We recently connected with Ken Sallee and have shared our conversation below.

Ken, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

By far, my most meaningful project, which is ongoing, is my Friday livestreams on YouTube, called “Just Stream With Me”. This livestream is a Friday night livestream where I host a content creation Q&A and YouTube channel reviews. But the best part is that I invite aspiring or new livestreamers to go live with me on screen!

This was a vision I had since I started livestreaming. For a new livestreamer there are so many things to think about. What platform to use, what microphone to use, what camera, how do I set it up, what do I talk about, how do I run my show, and so much more. But the hardest part is actually finding the nerve to press that “go live” button and start talking.

This stream gives people an opportunity to just go live without having to plan anything! Throughout the stream, I share a link in the chat, and all the streamer has to do is grab their phone and some earbuds, and click the link! Once they do that, they are live with me and have their first experience being live, on camera. We talk about their channel, their plans, whatever we need to to make them comfortable with the live experience. I love that this allows them to break that fear and just be there, in the moment, live and in front of the camera for the first time.

I only have a few rules….1, my channel is family friendly, so I ask the guests to keep it that way while they are on, and 2. They have to be on camera and mic. Not just audio, because this is the only way to get the full experience. And most importantly, have fun and enjoy the experience! This is by far my favorite part of my channel, since I feel this is something that can help new streamers the most! There aren’t a lot of channels that you can go live, as there are some risks to allowing such a thing. But the reward for the streamer is worth it to me. I have even had 2 previous guests go on to have their own weekly livestream!

This livestream will one day be the cornerstone of my channel and my brand! The show is fun also, as we also talk whatever random talk the audience wants to talk about. We have talked about everything from crocs to NFL Football, Lord of the Rings…you name it. It is a great way to end a week and kick off the weekend with a fun time!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I started as a content creator on YouTube in February 2020. At the time, I started because I was buying beard products, hanging out with other beard community members on Instagram and YouTube, and loved the idea of creating. I had no goals when I first started, and it just seemed like a fun thing to do. Not too long after I started, Dan C Bearded conducted an online contest where he invited other creators to submit videos and he would choose his favorite videos as a way of highlighting talent and helping other creators get started. I submitted a video, and surprisingly, I was one of the top 3 picks. This started not only a great friendship with Dan, but also lit a fire under me to really take content creation more serious.

From there, I kept creating video for my YouTube channel, Bluegrass Bearded. I really looked at how I could be unique, and started coming up with more and more ideas for content. I was doing livestreams, beard science videos, beard product reviews, and becoming more and more known throughout the beard community. I would frequently get questions from other creators about how I was able to do certain video editing techniques. Additionally, people would ask me if I could help them with their own graphics, intro videos, and teaching them how to be a content creator. As things progressed, I was being paid by companies to create content, ads, and other forms of social media.

By July 2021, I had already fallen well into my role as a pseudo-creator coach, and loved talking with other coaches and seeing their passion for coaching others. I started to feel a real passion shift from talking about beard products to helping other creators get started. Over the years I have learned something that is really at the center of what I believe to my core – everyone has a reason to create content. Everyone has a story to tell. Everyone has something they can offer the world that can serve others. Whether it’s education, entertainment, inspiration, or a combination of each – everyone has a reason to create. What they don’t have in some cases is the courage or knowledge. Some people have never had to edit a video. They’ve never had to create graphics, speak on camera, or tell their story. They’ve never had to face the courage to be up front and center and speak about topics they’ve been through that could possibly help others. This is where I come in.

In August 2021, I created Ken the Content Coach, LLC. My mission is simple – I want to help content creators with all of the different areas of creation that they are afraid of or have no knowledge of. I have discovered a burning desire in myself to help others realize how content creation can not only change their life, but also the lives of others they may reach! I have witnessed people go from lurking in a comment section or chat window to creating their own content and having an impact on someone. Not everyone will succeed as a content creator, but for so many – there is a successful, impactful creator hidden inside of them. They just need a little help finding it. That is my goal.

I will succeed for two main reasons – I have a deep passion of service to others, and I understand the impact of building a community and not just building a follower count. If I can help someone come out of their shell and start learning the process of a being a creator, then I feel like I have found success. That is only the start though. The creator then has to do the hard work it takes – and I will be there to support them wherever I can!

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

The most important thing we can do as creators is work to build community. Not just followers. We have to give back to our community as much as they give us. There are a few ways I do this.

First, I make sure to make my livestreams engaging, and include everyone in the conversation. I make sure to acknowledge everyone that enters the chat. We have engaging conversation that includes questions, and my wife and I frequently do giveaways simply to give back. We don’t advertise them, or ask anyone for anything to do so. Giveaways are always out of our pocket. We feel it is a great way to give back to the people that support us so much!

Second, I use Instagram and TikTok to chat with people and provide value where I can. I answer every message that comes my way. I also answer every comment on YouTube videos. I feel that it is important to acknowledge the fact that someone not only took time to watch the content, but also to leave a comment. They could have easily skipped past it, but they took the time to show appreciation. I want to give it right back.

Third, I do my best to provide plenty of free value to those that support and engage with my platform. I have a private creator community that is hosted through Mighty Networks. There is a simple screening process to keep it safe for all creators, but it’s a great opportunity for creators to join and have a forum where they can ask questions with no fear of negativity or hateful comments. There are plenty of creators there that are well-seasoned in creating on multiple platforms, so there are always people who can answer questions and generate great conversation. I have seen some great ideas and growth for creators who are part of the group. I have plan to expand the group at some point, but it is a great place for creator growth, at no cost!

Through these ways, and so many others, it is extremely important for me that my community members know they are valued and respected. I am not trying to go viral or just grow….I want to build a community that serves every member!

How’d you meet your business partner?

So Ken the Content Coach is a “one man show” if you will, but I definitely have a partner in this journey. My wife, Melissa, who I met in the Army in 2004, is my biggest supporter, cheerleader, inspiration, and motivator. She understand how important this platform mission is to me, and she is there every step of the way. She supports the long hours, the sacrifice of time, and everything that it takes to build this platform and business. There is no way I could do this without her love and support.

One of the biggest success factors for any creator or business owner is the support of their family. I am fortunate to have an amazing wife who support this 100%, regardless of the sacrifice! None of this would be possible without her or her sacrifice.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kenthecontentcoach.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ken_thecontentcoach/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialkenthecontentcoach
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenthecontentcoach/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/KenContentCoach
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/KentheContentCoach
• Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kenthecontentcoach Just Hit Record Creator Community: https://justhitrecordofficial.com/ Email: ken@kenthecontentcoach.com

Image Credits
Ken the Content Coach, LLC