I am going to be so vulnerable. No matter how embarrassed I am to share this and tell you guys about my mistakes as a content creator... I feel like someone can learn and benefit a lot from my experiences so why not share what I would change/do differently from those failures? I've been a blogger/content creator since 2016 so let's just say I have LOTS of mistakes, especially in my first year of being a full-time creator.
Taking a brand partnership for granted.
Now, what I mean for granted is not taking them seriously...I had to post for a campaign and just wanted to get it over with. This campaign didn't really align with my niche/brand back in the day. I wasn't as OCD over my color scheme and feed layout then compared to how I am now.
I was traveling to NYC and at the time had my package sent to where I was staying in NY which I shouldn't have done. I should've had all of my PR and packages sent back to my house in LA so that when I would get back it would be easier to organize and plan all of my projects and posts I need to get done. This is an alcohol brand that is quite well known.
I admit, I half-assed this partnership and didn't plan it out like I should have. This resulted in me getting random bot followers, hate comments from the brands' viewers, etc. I was all over the place with my stay in NY so I thought to just rush it and get it over with.
Doing that affected my creativity toward this branded post and I think personally affected my future work with this company which I am bummed about but now see this as a way to grow and work harder.
Thankfully grew from this and from that time made me understand how important it is to put your ALL into your work.
What I learned:
Create content that you will love and not rush to get any work done. Think of the future brands you want to work with especially the brand you're creating the content for. I'd LOVE to work with this brand again today but I think I messed up my chances with that.
2. Starting a side hustle that I really wasn't into. if you've been following me from my swimsuit line days then you'd know this business started and ended pretty quickly. It was very random and rushed. I started this business the first few days I came up with it.
It wasn't something I was passionate about and definitely something I didn't look into well enough. I couldn't keep up with orders, or add inventory on to the website because of the mistakes I made before coming up with a bathing suit line.
What I learned:
Do more research, take your time, and make sure it's something you love before putting in the work, money, and time into a business. Most importantly...start a business when you are ready. Thankfully, this mistake and failure made me find the passion that I had all along...my love for crystals and crystal healing. This is when Crystals and Champagne was born.
3. Deleted my blog. I had a blog website previous to this one before and then I had this urge to just delete it all and QUIT. Years later, I've realized I always missed blogging. Blogging has always been my thing. My passion. I shouldn't have quit and deleted my old blog. I should have kept going but changed it along the way as my niche and branding changed over time.
What I learned:
To not rush into making decisions. this sudden change made my blog what it is today for the better. This time it feels more like ME and what I'm supposed to be doing. It was good to start completely fresh and brand new. It made me focus on myself who I am and what my brand aka what my blog should be. We love a good change.
4. Not planning out my content. In my first year of being a content creator and blogger, I never knew the importance of planning out your posts and content. I also never really scheduled my posts or thought to write out my planned posts. For example, if I'd receive PR in the mail or have a product I need to post about I would always just create and post right after receiving it.
What I learned:
This pushed me back from being creative. This also made me lack in getting the most out of my product shots. I wouldn't take my time with capturing every detail for a product it would almost feel rushed. I now learned to take my time and film/photograph the most out of what it is I need to capture. That way, I can batch my content for future posts and also have more than one detailed shot and use it in other ways to promote that specific item as well.
I’m so thankful for the support even through these mistakes. It got me to where I am now, so thank YOU!!
This was amazing Susan. Your wrote your mistakes and lessons beautifully. You grew and are doing so well now! I am newer to being a content creator and influencer. I am grateful you took the time to wrote this and show a very vulnerable time in your life. You are meant to do beautiful things my friend ❤️