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

Alright, Allyson thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

I wouldn’t say it was a risk, but some might consider it one. I went to the Dean of The College of Information and Communications with an idea to make a TikTok. I didn’t overthink it, I just walked straight into his office and asked. Honestly, I was expecting a quick “no.” It felt a little bold, maybe even out of place, but something in me said just go for it anyway. To my surprise, he hesitated and then agreed.

That one moment ended up changing everything. What started as a single video turned into something much bigger than I could have imagined. That one TikTok sparked a chain reaction, we went from zero to over 30,000 views, building a presence that people actually started paying attention to. Not long after, I was offered a position as the Dean’s graduate research assistant, which still feels surreal when I think about how it all started.

Now, I help create social media content for the school, working closely with the communications director and collaborating with different departments on various projects. It’s not just about making videos anymore, it’s about telling the school’s story in a way that connects with people. And the best part is we have been getting a lot of positive feedback from outside the university about the content I’ve helped create.

Looking back, it might have seemed like a small, spontaneous decision, but it taught me something important, sometimes the opportunities that change your path don’t come from careful planning, they come from taking a chance even when you’re not sure how it will turn out.

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 background and context?

This will actually be my third time being featured, and I feel like each time I’m growing more and more as a creative. I kind of look back at where I started and where I am now, and it’s been a real process. Like anyone else, I was just a young college student who was into content creating and saw myself doing bigger things, so I decided to take that leap and actually go for it.

During undergrad at Lander, I stayed really involved and focused on mass communications, especially the digital media side of it. That’s really where I started sharpening my skills and understanding how content works beyond just posting. It pushed me to take things more seriously, which is what led me to apply to graduate school at the University of South Carolina for multimedia journalism.

From there, everything started to come together. I got more hands-on experience, started thinking more strategically about content, and really found my lane in digital storytelling. Now, I create social media content that’s meant to connect with people in a real way, not just look good but actually make an impact. Whether it’s short form videos or larger projects, I focus on making content that people want to engage with.

On top of being a creative, I’m also a journalist, and that’s something that has really helped me grow. I’ve been able to take the skills I’ve learned and apply them to my journalism work, using content to tell real stories and cover real events. I’ve reported on President Joe Biden visiting Columbia, South Carolina, and also covered the memorial of Rev. Jesse Jackson at the State Capitol. Being able to mix creativity with journalism has taken my work to another level and helped me build a stronger platform.

I think one of the biggest things I bring is understanding how to make content feel natural and not forced. A lot of brands and organizations struggle with that, especially when trying to reach younger audiences. I pay attention to trends, timing, and what people actually respond to, and I use that to help shape the content I create.

What sets me apart is that I really grew into this. I didn’t just study it, I lived it. I tested ideas, learned from what worked and what didn’t, and kept building. I’m not afraid to take creative risks, and I’m always trying to improve.

What I’m most proud of is turning something I was just interested in into something real. From being a student with an idea to now helping create content, report on major events, and grow in both creative and journalism spaces means a lot to me. All of this has led to me getting hired as a multimedia reporter intern for the Lexington County Chronicle in Lexington, South Carolina, which is something I’m really proud of.

The main thing I want people to know about me is that I’m still growing, still learning, and still pushing myself creatively. I take what I do seriously, and I’m always looking for ways to level up and create something better than the last.

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

Honestly, building my audience really came from just being consistent and being myself. I didn’t come into it with some big strategy or try to copy what everyone else was doing. I just started creating, kept posting, and paid attention to what felt right for me.

One thing I hear all the time about my content is the authenticity and the energy I bring to it. That’s something I take serious. I’m not trying to be someone else on camera, I’m literally just being myself, and I think people can tell the difference. A lot of creatives get caught up in chasing trends or views, but I’ve never gone off my brand just to get attention. If it doesn’t feel like me, I’m not posting it.

I also stayed consistent, even when things weren’t blowing up right away. That part is important because a lot of people quit too early. Growth didn’t happen overnight for me, it came from continuing to show up, trying new ideas, and learning what works over time.

If I had to give advice to someone just starting out, I’d say don’t overthink it and don’t try to be perfect. Just start. Be real, be consistent, and don’t lose yourself trying to go viral. It’s easy to chase numbers, but what really builds an audience is people connecting with you. If people feel like you’re genuine, they’ll stick around.

At the end of the day, your brand is you, so stay true to that and everything else will follow.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I think one thing non-creatives don’t really understand is how much time and dedication it actually takes to do this, especially when you go from it being just a hobby to something more serious. From the outside, it can look easy, like you just pick up your phone, record something, post it, and that’s it. But there’s a lot that goes into it that people don’t see, like planning, editing, coming up with ideas, and staying consistent even when you’re not feeling it.

Another big thing is patience. This isn’t something that usually blows up overnight. It can take years to really build something meaningful. I think a lot of people come into it expecting fast growth and quick money, and when that doesn’t happen, they get discouraged. But that’s just not how it works for most people.

For me, it’s been about staying dedicated even when the results weren’t immediate. You have to really enjoy the process, not just the outcome. Because if you’re only doing it for views or money, it’s going to be hard to stick with it when things are slow.

I’d say the biggest insight is that being a creative is a long game. It takes consistency, patience, and a real commitment to getting better over time. If you can accept that and keep going, that’s when you start to see the results.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alicej26/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alicej26/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allysonjackson26
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@alicej26
• Other: Instagram for journalism- https://www.instagram.com/dj_allyshow/