When I first started out, I said, "yes," to a few paid deals because I needed the money and exposure. What I wouldn't do now is collaborate with brands that don't really fit with my platform. I used to get so surprised when brand would immediately say, "yes." Learn to turn down opportunities that aren't a good fit It took me a while to push back on offers and negotiate higher pay, sometimes even doubling the rate. I think a lot of immigrants have imposter syndrome, especially when it comes to negotiating with brands, because we don't think we're worth as much as we are. It's how I got partnerships with global brands like Samsung and Adobe, so imagine if I hadn't reached out! I made one in August and started using it to pitch myself. I didn't think they would respond if I emailed or DMed them on social media.Ī media kit really helped build my confidence there. That first year or so of being a creator, I wasn't super proactive and usually waited for companies to contact me, hoping they had seen my videos. I also wish I started reaching out to brands sooner. Don't wait for brands to reach out to you I might have hit my income goals sooner if I had realized that the number of followers you have doesn't matter that much. Micro influencers like me have cultivated really strong communities, which is why brands like to work with us. These moves have helped me earn more money from brand deals because companies value audience engagement over how many followers a creator has. Usually, I record voiceovers narrating what's happening in a video or talk directly into the camera, like I'm speaking with a friend. I also answer questions from my followers and read the comments to learn what people want to see more of. Instead of keeping up with what's trending, I stick to my own content style. It's evolved to focus on storytelling, like taking audiences behind the scenes on photoshoots or sharing my personal experience as a South Asian in this space. Now, my content across TikTok and Instagram is more about engaging with my community than attracting new followers. I made TikTok videos using trending sounds or dialogue - anything to keep going viral. My first year as a creator, I wasn't really sure what would help me attract users, so I did what other influencers were doing. Pivot from using popular trends to creating a recognizable brand Here are three things I wish I knew earlier in my career that other creators should look out for. It took me a while to get to where I am now, and I definitely made a few mistakes along the way. I made $100,000 for the first time last year, including earnings from brand sponsorships, TikTok's creator fund, and my photography and video production business. So far, I've landed paid campaigns with major brands like Samsung, Adobe, Brooklinen, and the NFL. Now, I have 58,400 followers on TikTok and almost 10,000 followers on Instagram. I started posting about my work on TikTok in 2019, and went viral for the first time in April 2021 when I remixed a popular song and Kim Kardashian used it in her video debut on the platform. I soon dropped out to build a business photographing concerts, singers, and rappers. I studied computer science in college to make my parents happy, but what I really loved was playing with my camera and shooting content. I didn't grow up wanting to be an influencer. Insider verified Patel's earnings through documentation he provided. It has been edited for length and clarity. This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Tej Patel, a photography and filmmaking creator.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |