In this episode of Tea with GaryVee, Gary answers a crucial question from a creator struggling to sell a book despite hitting 10K views per video and one viral hit near a million. Gary breaks down the disconnect between views and conversions, and shares one of the most important business lessons of his career: the power of 1:1 community building.

You’ll also hear:

• How Gary’s personal DM strategy from 2007–2011 changed his life

• Why high views don’t always equal sales and how to fix it

• Lessons from the VeeFriends launch and early Wine Library days

• Advice for creators trying to turn attention into action

Whether you’re a founder, creator, or just trying to figure out social media marketing, this episode is packed with practical gems.

What a conversation! In this episode of OGs of Playmaker Original presented by DraftKings, I sit down for an unfiltered, wide-ranging talk about where I came from, what shaped me, and why I see the world the way I do today.

We go deep on my childhood as an immigrant kid from the USSR, growing up in Queens and New Jersey, and how the adversity I faced gave me a hunger that shaped my whole career. I share stories about building my dad’s liquor store into a $60M wine business, spotting the early days of YouTube, and the lessons I learned (and big misses!) as an angel investor in companies like Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat, and yes, even Uber.

We also dive into how I read culture, stay ahead of trends, and why mixing up your circle is the secret sauce to learning and winning long-term. And of course, we chop it up about the Knicks, Jets, and how New York sports fandom is religion for me.

This one’s raw, real, and packed with mindset shifts for anyone who wants to build, bet on themselves, and stay hungry.

Today's video is a Q&A I did during the Grow With Video Summit, organized by Think Media. I answer a bunch of interesting content creation and social media questions including:

0:00 Intro

1:05 What are the current trends to grow on social media?

4:48 What qualities do you look for in collaborators?

6:03 How can I promote my credentials effectively without coming across as bragging?

8:15 How often do I email my list?

9:44 How to market a new kids YouTube channel in 2024?

11:54 How to overcome content creation burnout?

14:14 How to attract clients who have tax problems?

15:37 How can businesses optimize for AI search?

16:22 How do you stay focused amid distractions?

17:44 How to balance family & career alongside YouTube entrepreneurship?

21:04 How to build a brand focused on gaming, personal development, and overcoming physical disabilities?

22:18 How important is posting on other platforms for a YouTube creator?

23:15 How to establish yourself as an expert in a niche?

Hope you enjoy!