We recently connected with Ian Kersey and have shared our conversation below.
Ian, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the story of how you went from this being just an idea to making it into something real.
My content creation journey started in early 2020 with the goal of expressing my passions for photography, music, and menswear. I began narrowing my content to the niche of streetwear and photo editing, later becoming a focus on sneakers and men’s fashion. As I became more consistent as a creator, I began to treat my platforms less like a hobby and more like a business. As time passed, I shifted my focus to improving my content by 1% daily, which began to compound. Before I knew it, I had over 100k followers and started working with brands/companies that I had only dreamed of previously.
Once my platform was operating like a business, I began fine-tuning it by implementing new strategies to reach larger audiences. I realized that it doesn’t matter how “good ” the content was, it had to be engaging. This process took many months of trial, error, and analysis. I didn’t want to be viewed as an amateur creator so I started to optimize my content to be viewed from a lense of minimalism and professionalism. After months of consistency, I began to work on projects with brands like Nike and Foot Locker. Since then, I have been working closely with a variety of corporations to increase marketing and engagement through platforms including Instagram, TikTok, Youtube, and Pinterest.
Ian, 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?
My name is Ian Kersey, a content creator, and entrepreneur with a passion for fashion and streetwear. My journey began at 14 years old when I created several YouTube channels on topics that intrigued me, including how-tos, technology, fashion, and sneakers.
Throughout my teenage years, I knew I wanted to do something in the fashion world but wasn’t sure how to get started. It wasn’t until the rise of TikTok in 2020 that I found my niche. During the pandemic, I spent a lot of time at home, creating and posting TikTok videos every day. Soon, I was receiving hundreds of thousands of views per video, with my content focusing on streetwear and sneakers.
As my platform grew, many brands and companies reached out to collaborate on projects. Today, I am proud to have worked with big names in the fashion industry and many mainstream artists. I am grateful for the opportunities that have come my way and am excited to continue growing in the fashion and streetwear community.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
Building an audience on social media requires a lot of dedication and patience. For me, it started with identifying my niche and creating content that I was passionate about. I was always interested in fashion and streetwear, so I decided to focus on that as my niche. I started posting videos on TikTok and before I knew it, I was reaching huge milestones and working with brands I always loved as a kid. In order to stand out on a platform that is highly saturated like TikTok, I would recommend finding a specific niche with a touch of creativity that is unique. This can be adding a personal style or touch to your videos, which can help to stand out from the rest.
To build a social media presence, my advice for others is to first, find your niche and stick to it. Post content that you are passionate about and that you know your audience will enjoy. It’s also important to be consistent and post regularly to keep your followers engaged. Interact with your audience and focus on constant improvement. Collaborate with other influencers and brands in your niche to increase your reach. Finally, always be authentic and true to yourself. People can tell when you are not being genuine, so make sure to stay true to yourself and your brand.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
For me, the most rewarding aspect of being a creative is the ability to express myself through different platforms. As a creative, I have the freedom to create whatever I want and share my content with others. The process of creating is fun and allows me to focus on my passions.
Another aspect that I find rewarding is the connection I develop with my audience and other content creators. When posting content, I have the opportunity to connect with people who have the same interests. I always enjoy responding to questions when I have the time or talking with fellow creators about new ideas. Receiving positive feedback and seeing the influence my content has on others is an incredible feeling.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/originalparadigms
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/originalparadigms/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@OriginalParadigms/shorts