We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Chris Han a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Chris, appreciate you joining us today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

Yes, I have been able to earn a full-time living from my creative work through my social media since 2017. However, it wasn’t an overnight success, and my journey had its share of ups and downs. I had doubts before it became a reality.

When I first started, I had a passion for fashion and photography, but it wasn’t an immediate source of income. Like many content creators, I didn’t come from the media or entertainment industry, and I had to work hard to establish myself in the field.

Before social media, I had a startup company in Shanghai, China, while pursuing photography with my husband, Robert Yu, as my side hustle. After five years of running the business, I received an offer from the University of Southern California for my MBA. I decided to sell the business and move with my husband from Shanghai to Los Angeles. LA became the place where I drew inspiration from the creative community around me.

My husband, Robert, is a professional photographer who has been capturing images for me. With my passion for fashion, social media became a natural platform for us. I began sharing fashion content on Instagram and later expanded to my blog, YouTube, and TikTok.

To make it happen, I believe that my genuine enthusiasm for content creation is what kept me going during the initial stages when growth was slow. I committed to a regular posting schedule. Consistency was key in building an audience and attracting the attention of brands and agencies. I experimented with different types of content to see what resonated most with my audience, including fashion, lifestyle, travel, beauty, and more. This helped me refine my style and reach a broader audience. Sharing authentic stories also helped me gain credibility as a creator. For example, I started sharing content about my life as a mom when I had my daughter three years ago, which felt like a natural progression. It resonated well with my audience, so I continued to share more.

As my following grew, I explored various monetization avenues, such as sponsored content, ambassadorships, affiliate marketing, consulting, and event hosting. These additional revenue streams contributed to my ability to go full-time.

The digital landscape is constantly evolving. I made it a point to stay updated with trends and platform changes. Adapting to these shifts and being willing to change have been crucial for my continued success. Back in 2019 and 2020, when TikTok, Instagram Reels, and other short-form videos went viral, I quickly started producing short-form videos. Keeping up with new platforms and trends helped me stay ahead of the game.

Major steps and milestones in my journey included reaching my first 10,000 followers by the end of 2016, landing my first paid partnership, and eventually surpassing a sustainable income threshold. Each of these moments validated my efforts and motivated me to keep pushing forward. I’m grateful that my audience celebrated these milestones with me.

Looking back, I believe I could have expedited the process by investing more time in understanding the business side of content creation instead just focusing on content and community. Learning about contracts, negotiation, and networking earlier would have been beneficial.

My journey as a full-time content creator has been a rewarding one, but it required dedication, consistency, and a willingness to adapt. It wasn’t an instant success, but with perseverance, I was able to turn my passion into a real career.

Chris, 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?

Hello, I’m Chris Han, and my social media handle is @chrishanxoxo. I’m a content creator based in the vibrant city of Los Angeles, and I’m thrilled to share my journey with you.

My passion for content creation started as a love for fashion and photography. This ignited my path into the world of social media and content creation. I’ve always believed in the power of visual storytelling, and I use platforms like Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and my blog to share a wide range of content, including fashion, beauty, lifestyle, and the joys and challenges of motherhood.

At heart, I’m a fashion photographer, which allows me to bring a unique perspective to my content. I’m proud to offer a blend of creativity, artistry, and authenticity in every piece of work I create. My goal is to inspire and empower my audience to express themselves through fashion, embrace sustainable beauty and fashion choices, and navigate the beautiful journey of motherhood. I also share brands that I love with my community to inspire my people to live beautifully and fully.

What sets me apart is my commitment to activism in various areas. I’m passionate about promoting sustainable beauty and fashion practices, supporting women in business, advocating for education, and fostering entrepreneurship among women. I believe in the power of using my platform to bring attention to important social issues and make a positive impact on the world.

In addition to my content creation, I’m a proud mom to Luna Yu, a wonderful 3-year-old. My journey as a mother has added depth and richness to my content, as I share my experiences and insights with other parents.

One of the things I’m most proud of is hosting influencer events and my XOXO Party series. These events bring together like-minded individuals to empower and celebrate the creative community that has supported my career and growth over the past few years. It’s my way of giving back and nurturing the sense of community that has been so important to me.

In essence, I want potential clients, followers, and fans to know that my brand is about more than just sharing fashion and beauty things in my life. It’s about making a positive impact, celebrating individuality, and creating a supportive and inclusive space where creativity thrives. I’m excited to continue this journey, and I invite you to join me in exploring the world of fashion, beauty, lifestyle, and more through the lens of @chrishanxoxo.

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

Building my audience on social media has been an incredible journey, and it’s something I’m truly grateful for. It was not planned but when I started, it was just a fashion journal. My social media channels grew to a combination of passion, dedication, and a commitment to authenticity that played a pivotal role in growing my presence. Here are the things that I feel that I have been doing right.
1. Balancing authenticity and boundary: Authenticity is the core of my social media presence. I share my genuine interests and experiences, whether it’s fashion, beauty, lifestyle, or motherhood. While I treat my audience like friends, I also set boundaries by selectively sharing and respecting their time and preferences. This balance ensures meaningful engagement and trust.
2. Consistency and Quality: Consistency is a fundamental aspect of social media growth. I committed to a regular posting schedule that my audience could rely on. This consistency helped keep my followers engaged and coming back for more. Alongside consistency, I made sure to maintain the quality of my content. High-quality visuals, engaging captions, and well-edited videos all contributed to retaining and attracting new followers.
3. Finding My Niche: In a crowded social media landscape, it’s vital to find your niche and what makes you unique. For me, it was blending fashion, beauty, lifestyle, and motherhood content. This combination allowed me to cater to a broader audience while staying true to my interests and passions.
4. Leveraging Trends: Staying current with social media trends and platform updates is crucial. For example, when TikTok and Instagram Reels gained popularity, I jumped on the opportunity to create short-form videos, which helped me reach new audiences. Adapting to these trends can significantly boost your visibility.
5. Collaborations and Partnerships: Collaborations with other content creators and partnerships with brands can be a valuable way to grow your audience. They expose your content to new audiences and can provide opportunities for cross-promotion.

Advice for Beginners:
* Be Patient: Building a substantial social media following takes time. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see rapid growth initially. Keep creating and engaging, and your audience will grow over time.
* Know Your Audience: Understand your target audience’s interests, preferences, and pain points. Tailor your content to meet their needs and provide value.
* Quality Over Quantity: It’s better to create high-quality content less frequently than to sacrifice quality for quantity. Quality content will always stand out.
* Stay True to Yourself: Authenticity is your greatest asset. Share your genuine passions and interests, and your audience will connect with you on a deeper level.
* Be Consistent: Consistency builds trust with your audience. Stick to a posting schedule that works for you and your audience.
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Building a social media presence is a journey that involves learning, adapting, and connecting with your audience. It’s about building a meaningful community and making a positive impact. Enjoy the process and stay true to yourself, and you’ll see your audience grow over time.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My creative journey is driven by a mission of empowerment, with a particular focus on supporting women. I am deeply committed to inspiring and uplifting individuals, just as I was inspired by my mentors and community at the beginning of my career. I see the potential for creativity to be a powerful force for change, especially in fostering authenticity and self-expression on social media.

As a female entrepreneur myself, I understand the challenges and barriers that women often face, such as the delicate balance between family and career. My goal is to utilize my platform to provide inspiration to women striving to make their mark in creative and business ventures.

Through storytelling and impactful visuals, I aim to contribute to a more inclusive and empowering community. Ultimately, my creative journey is driven by the belief that when women support women, incredible things can happen.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.chrishanxoxo.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrishanxoxo
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chrishanxoxo
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrishan0808
• Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/chrishanxoxo
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/chrishanxoxo
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@chrishanxoxo

Image Credits
7x photos Robert Yu @robertyuphotography 1x mirror selfie: Chris Han @chrishanphoto