What I’ve Learned from 13 Years as a Content Creator

It’s wild to think I’ve been doing this for 13 years. What started as a little blog in my tiny flat in the centre of Brighton back in 2012 has grown into a full-time job, a community of over 80,000 people across Instagram and TikTok, and collaborations with some of my dream brands.

Like most creators, I’ve made mistakes, had huge learning curves, adapted to more algorithm changes than I can count, and I’ve loved (nearly!) every minute of it. Whether you're just starting out or deep in the content world, here’s what I’ve learned from over a decade of doing this thing for real:

1. Consistency > Perfection

I used to think every post had to be perfectly polished to perform. Spoiler: it doesn’t. Showing up consistently, even with simple, real-life content, builds trust and connection way more than occasional “perfect” posts ever will.

2. Community Is Everything

Growing a following is great, but growing a community is better. People remember how you make them feel. I’ve always made space to reply to messages, talk to my followers like real people, and bring them into my world. That connection is gold.

3. Don’t Chase Trends – Make Them Your Own

It’s tempting to jump on every viral trend, but your audience follows you for your unique voice. I’ve learned to take trends and twist them to fit my content pillars, rather than losing my identity in the scroll.

4. Not Every Post Has to Go Viral

Some of my most impactful posts weren’t my most viral. Growth doesn’t always look like numbers. It can be building loyalty, trust, or even just inspiring one person who needed it that day.

5. Boundaries Are Key

In the early days, I said yes to everything. Every campaign, every late-night deadline, every trend. But burnout doesn’t help anyone. Now I protect my time, value my creativity, and work with brands that truly align.

6. You’ll Evolve – Let Yourself

My content has changed a lot since 2012. I’ve grown, my audience has grown, and so has the internet. It’s okay to shift your niche, your look, or your focus as life changes. Staying true to yourself is the best strategy long-term.

7. You Can’t Do It All Alone

There comes a point where you need support. Whether that’s a manager, a fellow creator to bounce ideas off, or someone to help with filming and editing (which is why I launched my Creator PA service), getting help can take your content to the next level without burning out.

8. Done is Better Than Perfect

You can tweak a caption forever or film 17 takes of a reel, but the real magic happens when you press post. Trust your gut, get your content out there, and remember: imperfect action is still action.

9. It’s Still Supposed to Be Fun

Yes, this is my job, but the joy is still there. When I lean into what I love (messy behind-the-scenes, creative shoots, reels with my girls), that’s when the content flows and my audience responds best.

Final Thoughts

Thirteen years in, I’m still learning, evolving, and growing, and that’s the beauty of content creation. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. But if there’s one thing I know for sure? The best thing you can do is show up as you.

If you’re a creator feeling overwhelmed or a small biz owner trying to do it all yourself, I’m here to help – whether it’s managing your socials, planning your content, or filming it for you. I hope we can work together and make your content peachy again!