Brief Summary
This video features an interview with Henry and Dylan, two roommates who built a $1.8 million animation studio in two years. They have over 1 billion views on YouTube and work with big names like Will Smith and Ali Abdal. Their business model prioritizes fun and creative pursuits over immediate profits, reinvesting all earnings back into content creation. They share their strategies for finding profitable ideas, building a viral content strategy, and hiring talented editors.
- They built a successful animation studio, Clip.co, that generates revenue through client work.
- They use the profits from Clip.co to fund their own creative content, including animated shorts and a newsletter.
- They prioritize fun and creative pursuits over immediate profits, reinvesting all earnings back into content creation.
Intro
Henry and Dylan, the founders of Clip.co, an animation studio, share their story of building a successful business in two years. They have achieved over 1 billion views on YouTube and work with big names like Will Smith and Ali Abdal. They prioritize fun and creative pursuits over immediate profits, reinvesting all earnings back into content creation.
Meet The Boys
Henry and Dylan introduce themselves and their business, Clip.co, an animation studio that generates $2 million in revenue annually. They use the profits from their agency to fund their own creative content, including animated shorts and a newsletter. They explain that their goal is to create engaging content that simplifies complex ideas in a fun and accessible way.
Business Breakdown
Henry and Dylan explain how their business works. They have a team of animators and video editors who work with companies that need help creating media content. They match animators with companies that lack editing expertise, allowing them to collaborate and produce high-quality content. The revenue generated from this agency work funds their own creative content, which includes animated shorts and a newsletter.
Content Strategy
Henry and Dylan discuss their content strategy. They aim to release one animated short per day, each focusing on explaining complex ideas in a concise and entertaining way. They compare their style to "South Park for nerds," emphasizing the use of humor and simplicity to make complex topics accessible. They also leverage their shorts to create an illustrated email newsletter, doubling their content output.
1 Billion Views
Henry and Dylan reveal that their content has garnered over 1 billion views on YouTube in the past year. They also mention the success of their "Smart Nonsense" newsletter, which gained 10,000 subscribers in its first month and has since grown to 20,000 subscribers.
Background
Henry and Dylan share their backstory, explaining how they met in college and developed their entrepreneurial spirit. They initially started a podcast called "Smart Nonsense" in 2020, but it struggled to gain traction. This led them to explore ways to monetize their skills and eventually develop their agency, Clip.co.
Finding The Idea (Blitz Strategy)
Henry and Dylan explain how they came up with the idea for Clip.co. They initially hired editors in the Philippines to help with their podcast. Recognizing the demand for editing services, they decided to offer their services to other podcasters. They used a "blitz strategy," offering free work to potential clients and showcasing their skills to secure paid projects.
How They Self-Funded The Business
Henry and Dylan discuss how they self-funded their business. They initially relied on a small buffer from their first client, but when that ran out, they used Henry's credit card to cover expenses. They accumulated $40,000 in debt, but they were confident in their ability to generate enough revenue to pay it off. They adopted a mindset of "just selling one more client" to overcome financial challenges.
Landing Big Clients (Squatter Marketing)
Henry and Dylan explain their "squatter marketing" strategy for landing big clients. They would create content for potential clients, even without being hired, and share it publicly. This created the perception that they were already working with these clients, attracting attention and ultimately leading to paid projects.
How To Create Viral Content
Henry and Dylan share their secret to creating viral content. They believe that storytelling is the key to capturing audience attention. They emphasize the importance of crafting compelling narratives that resonate with viewers, drawing them in and keeping them engaged. They also highlight the role of animation in bringing their stories to life, creating a visually engaging experience.
How To Hire
Henry and Dylan discuss their hiring philosophy. They prioritize hiring individuals who are demonstrably better than them, creating a team of highly talented individuals who learn from each other. They trust their gut instinct when evaluating potential hires, looking for individuals who impress them and make them feel like they could learn from them.
Where To Find Talented Editors
Henry and Dylan explain how they found talented editors. They initially outsourced editing to the Philippines, recognizing the abundance of creative talent in the region. They found that outsourcing editing allowed them to focus on content creation while maintaining a high level of quality.
Costs of The Team
Henry and Dylan discuss the cost of their team. They spend around $25,000 to $30,000 per month on their team of animators and editors. They acknowledge that this is a significant expense, especially considering the relatively low revenue generated by their shorts. However, they emphasize that this investment is justified by their commitment to creating high-quality content and their belief in the long-term value of their creative pursuits.
Starting A Business With A Friend
Henry and Dylan share their experiences of starting a business with their best friend. They acknowledge the highs and lows of working together, but they emphasize the importance of humor and mutual support in navigating challenges. They highlight their complementary skillsets, with Henry focusing on execution and Dylan on perfectionism, which they believe creates a balanced and effective partnership.
Content OVER Money
Henry and Dylan explain their philosophy of prioritizing content over money. They have witnessed firsthand the success of individuals who prioritize wealth accumulation, but they have chosen a different path. They believe that focusing on creating engaging content allows them to build a strong personal brand and achieve their creative goals. They are content with generating enough revenue to fund their content creation and reinvesting the rest back into their business.
Day in the life
Henry and Dylan describe a typical day in their lives. They have outsourced the day-to-day operations of their agency, allowing them to focus on exploring ideas and creating content. They spend their time researching topics, developing concepts, and crafting their animated shorts. They also dedicate time to overseeing the agency and brainstorming new ideas.
Future Vision & Strategy
Henry and Dylan discuss their long-term vision and strategy. They prioritize a lifestyle-first approach, focusing on optimizing for fun and minimizing stress. They believe in surrounding themselves with talented individuals who can handle the day-to-day operations, allowing them to focus on their creative pursuits. They also emphasize the importance of staying "above the clouds," focusing on their vision and goals rather than getting bogged down in the details.
How To Find Profitable Ideas
Henry and Dylan share their advice for finding profitable ideas. They recommend starting with your own needs and interests. They explain that if you create a product or service that solves a problem you personally face, there are likely others who share that need. By focusing on creating something you genuinely need, you can identify a market and develop a profitable business.
Advice
Henry and Dylan offer advice to aspiring entrepreneurs. They caution against overcomplicating business processes and recommend focusing on creating value and generating revenue quickly. They emphasize the importance of taking action and testing ideas rather than getting bogged down in planning and analysis. They encourage entrepreneurs to be bold and to pursue their passions, even if it means taking risks and facing challenges.
