SitC Tips: Standing Out
Let’s just get this out of the way: YouTubers are massive narcissists. There’s no shame in it! We all like to stand out and be seen; either because we like getting feedback on our creativity or we just like the idea that people know we exist, whatever, our YouTube channels give us that freedom.
So in a real-life situation like a YouTube gathering, where almost everyone is like that, the atmosphere can become a little tense if people start to become competitive in who can stand out the most.
Over the years at SitC we’ve seen a few examples of people who have been running around doing things that they think would make them be remembered, but were in reality pretty obnoxious and sometimes invasive, making people uncomfortable rather than entertained. Tom Milsom was pretty vocal about a few examples last year :P
It’s still very possible to do something that’s entertaining without relying on gimmicks and social awkwardness. Some play music, some plan collabs, we’ve even had folks going around and doing magic tricks, which is cool!
But dressing up like a cat and running around without actually having much to contribute other than “guys look I’m a cat hey look I’m a person in a cat costume how quirky hey here’s your pal the person who was dressed like a cat at SitC hey guys free hugs” is a little less cool.Also, it’s very possible to be entertaining without taking things way over the top. At a recent gathering, someone apparently ate a playing card, threw it up, and proceeded to have people touch it without telling them where it had been. That’s not entertaining, that’s gross. There’s a line to be drawn, and that line is crossed at trying to make a name for yourself at other people’s expense. That and the expulsion of stomach contents.
Honestly, if you really want to stand out, just be a nice and engaging person. Have conversations with people. Try to make long-term friends instead of short-term fans. Appreciate that some people there aren’t as extroverted as you. Don’t start every conversation with a business card. Be remembered as that cool person who also likes Sherlock, instead of that weird person in a morphsuit and a cape that was trying too hard. It takes much less of your energy and the results will be far more rewarding, I promise. <3
(via harrytomlomsom)
