As part of an ongoing series, Branding in Asia talks to influencers across the globe, learning more about how they got started, what has driven their success and other insights to inform both brands and aspiring influencers.
This time we feature Kevin LaSean, a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the US, who first started posting way back in 2006 on YouTube where he currently has 1.8 million subscribers. He is most well known for his XpertThief channel where 5.3 million people subscribe to his gaming-oriented content.
Along with his Instagram (@kevinlasean) where he has an impressive 350 thousand followers, you can also find the musician, vlogger, skit actor, and avowed nipponophile on Spotify, Apple Music, and Soundcloud.
The Basics
Name: Kevin LaSean
Age: 27
Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Current Residence: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Platforms: YouTube, Instagram, Spotify, Apple Music, Soundcloud
Date when started posting: April 2013
Brands worked with: Ubisoft, EA, Manscaped, Raid Shadow Legends, and many others.
Agency Representation: CastingAsia Creators Network
Eight Questions
What were you doing before you became an influencer?
I was a student that was interested in acting.
What inspired you to pursue social media as a career?
My love for entertaining people and being creative led me down the path of trying to become an influencer full-time. When I was in high school and college I would constantly work on videos and come up with new ideas.
As you were building a following, was there any particular post or posts you felt pushed you to the next level?
For my gaming channel “XpertThief” my series in Grand Theft Auto 5 called “Thug Life” is what really pushed that channel to the next level.
As for my other channel “KevinLaSean” – some of the comedy skits I used to make really helped that channel grow and do well.
What do you enjoy most about being an influencer?
The freedom.
What do you like the least?
Being constantly judged by random people on the internet can get annoying at times but it comes with the territory. I think you just have to know when to disconnect. Being online all the time is bad for your mental health I think.
How do you decide which brands to partner with, and how do you ensure that sponsored content resonates with your followers?
I choose to partner with brands that have clean contracts, give a good amount of creative control and that have a product or service I think is interesting or useful.
The brand must also be something I think will resonate with my audience or relate to my usual content.
What inspires you to consistently create new content?
It’s my job and it’s fun to create things. It’s easy.
What tips do you have for someone who wants to become an influencer?
Be consistent, be persistent, be creative, and be patient. Don’t be afraid and don’t be lazy. If you chase what you want in life, you can catch it!
