CAS Influencer Day
On 20 and 21 October 2021, the first Influencer Days took place at ROTHENBERGER. The topic of the two action-packed days, which were organized in cooperation with Metabo, was the cross-manufacturer battery alliance Corporate Alliance System (CAS).
Prominent guests at ROTHENBERGER
More than fifty influencers accepted the invitation and traveled from all over Europe to the headquarters in Kelkheim. The first day was held in English for the international guests, while the second day belonged to the influencers from all over Germany. After an exclusive factory tour, the participants were able to playfully try out CAS battery tools and machines at various stations and take part in challenges. How they experienced the day and what is important to them, we found out for you in personal conversations.
**How did your career as an influencer come about and when did it start?
In 2012, I founded the Instagram account Nample. But I only started the account to save photos of heating systems, as proof. That's why I didn't think much about the name. It was all without a hashtag, too. Then in 2013 and 2014, the Americans took notice of me. Therefore, a year later, I then started to learn English properly, because in school I had only French. Then in 2016 I was in England for the first time through Instagram, and in 2019 in the USA.
**But you already have the support of a team, or how do you manage to always be up-to-date?
No, I do it all myself. After almost ten years, I simply have a certain routine. It goes fast, but I don't do any bling-bling, except for the music. But that's not a problem either.
**Who are your followers?
The majority are from the plumbing and heating sector, i.e. plumbers, but also tool enthusiasts in general. There are also a lot of mechanics from garages and car dealerships, from all over the world.
What is it like to be in exchange with the whole world?
I had a reel a month ago with a Lanz Bulldog, from the 50s, and uploaded that and then I got photos from Chile and Paraguay. That one was awesome. But the thing is, 70 years ago, the Lanz Bulldog was exported there from Mannheim. Some of them are still running in Chile today. So it's not just us restoring old tractors, it's also being done in Chile. I find that fascinating.
**Which news do you think about longer?
I experienced something very moving with a follower from India. She wrote me that she is visiting her father and that her father used to work in Dubai, as a plumber. He is very ill, and to cheer him up, she showed him my posts. That's when he really perked up, because it made him so happy. So those are the moments when I realize that what I'm doing isn't wrong.
**What do you value in your social media activities?
From wherever someone comes from, I've never forgotten to reply to one. So if someone writes to me, whether it's in Korean or in English or in German, everyone gets a response. It's not just about the tool for me, it's also about social media itself, about sharing with the whole world.
**How did you like the CAS Influencer Day?
For me it was two days, because I was also there on the international day. The exchange among each other was simply brilliant. On the first evening, I sat together with colleagues from Italy, Sweden, Spain, England and Scotland until half past two in the evening and we exchanged ideas and stories. A colleague from ROTHENBERGER was also there. So it was a great experience all round, I am very satisfied. Also that Dr. Rothenberger was always there and you could talk to her. That was something special.
**What is your favorite ROTHENBERGER product?
Well, I have a very special soft spot for the pipe wrenches. They are made in Spain, but I only found that out here. It's true that as an outsider you don't necessarily know what's behind the name ROTHENBERGER.
**Thank you very much for the interview!
**How did it come to your channel Bauforum24?
Well, Bauforum24 already existed when YouTube didn't exist and the term "social media" didn't exist yet. I started producing videos in 2005 and hosted them on YouTube around 2008. In 2015, we started making videos where I'm in front of the camera, which we hadn't done before. We then created new formats especially for YouTube, brought regular videos every week, and also expanded the tools section very well.
**Who is behind Bauforum24?
We are a company with employees and all the trimmings. There is a real business behind it, that is, it has developed over time so. We started in 2004 with Bauforum24 as a community portal for construction and construction machinery. We are still identified with construction machinery. But we don't just run this channel, we also offer consulting and production for associations or companies that want to do more in the direction of social media.
**Which topics are particularly well received?
We did a lot in the area of construction machinery, which was very well received, and then we were asked again and again to do something with tool testing. So that's how it started, with the tool area. But we still make videos with construction machinery. I drive trucks through the mud, I test SUVs and so on. And now a lot of trade shows have been cancelled because of Corona. That's why we're currently doing a live show every month, some of which go on for four hours and the viewers stay tuned. That's really cool.
**How did you like CAS Influencer Day today?
The topic of ROTHENBERGER in particular had not been such a topic for me before, although our viewers come from all industries and we have already done something about it. I have to say, I am very impressed when you see it like this, here. Seeing the tools in action in this way is something I would not have expected.
**Thank you very much for the interview!
**How and why did you start your channel?
Honestly, I started it for fun, because I actually wanted to look for new products on Instagram. I was looking for new products, so that's actually how it came about.
**What is your motivation for your channel?
So somehow also pride. If you have built a beautiful layout, you want to show it. And of course tips on how to best build layouts. I also see how colleagues have built something. Sometimes I say to myself, oh, that can be done quite differently, perhaps more simply. That's more or less how it works. The professional exchange is simply important for us craftsmen: I can learn something, the others can learn something. And it's a good way to keep up to date, for example about new products.
**And of course tools as well...?
Yes, that's right, tools always have to be there somehow (laughs).
**What does your normal workday look like?
I am a master SHK and work in my parents' company in the family business. Heinz & Carmen Unterberg GmbH, Duisburg-Rumeln.
**Isn't it difficult to look after such a channel on the side?
No, actually it's not a problem for me. I usually do it during my lunch break, or sometimes I let the apprentices drive, and then I do it while I'm driving. And after work, of course.
**What are you often asked, are there wishes from your fans, what else you should do?
I often get the wish that I should show myself. But I don't do that. I prefer to concentrate on the matter, on the craft, that also interests me the most.
Why did you decide to participate in the ROTHENBERGER Influencer Day?
The greatest thing is actually always at something like this, that you also meet the others there, that you meet some new ones, meet others again. And: I love factory tours! That was definitely one of the decisive factors for me that I definitely wanted to be part of ROTHENBERGER. So I love factory tours more than anything.
**What excited you the most on this day?
Of course the plant tour - and the openness of Dr. Rothenberger. I thought it was great that she was there the whole day, right in the middle of the action, and was available to answer questions the whole time. That was a real highlight. In general, I really enjoyed the day.
**What surprised you, what didn't you know?
The size! For me, Rothenberger was really just Rothenberger Germany, maybe a bit abroad, but I didn't expect that there was so much behind it.
**What is your favorite ROTHENBERGER tool and what do you particularly like about it?
Quite clearly: The ROMAX Compact TT! It is handy, so that you can reach everywhere, in all niches, on the wall, that is very, very advantageous.
**Thank you very much for the interview!