Who's Who on Social Media
5 min to read

Who is Valkyrae?

Valkyrae, also known as Rae, has carved out a powerful presence in the world of online gaming and streaming, captivating audiences with her charisma, humor, and gaming expertise. She rose to prominence as a streamer on YouTube and has since become a key figure in the gaming community, co-owning the esports and lifestyle brand, 100 Thieves.

November 1, 2024
Sarthak Ahuja
See AI-Powered Profile ✨

Valkyrae, also known as Rae, has carved out a powerful presence in the world of online gaming and streaming, captivating audiences with her charisma, humor, and gaming expertise. She rose to prominence as a streamer on YouTube and has since become a key figure in the gaming community, co-owning the esports and lifestyle brand, 100 Thieves. With millions of followers across platforms, Valkyrae's influence extends beyond gaming into fashion, beauty, and lifestyle content, making her a multi-faceted content creator who appeals to a wide audience.

Valkyrae: A Dominant Force in Gaming and Online Content Creation

Valkyrae, whose real name is Rachell Hofstetter, is a prominent American content creator, streamer, and entrepreneur. Known for her dynamic gaming streams and engaging personality, Valkyrae has become one of the most recognizable figures in the gaming and live-streaming industry, particularly on YouTube, where she streams for millions of fans. She has not only excelled as a streamer but has also expanded her reach into various aspects of entertainment and business, establishing herself as a multi-talented influencer and trendsetter.

Background

Born on January 8, 1992, in Washington, USA, Rachell Hofstetter is of Filipino and German descent, which she proudly shares with her followers, representing her diverse background in her content. Before her breakthrough in gaming, she worked at GameStop, where she discovered her passion for video games and connecting with people who shared her interests. This led her to try streaming as a hobby in 2014, a time when the gaming community was still relatively small. Initially, she began streaming on Twitch, where she slowly built a dedicated following through her friendly demeanor and skill in various games, especially in titles like Fortnite, Among Us, and League of Legends. Over time, her relatability and charm helped her amass a loyal fan base.

Her breakthrough moment came when she joined 100 Thieves, a popular gaming organization, in 2018 as a content creator. As one of the first female members of the organization, she became a role model for women in gaming, advocating for greater inclusivity and diversity within the community. Her influence within 100 Thieves was so significant that in 2021, she became a co-owner, solidifying her position as not only a creator but also a decision-maker in the industry.

Approach to Social Media/Content and Influence

Valkyrae’s approach to social media is characterized by a genuine and relatable style. She is known for her transparency with her audience, often sharing her struggles with mental health, burnout, and personal challenges, which has made her a highly relatable figure. Her authenticity resonates with her followers, and she often engages with them in real-time during her streams, creating a sense of community and closeness.

On YouTube, Valkyrae transitioned from Twitch, bringing her fan base to one of the most popular video-sharing platforms. Her content primarily revolves around live gaming streams, where she plays with other popular creators and participates in various gaming collaborations. Her collaborations with major figures, such as Corpse Husband, Pokimane, and Sykkuno, have become popular series, with each collaboration attracting millions of viewers. Valkyrae’s content spans multiple genres within gaming, and her versatility has allowed her to experiment with different types of content, including reaction videos, Q&A sessions, and collaborations outside the gaming sphere. Her adaptability to new trends and her willingness to diversify her content have helped her maintain relevance and continue attracting new viewers.

Her influence extends beyond gaming. Valkyrae is an advocate for mental health awareness, often discussing the importance of self-care and addressing mental health issues openly with her followers. This advocacy has made her a relatable and inspiring figure, particularly among young fans who look up to her as a role model. Her social media presence includes not only gaming but also fashion, lifestyle, and beauty, as she often collaborates with brands that align with her values and interests.

Expanding Influence

Valkyrae's influence has grown significantly in recent years, with ventures expanding well beyond live streaming. Her co-ownership of 100 Thieves has positioned her as a trailblazer in the gaming industry, making her one of the few women to hold an ownership stake in a major esports organization. This achievement has inspired other female gamers and aspiring businesswomen, contributing to her legacy as a pioneer within the gaming community. As a co-owner, she plays an active role in business decisions, partnerships, and brand-building initiatives, aligning her vision for a more inclusive and diverse gaming environment with the organization's goals. Her role in 100 Thieves has cemented her influence and allowed her to lead by example, demonstrating the power of female representation in a traditionally male-dominated field.

Beyond 100 Thieves, Valkyrae has ventured into various entrepreneurial and entertainment projects. She has collaborated with brands like Gymshark and participated in high-profile events like the Game Awards, increasing her visibility outside the gaming community. Additionally, she has stepped into the music scene, appearing in music videos and working with notable artists, further establishing herself as a versatile entertainer. Looking ahead, Valkyrae has expressed interest in exploring other creative fields, such as acting and content production. Her adaptability and business acumen enable her to stay at the forefront of gaming while appealing to a broader audience. With her dedication to inclusivity and mental health advocacy, Valkyrae is poised to make a lasting impact not only in gaming but across the entertainment industry.

Social Coverage: An Influencer active on social media

Valkyrae’s social media presence spans YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and X, where she shares a dynamic mix of gaming, lifestyle, and personal content.

Valkyrae's Social Media Strategy

YouTube: The Main Hub for Gaming Content and Streams

Valkyrae's primary platform is YouTube, where she enjoys an impressive 4.1 million followers, establishing herself as a leading figure in live gaming streams. Her YouTube content strategy centers around long-form content that includes gaming sessions, collaborations with other creators, and personal vlogs. This variety allows her to connect on multiple levels with her followers, showcasing her gaming skills while offering a more personal side of herself through vlogs. Despite posting only about 1.3 videos per month, Valkyrae maintains a high engagement rate of 4.98%, demonstrating that each upload resonates strongly with her audience. Her videos receive average engagement of 24.6K interactions and approximately 493.6K views per video, indicating that her fanbase eagerly anticipates and interacts with her content. This level of engagement highlights her loyal and dedicated audience, who consistently tune in for her streams, vlogs, and collaborations, making YouTube an essential part of her content creation strategy.

By focusing on longer videos, Valkyrae capitalizes on YouTube’s unique ability to support extended content, allowing her to share her gaming experiences in-depth. Her collaborations with other creators add a dynamic aspect to her channel, attracting fans from across various gaming communities and broadening her reach. This approach not only reinforces her gaming persona but also builds a personal connection with fans through vlogs that capture moments outside of gaming. The flexibility of YouTube enables her to engage with her audience in ways that short-form platforms can't match, deepening her influence and creating a strong community of dedicated followers. Each video release is an event for her fans, who value the quality and depth of her content, underscoring the impact of her unique, strategic presence on YouTube.

  • Username: @Valkyrae
  • Influence Score: 85.9/100
  • Followers: 4.1M
  • Activity: 1.3 videos/month
  • Engagement Rate: 4.98%
  • Growth: 0%
  • Average Engagement: 24.6K
  • Posting Habits: Twice a month at 8 AM

Instagram: Aesthetic and Lifestyle-Focused Content

On Instagram, Valkyrae leverages her platform to present a carefully curated blend of content that reflects her personality beyond gaming, resonating with her 3.5 million followers. Her Instagram strategy focuses on a mix of fashion photos, personal moments, and glimpses into her life that showcase her versatility and style. Each post is thoughtfully crafted, giving her followers a chance to see a more polished side of her personality. By sharing an array of lifestyle images and event highlights, she provides her audience with a visual diary that feels authentic yet aspirational. This curated approach not only engages her fans but also allows her to express her interests outside the gaming sphere, fostering a strong connection with her followers. With an engagement rate of 4.8%, Valkyrae maintains high interaction with her Instagram audience, showing that her content resonates well with them.

Valkyrae’s posting frequency of around six times per month keeps her content fresh without overwhelming her followers, ensuring that each post receives ample engagement. She strategically uses her Instagram to complement her YouTube and TikTok presence, offering a more personal view of her life that balances out her gaming-centered content on YouTube. This approach has helped her cultivate a multifaceted image that appeals to a wider audience. By incorporating personal stories, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and fashion-forward photos, she establishes herself as a well-rounded creator who values her connection with fans. Her Instagram serves as a visual platform that bridges her interests, providing followers with an engaging mix of style, lifestyle insights, and authentic self-expression. Through this diverse content strategy, Valkyrae successfully engages her audience, creating a sense of community where fans feel connected to both her gaming persona and her personal style.

  • Username: @valkyrae
  • Influence Score: 86.6/100
  • Followers: 3.5M
  • Activity: 6 posts last month
  • Engagement Rate: 4.8%
  • Growth: -0.5% (-17.4K followers)
  • Average Engagement: 166K
  • Posting Habits: Twice a week at 12 AM

TikTok: Short-Form, Engaging, and Relatable Content

TikTok, with 2.4 million followers, is where Valkyrae shares short, engaging videos that often include humorous snippets, fashion moments, and quick updates. Her TikTok content is distinct in that it allows her to connect with fans in a more casual, relatable way. The high engagement rate of 12.51% underscores her ability to resonate with her audience, as each post typically attracts an average of 362.6K interactions. Although her posting frequency is relatively low, with just 0.2 videos per week, each video garners significant attention, reflecting the high demand for her content on this platform. TikTok serves as an effective medium for Valkyrae to show a different side of herself, distinct from her longer gaming streams on YouTube, allowing her to connect with a broader, more diverse audience who appreciate her spontaneous content.

By mixing humor, fashion, and personal updates, Valkyrae curates her TikTok presence to be both engaging and accessible, which enhances her relatability. She often leverages trending sounds and popular formats, which helps her reach a wider audience and stay relevant on the platform. Her approach on TikTok contrasts with her YouTube strategy, providing a lighthearted, quick-view experience that appeals to fans who enjoy bite-sized content. Despite her infrequent posting schedule, each post’s high engagement indicates that her followers eagerly await new content, reinforcing her impactful presence on TikTok. This casual yet calculated approach aligns well with Valkyrae’s overall brand, as she balances her gaming persona with a more personal, accessible side on TikTok.

  • Username: @Valkyrae
  • Influence Score: 86.2/100
  • Followers: 2.4M
  • Activity: 0.2 videos/week
  • Engagement Rate: 12.51%
  • Growth: 0%
  • Average Engagement: 362.6K
  • Posting Habits: Twice a month at 2 AM

X (formerly Twitter): Direct Engagement with Fans

On X, Valkyrae has built a strong community of 3 million followers, where she shares updates, thoughts, and interacts directly with fans. She tweets around 1.8 times per week, maintaining a smaller yet dedicated engagement rate of 1.44%. With an average engagement of 43K per tweet, X allows Valkyrae to maintain a more personal and interactive relationship with her followers. Her tweets include a mix of personal reflections, event highlights, and content announcements, which resonate well with her fanbase. This platform provides her with a space to express her personality more freely, making her relatable to fans who appreciate the real-time insights into her life. She also takes advantage of trending hashtags and topics, enhancing the visibility of her posts and drawing new followers to her profile. The conversational format of X makes it an effective channel for quick updates and allows Valkyrae to share her thoughts on current events, fostering a sense of community with her audience.

In addition to sharing updates, Valkyrae often interacts with fans by replying to comments, which further strengthens her connection with her followers. Her consistent posting schedule on X ensures her audience feels involved and informed about her latest activities. Through this platform, she can promote collaborations, share milestones, and tease upcoming projects, offering fans a sense of exclusivity and direct engagement. The informal tone she uses on X allows her to maintain an approachable image, contrasting with her more polished presence on other platforms. X also allows her to stay visible to her audience in between her YouTube uploads, ensuring she remains top of mind for her fans. This balance between informal interactions and strategic updates makes X an integral part of her social media strategy, enhancing both her personal brand and follower loyalty.

  • Username: @valkyrae
  • Influence Score: 85.7/100
  • Followers: 3M
  • Activity: 1.8 tweets/week
  • Engagement Rate: 1.44%
  • Growth: -0.11% (-3.3K followers)
  • Average Engagement: 43K
  • Posting Habits: Twice a week at 12 AM

Valkyrae's Social Media Influence Summary

Valkyrae holds an authority score of 9,469 points, placing her among the elite in the social media world. She ranks #7 in the Video Games & Streaming category in the United States, which highlights her prominence in the gaming community. Her top-tier influence across multiple platforms underscores her role as a leading figure in online content creation, particularly in the gaming industry. With an estimated sponsored post cost of $21K, Valkyrae’s reach and engagement make her a highly valuable asset for brand partnerships.

Content Strategy and Creative Approach

Valkyrae’s content strategy emphasizes authenticity, humor, and versatility. Her YouTube channel is the core of her brand, where she shares long-form gaming streams that allow her to showcase her skills and interact with fans. On Instagram, she presents a more refined and fashion-focused side, while her TikTok content captures lighthearted and relatable moments. Each platform plays a unique role, allowing her to engage her followers in different ways and showcase various facets of her personality.

By blending gaming content with lifestyle and fashion, Valkyrae appeals to a diverse audience. Her strategic approach across platforms allows her to create a multi-dimensional brand that resonates with fans on a deeper level, keeping her content fresh and engaging.

Valkyrae stands as a powerful force in the online content creation and gaming world. With a dedicated following across YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and X, she has created a multi-faceted brand that resonates with millions. Her ability to blend gaming with lifestyle and fashion has made her a trailblazer in the industry. As she explores new partnership opportunities and potential expansion through a newsletter, Valkyrae is poised for even greater influence. Her journey exemplifies the impact of authenticity and engagement, making her a role model and icon in the social media landscape.

You might also find interesting:

Tara Yummy - Complete Social Media Analysis

Ryan Trahan - Complete Social Media Analysis

Kai Cenat - Complete Social Media Analysis

About the author

Sarthak Ahuja

Sarthak Ahuja is a marketing enthusiast currently contributing to digital marketing strategies at Favikon. An alumnus of ESCP Paris with over 2 years of professional experience, he has held multiple marketing roles across industries. Sarthak's work has been published in journals and websites. He loves to read and write about topics concerning sustainability, business, and marketing. You can find him on LinkedIn and Instagram.