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

Lily, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

I learned how to become a content creator and micro-influencer by growing up watching my idols doing this and then trying it out. I started by modeling for local photographers, then I’d use those pictures for my content. Then I started to realize I enjoyed sharing about my fashion and things I learn that I think to make life a little more exciting. Then from there, it was just a trial and error test and if it worked, I stuck with it. You learn that you have to be pretty flexible and willing to test things because things are always changing and there’s no clear-cut path to follow. Whether it’s trends, algorithms, ways to get more engagement, etc. it’s probably changed recently and you have to be able to change with it. Once you just accept it, it becomes so much easier.
The biggest thing I would say to my previous self to help me speed up the time it took me to get here is to just accept rejection and move on so that I can grow. Learn from the mistakes but don’t sit in them and let them bring you down. Rejection and mistakes are a huge part of growth, so you must continue to push yourself forwards instead of dwelling. I’d say the skills most important for doing something like this are flexibility, determination, and efficiency. The biggest obstacle that stood in the way for me would’ve had to of been the constant rate at which social media is changing. Previously I wasn’t sure how to follow the changes, but now I’ve got a grip on that so the obstacles have passed. Also, rejection by some companies. Rejection is hard but it also drives me to work harder and try again.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Hey there! My name is Lily Salyer and I’m an 18-year-old Content Creator/Micro-Influencer from Raleigh, NC. I’m a girl who is obsessed with fashion and finding ways to make life a little more exciting. I got my start back when I was 15 and my very close friend of mine, who is like a sister to me, became a professional photographer (@denise.renee.photo). She asked me to model for her and help promote the start of her company. After that, she told me she thinks that I could probably make something out of this. This then led to multiple photo shoots at various locations around the triangle with many local photographers and posting these photos to my social account. This led to getting attention from local brands and made it so I was able to start working with them to promote their company and share more about them. Now I’m taking pictures and creating content, reaching out to brands, and speaking to so many locals and others! Some of my favorite people that Inspire me as a person and my content are Lauren Loveless (Tik Tok), Julia Belrolzheimer (Blog), and basically and Charleston content creator because I’m obsessed with those vibes. Finding new creators like these to look up to is very exciting to me because it inspires me to keep going so that hopefully one day I could potentially be where they are. I am most proud that I’m continuing to grow and work hard on this and because of that, I can continue to meet so many different brands and people. Since I started this account, I’ve made so many different and exciting connections with so many people and it’s been so fun to meet all of them. I also feel that this has opened doors to other exciting opportunities that I most likely wouldn’t have followed if it weren’t for my account. For example, by connecting with people through social media and at influencer events, I was able to find a new day job that I love as well as connections to other very exciting future opportunities! I am still young and learning, but I am so excited to see where this account will take me if I continue on the path that I’m on.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

I built my social media audience by staying as true to myself as possible. I share what I love and I stand by that. I have had some moments of course where I’ve slipped up, but those have since been deleted from my timeline as I felt they were no longer representative of who I am. I feel that people now a days want to follow others that you can tell are truly passionate about something, not just doing something for “clout” or “fame“. My advice be to share what makes you happy and passionate. If people can see that you’re doing that, then they most likely with be intrigued to follow you.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

There is in fact a goal that’s driving my creative journey. My goal is that I could at least impact one person everyday in a positive way. Life feels so negative now a days with all that goes on in this world. I think we all need a little more positivity in our lives, so if I can post and share something that could impact just one person then I’d be happy. I know it seems like a simple goal but it truly has driven me from the beginning and helps me continue to keep creating.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: hellolilysalyer
• Linkedin: Lily Salyer
• Other: Tik tok: hellolilysalyer

Image Credits
@Nataliecraigphoto