GU’s third-annual Creator’s House launched successfully at Common House New Orleans, and today’s event proved that it was an unmissable experience. The creator-driven experience highlighted various media mavens across digital platforms, engaging in candid conversations about authenticity in online environments. Besides the speaker series, GU Creator’s House included a variety of SmartWater activations and a cocktail station for guests to enjoy while socializing with each other.
The first panel of the day, “Going Viral: Become An Influencer IRL”, featured Kensington Grey creators Justine’s Camera Roll, Justin Frett, and Khiari Barino, who conversed about the realities of an influencer lifestyle with ESSENCE Art Director Isaiah Stewart.
Stewart kicked off the panel by asking the trio about some of the mistakes that they feel new content creators make in the age of instant gratification. “If your only goal is to go viral, then do all the trends that you want,” Justine replied. “If your goal is to have [content creation] as a career, you have to think a little bit deeper than that.” Beyond learning to be intentional with published content, Barino emphasized that aspiring creators remain authentic in who they are to build a dedicated fan base.
Although some see the creator economy as oversaturated, the world of content creation is constantly evolving. There has been a strong surge of users craving authentic content. Besides offering advice for budding creators, the panelists discussed working with different brands as Black creators within the influencer space. Frett initiated the conversation by answering, “Have the nerve [to ask for what you want from brands]. The minute you say that, the conversation shifts, and there is a level of respect that has been given to you because you had the guts to at least [ask].”
The creators also reflected on their unique journeys in content creation, with Justine admitting to posting content on social media every day for eight months straight. “If the video is bad, still post the video,” she said. “Most of us have an execution problem. The messier [the content’s final form] is, people gravitate towards that,” the lifestyle creator stated. Additionally, Barino spoke about the tough process of integrating music into his already fashion-focused content, sharing, “It is really tough because what people fall in love with you for, they want you to stay in. The stylistic influencer released his debut single “Odyssey” in February. “Content creation, I accidentally fell into it, and I love it. But the goal was always music.”
As the panel concluded, Frett left listeners with a memorable mantra: “I am the exception.” As creators continue to show up in diverse spaces where onlookers may not understand their line of business, it’s important to be confident in yourself and the content you can offer to the world.