We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Cerena. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Cerena below.

Cerena, appreciate you joining us today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your creative career sooner or later?

I feel like the world of content creation can make you feel like you’re running out of time. I do wish that I started my creative career sooner and ignored all the doubts that were placed on me and this field. I wanted to wait until I had everything “perfect” like buying the expensive cameras and lighting. I’ve realized now that perfection isn’t what people want to see in content. Authenticity is what people want to see, that’s what I think drew my community to me.

I’ve always been passionate about gaming, beauty, and I love to laugh. Once I got my first laptop as a teenager, I eventually found the live streaming platform of Twitch and was hooked instantly. It was so interesting watching people entertain while building a community. At the time, the content creation space felt like it was mostly dominated by people who didn’t look like me and I didn’t have people around me who were interested in gaming and anime so I felt discouraged. Before I took creation seriously, I was working in the STEM (chemistry) field, feeling like it was too late to be starting something so uncertain but I knew I had something to share. Eventually, I got the courage to dive into the world of streaming and Youtube because I knew I would regret if I didn’t try.

There’s a sense of “maybe I should’ve done this earlier,” especially when you’re a Black woman in a space that still has a lot of work to do in terms of diversity and inclusion. The experience I gained from working in different fields, learning about myself, and dealing with personal challenges shaped me in ways that prepared me for the long haul. So, maybe starting earlier wouldn’t have been right. Maybe the timing I have now is exactly what I needed. Starting when I did gave me the chance to carve my own space without overthinking every decision. It allowed me to work at my own pace, learn from mistakes, and build an audience that connected with me for who I am, not just the content I was producing. Ultimately, there’s no perfect time to start creating. If you’re passionate about it, the timing will always work out!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m Cerena, I go by soCerena on all social media platforms! As a woman in the digital space, I’m passionate about carving out a space where my voice and the voices of others like me can shine. It wasn’t until I started getting serious about gaming, pop culture, and tech that I realized I could combine all my passions into a space that was truly mine. I love talking about everything and starting conversation through topics so streaming felt natural. I share a variety of content on my platforms, from gaming walkthroughs and live streaming sessions to reactions, commentary, and deep dives into everything from tech to trending topics. I also do a lot of cosplay content which is such a fun hobby and has been very rewarding through my journey.

Whether I’m sharing personal stories or diving into the latest game or topic, my content is always true to who I am. I know how it is to feel like you’re the only one who shares your unique interests or experiences. I love when someone tells me how much they laughed and had a good time in one of my streams or at my videos. Hearing that I put a smile on someone’s face through my content is priceless. I’m very proud of the giveaways and special events that I’ve done for my community. One extremely fulfilling event that I’ve done was streaming myself building a pc for the first time, from start to finish. A clip from that went viral and the amount of people, especially women, who told me how inspired they were and that it gave them the confidence to try filled me with so much joy. One of my main goals has become to motivate people to do whatever they put their minds to and never give up.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

One of the main resources that I cannot stress enough is a content calendar and time management tools. I used Youtube to find templates on Notion which has helped me so much as a visual person to be able to plan and stick to posting. Consistency is key. Creating a content calendar and breaking down tasks into manageable steps would’ve saved me from the stress of trying to do everything last minute. Other time management tools that I would recommend are Trello and Metricool.

Connecting with other creators, especially those who share your experiences or struggles, can also be a huge help. It can feel isolating, especially when you’re building something from scratch. It’s about building relationships with other creators and learning from each other in the most genuine way possible. I formed a girl content group with my friends called FLVR and if I didn’t put myself out there, I wouldn’t have found the close friends and support that I have today. I also really advocate for creators to take advantage of any mental health resources they have available to them, whether online or in their state. The highs and lows are often unpredictable, and it takes a strong sense of self-belief to keep pushing through the moments of quiet or failure.

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

You have to be your own accountant, editor, social media manager, and sometimes even your own therapist. There’s the constant grind of promotion, interacting with followers, dealing with sponsorships, collaborations, and keeping track of income streams. This can be a lot, especially if you’re not a full-time creator and have a totally separate full-time job like I do. “Just make your videos and go,” but when you’re building a brand, you’re not just making content, you’re running a small business! The pressure to be “on” all the time, deal with imposter syndrome, or manage burnout is real. The world of likes, shares, and comments can create a sense of validation, but it can also make you feel like you’re constantly seeking approval. That requires a lot of behind-the-scenes work that isn’t always obvious to non-creatives because we usually just show the fun and amusing parts. At the end of the day, it’s about being passionate about what you do, even when it gets tough! <3

Contact Info:

• Website: https://beacons.ai/socerena
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/socerena/
• Twitter: https://x.com/soCerena
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@socerena
• Other: https://www.twitch.tv/socerena/
  

  @socerenaa

  
  https://www.amazon.com/shop/socerenaa