So, it’s official—I am going to VidCon this year! I’ve attended the past two years, and I’m incredibly thankful for the opportunity, thanks to my affiliation with Buzzfeed (in the past), SomethingScary, and my own brand. If you’re interested in attending, here’s a link: https://www.tixr.com/groups/vidconus/events/vidcon-anaheim-2024-84636
Reflecting on my past experiences, I can say that attending VidCon has been more impactful each year. The first year was especially exciting for me because I had been dreaming of going since around 2010, back when I had favorite YouTubers.
I aspired to create my own YouTube channel then, but unforeseen circumstances and concerns from loved ones led me to pivot away from that path. Interestingly, earlier that year, a psychic medium told me I would be good at content creation if I pursued it. While I wish I had followed through back then, I believe everything happens for a reason. The content I wanted to make then is so different from what I want to create now. Back then, I was into cosplay, which quickly burned me out.
Last year, I was disappointed with the Paranormal and Spooky panels. They lacked diversity, featuring the same people repeatedly, like Youtubers from Watcher and Shane and Ryan. While these creators are great, VidCon needs fresh perspectives.
One of my biggest criticisms is that only huge content creators get to do panels. Content creation is incredibly diverse, and VidCon misses out on showcasing trailblazers who might not have millions of followers but are making significant impacts in their communities. I even left my contact information with VidCon, offering to moderate and help shape the Paranormal panels.
Despite these criticisms, I go to VidCon because I’m curious about their lineups, who they’re reaching out to, and their overall mission. While VidCon can feel superficial, it’s also a fantastic networking opportunity for creators. Also gaining insight from Social Media Panels and what they are wanting to focus for that year.