Wian Van den Berg: How I Grew my TikTok to 16 Million Followers with Magic Tricks | Buckle Up #66

In this unfiltered conversation with Wian ( @wianvandenberg ), he reveals his strategy behind growing his social media following to over 20mm and counting. We get into the controversy over "copying" tricks, how he landed on his formula for TikTok and Reels, and how he keeps his head on straight on the slow road to virality. If you're a fan of Wian's content, this is a raw look into how he thinks about what he puts out there.00:00 Magician TikTok01:50 Six years of NOTHING. Then Wian went viral.5:25 Is it JUST hot chicks that makes Wian’s content appealing? 10:53 What was the magician hustle like before social media changed everything?17:30 40-yr olds HATING on Millenials who "have it easy"25:00 The debate over “stealing” tricks & sharing reveals36:15 Wian VS. The entire magic industry38:24 How much can you sell a magic trick for?44:54 Wian on David Blaine: He's NOT a magician?!?51:18 Wian’s monetization strategy: Social media success vs. Career success56:26 How Wian decides which brand deals to pursue1:00:00 The importance of RELATIONSHIPS in brand deals01:01:54 How Wian manages the clients that hire him01:06:27 You don't need a ton of followers to get a brand deals01:11:10 Does Wian have 1,000 True Fans?01:17:00 The WORK of going viral1:22:15 Advice on not getting captured by your own viral content01:26:04 Wian performs a MAGIC TRICK from 8,000 miles away01:28:28 Wian interviews Ami01:31:32: Will Wian be at VeeCon III?As always, find us on...♤ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6geoUKSTVsEL2sMQ63pkSN?si=25df960bd85e40b6♤ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/buckle-up/id1589871008♤ Instagram (@buckleuppodcast): https://www.instagram.com/buckleuppodcast♤ TikTok (@thebuckleuppodcast): https://www.tiktok.com/@thebuckleuppodcast♤ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoIZgc8_0dTwuwnQzqnyHlgLinksFollow Wian at: ♤ Insta: https://www.instagram.com/wianvandenberg/?hl=en♤ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wian?lang=en♤ YT: @wianvandenberg ♤Mike's Newsletter: https://contextiseverywhere.beehiiv.com/♤ Ami's TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aj_comedy?lang=en#podcast #magician #contentcreator #southafrica