There is no such thing as a new concept underneath the solar, which makes setting your self aside from the competitors fairly onerous. I confronted this downside after I turned a journey blogger and content material creator.
I launched my journey weblog in February 2020 with large 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, nevertheless it was on the worst potential time.
You’d suppose I might have pivoted to an trade much less depending on journey, like life-style 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 acquire extra readability on the place I’m taking my model, my perseverance and authenticity have stored me going.
I nonetheless don’t have all of the solutions, however I’m studying and rising on daily basis, and on this publish, I’ll share my greatest tips about surviving and doubtlessly thriving within the cut-throat world of content material creation. Nevertheless, earlier than I try this, right here’s how I’ve been capable of reframe my perspective.
I see alternative in competitors
When getting into a brand new market or trade, notion is all the things. Constructing a model as a journey blogger hasn’t been straightforward, particularly originally 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 they’d laid and enhance on what was being created. Their content material knowledgeable mine – displaying me the kind of content material my potential viewers loved and in addition revealing gaps of knowledge available in the market.
As content material creator Skylar Marshai mentioned, when the market is aggressive, “you skip the guesswork on whether or not a market is viable.” Based mostly 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’s because smaller creators who’ve come earlier than me have fought to be taken significantly and paid pretty no matter their following.
Engagement, fashion, model alignment, and high quality at the moment are thought-about necessary standards for manufacturers working with journey creators – an individual’s following is not the only determinant of their price. This has given me the arrogance 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. Grow to be extra progressive
When coping with a number of competitors, you might be pushed to be your greatest self – in it, you develop into a greater inventive, extra progressive, 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 always discover methods to face out.
How I’m surviving and “probably” thriving in a saturated market
1. I discovered my distinctive edge
There’s a number 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 primarily based 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 tough. 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’s.
Some individuals create content material round touring the world with a weak passport. I’m making an attempt to set myself aside and develop into recognized for my good storytelling – a traveler who goes off the crushed 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 totally goes away as a result of there’ll at all times be individuals with bigger followings or higher engagement. That is one thing I battle 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 need to “attempt” a brand new area of interest may be very robust, and it doesn’t get simpler after I see the journey content material printed by different creators.
It makes me need to quit, however one thing that has stored me going is remembering my “why.” Why I began creating journey content material, my objective, and who I’m creating for. We will simply get distracted by metrics like views, likes, and followers, however staying true to your goal and remaining genuine to your model will probably be price 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 life-style content material. Nevertheless, I always reminded myself of my “why, ” which ensured I didn’t make any off-brand choices.
A method I’ve remained genuine is by staying true to my fashion of content material, vlog-style short-form movies, which I really like creating and my viewers loves consuming. I ended listening to recommendation from consultants predicting 5 to 10 second lengthy movies as the longer term 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 take into accout is that no matter how properly or poorly my content material is performing, no less than one particular person sees worth in it. This angle ensures I give my one hundred pc 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 could not have completed 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 should be pleased with the content material I’ve put out.
As a creator, you should present your viewers with as a lot worth as you’ll be able to and provides them a cause to maintain coming again. That is how you narrow by way of the noise.
4. I put myself on the market
Let individuals know who you might be! Consider your self as a small enterprise proprietor. Should you had a enterprise, would you be afraid to promote it, or would you inform each new particular person you met about it? In all probability the latter.
Then why is it so tough 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 incorrect with sharing my wins and giving myself as a lot visibility as potential. 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 received’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 facility of collaboration is superb. There’s worth in viewing an trade as a neighborhood, not competitors. It fosters wholesome relationships and emphasizes that one particular person’s success is just not 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 could be very lonely, particularly for solo vacationers like myself, so having a neighborhood of friends who worth my work, converse my identify in rooms I’m not in, and advocate me for paid alternatives is actually priceless.
Take this as your signal to achieve out to creators you admire and need to work with, you actually don’t have anything to lose.
6. I’ve set a normal for myself
After following the primary 5 steps, the one factor left is to maintain up the momentum. All the trouble you could have put into your model and content material will probably be wasted with out consistency.
So, set a normal 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 will probably be printed.
It’s not inconceivable to thrive in a aggressive market
You might have an unfair benefit getting 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 audience is on the lookout for. A aggressive market provides you the leg up that you must set your self aside, to thrive, and never simply survive.
So, use it correctly.
