and your analysis on point, avoiding being sensationalist. Thanks for being a breath of fresh air. I'm using RU-vid as my main source of content much more because I've found a decent amount of people in verticals of interest just like you. This video was a standout! Tks again and much love from Australia

Robert: « I have no foundation brushes… » [proceeds to apply foundation in a mesmerizing way] Me: 😮 I think I need to give Haus Labs a try!!! I love your content and value your expert opinions and thoughtful comments. Thank you!!

Robert is one of my favorites. Who actually tried to give reliable information. And thar hes a professional MUA i have other makeup enthusiasts. Who are self taught snd just as honest about the products they review.

love these deep dives. you and james are one of the very few influencers i trust. it’s so few of you who are genuine and real and honest and it’s so refreshing to watch you. there’s so much to learn from those who set the expectations to the right level and who is actually relatable and you can connect to. the rest tho.. feels like big act

This is a fantastic conversation to have. Thank you Robert! Informative and just real. Love these types of videos. Sounds like there was a lot of people that went on side quest of berating others as usual. They just missed the point. This is education about the platforms. I find this to be wonderfully educational for someone starting off in the social world of RU-vid or tiktok. Thank you!!

Super interesting topic, and thank you for also running out of clean brushes 🤣💜🖤💜

I’ll never buy an influencer product for the influencer but if I hear amazing things and the reviews are good, I’m happy to try them

Robert you’ve hit the nail on the head here.. what a fabulous theme.. obvs the low attention for TikTok won’t translate into true following, hence the poor outcome of meet and greets and sales.. loved this so much.. kept my attention all the way throughout Have a great week 🖤🖤🖤

Loved this video!😃 very informative and it’s crazy how beauty creator industry has changed as your the only beauty you tube influencer I still watch

Ahhh you’re so close to 1 million! Congratulations 🎉 😊

As someone who isn't at the best place money wise, I would rather go to a pharmacy, Amazon, Ulta, etc and buy what I know is going to work VS taking my chances in some pricey inferencer brand that popped out of nowhere whose products are usually nothing new.

I feel like your take on the relationship between subscribers on RU-vid as opposed to TikTok is spot on. I have zero interest in beauty on TikTok. I come to RU-vid for beauty content. I go to TikTok to fill time. Not for information.

This was such a fascinating video Robert. Thankyou for always taking the time to do research for these videos and giving us a better understanding of the world of youtube/social media beauty people. The youtube/tiktok comparison was really interesting as someone who doesnt have tiktok. I will always choose the opportunity to get to know a bit about the actual person I am watching. Mel

It really depends on the influencer. I do think that people like Jaclyn Hill and her response to issues with her brand made more people doubt influencer brands in general. Same with JS and his behavior. I do think that Patrick Star’s recent addressing of issues with his setting spray hopefully has set a better example for influencer brand owner behavior. A lot of mistrust exists due to drama, IMHO.

What I expect for cosmetics is not who produce them, but a functionarity. A influencer has a decent labo like big brands do? No. A influencer who is not a professional MUA knows well about makeup other than oneself's face like MUA does? No. Majority of them seem to want only to grab money in my eyes, and I don't feel like trusting or paying them.

This makes so much sense in regards to tiktok vs RU-vid and the quality and depth of relationship. I'm from a sales background and the first thing I was taught that people buy from people. Therefore, you need to be engaged and develop a relationship with a client if you want a long-term returning client that purchases regularly. You do that through sharing yourself with them and making them feel special, that's impossible in a 30-second tiktok.

Robert, I just wanted to congratulate you on hitting 1M subcribers!!! Out of all the influencers out there, you are the one that can get me to buy anything just by recommendation alone. I owe the growth of my already large makeup collection to you. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and wit with all of us!!! :)

Less than 3k to go!!!!!! 💜🖤

Me thinking "pfft, parasocial relationship" then realise that I can tell by your voice, without looking at my screen, that you're putting your lashes on....😊

Today I was traveling whilst on my phone and to my delight I find YOU, gorgeous YOU, I may have fallen in love with your voice, your smile and your application of makeup. Thank you for keeping me company. ❤

If you're genuine and true to yourself on social media, you have my attention. The more I watch you, the more I think you're trustworthy, the more likely it is I will invest in your products. Yelling at me for 10 seconds about a product without giving me any proper information or treating me like I'm stupid because I don't know that I *should be* applying a foundation with a potato doesn't really have the same effect on me so I'll be spending my money elsewhere, thank you ...

Remember what Tati released vitamins as her first product?! Now that was unexpected!

I so appreciative your deep dives and info you provide. It’s all fascinating to me 😊

Such a good video! Really interesting to hear about this from a youtuber’s pov and made sense of some things for me. But I had to watch it twice- once for the words and again for the makeup technique 😊

Can I just say I think you should have way more subscribers! When it comes to makeup I only watch you & Wayne Goss ! You don’t mess around & your always honest ❤ I can’t tell you the amount of money I’ve wasted listening to these so called influencers it’s actually jarring 🙄😬

If it's inevitable that a beauty You Tuber will eventually launch a brand, where is yours Robert?! (please and thank you). I totally agree about the content length affecting parasocial relationships on YT vs TikTok. The thing I don't understand tho if this is true is how creators like Mikayla and Meredith Duxbury have so many stans (I don't mean there's anything wrong with being their Stan just how it develops if that makes sense)

the moment you zoomed in putting on lashes creating UNINTENTIONAL BUT DEFINITE ROLLING EYES made my day !!!!!

I love these sorts of videos. And just love your candidness I find it so endearing when you correct/second guess your words ..Just love you Robert!! 🫶

3K AWAY FROM 1 MILLION 🎉🎉

I have ADHD, so for me, i always get on tiktok to look for a certain thing, but the second the app opens and the first video starts playing, i completely forget what im doing so i just start scrolling. Then maybe 20min later ill snap out of it and close the app, only to go back to what i was doing and realize i never looked for the thing ok tiktok😂 Im a youtube person. Big time.

Love the video essay format for you❤

Loved this video, I think you hit the nail on the head Robert 😊 Something I find interesting, even though we are talking in the beauty realm here, tik tok viral is interesting across the board. Seeing the vidcon footage of no one showing up reminded me of the video that went viral of Coi singing "Girls are players too" at a bar and no one there knowing the song or not singing along. Even though something might be popular on tik tok and influence people to buy/ listen to a song, it just doesn't seem to hit as hard as when it gets popular on RU-vid. I think your right that it is because we dont really know them and the short attention span of there will be another popular trend/song/product in a few weeks time.

This was a really interesting video and something that really is worth looking into some more and would love to hear more on this and more topics from you in this arena - you are able to capture the essence of the topic and deliver information in a way that is diplomatic with a bit of an edge lol- btw even though I miss the ghost videos I love when you break down concepts, makeup topics, brands and everything else in between.

I think you’re spot on on the subject! I fall into the category I would never get TikTok and only follow influencers on RU-vid. I use RU-vid as tv time so when I want to relax, before bedtime, on workbreak and when I’m on the toilet. But I saving videos for these different occasions like calm “just talking” videos before bedtime and analyses/reportage/almost documentaries (like eating history) for the chill times. Btw i really like to listening to your analyses on different subjects from your perspective as an professional makeup artist. It’s a great point of view and you got some really smart points and can definitely bring something to the table 🎉

oooh such an interesting video! I enjoyed hearing your perspective and insights, I could listen to an hour of this haha

I don’t have tik tok and I don’t want it! Happy to be a long time subscriber on YT!!! Love you and your bro! ❤

I’m one of those followers that has never had tiktok, but I follow you on everything else and did download twitch just for you 😂. Hoping one day I can actually watch a live stream, but appreciate that they are recorded!

Great video. I don't 'do' any of the other platforms. Love being invested in a youtuber, going on a journey with them. Surprisingly I'm enjoying RU-vid Shorts which I would never have thought I would! But I don't just use that as a quick time waster, it is making me look at new youtubers that I haven't come across before and starting me on new journeys with their long form content. Ive had great luck in buying influencer branded makeup because both, namely Jeffree Star and Manny MUA, have fabulous products.

Hello from South Dakota USA!! I love your channel!! Thanks for being such a doll! Xoxo ❤

Wow i loved this video, i love how much time and energy and research you are putting into these types of videos. I will say i used to watch tiktok and it was either when i was waiting for something, like oh i have an appointment at 3 so i cant do anything from 2 to 3 except wait for the appointment (adhd, lol) so i would scroll on tiktok or it was later in the evenings when i wasnt up to reading i would scroll through tiktok. I deleted it from my phone when i realized how much time i was wasting on the app. I want to enjoy the content i consume, and be mindful of what im consuming and you cant really do that on tiktok.

This topic is really interesting. Loved your input and take on this.

I found this so interesting and informative. You are so good at teaching!!

What you said makes perfect sense. I'm not on TikTok at all. Short form videos definitely have there place, but there is more depth and connection in long form videos.

Cant wait for you to reach your 1million Robert! Love your videos ❤

Your 2 category breakdown is brilliant. Very clever & well thought.

Robert, I would buy your brand of toilet paper just because I've spent so much of my time following you. And that time feels like a connection, a conversation, and insight into WHO you are. You made some really well thought out and researched points!

Close to 1mil! Have a lovely evening Robert!

I like how Rob says "consider subscribing" and not just "subscribe!!". Its much more respectful❤ also the content is great, on point! Bravo Rob! Subscribed 😂

Robert, you’re awesome! Such a good head on your shoulders. I really appreciate not only that you have a perspective and opinion that is well-thought out, but also your delivery. And your soothing voice and British accent are also lovely 😂 A couple of thoughts. Not really related to each other, unfortunately. 1) in general, I’m more excited about Influencer collabs with brands I already know and trust than I am with Influencer Brands. Again, it depends. But generally speaking, an influencer who is not a professional in whatever they are releasing makes me think “money grab” and I doubt the quality. Whereas I would have much higher confidence in anything makeup related that you as a pro MUA release. 2) totally agree with you on the idea that the relationship/connection between viewer and influencer is so key to their success! Investing in that relationship in longer-form content vs the absent-minded, instant-gratification addiction that is Tik Tok seems like a much better foundation for success