Hey, what’s up, guys? DamianJay here, and welcome to the Morning Drive. Today, I wanted to talk a bit about my foray into the world of influencer marketing and how this journey has been evolving for me. I’ve touched on this a few times before, but it feels like a good moment to reflect and update you all.

For those of you who might not know, I run a brand called Bourbon Bass Barbells. The content I create revolves around bourbon, where I mix humor and commentary. While some of the jokes I make can push the envelope, it’s all in good fun. The intent is never to offend; it’s more about enjoying the lighter side of bourbon culture. That said, this week we have some edgy jokes coming up that might raise a few eyebrows—but again, it’s all meant to be lighthearted.

Reflecting on My Social Media Growth

As of today, it’s the last day of September (though I imagine this post will go live sometime in early October). Over the past few months, I set a goal to hit over 1,500 followers across my social media channels—specifically, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, as those are the platforms I’m focusing on most.

• Instagram: I finally crossed the 1,600-follower mark, though I’ve been battling with fake followers. Every so often, I have to go through and clean up the list to keep it genuine.
• YouTube: I’m sitting at around 1,300 subscribers. It’s been a slow but steady climb.
• TikTok: I’m nearing 2,000 followers on TikTok, which is a great milestone. However, while I’m gaining followers, I’m not seeing the engagement levels I would like. The likes and interactions haven’t quite reached the point I’d prefer, but it’s a work in progress.

Interestingly, as my numbers have grown, more people are reaching out to collaborate—people who’ve expressed interest in the past are now circling back. For example, after hitting 1,000 followers on TikTok, a few brands that had promised codes and opportunities but never followed through suddenly reappeared. It’s a funny thing how that works, right? But hey, I’m happy to give it another shot and move forward with those partnerships when they’re ready.

A Weekend Wake-Up Call

This past weekend was a bit of a turning point for me. I attended an annual whiskey event, now in its second year, which raises money for a veterans’ organization called Mount Carmel. Being a veteran myself, I always make an effort to support events like these. What was particularly cool this year was that I was recognized—quite a bit, actually.

I went to the event wearing one of my Bourbon Bass Barbells shirts, and when I got to the VIP section, the bouncers knew who I was right away. It was a surreal experience, especially when someone from the event approached me to film a quick video for social media. It’s a small thing, but that kind of recognition was a real confidence boost. A lot of people came up to me to say they follow me, which was really encouraging.

Staying True to My Voice

One of the things I’ve been mindful of throughout this journey is staying authentic. When you follow a lot of bourbon influencers, you’ll notice there’s often a bit of pretentiousness involved. Some influencers act as gatekeepers of taste, as if their opinions matter more than others. That’s not my style. I’m more of the court jester in the bourbon world. I bring humor and jokes to the table, not taking myself too seriously, and just having fun with it. That’s why during Bourbon Heritage Month, I did a daily joke series. It was something different, and it resonated with people because not many others were doing it.

A New Opportunity on the Horizon

Now, here’s something I’m really excited about. A local liquor store reached out to me recently—not the first to do so, but definitely the first that I’d want to work with. They invited me to be part of a bourbon tasting group and potentially head down to Kentucky to select barrels for the store. This opportunity is huge for me, especially since it’s with a store I respect.

The first store that approached me, I wasn’t as keen on partnering with because they overcharge for bourbon, and I didn’t want to be associated with that. But this new opportunity feels different—it feels right. It’s not just about exposure; it’s about aligning with people and brands that I genuinely support.

Looking Ahead

While I’m still a small fish in a big pond, I’m starting to see the fruits of my labor. It’s cool to see bigger influencers like Jason C and others getting recognized by brands like Heaven Hill. That’s where I’d love to be one day—tasting great bourbon, sharing my thoughts, and adding value to the community. But for now, I’m just enjoying the journey.

The goal is to continue offering content that showcases my personality and goes beyond just the memes and jokes that many influencers in the bourbon space rely on. I’m here for the community, and it’s important for me to stay true to that. It’s not just about gaining followers or partnerships. It’s about building real connections and contributing to something I love.

Final Thoughts

So, this is more of a check-in than anything else—a reflection on how things are going and where I’m headed. The journey has been fun, and while I still have a long way to go, I’m grateful for every step of the process. Hard work does pay off. I’ve been putting in the hours, sometimes cranking out two or three videos a day, and while it’s a grind, I’m enjoying every minute of it.

Thanks for following along, and I’ll keep you updated as things continue to unfold. For now, it’s all about staying consistent, staying true, and seeing where this crazy ride takes me.

Catch you guys in the next post!