You Don't Need an Aesthetic Home to Create High Quality Content
Not long ago, I came across a TikTok video titled, "Can We Just Make Content?" The creator posed a thought-provoking question: “Why can't we return to genuine storytelling in content creation?” In other words, why is there a need to impersonate celebrities or wealthy individuals and display an almost unattainable lifestyle in order to validate our worth?
This trend of cosplaying celebrities can make content creation seem like a hobby only the wealthy can do; as though without a picture-perfect home or a flawless lifestyle, our content won’t receive as much attention or viewership. It discourages people from creating content or engaging in online dialogues.
I understand this firsthand. When I lived in a beautiful city apartment in Beacon Hill, I documented my morning routines and lifestyle daily. It seemed like every week one of my videos went viral. As a result, my audience grew by almost 100k followers that year.
When I moved out of the city, my views and engagement dropped dramatically.
It seemed without my beautiful backdrop, fewer people were interested in watching my content. My videos no longer had those aspirational undertones they once did, and many people stopped watching.
I felt deeply saddened by this. But it also sparked something within me: a need to pivot and re-think the type of content I was making. I was determined to keep going and wanted to continue creating high quality content. In some ways, I realized I had to stop chasing after beautiful backdrops and let the real focus of my content be, well, me. It had to be my writing, the questions I was asking, the conversations I was participating in, and real life, rather than an ideal life I wanted to portray.
A year or so later, one of my students in PBA asked me, “What if the kind of content I want to create isn’t realistic for where I am in my life right now? I see these aspirational videos, and I want to emulate them, but it’s currently just not feasible, and it’s holding me back from creating.”
This is it! This is the dilemma. I looked at her and I said, “Create where your life is happening," advice I wish someone had told me sooner.
Personal Branding Tip
There’s nothing wrong with making beautiful, aspirational videos. I love creating that kind of content, and I love to consume it as well. But that kind of content only shows one facet of your life. An authentic personal brand goes deeper. An authentic personal brand says, “Here I am, warts and all, in all my complexity and nuance.” It tells the story of who you are, not just who you aspire to be. This is the power of an authentic personal brand.
Do not hide behind an illusion of perfection, but rather, celebrate the beauty of being real; of being human.
It's not that difficult to create an aesthetic morning routine video, but it takes a truly talented creator to go beyond aesthetics, and examine real life with humor, depth and curiosity. Remember, there is always something to talk about, content to create, and ideas that are worthy of being spread - you just have to look for them.
Personal Question
What’s holding you back from creating content? What if, instead of trying to impress people, your main goal was to connect with them? What would you create then?
When you're ready, here are two ways I can help you build your Personal Brand:
Personal Brand Accelerator: A 3-month program to help you build your personal brand, tell your story, and post with confidence on social media.
Full Service Personal Brand Development: Work directly with my team and I to build your personal brand. Walk away with a stunning personal website, brand photos, social media strategy, and a powerful, consistent brand message that accurately conveys who you are and what you do. Now booking for Spring 2024.
See you next week!
