Meet the creators
Hosted by Zach Justice and Jared Bailey, “Dropouts” is a video show where pop culture gets dissected, personal stories become legendary, and laughter is always on. The duo has created a space that feels like hanging out with your funniest friends, as they explore the latest social media drama, share cringe-worthy dating stories, and pull back the curtain on the entertainment industry.
With a casual, laid-back format and a revolving door of guest stars, Zach and Jared keep the conversations fresh and the tea piping hot.
We sat down with them to hear about their journey with video on Spotify. This is what we learned.
Spotify, where fan loyalty reaches new heights
For nearly three years, Zach and Jared built a following on Spotify with nothing but their voices and wit. They were already producing video for YouTube, and in 2023, the duo decided to bring video content over to their Spotify feed as well.
Suddenly, fans could see the playful banter, the raised eyebrows, and the barely contained laughter that made “Dropouts” worth following. And boy, did the audience respond—just 3 months after adding video to its feed, the show grew its audience by 40%.
This surge meant that the audience was now hooked on “Dropouts.” Week after week, an increasing number of fans found themselves eagerly returning for every new episode, creating a snowball effect of engagement.
The “why” behind this jump in retention comes down to Spotify’s approach to the fan-creator relationship. Unlike other platforms, where short and snappy viral content tends to be the norm, Spotify is creating a space where creators and audiences can build meaningful connections.
Zach and Jared found that Spotify’s culture of long-form video content aligns perfectly with their conversational style. They can have nuanced discussions that resonate with their fans—fans who are willing to invest time and thought into the content they consume.
“I feel like on other platforms, you can just kind of stumble across our show (...). But on Spotify, I feel like they're really there to see us. They understand us and the content that we put out, and they have more meaningful interactions with the show when they comment or answer the polls.”
“Engaging with fans on Spotify is a little different,” says Zach. “It feels more intellectual because when they come to Spotify for shows, they have a longer attention span. There’s room for more detailed conversations, they can really share their input, and you can tell they've thought about it a lot.”
Jared adds that interaction and engagement feel more intentional on Spotify than on other platforms, where audiences often stumble across their show but don’t really know who they are. “I feel like they're really there to see us. They understand us and the content that we put out, and they have more meaningful interactions with the show when they comment or answer the polls.”
“There's something so beautiful about being able to share the human experience on a platform as big as Spotify that allows us to have such deep connections with people.”
This intentionality translates into a loyal fanbase who actively participates in the “Dropouts” community, eagerly awaits new content, and engages in thoughtful discourse. All in all, Zach finds that “there's something beautiful about being able to share the human experience on a platform as big as Spotify that allows us to have such deep connections with people.”
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Build your fan community on Spotify
Video on Spotify helped “Dropouts” build a thriving community, where fans feel seen, heard, and valued. Zach advises creators who are still on the fence about trying a new format to just take the leap: “If you’re not on video, get on video. Eventually, you’re going to have to do it, so start practicing, get your game face on, and get comfortable in front of a camera.”
There’s no better time than the present to follow in “Dropouts”’ footsteps!
Start building a community of loyal fans. Learn more about how and why to add video on Spotify.
