The ugly side of content creating..

LONG CAPTION:

Don’t get me wrong, content creating is definitely fun! So much opportunity comes from posting a single video. However, I don’t think too many people hit on the “not so good” things about being a content creator.

Back story: I’m a full-time content creator📸 I’ve been doing this for a little over a year & just signed with my management team in June! Here’s some things I’ve learned this past year:

1. SUCKED INTO A NICHE

This is more for TikTok creators. TT is a great place to grow quickly because of the type of algorithm they have. The downside to that is… getting stuck with a niche. My main niche is daily vlogs (then DIYs and traveling). God forbid I want to post a GRWM, that video isn’t going anywhere. Not even to my followers. So if you’re trying to grow, find a niche but dont overdo it!

2. PLAYING KEEP UP

As a content creator, you find yourself having to stay with what’s trending, selling out, aesthetically pleasing, it girl, etc. All of my followers know I am not the type to run to the store because I “saw it on TikTok” or because it’s trending😩. I couldn’t force myself to do it if I wanted to. Not staying with trends can put you on the back burner in the algorithm & with brands. Trust me, been there done that multiple times & it sucks!

3. DEALING WITH BRANDS

Luckily I now have a team that handles this stress but before that… dealing with brands can be a nightmare. There’s hundreds of emails back & forth. Trying to figure out your worth/rate. Brands taking over your creative direction. It’s a lot of stress & can definitely shadow the passion for creating content. I struggle with this the most because brands have so much control over what, when, where, and how you create videos. The best brand I’ve worked with was Target! They gave me free creative flow💕

4. HOURS OF EDITING

It’s all fun and games until you have 60 mins worth of short content footage to put into 30-60secs and 50 hours of long content to put into 30-35 mins. I am the type to have to always be doing something so those admin days drive me through the wall. Very time consuming & can be frustrating when programs aren’t working right… or worst…. magically delete😭

5. CONSTANT TROLLS

Everybody wants to go viral but no one wants the trolls. I’ve had tons of viral videos on TT and those trolls get worse every single time. Yeah, the block button works (&trust we’re best friends lol) but it gets to point where you feel like you HAVE TO defend yourself. I learned to stop engaging at all but it def took time to get here.

6. INCONSISTENCY

If you’re looking at this for income, I would start it as a side hustle first. Content creating can be very inconsistent when it comes to payouts. You could have 1 month of 30k+ and another of 2k or 0. Side hustle until it’s your main hustle.

7. OVER EXPLAINING

The constant need to feel like you owe everyone an explanation. This is something I’m pretty good at avoiding… but that doesn’t mean It doesn’t bring stress. I started being a SAHM last year with my daughter, then 5 months later she was back in school. Things came up & life changed quickly. Everyone felt like I owed an explanation. I didn’t & still don’t.

8. LIFES A BLUR

I am guilty of this happening. Living in the moment becomes secondary. It’s all about getting that perfect video. I felt myself doing this once I started growing fast on TT. The beginning of this year, I cut that out. I’m enjoying first & getting my videos second… if I still feel like getting them.

9. MENTAL TOLL

It can be very hard. It can put you in a funk. It can drain you. It will make you cry. It will make you feel lost. It’ll make you feel like you’re not doing good enough. Don’t let these numbers take over your mental state. I promise the numbers and views do not represent who you are or how good you are at something.

I hope this doesn’t scare anyone on their journey but just educates! I wish I knew some of these things to better prepare mentally. Content creating has been such a blessing to me & my family…. but I definitely know when it’s time to take a step back🩷

#contentcreatorlifestyle #contentcreator #blackgirllemon8 #blackgirllemon8creator #contentcreatortips #contentcreatorlife #contentcreators