The other day, I had realized that I was quickly coming upon my first year as a full-time content creator. Although I was posting on this blog and on instagram for quite some time, I always considered it my 5-to-9 after my regular 9-to-5 career. Previously, I was working in the medical devices which is obviously vastly different from social media! But I always knew in my heart that I had wanted to pursue something more creative and here I am today – nearing my one year anniversary of being able to do something that I absolutely love. As I reflect back on this monumental change in my life, I wanted to take some time to share some of the key takeaways I have learned along the way. Whether you are a fellow creator or an aspiring influencer, these lessons are what I wish I someone had told me before embarking on my journey as a full-time content creator.
Things I Learned as a Full-Time Content Creator After 1 Year
@kayebassey TIPS ✨ Some things i learned becoming a fulltime content creator #grwm #becomingmyownboss #contentcreatortips #gdwm #creatortips #creators ♬ IT GIRL – Sped up Version – Aliyah’s Interlude
Balance is Key
While I thought managing my time was difficult when juggling both my corporate job and social media, I was far from wrong. When it comes to being self-employed, how you allocate your time becomes even more of a challenge. In a traditional corporate setting, work constraints and clear expectations are established, providing a structured framework. However, when you are your own boss, these constraints obviously dissipate. Although I had some insight into this dynamic from my experience with social media as a side hustle, adapting to full-time self-employment definitely required a period of adjustment.
Thus, always maintain strong boundaries when it comes to time management. It can be so easy to overwork yourself and to get lost in the job. Allocate time for yourself, your health, and your hobbies. This includes taking mental health days and the occasional days off. Trust me – it’s better for you and your work in the long-run!
Find New Hobbies (Outside of Social Media)
Jumping off my last point, one of the most important things I did for myself this year was to make time for my hobbies. As you can surmise, I can be a bit of a workaholic. Allocating time for pleasure was always a difficult task because I felt the constant need to be “productive”. Now, I set aside a few hours a week to do something I truly enjoy. Whether it’s reading a new book or taking a dance class, these outside experiences and hobbies may even spark your creativity for a future post.
Form Meaningful Connections (and Network)!
Something I didn’t know before getting into social media was how much networking matters. While I am lucky to be based in LA where a large portion of my industry resides, there are influencer events happening all over! If an opportunity comes your way, I would jump on the opportunity! Whether you meet the PR team of your favorite brand at an event or form a connection with another creator, every relationship is a door to unlimited possibilities. In fact, you can even land brand deals and collabs through recommendations from others in the industry.
Kindness Goes a Long Way
While this doesn’t apply to the influencer world alone, it’s always important to remember that kindness goes a long way. Every interaction matters and it pays off to always put your best foot forward. This means responding to emails in a professional, genuine matter or being open and engaging at meetings and events. Although there are thousands of brands, PR agencies, influencers, and marketers, the social media world is surprisingly interconnected and the last thing you want to do is to burn bridges.
