#4 | Farzy Loko | Identify Your Audience and Define Your Niche

Farzy Loko (full name Farzam Kazemi) was born and raised in New Jersey, USA and currently residing in New Jersey. Growing up, he we went to Farsi school every Saturday which is where he learned how to read, write, and speak Farsi. He graduated college with a film making degree. "Throughout my life, I was always known as “the funny guy” by my friends and family.  I’m known to be very social, always in a good mood, and friendly.  I’ve always been the type of guy to want to make people happy and make them smile and laugh." Farzy started producing short comedy skits in 2017 and has amassed a loyal following of tens of thousands on Social via Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and Telegram. His videos all mainly revolve around the Persian culture. "Besides making people happy and laugh, I wanted to make these videos that non-Persians can see and get a different perspective about us Persians.  The media is always showing Iran in a certain light with the “government” and “nuclear weapons.”  There’s so much more about us Persians and the country of Iran than what the media shows. I am using my comedy to show a different side to us Persians to the general public and at the same time, I can also make videos that us Persians can relate to and laugh about." Farzy writes, films, acts, and edits all of his own material and produces weekly content. His social media is not his main income although he generates revenue from advertising and promos.   Farzy works full time for NBC NEWS/TELEMUNDO in New York in Technical Operations. He have been working in the media for various News Networks in NYC since graduating college.  "I am married to a beautiful Ukrainian girl who motivates, pushes me, and supports me.  Aside from my social media and my job, I co-own an entertainment company with my good friend Harry.  We do weddings and special events.  I also get invited by my fans to host and MC Persian concerts, club parties, weddings, birthdays, and more."

 

SHOW NOTES:

Introduction of Farzy Loco [4:23]

Creating Persian content on social media [12:37]

Reporting on Iranian homeland issues on social media [18:38]

How to handle negative comments [20:49]

Balancing comedy, journalism, and family life [23:01]

Growing up in a immigrant household [25:38]

Making content for an international audience [27:36]

Early life and family [30:14]

The Corona Virus quarantine, lockdown, and social distancing [34:50]

Rapid Fire Questions [41:04]

Spreading positivity trough entertainment [50:52]

The importance of expressing your cultural heritage [52:54]

 

QUOTES:

"When I was younger my parents worked their asses off, just like any other immigrant parents does today. Both my mom and dad worked their ass’s off to get me and my brother to where we are today. You know, encouraged us to get through college, get a good job and all that. I’m surrounded by positivity, to be honest, throughout my whole life. In general, I can just say, I’m a positive person, I always look at things in a positive light." [24:12]

"Just yesterday we were talking to a 87 year old man that survived the corona virus. He fought it and he beat it… He told the viewers on TV, he said, ‘Listen, have faith, have hope, just because your older dose not mean you can’t fight this, just be strong.’ Those things are important to hear in times like this because all people need is faith and hope." [36:06]

"I always tell people, I think, the most important thing is to help people in any way you can, weather its putting a smile on their face, that cost nothing, zero dollars, giving someone advice, in any way possible, If you can help anybody else out, if you can, do it." [50:53]

"We got to to take all this negativity and turn it into something positive, because I always say, if you cant control something don’t get upset about it, there’s nothing you can do about it, so make the best of it, be positive." [56:15]

 

FOLLOW FARZY AND IMAN ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

IG: @farzyloko @imanhuschmand

FB: @Farzy Kazemi @Iman Huschmand