Interview with local talent
1. What inspired you to start creating content, and what made you decide to take the leap into this space?
I’ve been creating content for as long as I can remember. Ever since I was a child I have always loved editing together special moments to make videos and then later on upload for my friends and family to see. However the past few years I’ve been encouraged by my closest friends to dip my toe into taking content creation more seriously as they could see the potential I have, and believe I have what it takes to become more prominent in the content creation scene. During covid I decided to post more on TikTok and Instagram and found that I really love making fun videos and photos and just sharing them with whoever was interested! This caught the attention of a couple of brands that I really admire, and now I’m easing my way into the world of UGC (user-generated content) which is a real passion of mine!
2. How do you find your niche and stay focused on your unique voice while creating content?
So I started out by jumping on various different trends and content styles. Eventually I realized that the content that my particular audience engages with the most is what I’m most connected to- which is pop culture and my personal experiences. I think the most important thing about creating content is staying true to yourself, of course the trends are fun and I love to recreate something once in a while, but the best content is ultimately what is authentic to yourself. If you don’t truly enjoy what you’re putting out, it’s hard for anyone else to enjoy it either!
3. As someone fairly new to content creation, what challenges have you faced, and how are you navigating them?
I would say that the biggest challenge I’ve found has to be self doubt. I tend to be an overthinker and worry that I’ll be judged by others for trying to pursue content creation, or that my content wouldn’t be liked. I think living on a small island definitely adds to these thoughts. At the end of the day I like to remind myself that I do this because I truly enjoy it, and at the same time it’s a hobby that doesn’t hurt anyone. Sometimes not seeing a rise in engagement on my socials does make me question whether this is worth my time and effort, however I know that growth takes time, and by being consistent and positive, I will eventually see progress.
4. How do you plan your content, and what strategies do you use to stay consistent?
To be honest with you, I don’t exactly plan out my content or use any strategies. I spend more time than I’d like to admit on social media taking in content that inspires me. If an idea pops into my head, I make a quick note of it on my notes app to film or capture when I get the chance to, as working full time as a nurse leaves me with very little time for shooting and filming. As for posting, I’m quite “go with the flow” about it and just post when it’s convenient for me. Honestly I think this authenticity is what my audience (which at the moment consists of mostly my friends) appreciated about my content the most.
I’m still learning my way around this, so hopefully I’ll pick up some strategies and tips that will help me to build a better platform.
5. How do you handle feedback, both positive and negative, and how has it shaped your growth as a creator?
I really enjoy receiving positive feedback, it’s nice to know people like my content and this gives me more motivation to continue posting. In regards to negative feedback, as hard as it is, I try not to take it personally, and try to use it to learn and further improve my content. At the end of the day, not everyone is going to like what I post and do, and that’s completely fine, I’m not everyone’s cup of tea. I try to take all feedback, good and bad, and utilize it to grow and get better.
6. What are some tools or resources that have helped you get started in content creation?
Since I just started out, I’m keeping things pretty simple. My phone is my biggest tool, it’s where I shoot, edit and post. To edit videos I use either the TikTok app or Capcut which are very user friendly. I also rely a lot on Instagram and TikTok’s built-in features, like templates and music, to keep things creative without needing extra software. I’m still learning along the way and testing out different tools to help me put out the best content.
7. How do you stay motivated in the early stages of content creation, especially when results might not come immediately?
What keeps me motivated is the fact that I just really enjoy creating content. Even though I don’t always see big results, I have fun with it, and that is what keeps me going. I love to share what I’m passionate about and that is what is most rewarding to me. Of course, I do get a bit discouraged when growth is slow, but good things take time, and everyone starts somewhere. The fact that I’m having fun and staying true to myself is what keeps me happy!
8. What are some small goals you’ve set for yourself as a new content creator, and how are you tracking your progress?
As someone who is very new to content creation, I set small goals for myself such as posting regularly and staying active with my content. A goal of mine is to engage and connect with other creators who have similar content to mine. I don’t really track my progress in a strict way, I mainly focus on enjoying the process and seeing myself grow as both a person and content creator naturally over time. I concentrate mainly on posting what feels right and keeping things fun without getting too caught up in numbers, I think if I did that it would be easier to become discouraged.
9. How do you stay true to yourself while also creating content that resonates with your target audience?
Staying true to myself is, in my opinion, the most important thing. I think a lot of content creators could get caught up in joining the trends and being disingenuous purely to please others, however, I think it’s quite evident when this is done and overall not enjoyable from both the creator and viewer’s perspective. By posting what I genuinely enjoy, I feel more connected with my followers and I think the right audience will naturally resonate with my content. Of course, it’s natural to want to post what will be popular with others, but I always make sure that what I put out aligns with my interests, who I am and what I want to share. I believe you can connect with others more by staying true to yourself.
10. What excites you the most about your journey in content creation, and what are your hopes for the future?
I think what excites me the most about my content creation journey is simply getting to share what I’m passionate about and connect with others that have similar interests. I would love to collaborate with even more brands that I admire! I also want to get into more fashion and beauty content. It’s something I really enjoy watching, and a goal of mine is to become better at it and share more of that with my friends and audience.
