Digital Social Hour: How Snapchat Stars are Making Millions: Insider Secrets | Van Oakes DSHH #859
Release Date: November 5, 2024
In episode #859 of Digital Social Hour, host Sean Kelly engages in an in-depth conversation with Van Oakes, a seasoned entrepreneur and former Chief Marketing Officer for the popular TV show "Diesel Brothers." The episode delves into the lucrative world of Snapchat stardom, Van's personal journey through mental health challenges, and his innovative ventures in the tech and investment sectors. Below is a comprehensive summary of their discussion, highlighting key points, insights, and memorable quotes.
1. Transition from Television to Social Media
Van Oakes reminisces about his tenure with the "Diesel Brothers," emphasizing the seamless shift from television to e-commerce. He highlights the show's success on the Discovery Channel and its evolution through social media platforms.
Van Oakes [01:09]: "It was the number one TV show on Discovery Channel in history. Launch."
He explains how the "Diesel Brothers" leveraged their social media presence to dominate platforms like Snapchat, ultimately surpassing traditional TV revenue streams.
Van Oakes [02:02]: "When you go to YouTube and you transition to, you know, 3.5 million followers, you get 100 million views. Just the CPMs alone pay 100 grand."
2. The Financial Power of Snapchat
The conversation shifts to Snapchat's resurgence and its financial advantages over other social media platforms. Van underscores the platform's superior monetization models, particularly for influencers.
Van Oakes [02:25]: "Snapchat's paying Snap stars, you know, and all. All you got to do is just post because it serves your ad every... like, in between. Every two stories, three stories, and you get paid every time."
He contrasts Snapchat's revenue generation with platforms like Instagram, highlighting the significant disparity in earnings despite massive engagement.
Van Oakes [02:33]: "It's unbelievable. With Snapchat's paying Snap stars, you know, and all."
3. Success with Paid Advertising on Snapchat and Facebook
Van shares his expertise in media buying, particularly his success with Snapchat, where he earned accolades for his substantial ad spend and effective campaigns.
Van Oakes [03:01]: "I won the Snap Star of the year in 2019, and I don't think it was. I was the best media buyer on the platform."
He contrasts this with his experiences on Facebook, noting the platform's lack of engagement despite significant investment.
Van Oakes [03:26]: "Spent over a hundred million dollars on Facebook. They don't give a shit. They don't even know who I am."
4. Innovative Marketing Strategies: The Giveaway Model
Van introduces his agency, Goat Media, and elaborates on the unique "giveaway model" they employ to drive engagement and reduce customer acquisition costs.
Van Oakes [05:05]: "It's like every dollar you spend on our merchandise get you entered to win a truck or a Lamborghini or something like that."
This strategy not only incentivizes purchases but also ensures higher engagement rates, making advertising more cost-effective.
5. Personal Struggles and Overcoming Trauma
The conversation takes a poignant turn as Van recounts a life-altering accident that profoundly impacted his mental health and personal life. He details the harrowing experience and the subsequent financial and emotional burdens.
Van Oakes [07:32]: "I was out with the family. I had my whole family in a Polaris Razor, and I actually rolled my vehicle. One of my daughters was ejected, and the other had to undergo brain surgery."
Van opens up about his battle with depression following the accident, highlighting the inadequacies of traditional therapy and pharmaceuticals in addressing his mental health needs.
Van Oakes [09:19]: "And then I realized, there's significant, significant evidence that MDMA is extremely helpful for PTSD induced depression."
6. Alternative Medicine and Mental Health Recovery
Seeking solutions beyond conventional medicine, Van explores alternative therapies like MDMA-assisted therapy, psilocybin, and ayahuasca. These treatments play a crucial role in his recovery, helping him overcome severe depression and regain his emotional well-being.
Van Oakes [12:01]: "I did the MDMA therapy, I did the psilocybin therapy, and then I did ayahuasca. Twice. And I swear to God, it's never came back."
He emphasizes the transformative impact of these treatments, advocating for their broader acceptance in mental health care.
7. Redefining Priorities: Family and Presence
The accident serves as a catalyst for Van to reassess his work-life balance. He shares practical strategies for staying present with his children, such as dedicating two uninterrupted hours each evening.
Van Oakes [15:31]: "I'll put my phone on my nightstand by my bed and I just leave it there until I put the kids to bed at 8:00."
This intentional separation from digital distractions underscores his commitment to family and personal relationships.
8. Embracing Biohacking and Health Optimization
Van delves into his passion for biohacking, discussing the critical role of sleep and physical health in overall well-being. He shares insights from Matthew Walker's "Why We Sleep," highlighting the detrimental effects of sleep deprivation.
Van Oakes [18:21]: "It's linked to everything. Leading cause of cancer, leading cause of autism in children."
He details his personal regimen, including the use of advanced sleep technology like Sleep Number beds and wearable trackers to optimize sleep quality.
Van Oakes [19:18]: "This bed actually regulates your body temperature... I've never had better sleep than I have right now."
9. The Importance of Exercise and Mental Clarity
Van advocates for regular exercise as a fundamental component of mental health, describing it as a natural method to release endorphins and alleviate depression.
Van Oakes [26:29]: "The most underrated thing that you can do for your emotions and for your physical well-being and mentally for your mental well-being is exercise."
He underscores the significance of consistency in maintaining physical and mental health, sharing his disciplined workout routine.
10. Future Ventures: Democratizing Venture Capital Investing
Towards the episode's conclusion, Van unveils his latest project aimed at bridging the gap between everyday investors and lucrative venture capital opportunities. His platform leverages AI to analyze investment portfolios and connect users with suitable deals, democratizing access to high-yield investments typically reserved for accredited investors.
Van Oakes [29:42]: "I'm making a marketplace that connects the fund with the investors and takes a percentage of the deal."
This innovative approach seeks to streamline investment processes, making venture capital more accessible and manageable for the average person.
Conclusion
Van Oakes’ narrative on Digital Social Hour is a compelling blend of professional insights and personal resilience. From mastering the monetization intricacies of Snapchat to overcoming profound personal trauma, his story serves as both an educational resource and an inspirational testament to the human spirit's capacity to adapt and thrive. Listeners are left with actionable strategies for leveraging social media effectively, prioritizing mental health, and embracing innovative investment opportunities.
Notable Quotes:
- Van Oakes [02:02]: "When you go to YouTube and you transition to, you know, 3.5 million followers, you get 100 million views. Just the CPMs alone pay 100 grand."
- Van Oakes [05:05]: "It's like every dollar you spend on our merchandise get you entered to win a truck or a Lamborghini or something like that."
- Van Oakes [12:01]: "I did the MDMA therapy, I did the psilocybin therapy, and then I did ayahuasca. Twice. And I swear to God, it's never came back."
- Van Oakes [18:21]: "It's linked to everything. Leading cause of cancer, leading cause of autism in children."
- Van Oakes [26:29]: "The most underrated thing that you can do for your emotions and for your physical well-being and mentally for your mental well-being is exercise."
- Van Oakes [29:42]: "I'm making a marketplace that connects the fund with the investors and takes a percentage of the deal."
For those interested in maximizing their social media potential, optimizing their health, or exploring innovative investment opportunities, this episode offers invaluable insights and practical advice grounded in Van Oakes' extensive experience and personal journey.