Two Broke Chicks Podcast Episode #107: How to make it as a content creator
The gals chat with Madison Woolley and Kaitlyn Rodriguez about growing your platform, finding your niche and ignoring the trolls.
Have you ever wondered what a day in the life of an influencer is like? Do you ever look at an influencer's page and think, "I could so do that!" Or maybe you roll your eyes a bit when you hear someone say they're a content creator.
Well this week, with the help of Australian influencers, Girl Code Podcast hosts and BFFs Madison Woolley and Kaitlyn Rodriguez, Sal & Al find out what it's really like to craft a career in social media. The gals chat strategies you can use to help you grow your platform, how to find your niche, plus the ups and downs of working in the industry of likes and hashtags.
LISTEN TO EP #107
LINKS & RECEIPTS
- Check out the Girl Code Podcast
- Follow Madison Woolley on Instagram
- Follow Kaitlyn Rodriguez on Instagram
CREDITS
- Hosts: Sally McMullen and Alex Hourigan
- Executive Producer: Pariya Taherzadeh
- Editor: Bamby Media
This podcast is powered by Finder and part of the Nova Podcast Network.
Thanks for listening!
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Sally McMullen
Hey y'all. I'm Sal.
Alex Hourigan
And I'm Al.
Sally McMullen
And we're the host of Two Broke Chicks, the show all about sharing life lessons for the gals from the gals. Because we know that your 20s can be bloody tough, but we hope that the show will make it that little bit easier. Today, Al and I are going to be joined by content creators and GIRL CODE podcast hosts, Madi Woolley and Kaitlyn Rodriguez, and we're going to get their hot take on turning your social media brand and content creation skills into a career. But before we get carried away it's time for our lesson of the week. We thought we'd do something a little bit different this time because we actually got a DM from Nina from Perth, which was a meme that I think both taught us a lesson but also personally attacked Alex and I. So, Al would you like to do the honours and read it out?
Alex Hourigan
I'd love to. It's just so relatable. I just found out that people who suffer from anxiety tend to rewatch the same TV shows all over again because we already know what's going to happen next. Therefore, it creates a sense of safety slash comfort. And that's the reason why we keep watching them. My feelings are hurt.
Sally McMullen
Yup, if you know anything about Alex and I, you know that we spend pretty much our entire weekends just re-watching everything on Disney+ or Harry Potter. Re-reading the same fantasy novels over and over again.
Alex Hourigan
Yeah, that's like The Nanny, like Schitt's Creek Like all those sitcoms, Parks and Rec, The Office and then like, I think I know, it's gotten really bad when I message you and I'm like, "so I'm gonna start rewatching the Vampire Diaries", and you're like, we need to get in there.
Sally McMullen
I'm like, "oh, god, she's hit rock bottom again".
Alex Hourigan
Yeah, if you haven't seen the meme, you can jump on our Instagram @twobrokechicks to have a look at it and send it to all your other friends who also are very anxious.
Sally McMullen
Yeah, tag your other anxiety ridden friends and they can come join the party and rewatch the Little Mermaid with us.
Alex Hourigan
Yeah, go comment what your comfort show is, comfort movie.
Sally McMullen
So now that I am sufficiently offended, I think it's time to chat to the gals.
In case you haven't seen these fabulous ladies on Instagram, first of all, where the bloody hell have you been? And secondly, Madi and Kaitlyn are besties, content creators, entrepreneurs and co-hosts of the GIRL CODE podcast. Madi is the founder of the clothing label '23rd and Madison' and Kaitlyn also runs an online thrift store called 'Wasteless'. So both of these girls know a thing or two about building online brand, but also then turning that into a full time gig. So in our chat, Madi and Kaitlyn are going to spill the tea on what it's actually like to be an influencer, as well as how to build your personal brand and the life lessons that they've picked up in their 20s. So let's bring them in. Well, welcome to Two Broke Chicks, Madi and Kaitlyn, thanks for coming on the show.
Kaitlyn Rodriguez
Thank you so much for having us.
Alex Hourigan
So, how did you both get into content creation and social media? And at what point did you know that it had kind of transitioned from something fun to more of a career?
Madison Woolley
Well, basically, for both of us, actually, it was a really natural transition. I first moved to Sydney and I actually came here after I graduated uni and I had every intention of getting like a nine to five marketing job, and I was just posting like my move. I was on YouTube as well. So I was doing like moving vlogs and we were going out quite a lot in Sydney. So I was posting like out with the girls and it just really naturally happened. I just feel like people started to really enjoy it and then I started making money and I was like, "Wow, this could actually be a career". So that was kind of scary. But yeah, it's just really natural progression. And yeah, it's exciting. Crazy, where it's like, come now.
Kaitlyn Rodriguez
It's insane how quickly it happened for you.
Madison Woolley
Yeah
Kaitlyn Rodriguez
Because I remember you moved, we moved in together and within like, a week or two you're like, "Okay, I'm actually not getting an internship anymore. I'm actually kind of like making money online". I was like what?
Madison Woolley
Yeah, it happened so quickly.
Kaitlyn Rodriguez
Yeah. I mean, for me personally, I definitely, like social media isn't my full time job for me. It's still very much just like a hobby, you know, so definitely a bonus if I like can make money off. I'm like, That's cool, too. But yeah, I work doing other things as well. But yeah, it's very natural. I feel like it's not something, I mean for me personally, I never really tried to do it. It's just sort of like postings, we have the podcast. It's still very fun. So yeah.
Sally McMullen
Well since so many people, you know, are considering being an influencer or a content creator as a career. Give us the juicy goss. What's the best and worst thing about social media and working in social media that people may not actually know?
Madison Woolley
There's honestly so much to it. I think for me personally, the main thing would obviously be the opportunities like travel wise, obviously before COVID hit. But yeah, we all been taken to amazing places with amazing brands and you get to work with like your favourite brands in the world and build those relationships, which is really exciting. And I think another amazing perk to the job is the flexibility to kind of like design your week. That's something that I've really noticed when I was thinking about taking a nine to five job. And now doing this I just get to kind of work my own hours, which is really cool.
Kaitlyn Rodriguez
Yeah, I love that you just get time.
Madison Woolley
Yeah
Kaitlyn Rodriguez
I think time is like the most valuable thing. So I think that's epic. But also personally, I think you're the same, it's just specifically in the podcast, so nice when we have girls or guys anyone message us and the like something you said really resonated with me or on a deeper level, not just like, I bought this top because of you. I mean, I actually got really excited. I've been actually going on about is way too much. Ok, I have this pizza order, and recently I posted about it and girls messaged me being like, it's the best pizza I've ever tasted. I'm like, this is fulfilling to me, like
Madison Woolley
A positive influencer.
Kaitlyn Rodriguez
Like it's like the biggest deal to me. I like screenshot it, sent it to my mom. I'm like "they're buying a pizza because of me!". And she's like "wtf" and I'm like "ahhh!".
Alex Hourigan
You've made it when you're influencing pizza orders.
Sally McMullen
You're changing lives.
Kaitlyn Rodriguez
Yeah. But on a deeper level, like when girls, and obviously men, message us and say something we said on the podcast has impacted them in a positive way. That's just like, that's it for me. Yeah, thats the most like, the coolest thing.
Madison Woolley
It's really rewarding, I think.
Kaitlyn Rodriguez
Yeah.
Madison Woolley
And then I guess the downside, I mean, I feel like everyone kind of knows this, this isn't really like a secret thing, but when you have a big platform, it does obviously come with criticism. And I think the bigger you get, obviously, your audience grows, and you're more susceptible to trolls or whatever. So that's definitely a downfall. I think another one is, when your life is so public, obviously, it's kind of hard to separate private versus public life. And that's something we actually were talking about that we need to get better at. Because we just overshare so much.
Kaitlyn Rodriguez
We sit down. And honestly, we think it's just us, like we just unleash and like, you know, we want to be 100% open and honest with the people who especially listen to our podcast. But also, when we're sharing things that impact other people. So like a partner, friends, family, we can't actually share all of that. As much as, because we want to tell our point of view but then you have to remember there's another person involved and then sometimes listeners can get a bit frustrated, because like, "why aren't you sharing this?", like, "you're hiding this from us!" And it's like, it's not just us that we have to think about all the time. So it's finding like a healthy, healthy boundary. Yeah.
Sally McMullen
What is one thing that you wish you knew, when you were starting to build your own personal brand? Like what's something that you would go back and tell yourself, maybe a mistake or something to look forward to or like a tip?
Madison Woolley
I think, especially when you're first starting out, it can be really easy to just get caught up in numbers. And yeah, just get kind of consumed with it. Um, I remember when I was first starting I was just very focused on numbers and like growing, and I just feel like that's kind of a really, it is a really unhealthy mentality to be in. So I think just be yourself. I know, that's really cheesy.
Kaitlyn Rodriguez
No, I agree with that. I mean, maybe I just say to care a little bit less. I think, you know, maybe in like the last few years, I just wouldn't really post that much because I feel like 'oh, does anyone want to see this?'. So I mean, there's probably things that I haven't shared online, like just photos from a holiday, because I thought at the time that it wasn't good enough, you know, worth posting.
Alex Hourigan
So speaking of content that now, is kind of how it's changed. What kind of content have you seen help you grow your audience the most, and connect with people more?
Madison Woolley
I think, also being across different platforms. I think that's definitely for me, personally, I'm on YouTube as well, and I think that's where a lot of my really engaged followers come from cross promoting. I think that's definitely really important. And then like you said, as well, the podcast gives us this another, I don't know, you just get more connected with people, I think. So that's really nice. And that's definitely again helped us grow. And then also just consistency with uploading. And I love reels as well. Video, just people again, feel more connected to it, it's a little bit more engaging than just a photo. So I think that's another thing that's definitely helped myself grow. So yeah,
Kaitlyn Rodriguez
I mean, for me, it's just the podcast, you know, I mean, I'm so bad about posting on Instagram.
Madison Woolley
Kaitlyn's slack. Honestly-
Kaitlyn Rodriguez
She's like I'm on me every day. "Why aren't you uploading!" I'm like, "Sorry, mom!"
Sally McMullen
Social media mom!
Kaitlyn Rodriguez
I'm like, my re-growth is like three metres long like that's why I'm not uploading - I'm in lockdown babe. Yeah, I think it's like you said it's just consistency and I think people just like it, especially now, I feel like the space there's so much content out there and there's so many people posting like incredible content. It's just like, you've just got to be yourself online and give them something like personal. You know, I think that's what it is now especially like, TikTok, you know, I feel like people love that because everyone's so raw and vulnerable on there and just posting like random stuff like what they're eating or like, talking about their therapy session, like, everyone's just like, ah, you know, so I think you know, that's a really good place to grow.
Madison Woolley
I also think finding your niche helps a lot, like you just said on TikTok, kind of like finding what works for you. And then really just like harnessing that as well, I think that can really help you grow a really engaged audience.
Sally McMullen
Yeah, I love that. Because I was gonna ask, what advice would you give to somebody who wants to build their personal brand or get into it but doesn't know where to start? Or doesn't know what niche they want to sit in? What would your advice be for somebody who wants to get into the game?
Madison Woolley
Visualise who you would like to be on social media. That would be my first tip is like, when you see yourself on social media on a platform, who do you see yourself as and then I think, break it down from there. So if you see yourself as this incredible fashion blogger, then break it down and think, you know, I need to start doing like a few outfit posts a week and just start small. But I think, yeah, visualise yourself, and then work towards that and really stay on track and consistency, as well we've spoken about that.
Kaitlyn Rodriguez
I agree, and I think if you can provide people with something that they can take away from you, whether that's, you know, having a podcast where you're helping or even just making them laugh, because there's so many people out there, I think you have to like, provide your audience with something, whether that's like an outfit or recipe or advice.
Alex Hourigan
The GIRL CODE podcast is all about navigating your 20s, what is the biggest life lesson that you've learned in your 20s so far?
Madison Woolley
Okay, I'll probably be boring with this one but I think, just working hard. I know that everyone's like, although this kind of does link on to my next point as well, but I think working hard in your 20s definitely because it does set you up. But then also for me is, I really had to learn how to have the work life balance, which was really tricky for a while. Like, remember, when we were living together, I would just like be at my laptop all day, every day. And I just feel like, I got kind of in a rut and little bit burnt out like in my early 20s. So yeah, now it's just trying to balance work life. Have fun, live your best life!
Kaitlyn Rodriguez
I feel like mine is yeah, just saying yes to things. I think not putting yourself in a box and thinking that's where you have to stay. Because I was very much like that, I had a job and I thought, you know, I studied and thought this is where I was gonna go. And then I just kind of freed myself from that. But yeah, no, I was like, I just want to say yes to everything. And you know, when opportunities came up for different work, things, I just take them and see where it led me. And you know, that's how we got to the podcast and all these things. So I think it's really empowering when you just kind of let go of expectations of what you should be doing, especially in your 20s. You know, you don't have to stay in a relationship that you've been in since you're in high school, just because you've been together since high school and you think that you should. You know? You're staying in your hometown just because everyone lives there. I think just saying yes. And just, yeah, living your best life.
Madison Woolley
Living your best life, just having a balance. I just think what it is, like, you're meant to enjoy your 20s, so have fun.
Kaitlyn Rodriguez
Yeah. No pressure.
Madison Woolley
Get crazy.
Kaitlyn Rodriguez
Yeah.
Sally McMullen
We love to finish our episodes with a quick little game of pick your poison, which is kind of like a fancy version of this or that. So we'll give you gals a topic and then you tell us which which one you prefer.
Madison Woolley
Oh, this is fun.
Kaitlyn Rodriguez
I'm nervous.
Madison Woolley
Like we're in the hot seat.
Kaitlyn Rodriguez
I just watched Squid Game, so I'm like, "a game?"
Alex Hourigan
It is a wild time. Like I can't watch it too late because then I go to bed and I don't have like two hours, because I'm like, 'I'm awake'. I love all the TikToks that's like, if you were playing in Australia, it'd be like heads down thumbs up.
Madison Woolley
Oh, I saw that one! That was so funny.
Sally McMullen
Then the beep test! Anyway, so yeah, this is just like that.
Alex Hourigan
Don't look out for the snipers. It's fine.
Sally McMullen
Don't pay attention to that.
Alex Hourigan
Number one. We'll start with an easy one, pizza or pasta?
Kaitlyn Rodriguez
Pasta.
Madison Woolley
Pasta.
Sally McMullen
Dressing up or dressing down?
Kaitlyn Rodriguez
Down.
Madison Woolley
Up.
Alex Hourigan
Single life or relationships?
Kaitlyn Rodriguez
Relationships.
Madison Woolley
Relationships.
Kaitlyn Rodriguez
I didn't know where you- But also,
Madison Woolley
Hang on. Hang on. We could argue for, I, I like both. Both are important.
Kaitlyn Rodriguez
I had a longtime single but now I'm in a happy relationship.
Sally McMullen
So all right, vintage or designer?
Kaitlyn Rodriguez
What about vintage designer?
Sally McMullen
Yes, I love a loop hole! I love a loophole!
Madison Woolley
Designer, sorry basic.
Alex Hourigan
Natural makeup or full glam?
Kaitlyn Rodriguez
Natural.
Madison Woolley
Natural.
Sally McMullen
Winter or Summer?
Kaitlyn Rodriguez
Summer.
Madison Woolley
Summer currently, I used to be a winter gal, but feeling Summer.
Alex Hourigan
Last one, Kendall or Kylie?
Madison Woolley
Oh, Ky Ky.
Alex Hourigan
I think I'm a Kylie.
Sally McMullen
No, I would say Kylie's personality, Kendall style. I'll go for a loophole. Well, that is a wrap. Thank you so much girls for joining us, becoming our fourth broke chicks.
Kaitlyn Rodriguez
Ooh I like that! It's official, yay!
Alex Hourigan
We're all best friends!
Madison Woolley
Thank you so much for having us. This has been great.
Kaitlyn Rodriguez
This was our first ever time going on someone else's podcast, so thank you.
Madison Woolley
This was fun! You popped our cherry!
Kaitlyn Rodriguez
Yeah! Our like, pod-ginity or something.
Alex Hourigan
Hope you had lots of fun, lots of giggles.
Sally McMullen
Thanks again to Madi Woolley and Kaitlyn Rodriguez for joining us on the show today. Make sure to head to finder.com.au/two-broke-chicks for today's show notes and for the gals handles on Instagram. And of course, make sure to follow us on Apple podcasts and Spotify, show us some love wherever you listen to your podcast, chuck us a review. Thanks to our wonderful producer Pariya Taherzadeh and our pals at Bamby for editing another fab episode. And of course, follow us @twobrokechicks on Instagram and thanks for having us in your ear holes. once again.
Alex Hourigan
We love to be here.
Chuck us a follow
