Today we’d like to introduce you to Igor Petrov.
Igor, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
In the autumn of 2015, while looking for a job, I was trying to figure out how to fill my free time with something productive. I have always loved shooting and editing videos and was thinking of starting a YouTube channel for a while. This was my chance to do it. I spent a few days thinking about what kind of video I wanted to launch my channel with. Everything I saw on YouTube seemed to be unoriginal – people were doing tags, tutorials, challenges, none of which appealed to me. I wanted to do something different and unique. So, instead of sitting in my room and talking to a camera, I decided to go out on the street and talk to other people. I wrote down a bunch of questions, ones that would catch people off guard, asked my friend if she would help me film, and a few days later, I was in South Beach interviewing people on the street. The very first interview I did, turned into a viral video (Oovoo Javer – https://youtu.be/DumA6ZUChpg) – it exploded on Vine. I used the popularity of the video to promote my YouTube channel, which eventually started gaining views and subscribers who were asking for more of that type of content.
Has it been a smooth road?
Creating interesting content and attracting an audience can be a hard and slow process, but it’s a process I enjoy. I am still in the phase where I am experimenting with different types of videos and figuring out the formula for creating content that is authentic to who I am and also resonates with others. I get anxious whenever I post a new type of video because I don’t know how well it will perform or if it will cause people to unsubscribe and it has happened. But the most important goal for me is to put out videos which I am proud of. Views, subscribers, and a little extra income are wonderful things, but they should never be the main reason for starting a YouTube channel – great content and authenticity should always come first.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I called my channel “Like IDK Whatever” because when I started it I did not know exactly what it would be known for. The name has lent itself well because my content is varied and can be whatever I want it to be as long as it is entertaining and comedic. Setting yourself apart on YouTube is hard because it seems as if everything has been done, which is kind of the case. But you can always do something better in a more original way which is what I try to do.
My street interview series has definitely been very popular amongst my viewers – people love watching others react to unexpected questions. But videos featuring well-known personalities have also done well, such as my spoof of an Amazon Echo ad featuring Wendy Williams as the voice of Alexa, which ended up on national television (https://youtu.be/IxFzFM3Hhfo). Such moments of recognition are definitely rewarding because it means that a video I am laughing at as I am editing it is also connecting with people after I post it… if I can distract someone for three minutes from their day to make them smile or laugh then I’ve done my job.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Miami is a great place for me to shoot videos. There is a lot of creative energy here and plenty of like-minded individuals who I can connect with to help me with my work or to get inspiration from. Miami is also always busy with so many people who either live here or are visiting from different parts of the world, which makes for great interviews. But, even if I did not live here I would still find people to talk to on a street in another city, no matter how small or large. If you love doing something, you will find a way to do it no matter where you are. It’s not about location, but about the passion and drive.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.likeidkwhatever.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eggfordinner/
- Twitter: http://twitter.com/eggforlunch
- Other: www.xoigor.com
Getting in touch: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
