One highlight that I can share about my CMS Journey would be the unexpected, extraordinary challenge of creating content. As a self-proclaimed writer, thinking that I can produce good content with ease would be committing perjury. This whole experience is honestly a good nudge and wake up call to me now that I am planning to seek for a job within content creation.
I was always experimental with my pieces, with my words. Whatever is in my mind, I just transfer them to paper. Unfortunately, as I got the opportunity to handle a website and was introduced to Search Engine Optimization (SEO) aka the final boss, I slowly realized the truth that your goal with content creation is to please your audience. Even if a creator is certain and confident with their target audience, the reality is that the internet is a battlefield of attention. You won’t win if you don’t go to war for it.
This is the sad reality for creatives. Using art as a form of expression is now a thing of the past. Now, it would take people’s time, blood, sweat, and tears just to figure out what people want and tie themselves to that in order to gain an audience. And loyal audience is what gets a content creator paid.
Building a career in this industry is a nightmare. Content creators are expected to constantly produce phenomenal work, and I am talking about writers, photographers, videographers, graphic artists, etc., real people who spend lots of conscious hard work and dedication to gain and master the skills that they have. Being a YouTuber or a social media influencer is a different flavor of tea that I would not like to indulge in.
Through personal experiences and stories from friends, I believe that the one compromise we can all take part in is to learn contentment with creating content.
One sure way to kill an artist is to pacify their passions. Therefore, a sure way to keep them going is to support them to stay true to their work and not succumb to the evil of people-pleasing. It’s true that contentment will take time, that is why the primary goal is to learn.
Also, echoing the truth that change is the only thing that is constant is a great way to see this sad reality in a different light. Remember that our motivation, creativity, engagement, and growth is not linear – they will always rise and fall. In the first place, progress is not always linear. Never put your worth into numbers. Be content with creating what you love, your interests; these are the things that define you!
But all things considered, if content creation is your bread and butter, it is never too late to learn about other things that could help! Instead of worrying too much about the growth of your engagements, why not take time to reflect on your personal growth. And as a finisher, although my personal nemesis, I believe that the great SEO, when mastered, is really helpful in driving people to your content. Make use of technology instead of making technology use you and cost you your artistic freedom. Show them YOU.
Read more from Jannah Janela Martos here!