A story about (not attending) TwitchCon.

We didn't plan on going to TwitchCon this year, and technically, we didn't.

But when we were invited to some of the events happening around it, we decided to say yes. And that yes ended up teaching us something we should've expected.

We know YouTube and its community well. Twitch? Not so much.

These events gave us the chance to explore a world we kind of knew... but not really.

What we thought would be a quiet recovery weekend turned into something way more meaningful.

It all started with the drive from LA to San Diego... on the day of the US test missile launch.

The usual drive from Los Angeles to San Diego is about 2 - 3 hours. So imagine our surprise when we found out we were about to go on a 6 hour road trip.

With the I-5 shut down, we found ourselves driving through the inland parts of California, a route we rarely take.

Between the traffic, a few wooly mammoths (at least a statue of one), and some surprisingly affordable houses, we had a lot of time to think.

The long drive reminded us a lot of what it's like being a creator.

You plan your route, check your gear, and map everything out, but things don't go the way you expect.

Sometimes you mic dies in the middle of filming, your internet cuts out during a livestream, or inspiration strikes when you least expect it.

What matters most is how you adapt. The detours often lead to better conversations, better ideas, and even better stories.

For Ike and I, we realized that even though we communicate all the time, slowing down gave us the space to really talk.

We shared things we hadn't said before, ideas, frustrations, and goals.

It reminded us that creators need that same space with their audiences too. When you slow down and speak honestly, you build connection.

The reflection made us think about how easy it is for creators to get caught up in the upload grind.

By slowing down, whether on the road or in your channel analytics, it can help you see what's actually working.

Sometimes, the best growth move isn't a new upload, it's rewatching your own content with fresh eyes.

Small worlds, big connections.

After the grueling six hours, we checked into a hotel in downtown San Diego and the first person we saw when entering was Connor—Head of Creator, Event, and Co-Marketing Partnerships of OpusClip.

Once we caught up with Connor, we made our way to a mini meetup with our friends Katrina, an amazing creator and part of Adobe, and Kalientetv.

We got to see firsthand the power of community and the kind of friends that form on platforms like Threads.

We even met incredible creators, including Annie, whose passion and kindness stood out instantly.

Later that night, Ike decided to rest, and I joined some of the OpusClip team at a TwitchCon party. The room was full of creators enjoying the music and playing games, while also connecting with each other.

I ran into friends I hadn't seen in more than a decade; people like Seb, who I originally met through YouTube who are now a part of StreamElements, and even Eden Liu from the host of Camo livestream.

It reminded me how small and connected the creator world really is. It was a mix of old memories and new energy, and it made me appreciate how every platform has its own heartbeat.

It also showed how collaboration travels across time.

Some of the people I met years ago through small YouTube projects are now leading teams at major creator brands.

Relationships you build early, by showing up, providing value, and being consistent, can shape opportunities years later.

That's the part of creator growth no algorithm measures.

It was a clear reminder that, in the end, all creators want the same thing, to feel part of something bigger.

The Fourthwall x OpusClip Recovery Brunch

Conventions can be tiring. Walking 10k+ steps a day, meeting and greeting new people and/or old friends. It's a lot.

Which is why we appreciate Fourthwall and OpusClip hosting a recovery brunch for the weary TwitchCon goers.

There was a sleek IV station where creators could recharge and rehydrate. A small arcade for some entertainment. A variety of breakfast and lunch made on-demand.

On the brand side, there was a lot of be inspired by. Our friends at OpusClip (Full Disclosure: A KDCC sponsor) showed up BIG. Their presence was about connection, not just visibility.

OpusClip had a wall of the IV League Yearbook, where an OpusClip team member would take a polaroid picture of you and you'd choose where you'll be in the year book.

While they pull you in with this, they'd tell you about OpusSearch: Their new tool designed for streamers and companies with a large video library.

It helps you find moments across hours of footage by topic, speaker, or emotion, making it easy to turn old streams into new content.

This is powerful for YouTubers as well.

Imagine using your own analytics like a search engine, finding your strongest hooks, your highest retention moments, and clips that align with new trends.

Tools like OpusSearch are built for efficiency, but they also teach you to think like a curator, not just a creator.

The Fourthwall team was just as impressive!

They were giving out shirts, meeting creators, and genuinely engaging with everyone in the room.

We already use Fourthwall for our merch and memberships, but meeting Aidan, James, Leah and their CEO in person gave us a new appreciate for the platform.

They care about creators in the same way we do, and it shows in every feature they build.

The shirts, by the way, was a great activation for Fourthwall! There were lots of creators taking pictures of the shirt and posting it on social media.

And if they choose to wear it during their stream or video? Ever better!

Watching both OpusClip and Fourthwall work together at this event felt like seeing two parts of the creator journey align.

One helps you amplify your voice, and the other helps you build sustainability around it.

Together, they represent the balance every creator should aim for, visibility backed by strategy.

Views fade, but systems keep you growing.

Different platforms, shared purposes.

The Twitch community may be different from YouTube, but that difference is what makes it beautiful.

Twitch strives on shared moments and live connections, while YouTube thrives on structure and storytelling.

Twitch is like audience in real time, while YouTube is long term discovery.

Both depends on emotion, consistency, and purpose.

In the end, TwitchCon was not about what we missed. It was about what we found: connection, clarity, and a reminder that recovery is part of creation too.

Big love to everyone we met, the teams who made it special (OpusClip and Fourthwall), and to the Twitch community that continues to inspire us.

If you were at TwitchCon, we would love to hear your biggest takeaway. What did the weekend teach you about community, content, or yourself?

Words from an introspective Ike

I like car rides, especially when I'm not driving and it's with people I enjoy being around with.

Back when Andrew and I worked at TubeBuddy, we used to take road trips to San Diego to meet our team.

So this drive ride felt a little nostalgic, but also new. (The new being the 6 hour drive to the Inland Empire.)

Even though the drive was filled with memories and reflections, it wasn't until later that I realized we were on different wavelengths.

Andrew told me he felt like he was holding the business back. That he wasn't doing enough.

Which was funny... because I'd been thinking the exact same thing about myself.

Turns out, even with all our communication, we still weren't on the same page.

If we're this close and still miss each other sometimes; how we can confidently say we understand our audience?

That conversation helped us finally get aligned. It gave me a new clarity on what each of us brings to the KDCC.

We run two different parts of the business, but both are vital. Without each other, KDCC wouldn't be what it is today.

BIG THANKS to OpusClip for inviting us to the event along with Fourthwall for helping host it!

I enjoyed getting to see Ivan and Monica again, getting to know Shubh and Yvonne more, and overall seeing how the OpusClip operate!

The food was great, the event had great drink names (can't drink alcohol though), and I got to see a whole different vibe that is the Twitch community.

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