Becoming a content creator: The untold truths.

It’s Karla here, and today, I want to discuss the glamorous yet gritty world of content creation. Yes you see many curated Instagram feeds, the polished YouTube videos, and the amazingly engaging blog posts, but what about the behind-the-scenes reality? Well buckle up, because I’m about to spill the tea on the good, the bad and the in between of becoming a content creator!

The pros!

I love to start with a positive, so here is one of my personal favourite parts of being a content creator. There really is nothing quite like those extremely creative days where you wake up and have ideas overflowing from your mind. The days when you feel like you really have your sh*t together and can shoot b-roll for the rest of the year!

In the world of Social Media there is no better feeling than the joy of creating engaging content that gets the results you wanted or even better, exceeds expectations. Now that is what its about, that feeling that some may call vanity metrics but I like to think of my content as an art and these so called ‘vanity metrics’ are a confirmation that other people enjoy my art.

The creative freedom is quite exciting also, putting the ideas to action! It could be a GRWM reel or a heartfelt blog entry. Every piece of content you create is a little piece of you! From loyal followers to fellow creators, you get to meet so many inspirational individuals. You can also find local communities of creators and learn from each others styles and experiences . If you have not yet found a community this is not a bad thing, do what I done and create your own!

Collab time!

Let’s talk collaborations! These are two thing that I get asked the most. How do you get the deal? or What if they don’t think your good enough?
I always say the same two things. You have to try to find out, reach out to brands you believe in! Brands you use or have already used and trust the product works! and
Be prepared for rejections! They might say no, you might not be a match for what the brand is looking for at the time. When one door closes another will open! So be patient and believe in yourself!

As your account grows, so do opportunities! So always stay true to yourself and accept nothing short of products you like and trust. From exclusive events to brand collabs, these are all parts of the exciting journey. I will never forget the day I got my first gifted package from my favourite local jewellery brand Mvintage. This was one of my first deals and I can even recall word for word the chat with the marketing manager that led up to the deal. Exciting stuff right! I even got to shoot some content with my mum this year and we had an absolute blast doing it! You can watch the BTS video here if you fancy a giggle.

The real struggles!

Behind every post you see, you don’t see the planning, shooting, editing and even tears! Sometimes creating content doesn’t quite goes as planned and you have to suck it up and carry on. Not everyone has the luxury of doing this as a full time job and well, not everyone who creates wants to! The time spent perfecting a blog post or the video editing can be draining. Not only this, you are putting yourself out there and exposing yourself to the public opinion. Sometimes feedback is constructive and helpful. Other times, not so much, and can be downright harsh and hurtful. I often remind myself that we are all individuals, this includes style, opinions and different views overall.

The easiest thing to do as a creator is to fall into that dreaded trap of comparing yourself and your results to other creators. Then creeps in the self doubt and you either stop being as creative or question your content worth. Again, believe in yourself if you expect brands to! Self doubt will restrict your creativity!

The in between.

It’s all part of the process, the rejection, the mistakes and what you take away from it! Yes, you will have declined collaborations or a post that you though was going to be a smash hit, FLOP! This is resilience is key, use every hurdle as a lesson learned.

So, you want to know what is the most crucial part of being a creator? CONSISTENCY, consistency, consistency! Even on the days you feel deflated or uninspired, this is where the b-roll you shot for a rainy day can be utilized! Above all, stick to your posting schedule. Do your research and find out the best times to post when your audience is most engaged! Trust me, this all plays a critical role in your creative journey! Do what you love and find new ways to express yourself!

One of my biggest fears, I am still working on overcoming, is definitely speaking on camera. For someone who has so much to say, I freeze and stutter. In my journey of personal growth, I am always pushing myself to push my creative boundaries and you should too! Celebrate small victories and get excited for those vanity metrics no matter how big.

In conclusion: The Magic behind Content Creation

On this exciting rollercoaster ride of highs and lows, I would not trade it for anything! I have truly found myself in the past 8 months that I have been focusing on my content. All the things I mentioned above, the judgement, the late nights and the self doubt are all part of this adventure. I have gained so much self belief and growth over these few months that I am eternally grateful for.

So, if you are an aspiring creator who has stumbled across this post, this is your SIGN to keep going because great things are coming! The magic will come to you once you truly put yourself out there!

Stay fabulous, stay positive and most importantly STAY CREATIVE!