Soaring Creativity: Kai Vertigoh’s Drone and Dance Journey to 380K Followers
Discover Kai Vertigoh’s story as he shares his passion for FPV drones and dance videos, and learn how his creative process and positive mindset inspires followers worldwide…
Creator Brand: Kai Vertigoh
TikTok: 154K followers, 4.3 million likes
Instagram: 103K followers, 1,029 posts
YouTube: 128K subscribers, 74 million views
Full time creator: Yes - creator & producer
Hey Kai! Who are you and what is your creator brand?
Hi everyone, my name is Kai Kevin Goh, and I’m a 26-year-old creator based in Los Angeles, California. Under my creator brand, Kai Vertigoh, I delve into the world of filmmaking, focusing on drone cinematography and self-improvement advice. While I’m active on various platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram, my main stomping grounds are Instagram and YouTube.
Growing up, I was always drawn to creative outlets, particularly drawing comics inspired by my favorite cartoons and anime. This love for storytelling and fantasy eventually led me to YouTube, where I discovered a whole new world of content creation. From watching Naruto montages to consuming endless dance videos, I was captivated by the ability to transport myself into different realms through visual storytelling.
My journey into content creation officially began in high school when a friend introduced me to video editing software. Despite facing setbacks like crashing my first video project, I fell in love with the creative process and the ability to share my creations with others.
While my dream was always to turn this passion into a full-time career, I currently balance my creative pursuits with a full-time job in production and creative, finding a nice blend between my passion and profession.
Kai Vertigoh playing with his Bionicles in his early creation days
How did you come up with your creator & content idea?
My path to becoming Kai Vertigoh, the creator, wasn’t a straight line. Initially studying film in university as my second choice after mechanical engineering, I stumbled upon the harsh realities of the creative industry post-graduation. Realizing that traditional career paths wouldn’t guarantee success in the creative world, I started out on a journey of self-discovery and entrepreneurship.
Podcasts like the Tim Ferriss Show opened my eyes to the stories of real-life heroes and the possibilities of forging one’s path. Inspired by the idea of building my own creative operation, I began creating content, starting with dance and film-related videos.
However, it wasn’t until I discovered FPV drone videos inspired by Johnny FPV that my niche began to reveal itself. His work madly inspired me, and that is really where I saw things take off.
Despite the challenges posed by the lack of pre-built FPV drones at the time, I saw it as an opportunity to get in on a new space.
Even though I wasn't good at flying, I was just documenting my entire journey and trying to get better. My first viral growth point didn't happen immediately - it didn’t happen until 2022 actually, a full 3 years after I started; my growth was still pretty gradual until that point.
But when I saw those first viral results, it really showed me what could happen when you are consistent with your process. It took me about 8 years to get to 5,000 followers on my Instagram account, and once that video hit - over the course of 2 months, my followers went to 50,000.
All it takes is one - people keep saying that, but it's absolutely true. The creative journey is very much a compound interest process. The first few years can be very slow, and then all of a sudden, if you just keep creating eventually something is going to click. When it rains, it pours.
Kai Vertigoh holding one of his FPV drones
What is your content creation process?
I'm often perceived as very busy working on my Kai Vertigoh brand because I'm constantly posting stories and creating new content. It might seem like I'm all over the place, but let's take a closer look at my YouTube activity last year. I only managed to put out 5 YouTube videos throughout the entire year—that's one video every 2 months. As a creator, that's pretty unacceptable.
Sure, I focused on shorts, which I believe was a good decision, but that shouldn't have been an excuse for neglecting my YouTube content entirely. Many other creators successfully manage both, so I'm still trying to find that balance within myself.
When it comes to actually filming content, if I'm not properly organized, it can take me half a day or even longer to shoot a single video. Recently, I've been working hard to commit to consistency, not just with shorts but also with YouTube videos.
“There’s more to lose by holding back than by putting your work out into the world. Don’t wait for perfection—just start creating.”
Consistency boils down to understanding your own mental capacity and approach to video creation. In the past, I convinced myself that making YouTube videos required a lot of effort—which it does. I'd procrastinate because of all the other tasks on my plate, leading to a mindset of perfectionism. I felt everything had to be flawless before hitting record, resulting in a video every couple of months.
It's an ongoing process, and the key is to do your best. Rehearsing your script or using a teleprompter can significantly ease the filming process by reducing mental strain. And most importantly, don't let inconsistency discourage you from starting or continuing. I've learned to stop beating myself up over it and instead focus on how to improve next time.
Despite not achieving the consistency I aimed for, I've still managed to push out content. So, the biggest takeaways are striving for consistency and letting go of perfectionism.
What is your marketing & promotion strategy? How are you growing your brand?
I have a team to help with my brand, but it's not full-time. It's more like a band of friends that I've trained over the years. I still operate as a solo creator for most of the work when it comes to my platform and Kai Vertigoh.
It's been grassroots in terms of organic content growth. I don't even know how to do paid content yet, but I should learn because it's important for other clients. For my own work, it's about learning what works on certain platforms and maximizing reach.
It's also all about the algorithm - what's working, what's reaching, and what's not. I got on TikTok through trial and error, posting tons of videos until I recognized patterns of success. Videos need text or visual appeal to avoid quick scrolls. I experimented with framing and learned to capture attention.
My top growth strategy falls back to adaptation and experimentation, and understanding how the process works. With editing experience, I can give productive feedback to my team. Without this knowledge, effective growth wouldn’t be possible because I wouldn’t be integrated into the process.
Kai Vertigoh getting ready for one of his shoots
How do you engage with your audience?
My relationship with my audience has evolved over time. Initially, my audience consisted mainly of friends, and interactions were more casual - just chatting back and forth. As my audience grew, I found myself caught up in trying to apply strict time management principles like the Tim Ferriss 80/20 rule. I convinced myself that I didn't have time to respond to comments and focused solely on creating content. However, this approach didn't sit well with me.
I came to realize the importance of engaging with my audience, recognizing that no creator exists without their supporters. It was during the development of a dance filmmaking course that I truly began to understand and connect with my fans on a deeper level. Prior to that, interactions had been limited to likes, comments, and subscriptions - essentially just blocks of text on platforms.
Through the course and deeper market research, I started having phone conversations with my audience, which was a pivotal moment. Hearing firsthand accounts of how my content had positively impacted their lives was incredibly gratifying. Looking back, I wish I had started these interactions sooner.
I now encourage every creator, regardless of size, to engage directly with their community members. Whether it's through live streams, meetups, or Zoom calls, the benefits are twofold.
Firstly, it's incredibly inspiring to realize the tangible difference you're making in people's lives. Secondly, from a business perspective, understanding your audience on a personal level is invaluable. Your most loyal fans are likely to be your best customers, so the more you know about them, the better you can serve them with future products or services.
How have you monetized your business model?
When starting out as a creator, I wouldn't recommend relying on AdSense or monetization as your main income source. Sure, if you have millions of subscribers, you could make a decent amount from each video, but for most of us, that's not realistic.
Expect to earn little to nothing from ads in your first couple of years while you build your audience. However, this isn't necessarily a bad thing; it pushes you to focus on other revenue streams. If you're looking to do this full-time, consider what services or products you can offer alongside your content creation.
I feel fortunate because my path involved not just being a creator, but also a filmmaker. Filmmaking is a service I can provide, which complements my content creation. As I improve my skills in cinematography, filming, and editing, I can offer these services to clients. For example, my FPV drone has become a valuable tool that others want in their own projects, allowing me to earn money through filming events or for clients.
“The first few years can be very slow, and then all of a sudden, if you just keep creating eventually something is going to click. When it rains, it pours.”
My model revolves around creating a service and then producing content around that service. The content promotes my service, while the service fuels the content through income and networking opportunities. Without my FPV drone, it would have been much harder to stand out as a service provider and connect with bigger creators for collaborations.
Brand deals are another significant source of income. By aligning your content with products, you can attract brands for sponsorship opportunities. Creators like Daniel Schiffer, who feature products prominently in their videos, often land lucrative brand deals because they've positioned themselves in that way. However, this typically comes later; initially, focus on consistency and carving out your niche.
In terms of monetization tiers, YouTube and AdSense rank low, around a D or C. Brand deals are slightly better, ranging from a C to B. The highest tier, an A, involves productizing yourself.
Start thinking about monetization possibilities early on, focusing on providing value to your audience. For instance, if you're passionate about a niche like water yoga, create content around it and consider offering related products or courses. The key is to figure out how to monetize your content while providing value, especially if you aim to turn this into a full-time career.
What are your biggest lessons learned & challenges faced?
Becoming a creator and ultimately a business owner with Kai Vertigoh has been the most profound self-improvement journey for me. It's not just about mastering the operations, marketing, and sales aspects of building a business, but it's also about personal development. Your business reflects who you are, so success or failure hinges entirely on your abilities.
Growing up as an only child, I often found solace in creativity as an escape from home. Recently, through self-awareness and coaching, I've realized that everything stems from my inner child. Understanding this has shed light on my intentions and motivations.
While my inner drive has brought me this far, it has also led to self-sabotage and inconsistency in content creation. It's easy to lose passion and connection with your audience, especially when you're overwhelmed or lost. Many YouTubers are quitting or taking breaks because they haven't prioritized self-care and pacing themselves.
I draw inspiration from Healthygamer GG, a former monk turned licensed therapist and creator. His unique blend of gaming, therapy, philosophy, and health resonates with many, including myself. He emphasizes the importance of mental health within the gaming community and serves as a valuable resource.
One of the most significant lessons I've learned is the importance of starting, regardless of skill level. Documenting the journey, embracing mistakes, and showing authenticity are key to connecting with an audience. Sharing the highs and lows fosters genuine connections and inspires others to do the same.
Creators who are vulnerable and honest about their experiences are the ones people truly connect with. Aspiring to be that type of creator is daunting but rewarding. Every time I share my journey authentically, I feel empowered and fulfilled.
What technology & tools do you use?
I used to think you needed top-tier gear to make quality content, but I've come to realize that's not the case. Before I got my hands on my current Sony a7 SIII, I was perfectly content using an iPhone 5 or a Canon T3 Rebel I snagged for $300 on OfferUp. In fact, Ryan Trahan, a YouTuber with millions of followers, primarily films on his phone, and his videos are some of my favorites.
It's all about understanding the fundamentals. Learning how to use your gear effectively is key. As Adam Savage once said, "Every Tool is a Hammer." Start with something cheap and learn the ropes. Use it until you know exactly what features matter to you, then invest accordingly.
For editing, there are great free options like DaVinci Resolve, which many editors are switching to for its functionality and cost-effectiveness. While I've been loyal to Adobe Premiere Pro for nearly seven years, I see the value in exploring other options, especially as the landscape evolves.
What future plans & goals do you have for your creator brand?
My upcoming plans for the Kai Vertigoh brand include hosting my first FPV pro camp on March 23rd and 24th. This event marks one of my initial in-person engagements under my brand, gathering a small group of aspiring FPV pilots. Throughout the weekend, we'll exchange information, share experiences, and engage in simulations aimed at helping them monetize FPV and integrate it into their personal brands. Needless to say, I'm super excited about it.
Hosting this camp is a significant milestone for me. I've been eager to organize an in-person event for years. Nothing quite matches the impact of face-to-face interactions with your community. By taking this step, I'm anticipating learning a great deal about community engagement, their needs, and how I can evolve my brand moving forward. While I envision branching out into other products eventually, FPV will remain a cornerstone.
My overarching goal is to immerse myself in the personal brand realm and leverage my niche as myself. That's why I've been writing newsletters and honing my skills in writing about various topics that pique my interest, whether it's philosophy, inspirational creators, or other individuals. Every online creation teaches me invaluable skills and insights about myself. It's a constant challenge, but it's also incredibly rewarding.
Engaging in this process prompts deep reflection on what holds me back and why. It pushes me to confront fears of posting videos or creating content. Ultimately, it's about personal growth. I'm committed to building my platform and personal brand within my niche. Even if it means turning down opportunities with prominent drone companies to focus on my brand's development.
I have faith that I'll navigate this path and continue producing consistent content. It's about mastering the art of creating content consistently while alleviating unnecessary pressure. It's a long-term endeavour for me, and I know there's much more to learn. But I also hope to support others on their journeys along the way.
What advice do you have for aspiring content creators?
Occasionally, I find myself revisiting my old YouTube videos, even though I'm not consistent with creating new ones. There's something about those videos that draws me in—it's like watching an old home movie, capturing the context of my life at that moment.
Regardless of whether I enjoyed that particular phase of my life, watching those videos allows me to revisit the past. Each time I hit play, I'm reminded of the hours spent editing, initially feeling like it was taking forever. But now, looking back, I feel grateful for that moment in time. It's a wave of nostalgia, coupled with the satisfaction of creating something and sharing it with the world.
I'm truly glad I embarked on this journey, but if there's one thing I regret, it's not creating more videos. Whenever I hesitate to create something new, worrying about perfection or other distractions, I remind myself of the joy I feel when re-watching my old videos. I've never thought, "I wish I had spent more time perfecting that edit."
Instead, my regrets stem from the moments of my life that I failed to capture on camera. To my younger self and any aspiring creators out there, remember that there's more to lose by holding back than by putting your work out into the world. Don't wait for perfection—just start creating.
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