- Taylor King is a YouTube video editor and creator known for appearing in and working for YouTube star Alisha Marie, who has 8 million subscribers.
- King, who runs her own YouTube channel (99,000 subscribers) and Instagram (108,000 followers), shared what it’s like to work for a top creator on YouTube.
- “I feel like her relentlessness has really inspired me,” King told Business Insider. “She takes it to the next level which I feel like is a common denominator with huge creators – they are perfectionists.”
- She also broke down her tips for networking and connecting with people on Instagram, using comments and direct messaging.
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Taylor King never thought she would be working full time for a social-media influencer after graduating from college. It simply didn’t occur to her that it was a career opportunity.
King originally dreamed of working at a Hollywood production studio when she began to study video production at The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising.
But during college, King met YouTubers around Los Angeles and offered to help them film and edit videos to boost her skills. That’s when she was introduced to lifestyle influencer Alisha Marie (8 million YouTube subscribers) who was looking to hire a video editor.
When she graduated in 2019, that turned into a full-time job for King, who works for the Alisha Marie YouTube channel as a producer and video editor.
“I feel like her relentlessness has really inspired me,” King told Business Insider. “She takes it to the next level which I feel like is a common denominator with huge creators – they are perfectionists.”
They also often have a team helping shape their videos and businesses behind the scenes, which can include managers, agents, publicists, assistants, video editors, lawyers, and more.
King landed the gig by word-of-mouth, she said. She didn’t apply for the role, and simply helped out creators with their videos for free, never realizing her assistance could land her a job in the industry. She said her classes at FIDM helped her learn all the important software YouTubers use, which was attractive to Marie, who needed someone on her team who could edit, film, and pitch ideas.
Marie’s fans recognize King and her voice from appearances in videos. And since working for Marie, King has branched off and grown a following of her own, with 99,000 subscribers on YouTube, 108,000 Instagram followers, and a podcast: TK’s Juicy Pod. From this success, King has even signed with the same management firm as Marie, Matter Media Group.
King is part of a slew of people who have started off working for established creators and then launched their own social-media careers. For instance, YouTube superstar David Dobrik’s assistant Natalie Mariduena and his YouTube videographer Joe Vulpis each have large followings and brand partnerships of their own.
King spoke with Business Insider about working for an influencer and her networking advice for starting out in the industry.
A post shared by Taylor King (@tksjuicypolls)
What it’s like working for a YouTube star
King goes to Marie’s house on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays to help her film content, brainstorm ideas, or take photos. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, King works from home and rough cuts Marie’s videos.
“I think a lot of YouTubers waste a lot of time rough cutting when they don’t need to be doing that,” King said. “Delegate and hone in on what you are good at.”
Aside from delegating tasks, King said Marie has taught her that it’s important to be consistent, create good thumbnail images, and always have the right title.
“We will redo a thumbnail like eight times until we get the perfect one, which is something that I personally would get lazy after the second try,” King said.
After she finishes her work for Marie, King will work on her personal brand, which includes editing her own YouTube videos, answering emails, posting content to Instagram and creating materials for brand deals. And she dedicates her weekends to filming content for her YouTube channel.
“I always say I have a 9-to-5 and then when I get home I have a 5-to-9,” she said.
The equipment King thinks every influencer should have: Selfie remote, phone tripod, Rode microphone, and a hard drive (she uses the LaCie brand of external hard drives).
“You can film on your iPhone, just make sure you have good lighting and good sound,” she said.
King said networking and collaborating is an important skill for growth, especially among influencers. For King, using Instagram is one key way she has met new people around LA or landed new guests for her podcast.
Her networking strategy is to use Instagram to reach people by regularly commenting on photos, responding to Stories, and starting a conversation by direct messaging people.
Unlike LinkedIn or Twitter, on Instagram users can direct message anyone – no matter how famous they are.
“No one remembers you liked a photo, so I will comment something that stands out, like something that will make them laugh or know I watch their videos,” she said. “I’m also constantly DMing people and I don’t think there is anything wrong with admitting that you are a fan of someone.”
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