An Unfiltered Conversation with Jesser (18.6M subscribers)

Added: Apr 2, 2024

Early Beginnings and Inspiration

Jesser's journey as a YouTuber began at a young age, around 10 years old. He started creating videos with his older brother, drawing inspiration from popular YouTubers like Pro Syndicate and the FIFA community. Despite facing initial challenges and low viewership, Jesser continued to hone his craft and experiment with different content styles.

Breakthrough Moment: NBA 2K in Real Life

The turning point in Jesser's YouTube career came with the release of a video titled "NBA 2K in Real Life." The video showcased the unrealistic elements of the popular basketball video game in a real-life setting, garnering attention from sports websites and viewers alike. This video catapulted Jesser's channel to new heights, attracting thousands of subscribers and setting the stage for his future success.

Transition to Full-Time YouTuber

As Jesser's videos started gaining traction and reaching a wider audience, he realized the potential of YouTube as a full-time career. By the time he was a sophomore in high school, Jesser was earning enough from AdSense revenue to consider pursuing YouTube as a full-time profession. With the support of his parents and a clear vision for his future, Jesser made the bold decision to forego his senior year of high school and focus on growing his YouTube channel.

Monetization and Financial Success

Jesser's dedication and hard work paid off, as he saw his AdSense checks grow from a few hundred dollars to hundreds of thousands. By the time he was 17, Jesser had accumulated a substantial amount of savings, allowing him to move into a YouTube house and live out his dream of being a full-time content creator.

Impact and Influence

Jesser's unique approach to content creation, inspired by the FIFA community and his love for basketball, set him apart in the competitive world of YouTube. By combining his passion for sports with engaging editing and storytelling, Jesser was able to attract a dedicated audience of sports enthusiasts and gaming fans.

The Power of Analytics and Mentorship

One pivotal moment in Jesser's career was when he started working with an analytics expert named Mato. Through Mato's guidance, Jesser learned the importance of analyzing data to understand what types of content resonated with his audience. This shift in focus from purely creative content to a more strategic approach helped Jesser increase his viewership and reach a broader audience.

Another key mentor in Jesser's journey was Paddy Galloway, who provided valuable feedback and insights on how to improve his videos. By focusing on creating content that appealed to both his existing audience and new viewers, Jesser was able to see a significant increase in views and engagement on his channel.

Building a Team and Expanding Beyond Videos

As Jesser's channel continued to grow, he realized the importance of building a team to support his content creation efforts. He decided to establish Jesser Industries, a company that would focus on creating basketball-themed content. By hiring talented individuals and investing in his team, Jesser was able to expand his content beyond just videos. This led to the development of merchandise, events, and other ventures that helped solidify his brand and reach new heights of success.

Merchandise and Events

Merchandise has been a significant part of Jesser's brand since 2016, with various products and collaborations with other companies. By leveraging his popularity and loyal fan base, Jesser was able to create a successful merch line that further connected him with his audience and provided additional revenue streams.

The Role of a President in Jesser Industries

To take Jesser Industries to the next level, Jesser hired a president, Zach, who brought a wealth of business experience to the company. Zach's role was to help Jesser navigate the complexities of running a business and to focus on growth and expansion. With Zach on board, Jesser was able to delegate certain responsibilities and focus on creating content while Zach handled the business side of things.

The Importance of Shorts in Content Strategy

Jesser emphasizes the significance of shorts in his content strategy, highlighting how shorts played a crucial role in growing his channel from 10 million to 18 million subscribers. He explains that shorts are a valuable tool for reaching a wider audience and attracting new subscribers. Jesser also discusses the viral potential of shorts, noting that physical comedy and relatable content often perform well in this format.

Innovative Content Formats

One of the innovative content formats that Jesser explores is the "Guess the Secret NBA Player" series, inspired by Jubilee. In this series, participants wear masks, and judges, including Jesser and NBA players like Giannis Antetokounmpo, try to guess which one is the NBA player.

The Future of Sports Entertainment

Jesser reflects on the future of sports entertainment, noting the shift towards shorter, more engaging content formats. He discusses the challenges faced by traditional sports leagues in attracting younger audiences and suggests that alternative viewing options, such as commentary by creators and interactive experiences, could be the key to engaging a new generation of sports fans. Jesser predicts that the future of sports entertainment will involve a mix of traditional broadcasts and innovative digital experiences.

The Power of Fun in Content Creation

Jesser's advice for those starting out on YouTube is simple: have fun with it. He emphasizes the importance of enjoying the content creation process and not getting caught up in trying to follow trends or please others.

Expanding Beyond Ad Revenue

While ad revenue is a significant source of income for Jesser, he is also focusing on expanding his brand through merchandise and other products. Bucket Squad, his apparel line, is gaining traction, and he has even ventured into creating his own shoes. By diversifying his revenue streams, Jesser is setting himself up for long-term success in the digital space.

Collaboration Dreams with LeBron James

One of Jesser's dream collaborations is with NBA superstar LeBron James. He envisions a one-on-one basketball game with LeBron as the ultimate video that would attract a massive audience. While this collaboration may be a long shot, Jesser's ambition and creativity are driving him to aim high and pursue exciting opportunities.

Innovative Ideas for the NBA and NFL

Jesser believes that the NBA and NFL can benefit from exploring new content formats and engaging with creators and athletes in a more collaborative way. He suggests that the leagues could host a Creator Summit to brainstorm ideas and empower players to create their own content. By tapping into the creativity of creators and athletes, the leagues can enhance their digital presence and connect with fans in new and exciting ways.

The Future of Jesser's Channels

As Jesser looks ahead to the future, he is focused on reaching new milestones, such as hitting 25 million subscribers on his main channel. He plans to continue producing content for his Reacts channel and aims to consistently upload 10 videos per month. With a dedicated team and a passion for basketball and entertainment, Jesser is poised to continue growing his sports entertainment empire and inspiring fans around the world.