I’m going to do something I never usually do in these newsletters, which is start with a quick sales pitch! On 29th January, the Creator Academy kicks off, and time is running out to sign up if you want to follow in my footsteps and become a profitable content creator!
During the Creator Academy, I’ll share everything about how I run the Mark Ellis Reviews brand, from content creation to the nitty-gritty business stuff. Nothing will be held back, and it’s a huge opportunity for anyone who has watched what I do and thought “I want a piece of that”. To find out more, click here!
I’m writing this newsletter from a very expensive Starbucks in the Treasure Island resort in Las Vegas (I’m also looking forward to not paying seven bucks for a coffee). I’m here for CES which is, if you weren’t aware, the world’s largest consumer tech show. I’m tired. I’m still jet-lagged. I’m massively homesick and just want to see my little boy, girlfriend, and dog.
But it has been one of the most important business trips of my life.
I’m doing an increasing amount of travelling for Mark Ellis Reviews. This is due to several brand partnerships that have resulted in me being shipped off around the world to attend product launches and behind-the-scenes events. In return, I create content about those products and events and help draw attention to the brands in question. It’s a win-win and I’m hugely grateful for every single opportunity.
CES is a bit different. It’s a trade show, and I haven’t been invited here by a specific brand - I’ve simply paid my own way and, thanks to some hard work on behalf of the team, managed to cover most of the costs with one brand job while I’m out here.
I’ve done a lot of trade shows in my time, both as an exhibitor and an attendee. Most have taken place in the UK, and some have been what I would consider to be ‘huge events’. At least, I did consider them to be ‘huge’, until I attended CES. The scale of this conference is like nothing I’ve ever seen before. There are media days leading up to the main event which take over entire hotels and unfathomable amounts of floor space (think multiple Apple-style keynotes over two days, and you’re somewhere close). There’s even a pre-event event which proudly reveals some of the brands that will be at the main event. When the show eventually opens, four days of exhibiting by brands large and small ensues across two convention centres and, once again, several hotels. There are evening events, too - mini trade shows like Showstoppers and Pepcom, and countless awards events and brand ‘wrap parties’ you can be invited - or sneak in - to.
As a content creator attending CES, navigating this maze of brand partnership opportunities, networking events, and free lunches requires a huge amount of planning, mental focus, and stamina. Add jet lag, your ‘normal’ workload, and Vegas itself into the mix, and it’s a heady cocktail.
I won’t lie - it has completely taken me by surprise. I knew CES was going to be incredibly manic and overwhelming (CES veterans were only too happy to tell me that was the case before coming here) but I had no idea to what extent. As a result, I know I’ve not made the most effective use of this trip - but not in a way that I regret. The whole point of this first CES was to pop my cherry and see what on earth it was all about. It’s been an invaluable learning experience.
I’ve done as much as I can. The aforementioned paid job is now in the edit suite, I’ve made my way around most of the halls (I have more time today to undertake one last wander), I’ve networked with brands and fellow content creators I’ve never met before, and I’ve had lunch with a consultant we’ve brought in recently.
I’ve also spent a great deal of time with creators I do know. That has been, arguably the best part about this trip; I’ve said so many times before that you need your friends in this industry, and they’re among the best I’ve made.
However, one of the most memorable things that happened was a brief encounter I had during an awards evening earlier this week. When I started Mark Ellis Reviews, I listened relentlessly to several creator industry podcasts. The insight I heard from those who had spent years honing their craft and learning how YouTube works was invaluable, and it spurred me on to make my little mark in the tech YouTube space. One of those podcasts was hosted by a chap called Liron Segev. His voice soundtracked so many dog walks and gym visits back then; his insight into YouTube growth strategies, analytics, and how new creators should navigate this amazing but overwhelming world helped my channel become what it is today.
So, put yourself in my shoes and imagine finding yourself sitting next to Liron in a bar at the Mirage talking shop about YouTube. It was surreal, fun, and the biggest full-circle moment of my career so far. The fact Liron is just a really nice bloke capped it off.
For now, though, I’m counting down the hours until I get back home. CES - you’ve been bonkers and amazing, but I really am ready to see my family.