Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Zoe Wyman. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Zoe, appreciate you joining us today. The first dollar you earn is always exciting – it’s like the start of a new chapter and so we’d love to hear about the first time you sold or generated revenue from your creative work?

My first time earning money from being a content creator/influencer was actually a few years ago, in 2021. I was emailed by an instagram story company who wanted me to create a video for them. I grabbed for the first number they threw out, which happened to be $40, & I was so excited! All I had to do was sit in my car and record my experience with this app?! I was finally starting to see how people could make income from this. It felt like the looming uncertainty that this industry (and a lot of creative industries) was starting to clear, and I jumped at the opportunity. Easy money, right?

So I made the video, got that exciting PayPal notification, and went on with my life. Fast forward to about a year and a half later, I get a message from a friend asking if the girl in this video she came across was me. I saw myself–my video–being ran as an ad! It had THOUSANDS of likes, comments, and tons of engagement. I won’t lie, it was very exciting. Then the thought came to me, how long have they been using this same video? In the coming months I got my answer. I continued to get messages like the one my friend sent from tons of people…and I started to see how I was taken advantage of. I was so green that I didn’t know I was being severely low balled. The video I created for only $40 was creating mega success for their brand, meanwhile I just sold my image, likeness, and name to be used for however long they wanted. I think that video may STILL be being used as an ad.

It’s important for us as artists to not get wrapped up in the excitement of an opportunity that we wind up shooting ourselves in the foot. It is essential for us to be able to switch hats, to know the business side of whatever industry we step foot in, because people are counting on us not to. Ask those questions, read between the lines of contracts, know your worth and don’t be afriad to ask for more. There are individuals and companies who will recognize your worth and come correctly with the big money and opportunities.

As a creative, everyone always wears being a “struggling artist” as a badge of honor. In reality, it is an excuse for the higher ups to continue to give us scraps. Don’t fall into that trap…we deserve so much more than that.

Don’t make the same mistakes as me. Know your worth.

Zoe, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Hi, I’m Zóe Aliaha (pronouced like Zo-ey Aa-li-yah) also known as zozolit! I am an actress, content creator, and influencer. Ever since a young age, my siblings and I would binge movies as a hobby whenever we were younger. I would also steal my mom’s phone to make silly home videos around the house. Safe to say–I’ve always had a passion for being behind the camera.

As a recent grad of Louisiana State University’s theatre performance program (and a minor in business admin), I am now submitting auditions and actively seeking representation. As far as being a creator, I started producing YouTube (thezoealiaha) videos at 16 and eventually switched over to short form content on Tiktok (thezoealiaha) and Instagram (zozolit).

With being an influencer/content creator, I make hair and beauty videos while inspiring young women to live their life to the fullest through lifestyle content. I think what sets me apart is my authenticity, personality, wit, and editing abilities.

I am especially proud of the platform I have grown on TikTok–we’re almost to 20,000 followers! I have also been able to partner with and receive packages from some of my dream brands such as Dove, Fenty Skin, Shea Moisture, Dyson Hair, and more! I am so grateful to be able to have this career path and am willing to begin talking/coaching other creatives if there is ever a demand for that!

How did you build your audience on social media?

I would categorize my experience with growing on social media as being a “slow burn”. A lot of our (including mine) perception of social media is as long as you are posting a lot of videos, you’ll blow up in no time. In reality, it’s only a small percentage of people that that happens to. Some of the biggest names we know in social media were actually years in the making. You have to be willing to play the long game if this is something you are really passionate about.

My biggest advice to anyone wanting to grow is to try your hand at about 3-4 categories until you find what sticks. Once you find it, stick to that thing so that you can build an audience who’s familiar with you/what to expect from you. Then once you you’ve gotten to a good point, you can start to step outside of your “niche.” Simplify, then expand. Then just rinse and repeat. Don’t try to reinvent the wheel. Lastly, be consistent! I know, I know, you’ve heard it a million times. But it really is so true. Just stick to whatever posting schedule you give yourself!

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding part about doing what I do is when I get those messages from people, whether I know them personally or not, who acknowledge how hard they see me work and how much I have been able to help them. Seeing that during a time whenever I want to give up makes me realize that I have a mission. I have people who are silently supporting and wishing me the best! People who I inspire to try content creation for themselves, or to just take a chance on themselves. No matter how small I may think I am sometimes, I have impact and that matters. And you have that same capability.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://hoo.be/zozolit
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zozolit/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-wyman-776145228/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thezoealiaha
• Other: Tiktok:
  https://www.tiktok.com/@thezoealiaha?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

Image Credits

For personal photo headshot: Betsy Borrego (@headshotsalborrego)
For night photo with graduation cap: Ries Francis (@Rf__shotz)