“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.”
Zechariah 4:10
I still remember the day I started working as a creative, 18, full of life and enthusiasm. I was posting funny videos and humorous content on my social media, not thinking much of it, just sharing for the joy of it. My page grew, and people interacted with my content. It was organic, and I loved every minute of it.
As time passed, I started getting noticed by celebrities like Davido, Burna Boy, AG Baby, and Teni. International blogs featured me, and I'd jump and celebrate whenever I saw my posts go live. I felt like I was on cloud nine. My content wasn't monetized, but I didn't care; I was having fun.
Then, brands started reaching out, wanting to work with me. I was over the moon – making money from doing what I loved! It was a turning point. I went from hobbyist to professional, earning in Naira and dollars. I became a scriptwriter, video creator, and commercial model.
One day, I was at the market when a lady recognized me from social media. "Is this fame?" I thought. It was humbling.
Over the years, I worked with top brands – Google, YouTube, Fanta, Spotify, itel, Showmax, Lush Hair, Jumia, Hollandia, PiggyVest, and Uber. A year ago, I starred in a Kellogg's ad on Apogbon bridge, Marina, Lagos State. Seeing my face on a billboard was a dream come true
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Balancing my influencer life with school wasn't easy. I'd fly out for jobs, using my environment to create.
Read Here; https://blog.piggyvest.com/life/how-abbie-tayo-built-a-modelling-career-through-social-media-virality/.
Friends supported me through creative blocks.
Whenever I felt uncertain, I'd read remarks from my bosses, both internationally and locally, and I'd be encouraged.
There's a saying: "Opportunity meets preparation." I took it to heart. I educated myself, researched, and conducted social media surveys. I even took a course on creative writing to advance my skills.
Sometimes, I reflect on who I was before all this. I miss creating just for myself, not worrying about metrics. But I'm working on finding balance.
My journey teaches me to stay humble, grateful, and open to growth. As I continue on this path, I hope to inspire others to pursue their passions and stay true to themselves.
My handle on Twitter, Instagram, Tiktok, YouTube is - Abbietayo (Onion Cider)
Hey Abbie, what courses or classes would you recommend for someone trying to be a creator/influencer
Congratulations, you know what you are doing!