Influencer
Josh Slavin: Net Influencer Interviews Josh Slavin
Josh Slavin, the dynamic influencer known for his captivating content, shares his journey, insights, and plans for the future. From staying inspired to navigating challenges, he emphasizes the importance of authenticity, adaptability, and community. Discover how Josh evolves as an influencer, his views on influencer marketing, and his exciting upcoming projects beyond travel content.
Josh Slavin, a 22-year-old influencer, has gained recognition through his captivating short-form content on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. With a focus on food, lifestyle, and travel, Josh’s videos offer a vibrant glimpse into his passions. In his own words, he explains, “I create content that genuinely interests me, making the process easier and allowing me to differentiate myself.”
Josh’s energetic presence and commitment to connecting with his audience have propelled him to the forefront of the digital realm. He plans to expand beyond short-form content, stating, “I want to explore longer videos and dive into more complex ideas while preserving my personality.”
Inside the Mind Of Josh Slavin: Passion, Creativity, And Authenticity
Coming Up With New Ideas for His Content
When asked about staying inspired and coming up with new ideas, Josh shares his approach in the interview. He explains, “I create content about things that I already do and genuinely enjoy. My creativity lies in how I frame and present those ideas to the audience.” Josh’s natural inclination towards content creation keeps him constantly thinking about potential videos, integrating them seamlessly into his life.
Rather than setting aside dedicated brainstorming time, Slavin’s ideas flow naturally as he navigates daily life. “Content is one of the main things I’m always thinking about,” he shares.
By jotting down ideas that come to mind, he ensures that they won’t be forgotten. Later, he allocates focused time to flesh out those ideas and bring them to life.
How He Evolved as an Influencer
Reflecting on his journey as an influencer, Josh highlights how his perspective and approach have evolved over time. He tells us, “The more content I create, the more analytical I become when consuming content.” Josh finds himself scrutinizing the motivations of creators, analyzing their creative decisions, such as video length, pacing, background music, and storytelling. He believes there is much to be learned by understanding the reasoning behind these choices.
For Josh, studying other creators provides invaluable insights and serves as a source of inspiration. He notes, “Being a creator on social media allows you to learn from numerous role models if you approach it the right way. You can essentially watch a masterclass by someone with millions of views, understanding the deliberate choices they make.”
Josh’s Favorite Tools And Resources
In terms of favorite tools and resources, Josh primarily uses his phone and a free editing app for his influencer journey, stating, “Pretty much all I used… is my phone.” He highlights the accessibility and convenience of phone cameras and editing apps, which accounted for the majority of his video creation.
He also mentions the optional use of a ring light for specific content needs. Josh even advises upcoming influencers to focus on maximizing what they already have and to learn from successful content creators, while highlighting that tools don’t determine success.
Collabs and Brands
When it comes to collaborating with brands and ensuring alignment with his personal brand, Josh highlights the impact of doing due diligence. He advises not being afraid to ask questions and seeking comprehensive information from the brand or intermediary.
Josh also highlights the significance of conducting independent research to gain a broader understanding of the company and its reputation. By informing himself, he can make an informed judgment call on whether the opportunity resonates with his values and if it’s something he’s excited to share with his audience. As Josh explains, “Research and then reflect. Is this something that aligns with me? Is this something that I’d like to share? And if all the arrows are pointing towards yes, then it seems like a good partnership.”
Challenges He Faced
Josh acknowledges the challenges he has faced along his influencer journey and shares his strategies for overcoming them. He emphasizes that life circumstances are not always ideal for content creation, given responsibilities like work, school, and preexisting plans. He explains, “You’re not always going to be in the position that is optimal for creating content.”
To manage these challenges, Josh mentions the importance of intention and adaptability. He highlights the need to be resourceful and make the most of available tools, whether it’s using a phone or finding creative ways to record videos despite living with others. Balancing content creation with the demands of daily life requires constant navigation and learning.
Josh adds, “Life changes, and so does the content you make.” He shares the need to manage the dynamic nature of both, acknowledging that it takes effort and intentionality.
The Moment He Realized His Impact as an Influencer
Josh shares a profound realization, saying, “I find myself running into people that have seen my videos all around the world. To be halfway around the world and see someone that has seen my videos is something that is just crazy to me.”
He describes the incredible feeling of being recognized by someone who has been impacted by his content, whether it’s while scuba diving in Thailand or walking the streets of New York City. Josh expresses, “To see someone light up and get so excited just because of the impact that your content had on them is something that’s really hard to wrap your head around.”
Roles Influencers Play in Shaping Influencer Marketing
According to Josh, influencers are the backbone and lifeblood of the influencer marketing space. He states, “You can’t have this space without the influencers. They set trends, raise standards, and present learning opportunities for other creators.”
As Josh emphasizes, “It’s constantly changing… the only thing that is guaranteed or stable is the fact that it’s going to be changing.” Influencers play a vital role in driving the industry forward, and it’s important to “stay abreast of what’s happening, equip yourself with the tools, learn from your peers, and be ready for the changes and adapt.”
What Makes an Influencer Marketing Campaign Successful
Josh shares, “It’s very, very important to, again, communicate as much as possible and ensure that expectations are aligned.” He highlights the need to have clarity and understanding between the brand and the creator before content creation begins. Josh further explains, “Before the content’s made, really understand what the vision is, what the strategy is,” and talks to us about how crucial it is to set and manage expectations throughout the collaboration.
Regarding trust, Josh states, “One issue that I see a lot of brands run into is that they don’t really trust the creative vision of the creator enough.” He believes in the value of content creators’ insights into their audience and what performs well on the platform. Josh stresses, “Trusting the content creator, who knows their audience, who knows what videos perform well, and who knows the trends,” is essential for successful influencer marketing campaigns.
Common Misconceptions People Have About Being an Influencer
For Josh, one common misconception about being an influencer is underestimating the amount of time and effort required to create high-quality content. He highlights the extensive brainstorming, editing, and investment involved in producing even a short video. He states, “The end product might be a 22-second video, but that could be the accumulation of dozens of hours of really hard work.” He emphasizes that content creation is not easy, but personally finds it rewarding and worth the labor.
Another misconception he mentions is the isolating nature of being a content creator. While it can be challenging to find support and advice in everyday life, Josh emphasizes the rewarding aspect of connecting with other creators who inspire him. He describes the fulfillment of becoming close friends with those whose content he has admired as a fan. These relationships serve as mentors, friends, and even coworkers, creating a unique and supportive community. Josh concludes, “It gives you friends, mentors, and I guess coworkers all in one. That just really comes to be amazing relationships and really fulfilling.”
Challenges and Opportunities in the Creator Economy
In the ever-changing world of content creation, there are both opportunities and challenges that creators face. According to Josh, “New technologies come out. New platforms arise.” This constant evolution necessitates staying updated and prepared. The challenges, which have always been present, include communication issues and differing expectations.
However, Josh shares with us the importance of foresight and skill development to navigate these challenges effectively. He advises focusing on attention to detail, honing communication skills, and creating content that reflects well upon a brand.
How the Influencer Marketing Space Will Continue to Evolve
When asked about the future of influencer marketing, Josh highlights several anticipated developments. He states, “Technology is always advancing. Things are growing.” He believes that advancements in technology will make the process easier yet also present new challenges for both brands and creators.
Furthermore, he notes the rise of creator-led brands, emphasizing that successful creators who lead their own companies can create videos that exceed the value of their brand deals. Josh mentions examples like Logan Paul and Mr. Beast, stating, “I think more people are gonna jump on that train.”
Additionally, he foresees traditional companies adapting to the social media environment by allocating budgets for social media and hiring talent or consulting with experienced influencers.
Lastly, Josh expects the capital invested in influencer marketing to continue to rise, emphasizing that social media is here to stay. He acknowledges that there will likely be unforeseen changes as well.
How Social Media Platforms Can Better Support Content Creators and Influencers
When it comes to supporting influencers and content creators, Josh cites two key aspects. Firstly, he emphasizes the importance of fostering a sense of community. He tells us, “I really like being able to engage with a community of people,” and mentions platforms like YouTube that facilitate community-building through features like the community tab. He expresses the value of interacting with an audience that shares a common interest in their content.
Secondly, Josh talks about the importance of analytics for content creators. He praises platforms like YouTube for providing comprehensive analytics that inform decision-making. He adds, “The more information you have, just the better you can use all of these things to help inform your decision-making as a content creator.”
Additionally, Josh mentions the impact of having a strong creator-platform relationship. He appreciates platforms that actively engage with creators by seeking their input, inviting them to events, and acknowledging their efforts.
Josh’s Stand on the Effectiveness of Micro-influencers vs. Macro-influencers
In the ongoing debate between macro and micro-influencers, Josh provided his own perspective. He states, “Each size of creator offers a unique sort of value proposition.” He cites the niche appeal of smaller creators whose content caters to specific communities or interests. He highlights that smaller creators can be highly effective when targeting a consistent demographic, leading to higher conversion rates.
On the other hand, larger creators were seen as their own brands, having a significant impact on their followers. Josh explains further, “When you see these influencers that are a massive brand that you recognize and associate with values that you really are entertained by or look up to, it’s just a natural pattern of thought to want to be like them.”
Trends and Developments in the Influencer Space
Josh discusses the ever-changing nature of the influencer and content creator space, stating, “Change will always be occurring. If you think it’s not occurring, then you’re probably wrong or you’re too late.” He predicts increased comfort among companies with investing in social media influencers for marketing purposes.
He encourages content creators to be open to new platforms, saying, “Don’t be afraid to hop on those platforms… give yourself the opportunity to learn and at least give it a shot.” He stresses the importance of focusing on creating high-quality content that resonates with the audience, regardless of trends or platform changes.
Advice to New Influencers
As an experienced influencer, Josh shares valuable advice for aspiring influencers who are just starting out. Taking inspiration from his own journey and discussions with peers in the social media realm, he highlighted two crucial points.
Firstly, he emphasizes the significance of creating content that genuinely resonates with the influencer. Josh states, “Make content that you genuinely care about and are interested in.” This ensures a personal connection with the content and keeps the influencer motivated and passionate about their work.
Secondly, Josh talks about the importance of building a flexible platform. He encourages aspiring influencers to constantly experiment and diversify their content base. “Constantly experimenting and trying new things will help you learn and also sort of diversify your content base,” he advises.
In addition, Josh cautions against becoming too focused on a single niche, as it can potentially limit audience overlap and restrict creative possibilities. By maintaining a varied content portfolio, influencers can avoid cannibalizing their viewers and keep their platforms adaptable.
Ultimately, Josh stresses the significance of staying true to oneself. He warns against pursuing content solely for its popularity or success, as it can lead to a loss of enjoyment and authenticity. “Make sure you are staying on the path that is true to you… Make content that you like, and you shouldn’t run into any of these issues,” he says.
Exciting Projects Soon
Josh shares his current transitionary phase, stating, “I’m currently in a little bit of a transitionary period.” He expresses his desire to build a flexible platform and not be limited to being a travel content creator. He shares more details by telling us, “I enjoy traveling and I want to be able to make travel content, but I don’t want to have to make travel content.”
Josh then proceeds to talk about his previous travels in Asia, where he learned a lot about creating travel-related content. He shares his excitement about exploring other types of content and mentions his interest in food, lifestyle, and travel. He shares his plans to create recipe videos and focus more on cooking. He also mentions the possibility of live streaming and engaging with their followers on a deeper level.
