We were lucky to catch up with Will Focus recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Will, thanks for joining us today. We love asking folks what they would do differently if they were starting today – how they would speed up the process, etc. We’d love to hear how you would set everything up if you were to start from step 1 today.

I would absolutely have started sharing my content and never stopped. I was there at the boom of YouTube creating content and I stopped it because I felt I needed to prioritize other things.

Will, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a Cinematic Photographer based out of Brooklyn, NY. In addition, I am a Brand/Identity Designer and Creative Project Director. I work on crafting intentional looks for individuals and companies that market both the person and the organization.

I remember being a child and my mother taking me and my cousins into the dining room. She pulled out a piece of lines paper and a pencil and began drawing each of us on the sheet of paper. My mind was blown. I had never seen anyone draw prior to this. I didn’t know it was a thing. Seeing my mother do this, it imprinted on me. Not only that, around that same age (4 to be exact), my mother also was an avid Photographer. She owned a Nikon SLR camera that she never put down. All of these creative things stuck with me into adulthood.

I found myself gravitating towards cartoons, anime, electronics, gaming, and anything that I could create. I was roughly 6 and in the art lab with a computer and drawing in microsoft paint using a mouse. I remember saying to myself that this was what I wanted to do. I had no idea of the field, I just called it “Computer Graphics”. As a result, I ended up getting my BS degree in Graphic Design. I initially only offered Design and not Photographic services. This was mainly due to the entry cost of Photography and the financial struggles of a fresh out of school graduate are very real. I eventually, after having worked in electronic departments my whole life (SEARS and Circuit City) found myself stepping directly into the realm of photography to offer my services.

What sets me apart is my background in design. Because of my background I am able to psychologically analyze all aspects of imagery and content even illustration. Knowing how lines and color bring about a different feel in a composition or understanding the desired feeling a brand seeks to emote and how to translate it makes me extremely efficient at ALL things. I have a large array of talent that I can leverage to enhance any project that I’m working on. It also, coupled with my background in speaking and hosting events, allows me to bring out the best in people and clarify ideas to get the optimal end result.

For me, I am most proud of my ability to bring a vision to life. Whether it is my own or someone else’s, the ability to see something in your head and then using your creativity by gathering the resources and turning it into something tangible is amazing to me. I tinker and build. I work on computers and cars, I understand coding and UX so I’m always about how I can make something work how it is supposed to. Get the person to an end goal and being able to use my skills to do that is what I’m most proud of.

I want people to understand that I am a catalyst. I always push a person or brand further in their desired trajectory. I’m who you call to get it right the first time and who you call to get it right when someone else got it wrong ;)

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Honestly, this is probably the shortest answer you will get from me. My overarching goal is to be an example. I want people who don’t believe things can be done, to look at my example, my path, my walk, and understand that it is possible. More specifically… my children. I want them to understand that you don’t let life happen to you, you fight for what you want and what you deserve. You take it because life isn’t going to hand you anything if you’re not ready to receive it. Because of this, I’m always looking to evolve because the goal post has to be moved to keep me from becoming stagnant. I have to always outdo myself.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Building an audience is easy. It seems hard but it isn’t. The only thing is you have to be dedicated to doing so. Most audience building requires a relentless desire to be in their face. By this I mean persistent and consistent. So let’s look at something like instagram. When I was focused heavily on that platform, people didn’t understand how I was growing it so fast and the engagement I was getting. I had roughly 10k followers that I got in about 6 months. In that time I also realized how to use the platform to keep people focused. I would find similar pages, go to the followers, like 5 or so pics, leave some comments and then rinse/repeat. Then on my page I responded to every comment on a post, I would also then go to their pages and do the same, like and comment on their last 3 posts. Then I would search relevant tags and do the same. This takes time and is tedious, but it isn’t difficult. What happens is people start to wonder who you are and come see your content. Once they do this, they stay or at minimum give a like and comment. It allows more eyes on your work and what you’re doing. Then, when that’s all said and done, your following begins growing. Try it out for a month and be consistent with it and you will see.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://TheOneWillFocus.com
• Instagram: https://Instagram.com/TheOneWillFocus
• Facebook: https://Facebook.com/TheOneWillFocus
• Linkedin: https://Linkedin.com/in/TheOneWillFocus
• Twitter: https://Twitter.com/TheOneWillFocus
• Youtube: https://Youtube.com/@TheOneWillFocus
• Other: @TheOneWillFocus on everything, pinterest etc.