Podcast Summary: The Money Mondays
Episode: Why Most Influencers Fail (And How Kellan Ness Blew Up Instead)🔥EP126
Release Date: June 16, 2025
Host: Dan Fleyshman
Guest: Kellan Ness
Introduction to Kellan Ness
In Episode 126 of "The Money Mondays," host Dan Fleyshman welcomes Kellan Ness, a prominent social media influencer known for his impressive growth across multiple platforms. Kellan shares his journey of amassing a vast follower base and provides insights into his strategies for success. At the outset, Kellan offers a succinct biography to set the stage:
"I grew my first following to 7.2 million followers with my ex on TikTok. We grew to about 1.5 million on YouTube. I got about 700,000 on Instagram. And I am partnering with one of the world's largest talent agencies for creators called Creators Inc."
[00:00]
The Keys to Influencer Success
Kellan attributes his remarkable growth to context and consistency. He emphasizes the importance of creating relatable and raw content that resonates with audiences:
"Context and consistency, I think those are the two most important things when it comes to making content relatable and raw content."
[01:52]
These elements, according to Kellan, help influencers stand out in a saturated market where millions vie for attention but only a few break through.
Strategies for Monetizing Influence
When discussing how new influencers can begin to earn money, Kellan outlines several proactive strategies:
-
Live Streaming on TikTok:
"Once you hit a thousand followers, you can go live on TikTok and you could battle people and make money that way."
[02:26] -
TikTok Shop:
"Once you hit 5,000 followers, you can start making money on TikTok shop."
[02:26] -
TikTok Creator Program and Instagram:
"Once you hit a hundred thousand followers, you start making Money on the TikTok Creator Program for Instagram and all these other platforms."
[02:26] -
User-Generated Content (UGC):
"You can make UGC content, which is pretty cool, which is brands just hire you to make content for the brand and you don't even have to post it."
[02:26] -
E-commerce and Digital Products:
"Create a stand store... sell digital products... you could start making money tomorrow as long as you know what you're talking about."
[02:26]
Kellan emphasizes the versatility of online monetization avenues, encouraging influencers to diversify their income streams based on their niche and expertise.
Navigating Brand Partnerships
When approached by brands for collaborations, Kellan stresses the importance of integrity and alignment with personal values:
"If I'm going to push something on someone... I look like a complete fool working with some of these companies and pushing things that would harm someone. I just wouldn't put my name or brand behind that anymore."
[15:16]
He advises influencers to selectively partner with brands they genuinely believe in, ensuring authenticity in their endorsements.
Investment Philosophy
Kellan shares his investment approach, which prioritizes investing in people over businesses:
"I invest in people. I don't invest in businesses. Character is a big thing to me and that's really how I look at things."
[13:15]
He underscores the importance of evaluating a person's results and character, using data-driven insights to inform his investment decisions.
Financial Protection for Influencers
Recognizing the sudden influx of income many influencers experience, Kellan advises joining Creators Inc. to access a dedicated financial team that assists with money management, taxes, and securing finances:
"At Creators, Inc., we have a whole financial team that will help you do that... we help them with taxes... manage and protect their money."
[14:04]
This support system is crucial for influencers who may lack prior financial experience, helping them sustain and grow their wealth responsibly.
Maintaining Brand Integrity
Kellan discusses the critical decision-making process behind accepting brand deals, emphasizing the necessity of aligning collaborations with personal beliefs:
"If I'm going to push something on someone... I look like a complete fool working with some of these companies and pushing things that would harm someone."
[15:16]
This commitment to integrity ensures that his brand remains authentic and trustworthy to his audience.
Insights on Social Media Platforms
Kellan provides a comprehensive overview of his preferred social media platforms, sharing strategies tailored to each:
-
TikTok and Instagram:
- TikTok: "I feel like the real money is on TikTok, especially if you're selling a course or selling mentorship."
- Instagram: "Instagram reels are the best way to grow... I work with a lot of like meme coins and stuff like that."
[06:08], [17:31]
-
YouTube:
"I got two brand deals from YouTube for $50,000 each just to post on YouTube shorts... I got 500,000 followers off one short."
[19:40] -
Facebook:
"Facebook is a sleeper platform... I'm doing 20 million impressions a month on that page."
[20:37] -
Twitter (X):
"I don't really use Twitter... all the crypto people are on Twitter."
[18:01], [18:26] -
Threads:
"I used it for the first eight days. It was cool... people that really use Threads are probably thriving because I don't think a lot of people actually use it."
[19:04]
Kellan highlights the unique advantages and target audiences of each platform, advising influencers to focus their efforts where they can maximize engagement and revenue.
The Rise of Live Streaming and Live Shopping
Kellan is enthusiastic about the burgeoning trend of live streaming and live shopping, particularly on TikTok:
"If you're not doing live shopping, you're missing out... TikTok Shop went from $1.5 billion to $15 billion in revenue last year."
[21:57]
He encourages influencers to embrace these formats, citing the enormous earnings potential and the opportunity to connect intimately with audiences.
Commitment to Charity and Giving Back
Kellan passionately discusses his dedication to charitable causes, especially ocean conservation. He details significant contributions and initiatives:
"When I did my NFT project, we donated over $400,000 to ocean conservation... hosted 15 beach and reef cleanups... saved 38 turtles."
[22:36], [23:12]
His philanthropic efforts demonstrate his belief that money should be a tool for good, reinforcing the importance of giving back to the community and the environment.
Personal Life and Parenting
Beyond his professional endeavors, Kellan shares heartfelt insights into his personal life as a dedicated father:
"Nothing that I love more in this world than being a father. I pride myself on being a great dad... I leave it all to him."
[24:25], [26:30]
He emphasizes the value of being present for his child and aims to inspire other parents to prioritize their families over fleeting online fame.
Closing Reflections
Dan Fleyshman wraps up the episode by reiterating the importance of discussing money openly, covering aspects like making money, investing, and charity. He encourages listeners to engage in these essential conversations to achieve financial and personal growth.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
-
On Success Factors:
"Context and consistency, I think those are the two most important things when it comes to making content relatable and raw content."
[01:52] -
On Monetary Strategy:
"You can start making money tomorrow as long as you know what you're talking about."
[02:26] -
On Brand Integrity:
"If I'm going to push something on someone... I look like a complete fool working with some of these companies and pushing things that would harm someone."
[15:16] -
On Investing Philosophy:
"I invest in people. I don't invest in businesses."
[13:15] -
On Financial Protection:
"At Creators, Inc., we have a whole financial team that will help you do that."
[14:04] -
On Live Shopping:
"TikTok Shop went from $1.5 billion to $15 billion in revenue last year."
[21:57] -
On Charity:
"The whole point of money is a tool and it's meant to be used to do good."
[22:36] -
On Parenting:
"Nothing that I love more in this world than being a father."
[24:25]
Conclusion
This episode of "The Money Mondays" offers a comprehensive look into the world of successful influencers through the lens of Kellan Ness. From building a massive following and monetizing influence to maintaining integrity and giving back, Kellan provides actionable insights and heartfelt reflections. Listeners gain valuable knowledge on navigating the complexities of social media fame, financial management, and personal fulfillment.
For those looking to delve deeper into monetization strategies, investment tips, and philanthropy, this episode is an invaluable resource. Kellan's journey serves as an inspiring blueprint for aspiring influencers aiming to build a sustainable and impactful presence online.