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    The Life of a Teacher Influencer: An Interview with Laura Fulton (@teachwithmrsf)

    enJune 05, 2024

    Podcast Summary

    • Becoming a teacher influencerBecoming a teacher influencer requires a significant time investment, persistence, and willingness to adapt to different platforms and content.

      Becoming a teacher influencer involves a significant amount of time, effort, and persistence. Laura's journey began with discovering Canva and using it to create classroom materials on Teachers Pay Teachers. She was determined to make a profit and spent countless hours creating and uploading products. However, she soon realized that making a living from it was not as easy as she thought. Next, she tried using TikTok and Instagram to promote her TPT products. She created a TikTok video and even tried making a day-in-the-life video on Instagram. Although she received some initial success, she also experienced self-doubt and deleted her content multiple times. Despite the challenges, Laura continued to experiment with different platforms and content. Her experience shows that becoming a teacher influencer requires a willingness to learn, adapt, and put in the work. It's not an overnight success, but with dedication and persistence, it can be a rewarding experience.

    • Social Media GrowthStarting small and consistently creating educational content can lead to significant growth on social media platforms like TikTok. Learn from mistakes, adapt to trends, and stay true to your brand for engagement.

      Starting small and consistently creating content can lead to significant growth on social media platforms like TikTok. The speaker began with minimal followers and gained traction through posting educational content. However, a mistake led to embarrassment and the need to delete and repost content. Over time, she learned to be more strategic and focused on content that resonated with her audience. The shift from posting as an educator to an influencer came after the summer, when she saw trends and began to understand what worked. It's important to learn from data and adapt to changing trends while staying true to your brand. Consistency, strategy, and authenticity are key to growing an engaged following on social media.

    • Social Media Content CreationBalance education, inspiration, and entertainment for engaging social media content. Visual appeal, consistent branding, and quality content are crucial. Authenticity and realism encourage engagement. Dealing with negative comments is a challenge, but engagement can lead to more views.

      Creating engaging content on social media requires a balance of education, inspiration, and entertainment. This approach helped one educator grow her following from 10,000 to 20,000, making her eligible for the Creator Fund. The importance of visual appeal, consistent branding, and quality content became evident as her following grew. Although the monetary benefits were not her initial motivation, she now finds it difficult to give up her social media presence as it pushes her to continually improve as a teacher. She emphasizes that she is not an influencer but rather someone who shares ideas and experiences, encouraging authenticity and realism in her content. Dealing with negative comments is a challenge, but she chooses to ignore or engage, recognizing that more comments can lead to more views. Overall, her social media presence has become a valuable tool for personal and professional growth.

    • Social Media for Personal and Professional GrowthSocial media can help individuals connect with experts, build communities, and help others, leading to personal and professional growth. Authenticity is key, and building a following takes strategy and effort.

      Creating and engaging in social media content, particularly as an educator, can open up a world of opportunities and learning. Through social media, individuals can connect with experts, build communities, and help others, which can lead to personal and professional growth. It also pushes individuals to be authentic and genuine in their content, as they can see through inauthenticity. Additionally, the community created can be from all over the world, leading to unique and diverse experiences. However, it's important to remember that building a following takes strategy and effort, and it can be easy to become desensitized to the numbers and engagement. Overall, social media can be a powerful tool for personal and professional development, but it's important to use it in an authentic and meaningful way.

    • Social media strategy for makersChoose a good username, be honest, have a strategy, understand competition, be consistent, adapt to trends, create original content, learn and adjust

      Starting a successful maker account on social media requires careful planning and consistency. Choosing a good username and being honest with your school or employer about your intentions are important first steps. However, it's crucial to have a strategy and understand that social media is competitive. Don't be discouraged by slow growth and be open to experimenting with different content and trends. Consistency is key, but don't be afraid to adapt to changing trends. Remember, original content tends to perform well, but it's unlikely to be truly original. Finally, don't get discouraged by copycats or the ever-changing social media landscape. Keep learning and adjusting your approach, and the payoff will come in time.

    • TikTok creation basicsUnderstanding lighting, angles, editing, and pacing, staying updated with trending sounds, and being authentic and personable are essential for successful TikTok creation.

      Creating a successful social media presence, particularly on TikTok, requires a significant investment of time and effort. This was highlighted in a discussion where one creator shared their experience with someone copying their content without permission and the lengthy process of creating and editing videos. The creator emphasized the importance of understanding the basics of good lighting, angles, editing, and pacing, as well as building a brand that is approachable to potential collaborators. They also mentioned the importance of staying up-to-date with trending sounds and dealing with administrative tasks. It's important to note that growing a large following quickly is not the norm and that consistent effort and learning are key. The process involves a lot of trial and error, and it's essential to be authentic and personable while building your brand. Overall, creating engaging content on TikTok takes time, patience, and a willingness to learn and adapt.

    • Social media presenceSetting boundaries and developing thick skin are crucial for maintaining a social media presence without letting it consume time and energy, and for dealing with negative feedback.

      Creating and maintaining a social media presence can be a time-consuming and sometimes pressure-inducing experience. A primary school teacher shared her experience of balancing teaching with a popular social media account, revealing the inner thoughts and fears that come with growing an online following. She emphasized the importance of setting boundaries and not letting the pressure of constant content creation consume her time and energy. Additionally, she acknowledged the fear of judgment and negative feedback, but learned to develop thicker skin and not let it deter her from sharing her creativity with the world. Ultimately, she found joy and fulfillment in her creative outlet and encouraged others to embrace their own unique voices, despite the potential criticism.

    • Authenticity in content creationBeing authentic and relatable in content creation on social media platforms like TikTok can lead to greater engagement and growth. Focus on creating content that resonates with people rather than obsessing over numbers.

      Being authentic and relatable in content creation, especially on social media platforms like TikTok, can lead to greater engagement and growth. The speaker shared her personal experience of being more relaxed and less formal in her approach, which helped her connect with her audience and increase her following. She also advised against obsessing over numbers and instead focusing on creating content that resonates with people. Additionally, she emphasized the importance of understanding the unique aspects of each social media platform and tailoring content accordingly. For instance, while some platforms may value personality and relatability, others may prioritize technical skills or expertise. Overall, the speaker's story underscores the power of authenticity and connection in building a successful online presence.

    • Silverfish vs Forky TailiesThe speaker dislikes Silverfish and prefers the name Forky Tailies, despite it being a misnomer, due to finding the name Silverfish disgusting.

      The speaker expressed her dislike for an insect called Silverfish, which she had previously referred to as Forky Tailies. She shared that she had to look up the name Silverfish when she first heard it, as she had not encountered the term before. The speaker found the name Silverfish to be disgusting and preferred the earlier name Forky Tailies, despite it being a misnomer. The speaker also mentioned her past experience of being called Forky Deli, which she quickly corrected, and expressed her strong aversion to these insects, even acknowledging their role in the ecosystem. Overall, the speaker's grape of the week was her dislike for Silverfish and her preference for the less offensive name Forky Tailies.

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