Yesss to this - we’ve been at this for a longggg time & it’s super stressful , constantly strategizing and trying to find your footing .. I toyed back & forth with taking a mini break ; which I’m doing a little .. but every time I think about pivoting , I get a heartfelt comment about how my content motivated someone or the girl I used to be .. then I remember “ MY WHY”.. I’m honestly going to restrategize , come back harder & more authentic .. I’ve always just posted what I like to create and it’s not going to stop .. we got this 🤍
I love your response!! I definitely think showing our quirks can be challenging in our current media landscape too, which is why your piece resonated with me so much.
I think you might love Sundai Love, she's on IG and YouTube and she shows her life as a black woman in Japan. She's mad funny and loves anime and her cats and she owns a clothing business.
Cozy K is on YT and IG, she's lovely to chill to and watch, she's a cozy content creator. Very crafty and hobby based.
Jaelah Majette is on YT primarily and I love her because she's not afraid to show her neurodivergency and also show that you can be a baddie and be on the spectrum/have ADHD. That representation is so important to me. She's also mad funny and when she speaks I totally get her as a fellow AuDHD gworlie.
I hope you enjoy the recommendations and I can't wait for you to see even more growth as a content creator 💖😌
LOOOOVE everything about this and everything that you said is accurate!! Coming from someone who also started 10+ years ago, has a degree in journalism (broadcast focused), learned how to edit in actual programs (not templates) — it’s like we platform ourselves with authenticity, PERSONALITY, day to day lives and it’s crickets. The girls definitely don’t want authenticity, they want a lifestyle packaged up and sold to them so they can follow the same path or adopt the same aesthetics because it makes them feel like they’re “next” or it’s putting them on the path to be “her” when it’s just gotta be IN you. It’s so frustrating and I’m currently on a break from creating to really figure out how I want to contribute to the content space at this point. Whew!
I love your content so you know I feel you. All of the things you stated here are so true. It gets so discouraging. Take your break and come back harder and still authentic! You ain’t wrong queen.
Well you posed to different point of views for real content creators. Some people are fixed on their income through social media partners because maybe without it they are out of a job. Time after time I seen influencers try to convince me to buy something or register for a program and it never seen real. I felt like all they were just trying to meet their quota and flood my content wall. Like please STOP and be original make me feel like I can sense a personal connection.
On the opposite side for the genuine content creators we just have to stay persistent, driven and faithful that everything will work out in the end. I was listening to the FriendshipWest Baptist Church service online this Sunday. The topic was "Shook, Surprised, and Set Up" - Rev. Dr. Frederick D. Haynes, III talked about everything I think about as a entrepreneur and the power of showing up for yourself until your moment happiness. Your moment is coming but you want see coming until you keep be the best version of yourself everyday.
This is everything I feel about the creative space online. It seems like there is no room for anyone to be original and even the people who are original they Don’t get the praise that they deserve!!!!! I don’t think you sound like an old hag. I think you’re saying what a lot of people are too afraid to say because they have a dream of being an influencer for a living. I just don’t understand the concept of why people want to watch 500 videos on the Internet of the same type of girl livin the same type of life in a different font. It just doesn’t make sense. This also shows me that individuality is out the window, considering mainstream media celebrities are also following this clean girl trend as well. I wonder what the next trend will be…. #thinisin??? Lol
In regards to originality not being profitable, I think it’s because companies try too hard to appeal to everyone and are too afraid to take risks on those with niche content. This sucks because there are so many creators whose content would sell so well if companies took a chance on them. I just wish companies would stop playing it safe but great take, I’m glad someone is talking about this
See I wish we had a voice notes feature so I could respond in that manner because I feel like typing won't convey how I'm feeling about your piece properly... (And I'm trying to be succinct and avoid writing a novel in your comments 😫😭)
To put it as briefly as possible, I think the issue could be an echo chamber issue, but I think it's also a special interests issue. I follow tons of black female creators who really are doing things different, are different, and are in different spaces than the typical black female creators who are on Sephora squad for instance, but the thing is that I myself am not your "standard issue" black woman. I am into gaming, anime, crafting, hobbies, gardening, being a homebody, etc, and there are sooooooo many black women thriving in this space (and I am soon to be another one as I finally do the social media things).
A lot of these black women are trailblazing and even getting sponsorships from NINTENDO which is SO COOL to see as someone who was ostracized for being a gamer growing up. I don't follow black luxury or makeup or haircare or any of that stuff because it personally doesn't speak to MY personality whatsoever, so in following those interests of mine (as stated above) I am always able to find black women who are killing the game, getting opportunities, etc.
The issue with this is that not all black women have interests like these, so I can see how it can feel so monolithic, but I also don't quite know what else someone would show about themselves without these sorts of special interests that show your quirkiness. I think many people just don't have "quirky" hobbies anymore, and that's why things are so one dimensional, because maybe that's really all they have going for themselves (ie: hair content or makeup content or stuff they buy etc).
Ok I'm cutting myself off LMAO imma stop there before I type another paragraph.
No I COMPLETELY get this. Thats' true. I've been challenging myself to explore and find those other creators! I am into makeup, beauty, etc., but I feel like I want my timeline to be varied. I love seeing others dominate in their field and see how they express their creativity. I have so many interests and little quirks that my goal is to find people in each of those. But you're right. I think a lot of things are just one-dimensional and people don't have different hobbies these days as well.
Who are some of your fav creatives? I just love seeing people express themselves differently! I love long comments as well so thanks for sharing!!
Yesss to this - we’ve been at this for a longggg time & it’s super stressful , constantly strategizing and trying to find your footing .. I toyed back & forth with taking a mini break ; which I’m doing a little .. but every time I think about pivoting , I get a heartfelt comment about how my content motivated someone or the girl I used to be .. then I remember “ MY WHY”.. I’m honestly going to restrategize , come back harder & more authentic .. I’ve always just posted what I like to create and it’s not going to stop .. we got this 🤍
It’s really those one off comments that get you every time! I love your content. It’s so relatable. Thank you for reading.
I love your response!! I definitely think showing our quirks can be challenging in our current media landscape too, which is why your piece resonated with me so much.
I think you might love Sundai Love, she's on IG and YouTube and she shows her life as a black woman in Japan. She's mad funny and loves anime and her cats and she owns a clothing business.
Cozy K is on YT and IG, she's lovely to chill to and watch, she's a cozy content creator. Very crafty and hobby based.
Jaelah Majette is on YT primarily and I love her because she's not afraid to show her neurodivergency and also show that you can be a baddie and be on the spectrum/have ADHD. That representation is so important to me. She's also mad funny and when she speaks I totally get her as a fellow AuDHD gworlie.
I hope you enjoy the recommendations and I can't wait for you to see even more growth as a content creator 💖😌
I loveeee Jaelah so I'm going to dive into the others as well! I love hobby content so yay! I'm excited! Thanks so much for reading & helping as well!
LOOOOVE everything about this and everything that you said is accurate!! Coming from someone who also started 10+ years ago, has a degree in journalism (broadcast focused), learned how to edit in actual programs (not templates) — it’s like we platform ourselves with authenticity, PERSONALITY, day to day lives and it’s crickets. The girls definitely don’t want authenticity, they want a lifestyle packaged up and sold to them so they can follow the same path or adopt the same aesthetics because it makes them feel like they’re “next” or it’s putting them on the path to be “her” when it’s just gotta be IN you. It’s so frustrating and I’m currently on a break from creating to really figure out how I want to contribute to the content space at this point. Whew!
I love your content so you know I feel you. All of the things you stated here are so true. It gets so discouraging. Take your break and come back harder and still authentic! You ain’t wrong queen.
Well you posed to different point of views for real content creators. Some people are fixed on their income through social media partners because maybe without it they are out of a job. Time after time I seen influencers try to convince me to buy something or register for a program and it never seen real. I felt like all they were just trying to meet their quota and flood my content wall. Like please STOP and be original make me feel like I can sense a personal connection.
On the opposite side for the genuine content creators we just have to stay persistent, driven and faithful that everything will work out in the end. I was listening to the FriendshipWest Baptist Church service online this Sunday. The topic was "Shook, Surprised, and Set Up" - Rev. Dr. Frederick D. Haynes, III talked about everything I think about as a entrepreneur and the power of showing up for yourself until your moment happiness. Your moment is coming but you want see coming until you keep be the best version of yourself everyday.
You Got This!!!
WOW. A WORD. THANKS SO MUCH
I said this a longggggg time ago. People don't want authenticity. They think they do but they absolutely do not.
absolutely do not girl !
This is everything I feel about the creative space online. It seems like there is no room for anyone to be original and even the people who are original they Don’t get the praise that they deserve!!!!! I don’t think you sound like an old hag. I think you’re saying what a lot of people are too afraid to say because they have a dream of being an influencer for a living. I just don’t understand the concept of why people want to watch 500 videos on the Internet of the same type of girl livin the same type of life in a different font. It just doesn’t make sense. This also shows me that individuality is out the window, considering mainstream media celebrities are also following this clean girl trend as well. I wonder what the next trend will be…. #thinisin??? Lol
Thank you for reading ! I do think a lot of ppl agree with me & are too afraid to speak up. Not thin is in 😂😂
In regards to originality not being profitable, I think it’s because companies try too hard to appeal to everyone and are too afraid to take risks on those with niche content. This sucks because there are so many creators whose content would sell so well if companies took a chance on them. I just wish companies would stop playing it safe but great take, I’m glad someone is talking about this
This is exactly what it is ! Brands are too scared to take that risk which in return makes ppl stay in that bubble to get opportunities
See I wish we had a voice notes feature so I could respond in that manner because I feel like typing won't convey how I'm feeling about your piece properly... (And I'm trying to be succinct and avoid writing a novel in your comments 😫😭)
To put it as briefly as possible, I think the issue could be an echo chamber issue, but I think it's also a special interests issue. I follow tons of black female creators who really are doing things different, are different, and are in different spaces than the typical black female creators who are on Sephora squad for instance, but the thing is that I myself am not your "standard issue" black woman. I am into gaming, anime, crafting, hobbies, gardening, being a homebody, etc, and there are sooooooo many black women thriving in this space (and I am soon to be another one as I finally do the social media things).
A lot of these black women are trailblazing and even getting sponsorships from NINTENDO which is SO COOL to see as someone who was ostracized for being a gamer growing up. I don't follow black luxury or makeup or haircare or any of that stuff because it personally doesn't speak to MY personality whatsoever, so in following those interests of mine (as stated above) I am always able to find black women who are killing the game, getting opportunities, etc.
The issue with this is that not all black women have interests like these, so I can see how it can feel so monolithic, but I also don't quite know what else someone would show about themselves without these sorts of special interests that show your quirkiness. I think many people just don't have "quirky" hobbies anymore, and that's why things are so one dimensional, because maybe that's really all they have going for themselves (ie: hair content or makeup content or stuff they buy etc).
Ok I'm cutting myself off LMAO imma stop there before I type another paragraph.
No I COMPLETELY get this. Thats' true. I've been challenging myself to explore and find those other creators! I am into makeup, beauty, etc., but I feel like I want my timeline to be varied. I love seeing others dominate in their field and see how they express their creativity. I have so many interests and little quirks that my goal is to find people in each of those. But you're right. I think a lot of things are just one-dimensional and people don't have different hobbies these days as well.
Who are some of your fav creatives? I just love seeing people express themselves differently! I love long comments as well so thanks for sharing!!