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In this series, I speak to the world’s top influencers under 25 who are working with major brands. Today I caught up with
Adam Waheed.
John White: What is your backstory?
Adam Waheed: I am an actor, writer, and director who has been creating content on social media for about two years now. I was able to go viral with my content early, and I continue to rapidly grow my audience. My content consists of short comedic sketches.
John White: What are your top tips for content creators?
Adam Waheed: Find your niche. All the top creators have a niche and a unique style. You must be able to separate yourself from others to gain a big following. Lastly, be passionate about what you do or else you will not succeed.
John White: Tell us about some of the projects you’ve worked on. Which brands have you worked with and how did you land the gigs?
Adam Waheed: I collaborated with brands such as Tmobile, Adidas, Lyft, and Vh1. I have currently been working on a few campaigns for Tmobile where I am creating content for them and publishing it on my social platforms. Most of these brands have just reached out to me through my Instagram asking to collaborate.
John White: You have over 600k Instagram followers. How have you been able to grow such a massive account? What is your top tip for growth?
Adam Waheed: I believe it’s because I stay true to my content. I know what my strong suits are and I play them to my advantage. I also believe putting out genuine content is the best way to grow. Don’t get so caught up in the views and likes because at the end of the day great content always rises to the top regardless. I always emphasize quality over quantity.
John White: What has been the hardest part about growing your business?
Adam Waheed: I think the hardest part was setting aside enough time to talk with brands and pursue deals with them. A lot of times I find myself dedicating all my time to creating free and genuine content to my fan base. Now that I have acquired a team around me to handle some of those responsibilities, there is much more balance, and things run more efficiently.
John White: What should brands look for when they hire an influencer?
Adam Waheed: Brands should first check if their own brand matches the influencers brand and his or her demographic. Once they establish if it’s a match, it is imperative for the brand to focus on the influencer’s engagement rather than their following. Although both matter, engagement should be the ultimate deciding factor.
John White: Please leave us with one final tip for those who wish to become an influencer by monetizing their online brand.
Adam Waheed: I think the key to monetizing your brand is to create clean content that is brand friendly. Also when creating a piece of content for a brand make sure to put as much time and effort into it as you do with the rest of your content. The reason why is because brands will appreciate it and want to continue to work with you in the future.
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