We recently connected with Darryl Mayes and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Darryl thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?
Yes! Thank God I have been able to earn a full-time living from my creative work!
Ever since I was young I have wanted to become a full time YouTuber.
That was always the goal, and not because of any of the vanity or the numbers associated with it, I always saw the platform as a place of expression!
YouTube was a place where I could post what I wanted, when I wanted and that kind of creative freedom to me was like a dream come true!
I started my YouTube Journey back in 2012!
When I first got started, my goal was to be a music producer and so I was making beats and posting them on YouTube for people to hear and hopefully buy! (That never worked out haha!)
After a while, I decided to get creative with it, and I started doing what I called “Turn Up With Me’s” which is literally what it sounds like!
I would sit in a chair or stand on a wall and I would dance to the beat that I had created.
After some time, I realized just how ridiculous those were starting to become and that’s when it all started.
I began to put comedy skits around the beats to make them more entertaining.
I grew up on Comedy, from Bernie Mac, to Martin Lawrence to Eddie Murphy etc. and so I’ve always been a huge fan of comedy.
Laughter is not only one of the most amazing feelings in the world but it’s also healing. A good laugh can turn your whole day around instantly.
I enjoyed doing this for a while and I came up with so many ideas, that I really began posting consistently.
Over time, I came up with so many great and funny ideas that it began to feel like the beats were interrupting the storyline!
I would have a hilarious idea and then think to myself “Aw man I have to put a beat in between this” and that started to bother me because I was having such fun crafting these funny and relatable stories.
In 2018 I posted a video on my channel saying that I would be stopping the music, and I would be focusing on the comedy skits, And from that point on, that’s what I did!
I created comedy skits and I’ve been doing it ever since, from writing scripts on the counter at the pawn shop I worked at to filming outside on my lunch break while I worked at target, I finally found something that brought me Joy and fulfillment , and it still brings me that, to this day!
Some of the major milestones I’ve experienced since then is crossing 1 million and then 2 million subscribers.
Another would be being selected to be apart of the YouTube Black Class of 2022, and there are a lot more that I am very very grateful for but overall, the biggest milestone to me is people telling me how much of a positive influence my comedy has been to their lives.
I get message all the time of people saying that my videos have helped them through hard times and to me that means the world, because that’s what comedy does for me and has always done.
In terms of speeding up the process, I wouldn’t want to. Everything happened for a reason, and all of the things that I had to endure to get here were to prepare me for where I am now.
I’m grateful for my entire journey!
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 am a content creator and I create funny and relatable comedy skits to bring people joy and laughter. I like to think I provide people comfort in knowing that they have someone they can relate to and someone that cares about them, that can also turn their day around by making them laugh until they cry haha!
I believe what sets me apart from others is that I really focus on creating funny stories that people can place themselves into.
I like for my content to make the viewer feel almost like they are sitting in the room with me as this is happening, so that they feel more connected to the characters and the storylines.
Each comedy skit I create is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring that every emotion feels authentic and every character feels like someone you’ve known for years. I draw inspiration from real-life experiences, weaving them into hilarious narratives that resonate with my audience on a personal level.
One of the things I’m most proud of is the feedback I receive from my viewers, The Mayes Family!
Many have shared with me how my videos have brightened their darkest days or helped them through tough times. Knowing that I can bring joy and laughter to others is incredibly rewarding and serves as a constant reminder of why I do what I do.
For potential Mayes Family Members, I want them to know that my work isn’t just about making people laugh—it’s about creating a sense of community and belonging. Whether you’re watching one of my skits alone or sharing it with friends, I want you to feel like you’re part of something special. So, if you’re in need of a good laugh or just want to escape reality for a few minutes, come join the family!!
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
I get this question pretty often and here is the truth,
Building an audience on social media isn’t something that happens overnight. It’s a journey that requires patience, dedication, and above all, authenticity. When I reflect on how I built my audience, it wasn’t through any shortcuts or quick fixes. It was through a commitment to creating meaningful content and fostering genuine connections with my followers.
From the beginning, I knew that in order to truly resonate with my audience, I had to be authentic. I shared not only the highlights of my life but also the challenges and setbacks. One of the biggest things being that everyone’s favorite character, my Dad character “Pops” truly started as my imagination of what I thought having a dad would be like.
By being transparent and vulnerable, I was able to forge deeper connections with my audience, who appreciated my honesty and authenticity.
Another crucial aspect of building a social media presence is putting others above yourself. This means actively engaging with your audience, responding to comments and messages, and showing genuine interest in their lives. Building a community isn’t just about promoting yourself—it’s about creating a space where people feel valued and supported.
Above all, building a social media presence takes dedication to the craft. It means consistently showing up, even when you don’t feel like it, and putting in the work to continually improve and evolve. People can tell when you’re passionate about what you do, and that passion is contagious.
So, to anyone just starting to build their social media presence, my advice is this: be authentic, put others above yourself, and above all, stay dedicated to your craft. Building a tribe of people who support you and your business / content takes time, but if you’re willing to put in the effort, the rewards are most definitely worth it!
Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
Looking back on my creative journey, one thing I wish I had known earlier is the power of collaboration and the value of seeking out resources and support from fellow content creators.
In the beginning, I felt like I had to do everything on my own, from brainstorming ideas to making my own merch, to editing all my videos. However, I soon realized that I was limiting myself by not tapping into the wealth of knowledge and inspiration that exists within the creative community.
Collaborating with other content creators not only opens up new opportunities for creativity but also provides invaluable support and encouragement along the way. Whether it’s bouncing ideas off one another, sharing tips and tricks, or even collaborating on projects, working with other creators has been major in my growth and success.
Also, I wish I had understood earlier that it’s okay to ask for help and to delegate tasks. As a creator and entrepreneur, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking you have to do it all yourself. However, I’ve come to realize that seeking assistance from others not only lightens the workload but also allows you to focus on what you do best.
The resources and support available to creators today are more accessible than ever before. From online communities to local meetups in your area, there are countless ways to connect with others and draw inspiration and advice. By embracing collaboration and seeking out resources, you can save yourself stress and headaches in the future while also creating a stronger sense of community within the creative industry.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Themayesfam.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darrylmayes?igsh=am04cmhpamlhdjMx&utm_source=qr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@darrylmayes?si=R3zXAgAGpt8S5IoZ
- Other: Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@darryl_mayes?_t=8nC9zsAMUNb&_r=1
Image Credits
@cltvo