Reel Rejects Have Over a Million Subscribers. So Why Is Creator Greg Alba Still in ‘Scarcity’ Mindset?

CREATOR NEWSLETTER


Guys, did you know Passionfruit is doing VIDEO PODCASTS now? Well, a video podcast, but there’s a podcast version of the video if that’s your speed. Head to our YouTube channel and check out The Reactorverse Podcast, a new weekly series where video editor Eric Rodriguez talks to some of the biggest names in the reactor community. It drops every Monday at 10 am PT, available literally anywhere podcasts live. If you don’t know what Reactors are, or why the issues they face are so vitally important to the future of video content on the Internet, I’ll explain. But first, do me a solid and visit one of the links above and subscribe to the channel, and after you’ve listened, drop a like or comment in the name of feeding the algorithm. 

Back to what we’re talking about here. Reaction, reactors, and reacting videos are different concepts that change meaning depending on the platform: On Twitch, it’s popular videos or clips of people reacting to gameplay; on TikTok, reaction videos are anything from filming yourself listening to songs for the first time to giving real time feedback on other people’s TikToks. On YouTube, reactors refer to a specific space: people who record themselves watching a piece of pop culture for the first time, whether that’s a video game, a movie, TV show, or even a trailer. Teaser trailer reactions are especially popular.


YOUTUBE MADE ME DO IT


For the debut episode of Reactorverse Podcast, Eric sat down with Greg Alba from the Reel Rejects, a channel he created 11 years ago and now boasts over a million subscribers and half a BILLION views for his videos (not including the live streams). He’s got over 1,951 Patreon subscribers paying for bonus content on top of the 6,200+ videos he’s released publicly. The experience can be summed up as “watching two guys watch the new ‘Willy Wonka’ trailer,” which was the case with one of today’s three videos that debuted on the channel, as well as reactions to “Ahsoka” and “Blue Beetle” trailers, which currently sit at 46K and 16K respective views and climbing, just hours after they dropped. 

On any other platform, those numbers would equal cash money, in the form of sponsorship deals, or, in previous iterations of YouTube, ad revenue. But changes in YouTube’s policies after the advertising exodus known as the “Adpocalypse” means Reel Rejects must stay competitive with increasing view counts on videos for an increasingly smaller piece of the pie…or no pie at all. Not just over copyright strikes—which studios define however they want, oftentimes without notifying reactors whose videos they will use in their own promotional materials for upcoming films or games; or the abuse of the three strike policy by bad faith players looking to have competitors banned or demonetized—at least those have an appeal process which identifies which portion of your video has been claimed.

Channels can also find their videos penalized if they’re determined to be “age-restricted,” a nebulous term that nonetheless can immediately demonetize a video, rendering it ineligible for ad revenue

“The scarcity mindset has never left,’” Alba told Rodriguez. We can understand why.


STREAMING

It Was Business as Usual at TwitchCon Paris as Protests Raged Throughout the City


Get inspired and create with Wondershare

Bring your imagination to life with the Wondershare Creative Center. Access simple, convenient, and useful tools to help you create and edit viral content in minutes. See what you can create with a free trial.


THE COMMENTS SECTION


JOB BOARD


TOOLS REVIEW

best gimbal - featured image

The Best Gimbals and Stabilizers For Professional Footage At Every Budget

Every budget deserves smooth video.

By John-Michael Bond, Passionfruit Contributor


PERSONALITIES

How Honey Mahogany Uses Social Media to Drive LGTBQ Activism

Though the world first met Honey Mahogany on ‘Drag Race,’ 10 years later, she’s using her platform to champion inclusivity and challenge societal norms.

By Charles Orgbon, Passionfruit Contributor


TIPS AND TRICKS

how to use hashtags on instagram - featured image

How to Use Hashtags On Instagram Effectively Without Wasting Time

Instagram hashtags can be confusing to master, but these tips can help.

By Jen Glantz, Passionfruit Contributor

Content for Creators.

News, tips, and tricks delivered to your inbox twice a week.

Newsletter Signup

Latest Newsletters

  • 📣 Autistic Creators Speak Out

    📣 Autistic Creators Speak Out

    CREATOR ECONOMY NEWSLETTER Issue #84 | Nov. 29, 2022 Many neurodivergent creators use social media platforms to combat stigma and spread awareness around their lives. Hashtags like #autism, #autistic, and #neurodiversity gained billions of views on platforms like TikTok in recent years. However, while TikTok has been a place of great representation and community for…

  • 🍂 Passionfruit’s Top Five Stories of the Fall

    🍂 Passionfruit’s Top Five Stories of the Fall

    CREATOR ECONOMY NEWSLETTER Issue #86 | Nov. 24, 2022 As many of us in the United States wind down for a holiday break, we wanted to celebrate the end of the season. In honor of the fall, here are our top five fan-favorite stories of the season exploring the highs and lows of making it…

  • 🐢 TikTok Loves Koopa Troopa

    🐢 TikTok Loves Koopa Troopa

    CREATOR ECONOMY NEWSLETTER Issue #85 | Nov. 22, 2022 TikTok is responsible for creating some of the most viral stars, trends, and dances of the creator economy. TikTok’s most famous, wealthy creators got their start riding the wave of viral trends, including the Renegade, Savage, and now the Koopa Shuffle. As Passionfruit contributor Steven Asarch…