When a creator gives real value on YouTube, they can sell almost anything. Not because they push products, but because they’ve built trust over time. And usually, they make you feel like you’re just like them.
These aren’t the polished, scripted creators most marketers think of when they hear the word "influencer." They’re often solo operators with a focused niche, consistent output, and a deep connection to the people who watch them.
The Quiet Power of Niche Creators
Take FPL Harry. He makes content about Fantasy Premier League. That’s it. No lifestyle vlogs, no overproduced graphics. Just weekly videos where he shares his team, his plans, and his thinking. He doesn’t present as an expert. He just talks like someone who knows what he’s doing and enjoys sharing it.
And people watch. Week after week. His videos pull six-figure view counts despite having almost no shelf life beyond the next match deadline. This isn’t evergreen content. But it works.
Why? Because he’s asking the same questions as his audience, and he’s generous with his answers. You trust him not because he claims to be better, but because he plays like you do. He just happens to be a bit more prepared.
That relatability is everything. He cares about football, enjoys the numbers, and gives value for free. You don’t feel sold to. You feel like you’re watching someone who’s genuinely trying to help, and maybe, trying to beat Barney in his mini-league while he’s at it.
Value Builds Trust. Trust Builds Permission.
Harry doesn’t need a polished brand to build influence. His permission to recommend comes from the trust he’s earned. That trust comes from showing up every week, explaining his thinking, and backing it up with results.
So when he mentions a planning tool, a sponsor’s retro football shirt, or a browser extension that boost your productivity at work, you don’t tune out. You pay attention. You might not buy every time, but you’ll remember the name. You might even check it out.
That’s what influence really looks like. It’s not flashy. It’s consistent, helpful, and rooted in earned permission.
These Creators Are Often Overlooked
You won’t easily find these creators in big campaign decks; they don’t post about their morning routines or sell you five products in one video. But they’ve quietly built real communities by solving real problems in specific areas.
It could be Fantasy Football, vintage tech, chess openings, second-hand fashion, or van conversions. The topics vary. What doesn’t change is the trust they’ve earned.
They often shoot from a laptop. They answer the same viewer questions every week. They build things in public and share mistakes along the way. And their audiences love them for it.
Where These Creators Could Grow
Creators like Harry have already built the hard part — the audience. What they need next is the infrastructure to support that audience, engage them more deeply, and make their work sustainable.
Here’s where they could grow, and how:
1. Build a Community Hub
Platforms like Discord, Geneva, or Circleallow creators to turn casual viewers into a real community. For someone like FPL Harry, this could mean:
Weekly captaincy and transfer threads
Matchday group chats
Member Q&A sessions or polls
It’s not about starting a new social feed. It’s about giving the most engaged fans a space to talk, learn, and feel part of something.
2. Use Smart Tools to Manage Questions
Creators in niche spaces often get overwhelmed by repeated questions in comments or DMs. Tools like ASQme, Slido, or Google Forms can make this easier.
Instead of replying to each comment, they can:
Collect and group the most-asked questions
Create a weekly roundup or “Top 5 Questions” video
Turn replies into valuable content that scales
This saves time while still giving the audience what they need.
3. Monetise Through Tiered Access or Advice
You don’t need millions of subscribers to earn. You need structure. Tools like Patreonor Buy Me a Coffeehelp creators offer:
Early access to content
Private team reveals
Downloadable resources like planners or strategy sheets
Paid Q&A or 1-on-1 video reviews
When trust is already there, these offers feel like extra value — not a paywall.
4. Let Tools and Platforms Come to Them
Most creators like Harry are working solo. They’re not chasing sponsorships, and they don’t have time to look for new tools or opportunities. That’s where platforms need to be proactive.
With ChannelCrawler, platforms and toolmakers can find creators based on niche, content type, audience engagement, and growth. And creators can be discovered by companies who actually understand their space.
It’s not about scale. It’s about fit. And this is where tools and creators both win.
For Brands: These Are Your Best Influencers
If you’re building a product for a specific hobby or interest, this is where your most valuable partners are. A fantasy football data app, a tactical notebook, a new chat platform or even a retro kit shop. These creators already speak directly to your customers, and they do so with trust, regularity and authenticity.
The big numbers might be tempting. But reach alone doesn’t convert. A mid-sized channel that speaks directly to the people you're trying to reach will outperform a generic sponsorship every time.
For example, if you’re launching a tool to help plan team transfers or manage deadlines, a recommendation from Harry carries weight. It doesn’t feel like a scripted endorsement. It feels like something he actually uses. And for the people watching, that makes all the difference.
Using a tool like ChannelCrawler, brands can go beyond follower counts. They can find creators who produce regularly, speak with credibility, and focus on exactly the right niche. With filters for topic, engagement rate, location, language, and growth, it’s easier to find the ones who matter.
These creators don’t shout. They don’t sell every video. But when they do, their audiences listen. Not because they’re influencers by title, but because they’ve earned influence by doing the work, week after week.
Influence doesn’t always come from polish or reach. It comes from relevance and trust.
If you’re a brand trying to reach the right audience, or a creator trying to grow with purpose, focus on that. Share value. Solve real problems. Show up consistently. And connect with the people who are already listening.
Because in the end, the creators who quietly build trust are the ones with the most lasting influence. And if you’re lucky, they might even help you beat Barney.