Summary

A content creator reflects on their journey, sharing insights gained from over a million views on their diverse online platforms, emphasizing the importance of perseverance, adaptability, and the joy of content creation.

Abstract

The author began their content creation journey in their teens with a fashion blog, evolving through various niches, including language learning, YouTube channels, podcasts, and writing on platforms like Twitter and Medium. They recount the challenges of creator burnout, the unpredictability of content virality, and the realization that success is not solely about views or monetization. The creator highlights the importance of living interesting experiences to produce compelling content, the flexibility to explore different interests without confining oneself to a single niche, and the profound personal satisfaction derived from content creation. Despite the failures and successes, the creator has learned to embrace content creation as an integral part of their identity and continues to experiment, learn, and enjoy the process.

Opinions

The author values the learning experience from various projects, considering failures as stepping stones to success.
They believe that viral content often does not align with personal pride or effort, suggesting a rule of the internet where unexpected content gains more traction.
The creator emphasizes that monetization is not solely about content views but also about creating and selling products or services that people want.
They advocate for experiencing life fully to generate content ideas, rejecting the notion that writer's block is insurmountable.
The author has accepted that their career will naturally involve a series of changing

My content has generated 1M+ views— here’s what I’ve learned

I first started to create content online in my teenage years. At the time, fashion bloggers were at their peak. And I wanted in.

So I set out to make improbable combinations of clothes and take the most elaborated candid pictures of myself.

I created a simple blog on a free platform. And started playing.

A few surviving ‘candid-fashion-blogger’ shots…

A couple of weeks in, I barely had a handful of readers. But I had my first sponsor! Some obscure eyewear company I don’t even remember the name of…

What I remember, though, is receiving my free glasses. At the time, I was living above a sushi restaurant, and the lady in charge was excited to tell me I had received a package from China. It tasted like success.

I didn’t know it at the time, but that experience was much more telling of my future than all the school related decisions I would ever make.

It would take me a bit of time. But eventually, after a lot of failures and successes, my content would reach more than 1 million people. 🍾 🥂

I have to fail a lot, for a few successes

I started with a fashion blog.
And a blog about my life in Ireland.
Then moved on to blogging about learning English.
Then pivoted to blogging about learning French
Then a YouTube channel.
Then a podcast.
Had a short period of vlog and tech YouTube channel.
Eventually started writing on Twitter.
Then Medium.

Some of those experiments were successes. Most were failures. All to different degrees.

But the more project I launch, the more I learn, and the more chances of success the next one will have.

Similarly, I had to do a lot of bad content. And I still do. Before I can pinpoint to a few that I am satisfied with. Although…

The content I am proud of is hardly ever the one that performs the best

It’s a rule of the internet.

The most ridiculous thing gets picked up, when the things you spend a lot of time on are forgotten.

Like this quick video I made where, in my quality of French teacher, I reviewed the pronunciation of a singer singing in French:

I wasn’t particularly proud of this content, it took me 10 minutes to record the video. It went semi-viral, and got 5,8K views in the first 24H. 27K views in a month. Creating a mini bad-buzz during which I learned a lot of bad words in plenty of languages.

In comparison, I spend WEEKS on this video, which barely made 500 views in the first week.

You learn to take your distance with metrics like views.

Especially because:

It’s not the content itself that makes money

Somewhere along my third blog, I decided to take this seriously. Because it was something I enjoyed, and because I couldn’t find a decent job that would allow me to move out of my parent’s.

I initially thought it was the content itself that could make money. By monetizing what I was already doing. With AdSense, and ads, and maybe a few affiliate links. But, if you don’t get millions of eyeballs on your content, and regularly, that’s not a very viable strategy.

To make these projects of mine a source of income, I had to create and sell things people wanted to buy. And that’s how I discovered the wonderful world of digital products and online coaching.

I have to do interesting stuff to have interesting stuff to make content about

Sounds like a truism, doesn’t it?

I’ve had my fair share of writer’s block. And however poetic a blinking cursor can be… It’s not fun. At first, I thought the answers were all in my head. But no.

It doesn’t have to be grandiose or epic. You can write about the mundane. But you have to write about something.

And it helps to have stories. It helps to go out and say yes to opportunities. It helps to act on what you learn. And, much to the dislike of my introverted side, it especially helps to have conversations with people.

I run out of things to say, I know I only have to do more things.

This led me to another lesson:

I don’t have to do just one thing

I’m not a consistent person. That is to say, I do keep up with my projects and usually find ways to reach my goals. But, I don’t park myself in a cul-de-sac.

I initially thought I needed to FIND my niche. That there was one made for me somewhere out there. But, the more projects, I launch, the less I expect them to become THE project.

I am a human being that runs out of motivation, changes my mind, and find new ideas that seem more exciting.

I’ve accepted my career will always be an ever-changing series of projects. Nothing will ever remain the same for long.

Except maybe…

Creating content makes me happy

That’s perhaps the most profound change I experienced since I started creating content. I like it. And I don’t see myself stopping. Ever.

Sure, the format will change. The content will change. The themes will change.

But creating content has become more than a habit for me. It’s helping me reflect on my life, what I’m learning, and it’s helping me think.

It’s part of my identity, bigger than just a way to make money.

What now?

Well now I’m going to continue testing, writing, and having fun.

But look, I’m hardly a success story. I make a living online, and so do a lot of other people. And I don’t want to come off as someone who thinks their achievement is a source of lessons for the entire world.

But if you chose to click and read, it’s probably because you are interested in this content journey. So I am going to wish you stories, serendipity and joy in this adventure.