JDub, a rising star in the creator economy, shared candid insights in an exclusive interview surrounding VidCon 2023. Addressing the challenges and opportunities in content creation, he discussed the importance of genuine connections, consistency, and staying adaptable in this dynamic digital landscape. JDub also touched upon the future of the creator economy, predicting the increasing role of AI and urging aspiring creators to “chase their dreams.”

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Who is JDub?

Using JDub as his moniker on social media, Jordan has a massive following on YouTube and TikTok. He’s genuinely passionate about making videos and playing basketball and regularly creates content that mixes the two. He amassed almost 1.2 million subscribers on YouTube, another 1.2 million followers on TikTok, and 130,000 followers on Instagram. 

As a featured creator at VidCon, what does it mean to you to be part of this event and engage with your audience in person?

“It’s definitely an honor. I’ve heard of VidCon a lot. I know it’s a great event,” JDub tells us. This year’s VidCon also opens an opportunity for him to meet his audience and individuals who support him, which he considers a blessing. 

This is JDub’s first time attending the VidCon, but it will surely be memorable for him. He had a meet and greet during the convention and also joined a health and wellness panel.

VidCon has played a significant role in fostering the growth of content creators. How has the event impacted your personal journey as a creator?

“I’m kind of new to it, but I’m sure all the connections and meeting all these new people is always great,” JDub shares. He’s looking forward to VidCon as a learning experience. 

VidCon provides a platform for creators, fans, and industry professionals to connect. How important do you think these connections are for the growth and success of creators?

“Connections are definitely very important,” JDub says. He’s looking for genuine connections and loves meeting people but tries not to go too out of the way. He sees the VidCon as a great place to talk to everybody and make connections with other individuals who are also in the content creator space. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many events to transition to virtual formats. How do you think this has affected the creator economy and events like VidCon? Do you foresee any lasting changes?

JDub started being a content creator during COVID and talked to many individuals who did the same. “As far as events, it’s definitely changed a lot in terms of [maintaining] a social distance and being with the masses. But for me, I actually started social media because I had nothing to do during the quarantine, so it’s kind of funny how that worked out,” he comments

The creator economy has been rapidly expanding. From your perspective, what factors do you think have contributed to its success and popularity?

JDub believes this growth has something to do with social media taking off and everyone being on social media, doing their own different things, and finding different audiences. “It’s really cool to go into [social media] and find people who like all these different things,” he adds. 

What are some of the challenges you have faced as a content creator in today’s competitive digital landscape, and how have you overcome them?

“A lot of times, I get stressed or overwhelmed just trying to be consistent and trying to stay up to date with posting, staying on track, and coming up with ideas,” JDub says. But as he thrives in the industry and makes a name for himself, he’s now learning the importance of not rushing things, keeping everything natural, and staying consistent.

For him, this usually means making one video per week without compromising the quality of his content. He aims to find the perfect balance between consistency and high-quality content. 

With the emergence of platforms like TikTok, how do you think content creation has evolved, and what opportunities or challenges does this present for creators?

“With the rise of TikTok, I feel short-form content has just exploded. Those 15- and 30-second videos are just all over right now. Today, YouTube shorts and then Instagram reels are doing that, as well,” JDub says. For him, the decrease in some audiences’ attention space increases the demand for these short-form yet fast-paced videos. 

JDub is also interested to see how social media continues to evolve constantly and what new trends are coming up every day. 

In your opinion, how influential can creators be in shaping societal trends and conversations, especially among younger audiences?

Because the younger audience looks up to their favorite YouTubers, JDub recognizes how influential creators are today. “I could speak because even when growing up, I know I did. I think a lot of these social media influencers have a lot more of an impact than they may think or than other people may think,” he explains. 

In the coming years, do you expect further disruption and innovation in the creator economy? If so, what areas do you think will undergo significant changes?

“I’ve been hearing a lot about all the AI and ChatGPT stuff coming in. and I know that you can have a robot edit your whole YouTube video and clip it into TikTok with captions and everything,” JDub says. He admits he’s not too hip to do that, but it’s something that he should look out for and catch up on. 

As we approach the second half of the year, what trends or developments do you anticipate will have a significant impact on the creator economy?

“AI is coming up, and I feel like that’s just rapidly growing, and [I’m] seeing something new where robots can do our daily tasks,” JDub says. Although he’s interested in seeing how AI is going to shape the creator economy, he admits that this change is kind of scary. 

How do you stay adaptable and relevant in an ever-changing digital landscape? Are there any strategies or practices that have worked well for you?

JDub’s strategies for staying adaptable and relevant are simple yet effective. He’s always on social media and checking his feed to see what is trending and what people are talking about. “Even just reading my comments, you can learn a lot,” he adds. 

What message or key takeaway would you like your audience and attendees of VidCon to have after your appearance, and how do you envision the future of events like VidCon in the context of the creator economy?

“Just chase your dreams, man. Anything is possible as long as you put your mind to it. Dedicate yourself as you can make something happen. And most importantly, do the work,” JDub concludes. 

For aspiring creators who are looking to enter the industry, what advice or tips would you give them to succeed in the creator economy?

“Make something that you can wake up to and be happy chasing it every day, and just be consistent and [focus on] quality,” JDub advises. For him, consistency is definitely one of the most important ingredients for ant creators’ success. 

He wants to dismiss the idea that once creators go viral, they can achieve success overnight. “It doesn’t work that way. You can’t compare yourself to others. Sometimes, the video doesn’t hit, so you just keep the ball rolling to see how it goes,” he adds.