“The Livestreaming Warlord”: Pham Thoai Recounts Being on the “Blacklist” of All Brands: “Why Do Others Gain Opportunities from Their Fame, While I Don’t?”

With his livestream journey starting in 2021, Phạm Thoại has garnered approximately 5 million followers and over 143 million likes, establishing himself as an affiliate creator who has garnered attention from both brands and audiences alike.

In episodes 8 and 9 of the series “Nghề chủ chốt”, Phạm Thoại shared, for the first time, his journey and attachment to the livestream profession, as well as offering advice to help young content creators retain customers throughout live sessions that can last for several hours.

Phạm Thoại: From Being Shunned to Becoming a Livestream Titan

Recounting the time when he first arrived in Ho Chi Minh City and embarked on livestreaming, Phạm Thoại described that period as “rebellious.” The content creator explained that, at the time, he associated fame with being outrageous and gaining widespread attention. He believed that being famous would make it easier and more convenient for him to sell products.

However, reality did not unfold as expected. “There was a time when I was on the ‘blacklist’ of all the brands. Not a single brand or agency reached out to me. Why were others getting work because of their fame, while I wasn’t?” the 9X shared.

Even when Phạm Thoại took the initiative to contact brands, the answer was still a firm “no.” Recalling those days, he mentioned that there was an instance when a brand bluntly stated: “Phạm Thoại is not a good fit.”

Another factor that led to the decision to change and adopt a more calm demeanor stemmed from a comment on social media. Someone criticized the 9X content creator for not restraining his language and emotions, which could potentially have a negative influence on children.

“I realized it was time to re-evaluate myself. While rebelliousness might suit an individual, as a content creator producing content for a wide audience, I needed to make adjustments,” Phạm Thoại reflected.

With the decision to improve himself, Phạm Thoại started to dress more stylishly and neatly while still maintaining his unique sense of fashion. He also became more restrained in his use of language and strived to remain calm, learning and improving every day.

He confided, “When someone complimented me, I felt that I was making progress. If ten people criticized me yesterday, and today there are only nine, then I know I’m moving in the right direction.”

Beyond just being a KOL who earns money through views and advertising contracts, Phạm Thoại seized the opportunity when TikTok introduced the livestream selling feature.

In his first livestream session in January 2023, Phạm Thoại broke records with 3 million views, 22 million likes, and nearly 50,000 orders within 12 hours. Livestream selling has become one of the significant sources of income for Phạm Thoại and his team. At the age of 28, the 9X creator has amassed a fortune that many dream of.

Phạm Thoại’s Formula for Building a “Million-View” Livestream

Phạm Thoại not only shared his path to becoming a livestreamer but also revealed his content creation process and preparations for each live session.

According to him, to deliver a high-quality live session, a content creator and their team must prepare for months. The work doesn’t merely entail holding a product and announcing prices but also involves brainstorming ideas, writing scripts, and making adjustments to stay “on-trend.”

When starting a livestream, Phạm Thoại advises young creators to maintain their unique style, especially in terms of entertainment value.

As an example, he creates distinctive and innovative livestream programs that captivate audiences by incorporating new trends. He believes that each creator should find their style and make the ideas they learn their own, thus creating a personal brand.

“In all my livestreams, viewers often comment that I’m ‘crazy’ or ‘wild,’ but that’s how I create a relaxed atmosphere. They may or may not buy something, but if they stick around to watch, that’s already a success,” he said.

Phạm Thoại doesn’t view livestreaming solely as a platform for selling but also as a stage to deliver entertainment and create a balance that keeps viewers engaged.

“A successful livestream isn’t just about selling a lot of products; it’s also about creating joyful moments and providing entertainment for viewers to unwind after a long day,” Phạm Thoại emphasized.