BTS
Do you follow any of those Instagram accounts that like to shame influencers? I follow a few. I giggle at some of these accounts because I think some of these behind the scenes (BTS) are actually pretty hilarious. However, I do have a second perspective on this. I then think about it from the camera angle of their tripod or their friend helping them out. It’s probably a pretty legit shot most of the time because guess what: I have to do it too. Today, I’m taking you behind the scenes of what it looks like to curate content. And yes, it’s “cringe” some days.
“Often times, it’s just me, myself and I… with my selfie timer.”
Once a month I have a crazy busy 3-4 days where I am mass producing content. Instagram, TikTok, videos for weekly emails (soon to grow to a membership site). It takes a toll on me, but it’s basically done so I have the rest of the month to work on important aspects of the business like training myself how to do tax forms, developing new strategies, coaching my clients, and anything else that doesn’t fall into the repeatability structure.
One of the days I get ready and record anywhere from 4 to 5 videos for our weekly newsletter. That’s over an hour of video content if I get it right the first time. I don’t live alone, so there’s always coordination that’s needed on TV watching or cooking or whatever else. I have an office to record these in so I can be alone, but I am definitely heard throughout the rest of the house. I used to be really self-conscious about this, trying to talk at a lower volume or trying not to sound too excited because it’s too nerdy.
One of the days I have to take pictures for Instagram. I have locations planned, outfits chosen, and poses picked out. Often times, it’s just me, myself and I… with my selfie timer. I probably look too full of myself, or ridiculous trying to get the shot just right since I don’t have a lot of experience editing. It’s probably hot outside and I’m sweating like a maniac in my outfit choices.
One of the days I batch create TikToks. Dances, crazy angles, weird outfits, attempts at transitions over and over again. I spend a lot of time getting it right so my message can be seen by the people that will benefit from it the most. Yes, I take these outside. Yes, I involve my significant other. Yes, I talk about random shit. Yes, I get hate comments. It’s all part of the job as someone who wants to make sure their voice is heard in this crazy world.
Here’s the thing though, I hardly ever pick my head up from what I’m doing to look at the people around me. Fuck it. Quite honestly I don’t care anymore. It’s my job to serve the people that read our newsletters and I’m not going to deliver anything half-ass because I’m too afraid of what other people think. I stopped caring what people think when I’m creating because guess what: when you’re in the arena creating content, the people in the cheap seats don’t matter (thank you, Brene Brown for your wise words).
The people that do matter, like the ones creating with you, actually give you the feedback you need to succeed. I speak with other creators on a regular basis. I keep them in my closest circle because they get it. They understand what it takes to keep putting your message out into the world every single day. Day after day. And most of all they cheer you on too. That’s what keeps me going.
SO. The next time you see one of those “cringe” influencer videos, I want you to think of this very post. I’m exposing all that I do because it’s important to stay authentic with y’all. Social media is only the persona of who we choose to let the world see, so remember the BTS sneak peek I just gave you and allow yourself to see beyond it.
Keep an open mind.
-Rachel
