- Words by Devon Paige Smith Photography by Lia Crowe

Full-time professional content creatorB次元官网网址�B次元官网网址攊tB次元官网网址檚 a title Jared Vandermeer is still getting used to. But itB次元官网网址檚 one thatB次元官网网址檚 quite fitting after he spent the last year fully immersed in creating content for his social channels.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 definitely been a whirlwind,B次元官网网址� says Jared, who in the last year has gained over a million followers, posted over 700 videos and has a combined billion views across social media platformsB次元官网网址攚ith much of that content filmed right here on Vancouver Island.

B次元官网网址淢oving to the island was the best decision I made, IB次元官网网址檝e never looked back,B次元官网网址� Jared says. B次元官网网址淏eing here has been such a huge part of me getting to where I am today.B次元官网网址�

Jared, who grew up in Edmonton and started a marketing agency there, had no plans on leaving AlbertaB次元官网网址攗ntil the pandemic hit.

B次元官网网址淐OVID-19 was really the catalyst,B次元官网网址� he explains. B次元官网网址淏efore the pandemic I spent most of my time working with clients at the agency and I had my day-to-day routine. When the pandemic hit, and a lot of my restaurant clients, in particular, really pulled back on a lot of their projects, I had time and space to refocus my creativity.B次元官网网址�

After he made the move to southern Vancouver Island, and while COVID-19 was keeping most people close to home, Jared started exploring more content creation locally.

B次元官网网址淎t the beginning, more than anything, creating content for my social channels got me out walking, got me out of the house,B次元官网网址� he laughs, adding that exploring local nooks and crannies is what really got his creative juices flowing.

B次元官网网址淚 had the inspiration of the island right here in front of me. The water, the ocean, the forest. Just being able to go for walks every day and not having snow on the ground for five or six months, it was all new. ThereB次元官网网址檚 no interruption to the inspiration here.B次元官网网址�

And Jared has many favourite spots on the island to dial in his creativity.

B次元官网网址淭he inner harbour in downtown Victoria is greatB次元官网网址攊tB次元官网网址檚 just so vibrant and there are so many different people down there, different types of architecture, great scenery. I also love getting out on trails, and down to beaches all over the island.B次元官网网址�

And asked if he misses the snow, he laughs, as most islanders would: B次元官网网址淎bsolutely not.B次元官网网址�

With a background and wealth of experience in marketing, it was no surprise that JaredB次元官网网址檚 content began to hone in on a specific subject matter and audience in the last year.

B次元官网网址淢y passion has become teaching people how to create content and create a brand without any major investment. My mission is to show other creators and businesses that they can be successful by creating content with only a phone or camera, some dedication and some creativity,B次元官网网址� Jared explains. B次元官网网址淚 was tired of all the shortcuts and latest trends, and I wanted to focus on the things I knew really worked for me, and this is where I ended up.B次元官网网址�

On his channels, much of his content relates to photography, and showing his followers tips and tricks for better and more creative picture-making on both digital SLR cameras and iPhones. He also shows his followers how to edit creative video content for Instagram and TikTok, and he gives his followers ideas for compelling product photography.

More than anything, Jared says, itB次元官网网址檚 the type of content he enjoys creating most.

B次元官网网址淪howing people how to take cool photos and make neat videos is fun for me. And I know if IB次元官网网址檓 having fun, the content IB次元官网网址檓 creating does well.B次元官网网址�

Jared believes thatB次元官网网址檚 where a lot of burgeoning creators go wrong: B次元官网网址淭hey feel like they have to jump on the latest trends or try to film content thatB次元官网网址檚 popular but maybe isnB次元官网网址檛 of interest to them. And the audience can always tell if your heart isnB次元官网网址檛 in it. As long as youB次元官网网址檙e having fun creating, your niche and your audience will eventually evolve. ItB次元官网网址檚 a natural process.B次元官网网址�

Along with having fun, Jared attributes his growth over the last year to seriously committing to content creationB次元官网网址攖o filming it, editing it and posting it.

B次元官网网址淚 make sure IB次元官网网址檓 posting every day, at least once a day. That was a shift for me. I realized I really had to commit to it. I also film and edit content almost every day. ItB次元官网网址檚 more than a full-time job.B次元官网网址�

So, what lies ahead for someone who is now a full-time professional content creator?

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 going to stay true to the audience thatB次元官网网址檚 gotten me to where I am todayB次元官网网址攖hatB次元官网网址檚 important to me. I want to bring my content to a new level while I continue to show people that content creation is accessible to everyone and that you can do some incredible things with just the phone in your hand.B次元官网网址�

You can find Jared on Instagram @jared_vandermeer, on TikTok @jared.vandermeer and on YouTube: JaredVanderMeer.

JaredB次元官网网址檚 simple tips for content creation success:

B次元官网网址� CommitB次元官网网址攎ake time for content creation and take it seriously.

B次元官网网址� Plan for quantityB次元官网网址攑ost at least once a day, twice if you can.

B次元官网网址� Take risksB次元官网网址攑ost everything, even if you donB次元官网网址檛 think it will do well (often, thatB次元官网网址檚 the content that ends up surprising you).

B次元官网网址� DonB次元官网网址檛 overthink itB次元官网网址攑lanning too much is a content killer, because the content starts to feel unauthentic. Hone in on an idea and run with it.

B次元官网网址� Most of all, have fun with the content youB次元官网网址檙e creating. Your followers can tell.

Story courtesy of , a Black Press Media publication
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