Drew Afualo And Dhar Mann In Conversation | Forbes Top Creators

Bullying, racism, inequality––these are all subjects for the videos that Dhar Mann and his team of more than 150 produce for his 23 million subscriber YouTube channel. Says Mann: “The goal from the beginning was to help people going through a tough time in their life. Tough times I went through.” Mann writes scripts for the videos, which he films with actors in his 100,000 sqft LA studio. Viewers come flocking for his modern take on the after-school special. Over the last year, he earned an estimated $45 million via Google Adsense and brand partnerships, including WhatsApp, Universal, and game developer SocialPoint. Mann also runs a creator agency (5th Quarter Agency) and a beauty brand (LiveGlam). Mann ranks #2 on the Forbes Top Creators List 2024.

For Drew Afualo, filming TikToks clapping back against misogynistic internet trolls has grown into an influential media brand. Afualo now has more than 8 million followers across TikTok and Instagram. In 2024, the former journalist launched a Spotify podcast, The Comment Section, and a new memoir, Loud. “I've always told people that if you’re pure and intentional, you will find an audience,” Afualo tells Forbes. “But inauthenticity never hits.” Drew ranks #42 on the Forbes Top Creators List 2024.

To rank the world's Top Creators, Forbes crunched data on the estimated gross earnings, follower counts, engagement rates, and entrepreneurial activities of thousands of internet personalities with the help of the creator marketing firm Influential. The result: The 50 social media stars using their massive reach and loyal fans to turn social media buzz into billions of dollars.

0:00 Introducing Drew Afualo And Dhar Mann
1:20 Breaking Into The Creator Industry
8:11 How Mann & Afualo Turned Social Media Into A Career
10:29 Advice For New Creators Looking To Build A Lasting Brand
15:53 Mann And Afualo On Manifestation
18:25 How Mann And Afualo Monetized Content And Scored Their First Deals
19:55 "When You Make More Money, You Spend More Money" And Other Brand Building Lessons
32:52 How Mann and Afualo Navigate Cultural Challenges Within The Industry
36:25 Growing A Brand Beyond Social Media
41:27 How To Monetize Content And Measure Success As A Creator
49:39 How To Choose The Right Brand Partnerships For Your Brand
56:49 Lessons Learned From Navigating The Creator Ecosystem

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