Is there an interview process for joining UE? Are there any criteria?
We welcome any community member interested to rep a community UEG tag at the end of their game name, but UE is more just a community of gamers than any sort of clan. If you are interested in working with Upper Echelon as a content creator the door is always open for aspiring streamers and youtubers. We try to find the right fit where users can connect with the community as well as showcase what makes them unique while maintaining their own brand identity. Other than that, there is no official application process.
What is something you think a game streamer can do to set themselves apart from others?
When it comes to streaming the door is wide open. Some streamers play a character, acting out an absurd personality... while others elevate to an extremely high skill level to draw in an audience. The best thing to do is find some aspect of your own personality or playstyle preference and then exaggerate it... if you like making jokes, make lots of jokes. If you enjoy critical thinking and hyper-analyzing games, craft your content creation identity around that. Its extremely flexible and as such should be tailored to the individual creator.
How do you balance your time between your day job and the Upper Echelon Gamers community?
In the beginning, I hardly slept. But I rapidly flipped from part-time to full-time Upper Echelon, it is my job now from eyes open to eyes shut on the pillow almost each and every day. As things grow, however, and the right community members assume the right responsibilities the community takes large strides towards self-contained automation. Someday, the dream is to have massive communities in almost every new game for players which all run like clockwork on their own.
YouTubers are always looking to grow their audience/viewers. What sort of tips/tricks do you have for growing your audience?
Well, this one changes pretty frequently. On Youtube the term "clickbait" is thrown around a lot... at almost any creator but I prefer the term "click enticement" I try to make thumbnails and titles something interesting while staying true to the videos actual content. Also, covering new games and trying to produce educational material very very quickly is a GREAT method of growth for my personal channel. Players often lag behind a hardcore career player by a few days so by the time a new game hits the scene and the majority of gamers require the tips or tricks that bring them to Youtube for answers, my videos are sitting front and center which offers them an easy incentive to subscribe.
Do you have any strategies for times when you don't know what video to create next? How do you brainstorm?
Honestly... i sort of just fly by the seat of my pants. Most days I wake up with an idea or two, and know pretty well what the next few days will hold but when that does not happen... ill just wait a day or two until the creative juices start flowing again. There usually is no shortage of games, betas or general news within the industry.
What do you enjoy doing besides what we know about you through your YouTube videos?
I actually don't do a whole lot... most of my time is spent somehow involved with or working on Upper Echelon however if spare time arises I love finding new breweries in my nearby area to visit and become a patron.
What is one of the toughest challenges you've come across as a YouTube creator?
There were two tough challenges that come to mind. The first was a large moderation dispute between different community members in charge of certain areas, events and programs. The dispute got so out of hand it resulted in a very detrimental and aggressive manoeuvre by some of them to take ownership of one specific sub-community platform. It was a headache to say the least. The second challenge was diverging from the original game which the channel focused on. For a long time content was based on Tom Clancy's The Division and when the time came to shift from that, even partially, it was a difficult and new experience, albeit one that had many lessons attached.
What is one piece of advice you would give to other creators as they look to grow their channel?
The biggest piece of advice is always to explore different strategies. When something works, even mildly... it can become VERY easy to fall into a routine, which is not always bad but on Youtube, and Twitch, and other gaming mediums things go a mile a minute. It's important to constantly try new things even just on the side because adaptability is a trait that is becoming increasingly necessary in the scene.