There is no such thing as a new concept below the solar, which makes setting your self aside from the competitors fairly exhausting. I confronted this drawback once I grew to become a journey blogger and content material creator.
I launched my journey weblog in February 2020 with massive plans, however everyone knows how that turned out. The pandemic hit literary one month later. So, not solely was I becoming a member of a extremely aggressive journey trade, but it surely was on the worst doable time.
You’d assume I might have pivoted to an trade much less depending on journey, like way of life or magnificence, however I didn’t. Three years down the road, and I’m nonetheless going robust. Though the imaginative and prescient has modified as I achieve extra readability on the place I’m taking my model, my perseverance and authenticity have saved me going.
I nonetheless don’t have all of the solutions, however I’m studying and rising every single day, and on this put up, I’ll share my finest tips about surviving and probably thriving within the cut-throat world of content material creation. Nevertheless, earlier than I do this, right here’s how I’ve been capable of reframe my perspective.
I see alternative in competitors
When coming into a brand new market or trade, notion is every thing. Constructing a model as a journey blogger hasn’t been straightforward, particularly initially when it appeared like everybody was creating journey content material, however as a substitute of letting concern deter me from this path, I noticed a chance.
1. Use it as a blueprint
After I began creating content material, I used different journey creators as my blueprint. I used to be capable of construct on the inspiration that they had laid and enhance on what was being created. Their content material knowledgeable mine – exhibiting me the kind of content material my potential viewers loved and likewise revealing gaps of knowledge available in the market.
As content material creator Skylar Marshai stated, when the market is aggressive, “you skip the guesswork on whether or not a market is viable.” Primarily based on the engagement creators in your chosen area of interest are getting, you’ll be able to gauge if it’s both a fast-growing or dying trade.
2. Shift your mindset
With many creators within the journey trade, all of whom have various numbers of followers, I’m lucky sufficient to be coming in at a time when micro and nano influencers are being acknowledged. It is because smaller creators who’ve come earlier than me have fought to be taken severely and paid pretty no matter their following.
Engagement, model, model alignment, and high quality are actually thought-about necessary standards for manufacturers working with journey creators – an individual’s following is not the only determinant of their value. This has given me the boldness and audacity I must survive in such a aggressive trade.
It’s due to them I’m able to cost upwards of $900 for a 15 to 60-second TikTok video with a following of 11,500. I don’t cost for the variety of followers I’ve however the high quality of content material I create, my individuality and my engagement.
3. Develop into extra revolutionary
When coping with lots of competitors, you might be pushed to be your finest self – in it, you turn into a greater inventive, extra revolutionary, and fewer complacent. The concern of getting drowned out by new creators available in the market or having your work go unseen is sufficient to push you to continually discover methods to face out.
How I’m surviving and “probably” thriving in a saturated market
1. I discovered my distinctive edge
There’s lots of recommendation on the market about carving out a distinct segment. Within the journey trade, this might imply creating content material centered round price range, luxurious, journey, or solo journey. Nevertheless, a few of these niches evolve based mostly on totally different phases of your life.
For instance, in your early 20’s, your area of interest could also be price range journey, however as you grow old, you lean in the direction of luxurious journey. This transition could not resonate with the individuals who related together with your price range journey content material and introducing a brand new kind of content material could also be troublesome. So I say, as a substitute of discovering a distinct segment, discover your distinctive edge – this helps set you aside and offers you the liberty to discover each area of interest there may be.
Some individuals create content material round touring the world with a weak passport. I’m making an attempt to set myself aside and turn into recognized for my good storytelling – a traveler who goes off the overwhelmed path whereas highlighting the lesser-known elements of a rustic and its tradition.
I’ve seen what different vacationers create, and I’m making an attempt to get deeper with my content material, make it much less floor, and create deeper connections with my viewers. I’ve solely began implementing this, so the outcomes are pending (lol).
2. I’m making an attempt to stay genuine and bear in mind my ‘why’
Let’s discuss imposter syndrome and self-doubt.
All creators have felt this in some unspecified time in the future of their content material creation journey, and the sensation by no means absolutely goes away as a result of there’ll at all times be individuals with bigger followings or higher engagement. That is one thing I wrestle with, and I’ve been creating journey content material for nearly 4 years.
After I’m not touring, and I run out of content material, the will to “strive” a brand new area of interest could be very robust, and it doesn’t get simpler once I see the journey content material printed by different creators.
It makes me wish to surrender, however one thing that has saved me going is remembering my “why.” Why I began creating journey content material, my aim, and who I’m creating for. We are able to simply get distracted by metrics like views, likes, and followers, however staying true to your goal and remaining genuine to your model might be value it in the long term.
In 2020, issues weren’t transferring quick sufficient for me. I had canceled many worldwide journeys and was tempted to pivot from journey to way of life content material. Nevertheless, I continually reminded myself of my “why, ” which ensured I didn’t make any off-brand selections.
A method I’ve remained genuine is by staying true to my model of content material, vlog-style short-form movies, which I like creating and my viewers loves consuming. I ended listening to recommendation from specialists predicting 5 to 10 second lengthy movies as the long run as a result of now, storytelling movies are a few of my highest-performing content material.
3. I’m providing as a lot worth as I can
It doesn’t matter if one particular person or one million individuals watch my content material – one thing I at all times consider is that no matter how nicely or poorly my content material is performing, a minimum of one particular person sees worth in it. This attitude ensures I give my 100% every time as a result of if my high quality drops or I put little or no effort into it, my one viewer will discover.
*The video above has 3,700 views however 86 saves, 28 shares, and 39 feedback. It might not have accomplished unbelievable numbers by Instagram requirements, however individuals discovered worth in it.
Video and content material high quality is the one factor I’ve management over on third-party platforms like TikTok, YouTube, or Instagram, so even when my engagement is low, I nonetheless must be happy with the content material I’ve put out.
As a creator, it’s essential to present your viewers with as a lot worth as you’ll be able to and provides them a motive to maintain coming again. That is how you narrow by the noise.
4. I put myself on the market
Let individuals know who you might be! Consider your self as a small enterprise proprietor. For those who had a enterprise, would you be afraid to promote it, or would you inform each new particular person you met about it? Most likely the latter.
Then why is it so troublesome to market your self as a creator? It’s the very same factor, besides you’re promoting your self, your expertise, and your experience.
I’m studying that there’s nothing improper with sharing my wins and giving myself as a lot visibility as doable. I’ve began pitching myself to manufacturers I by no means dreamt of working with, but when different individuals are getting these alternatives, why not me? My content material is simply pretty much as good, so why gained’t I be chosen?
I’ve gone the additional mile by becoming a member of affiliate and influencer platforms like Matador Creators, Journey Payouts, and Aspire, and inside a month, I landed a partnership with a journey baggage model that aligned with my viewers.
@ferinajo Pack my 20L Journey Pack from @nomatic with me nomaticcreator. Bag is linked in my bio! #lifeonthemove #nomatic
5. I collaborate with different creators
The ability of collaboration is wonderful. There may be worth in viewing an trade as a group, not competitors. It fosters wholesome relationships and emphasizes that one particular person’s success will not be one other particular person’s loss.
The unlucky timing of the launch of my journey weblog meant I had no content material. So, I prioritized home journey and went on a number of journeys – daycations and staycations with different creators. They shared our journeys on their private pages, introducing me to their viewers and, in flip, rising my following.
Journey content material creation might be very lonely, particularly for solo vacationers like myself, so having a group of friends who worth my work, communicate my identify in rooms I’m not in, and suggest me for paid alternatives is really priceless.
Take this as your signal to succeed in out to creators you admire and wish to work with, you actually don’t have anything to lose.
6. I’ve set a typical for myself
After following the primary 5 steps, the one factor left is to maintain up the momentum. All the hassle you’ve got put into your model and content material might be wasted with out consistency.
So, set a typical for your self and create a content material calendar that particulars the kind of content material you’ll create and the way typically the content material might be printed.
It’s not unattainable to thrive in a aggressive market
You have got an unfair benefit coming into a aggressive market as a brand new creator. There’s a clear content material creation path mapped out, the gaps that want filling and you’ve got numerous information on what your target market is searching for. A aggressive market provides you the leg up it is advisable set your self aside, to thrive, and never simply survive.
So, use it properly.
