Cody Ko On Building A YouTube Empire, Partying With Elon & Stand-Up Comedy | My First Million

Intro

In this episode of the “My First Million” podcast, Cody Ko, a successful YouTuber with a large following, joins the hosts to discuss his journey in building a YouTube empire, partying with Elon Musk, and his foray into stand-up comedy. Cody shares valuable insights on balancing creativity with business strategy, the importance of personal projects and internships, and the challenges and rewards of creating viral content. Join us as we dive into the world of YouTube, entrepreneurship, and comedy with Cody Ko.

Main Takeaways

Building a YouTube Empire

• Cody Ko is a successful YouTuber with a large following on the platform.
• He emphasizes the importance of balancing creativity with business strategy to succeed in the industry.
• Creating unique content and standing out from the crowd is key to success.
• Viral videos and collaborations can help boost visibility and grow an audience.
• Monetizing YouTube content through ads and brand partnerships is a viable revenue stream.

Partying with Elon Musk and Grimes

• Cody has partied with Elon Musk and Grimes after receiving a text from the billionaire.
• He shares his surreal experience of visiting Elon Musk’s house and the unique atmosphere.
• Elon Musk and Grimes welcomed Cody and his friends with lanterns on the driveway.
• The house had minimal furniture, but they stumbled upon a spaceship inside.
• Cody reflects on the wild night and the awe-inspiring nature of the experience.

From iOS Developer to YouTube Star

• Cody started as an iOS developer and created a viral app called “I’d Cap That” during college.
• He shares the journey of selling the app to a mobile ad network and making a lucrative deal.
• Creating a unique app can lead to success without extensive marketing costs.
• Selling ads within the app can be a way to monetize and generate revenue.
• Cody’s first taste of independent success gave him the courage to work hard and make his company a success.

The Evolution of a YouTube Career

• Cody started making Vine videos every day as a creative outlet.
• He didn’t treat it as a job, but rather as an art form.
• The sincerity behind his content helped him stand out from others trying to become famous on Vine.
• Cody’s Vine videos eventually led to his breakthrough moment with the “That’s Cringe” video series.
• Going on tour and selling out venues became a surreal moment for Cody and his co-creator.

Stand-Up Comedy and Music Ventures

• Cody ventured into stand-up comedy and found it horrifying, but DJing in front of people felt more comfortable.
• The live shows evolved from a podcast format to a comedy show with songs and scripted material.
• Cody and his co-creator started making music videos and gained popularity with their humorous songs.
• They signed a music deal and released successful songs, blending humor and music.
• Creating a fitness-focused product called Cody’s Run Club became another venture for Cody.

Lessons from Other Successful Entrepreneurs

• Cody draws inspiration from entrepreneur Jesse Itzler, who created the concept of Spanx and started off as a white rapper.
• Learning from successful entrepreneurs like Jesse Itzler and studying their journeys can provide valuable insights.
• Building a brand and creating products can be challenging, but owning something being promoted allows for more upside.
• Cody shares his struggles with balancing humor and seriousness when promoting his fitness product.
• Copy work and learning from great writing can improve writing skills and content creation.

Summary

Building a YouTube Empire

Cody Ko’s success as a YouTuber is a result of his ability to balance creativity with business strategy. He emphasizes the importance of creating unique content that stands out and collaborating with others to boost visibility. Monetizing YouTube content through ads and brand partnerships is a viable revenue stream for aspiring YouTubers.

Partying with Elon Musk and Grimes

Cody shares his surreal experience of partying with Elon Musk and Grimes after receiving a text from the billionaire. The atmosphere at Elon Musk’s house was unique, with minimal furniture and even a spaceship inside. Cody reflects on the awe-inspiring nature of the experience and the wild night he had.

From iOS Developer to YouTube Star

Cody’s journey from being an iOS developer to a YouTube star started with the creation of a viral app called “I’d Cap That.” He shares the process of selling the app to a mobile ad network and monetizing it through ads. Cody’s early success gave him the confidence to work hard and make his company a success.

The Evolution of a YouTube Career

Cody’s YouTube career began with making Vine videos every day as a creative outlet. The sincerity behind his content helped him stand out and eventually led to his breakthrough moment with the “That’s Cringe” video series. Going on tour and selling out venues became a surreal experience for Cody and his co-creator.

Stand-Up Comedy and Music Ventures

Cody ventured into stand-up comedy, finding it horrifying, but discovered that DJing in front of people was more comfortable. The live shows evolved from a podcast format to a comedy show with songs and scripted material. Cody and his co-creator also found success in making music videos and signed a music deal, blending humor and music in their songs.

Lessons from Other Successful Entrepreneurs

Cody draws inspiration from entrepreneur Jesse Itzler and learns from his journey in creating successful brands. He emphasizes the importance of owning something being promoted to have more upside. Cody also shares his struggles with balancing humor and seriousness when promoting his fitness product. Learning from successful entrepreneurs and studying their journeys can provide valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Conclusion

Cody Ko’s journey from a successful YouTuber to partying with Elon Musk and exploring stand-up comedy and music ventures showcases the diverse opportunities that come with building an online empire. Balancing creativity with business strategy, learning from successful entrepreneurs, and staying true to one’s unique voice are key takeaways from Cody’s story. Whether it’s creating viral content, monetizing YouTube channels, or venturing into new creative endeavors, Cody’s experiences provide valuable insights for aspiring content creators and entrepreneurs.