DIARY directory recently caught up with fashion, lifestyle and grooming vlogger Robin James from Man For Himself. Having started blogging in 2012, Robin launched his YouTube channel the following year whilst working as a Digital Producer. Finding it increasingly difficult to juggle his day job with an ever-expanding channel, Robin went freelance in 2016 in order to focus on his channel as well as other digital projects. Now Robin is not only an accomplished YouTuber who covers everything from hair tutorials to seasonal lookbooks to restaurant reviews, but also a successful freelance Digital Content Producer and Journalist.

Worked with brands including ASOS, Coach, TONI&GUY and Audi

"I'm a content creator. I pride myself on my integrity, my moral code of conduct and ultimately, I answer only to my audience, not the brands that I work with."

Talk about how you got into blogging and YouTube?

I’ve had my YouTube channel since April 2013, and I started my blog just ahead of that in November 2012. I went full-time in blogging in January 2016. My background is in digital media for TV, working as a Digital Producer for 6 years at Channel 4, Sky, NBC Universal and ITV. I loved my job but I wanted more. I wanted to create, produce, report and edit and that’s where YouTube came in.

What’s a typical day like for you?

There’s no real typical day, to be honest. But I do like structure. I wake up between 5.30 and go for a run at 6. It’s when I feel my most inspired and ready to take on the day. I get back, shower, drink coffee and read emails. I also take it as an opportunity to go through YouTube and social comments. From there, I work on whatever video or blog piece of content I have on that day

What help do you have with your channels?

It all depends on what the content is. I am a firm believer in bringing in expertise where and when it’s needed. I’ve worked with videographers, editors, illustrators, graphic designers and web developers to all add value to my channel and blog.

How do you make your content different to others?

To be honest, I don’t watch or read a lot of other people’s content. I just go in, do my job and leave. In my free time, I like disconnecting from it all. I spent a good year comparing myself to others and it floored me. You don’t need to do it and your audience couldn’t give a hoot!

What has been a career highlight?

I’ve been lucky enough to have been given some amazing opportunities. Trips abroad and access to new products. That said, a career highlight of mine happened last month. I had my highest ever growth in subscribers and amassed 1.1 million views on YouTube that month. To me, that was the ultimate, “keep on going,” motivation.

How do you see Man For Himself evolving?

This is something that I am working on at the moment. At the heart of it, I’m a business and I should really keep some of those business plans to myself. ;-)

What makes you want to work with certain brands?

Brands I know, use and love. Or brands that I feel inspired by. It has to work for both of us.

What is one piece of advice you would give to budding YouTubers?

Stop waiting to create, just create! There is no right or wrong, just go for it and allow yourself to evolve with your content.

What's the best and worst thing about your job?

Working by myself. It’s the best because… I don’t have to answer to anyone. It’s the worst because… it can be lonely and I have no one to bounce ideas off.

What brands are you loving right now?

I’m loyal to a handful of brands but see the importance in constantly trying new products and services.

How do you feel about the term influencer?

As I said in another interview, ‘Influencer' is a real industry term. Coming from a background in digital production, digital marketing and creative strategy for TV, I was often asked, "and what about your influencer strategy?" Essentially, who are you going to employ to sell the product? I fully appreciate that this is a business, but for me, the term ‘influencer’ has a negative connotation, one of being a gun for hire. I'm a content creator. I pride myself on my integrity, my moral code of conduct and ultimately, I answer only to my audience, not the brands that I work with.

How do you think brands/PRs can work better with influencers?

I work with some really talented individuals, teams and brands. We really understand each other. That is the most important thing. Understand and respect who you’re working with. Sometimes it’s a good fit, sometimes it’s not. But don’t force it.

Listed in DIARY directory in the digital influencers sub-section, Robin is one of over 1500 categorised influencers that PRs could work with. Subscribers can view influencers via social stats across Instagram, Twitter and Facebook as well as by region. See our previous Featured Influencers here!