We were lucky to catch up with Megan Nager recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Megan thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What was the most important lesson/experience you had in a job that has helped you in your creative career?

Before I started my own production and marketing company, I worked full-time as an actor and comedian which – as most creatives know – comes with just a few (and by a few, I mean several) challenges. It’s hard to earn a livable wage in Los Angeles working as a creative, so early on in my career, I decided to apply to jobs that would provide me with experience behind the camera. I went on to fill several roles on various sets – whether it be as an extra, a PA on, an assistant editor, an assistant director, and as a producer.

During my fourth year in Los Angeles, I landed a job at a very large production company and what started as a part-time job quickly turned into a full-time job. When I had begun the job, I thought I would be working on scripted content and producing series. Instead, however, I was assigned to work on two very serious documentaries. Not only was this not what I wanted to do, but I really had very little knowledge about the world of documentary filmmaking. After a lot of back and forth, I decided to stick it out and continue to work on the films, which required me to go to Washington D.C. and NYC to assist my boss. Because we were a small staff, I got thrown into the deep end and ended up having to learn how to outline documentaries, conduct interviews, build websites, edit footage, and deal with several last minute emergencies on set. It was exciting, but chaotic, and at times I felt so overwhelmed and unsure of myself I just wanted to quit. I stuck the job out for a year and a half, and throughout the next few years, I blamed myself for “wasting” my time at that job.

Ironically, I now look back at that job and am so thankful for the skills I learned and the fact that I did have that experience. Not only was I forced to learn a ton of things about filmmaking I otherwise wouldn’t have, but I also gained a whole new perspective on running a start-up company.

That being said, I think it’s so important to remember that as a creative or an entrepreneur, embracing new experiences and challenges can be monumentally helpful. Just because you find yourself having to take a side job or even a full-time job that you may not love or is not totally in line with what you eventually want to do, there are skills and experiences that those jobs will give you that you may benefit from later on when you are doing what you love.

Megan , 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?

I am a SAG-AFTRA actor, writer, and digital content creator who owns a marketing and production company called Wake and Make Media. Having spent over a decade in the entertainment industry, I’ve made a name for myself not only through my acting work that can be seen on networks such as TruTV and Amazon, but also for my comedic social media videos that have racked millions of views.

I originally got into entertainment because I’ve always loved performing and have wanted to be an actor since I basically came out of the womb. However, early on in my career, I learned that my true passion is story-telling, and I used that to launch my own personal brand, Megan Makes Comedy and my production company.

Wake and Make Media has worked with brands such as MTV, Miss Universe, PBR, Kevin Hart’s LOLNetwork, Tiktok and more. Working with brands, businesses and individuals gives me the opportunity to help them craft their unique story and brand messaging. What I love most is that not only am I able to tell my own story through my personal content, but I also get to empower others to share their stories.

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

I first began creating content for social media in the early days of Instagram, around 2014-15, when it still felt like the Wild West. Instagram had just rolled out a 30 second video option and I seized the opportunity to create comedic videos with my friends. I honestly had no clue what I was doing, but I decided to go for it. Almost 10 years later, I’ve grown an audience of close to 40K on Instagram and over 200K on Tiktok. Ironically, after ten years of doing this, I still go through periods of frustration and uncertainty about social media and how to keep an engaged audience. What I have learned through a ton of trial and error, is that the most important thing to do is to remain consistent in posting. If you are determined to grow a following of loyal customers or fans, then you absolutely have to post consistently so that they know you’re there and engaging with them.

I’d also suggest focusing on providing value to your audience. For instance, before you go to post something, ask yourself if this is just for yourself or if this post will have some sort of (ideally positive) impact on your followers. The more value you provide, the more engaged your audience will be and the more likely they are to share your posts with their friends.

Because I own a marketing company, I could spend hours talking about technical things you can do to grow your audience, but the most important thing that’s sadly taken me way too long to learn, is that your following doesn’t determine your worth. I think people today tie way too much of their identity and sense of self to their social media and it can put a ton of pressure on the creator. Remember to go back to your why every now and then and ask yourself why you are creating content and why you do want a following. Is it just to get a quick dopamine boost or are you genuinely trying to share your knowledge, skillset or talent with the world?

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

For years it was hard for me to fully identify what I’ve been so driven by in my creative journey. Because I’ve been creative from such a young age and have always loved to share stories and entertain my friends and family, I never really thought about the deeper meaning of why I wanted to undertake a creative career/journey. However, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized that there’s a huge benefit to asking yourself these types of questions because they can help determine your purpose.

I’d say that my creative journey is driven by the desire to share my unique experiences and point of view with the world. Not only is it therapeutic for me, but I’ve found that it’s therapeutic for my followers and people who watch my work. As human beings, we all desire connection and understanding, and filmmaking and content creation has been my way of deepening that connection and understanding.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5835556/bio/?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meganmakescomedy
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meganmakescomedy
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganmakescomedy/
• Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/unmetacated
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/meganmakescomedy
• Other: https://www.wakeandmakemedia.com