Samantha Harvey might have over 1.2 million followers throughout TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, however her journey hasn’t been all model journeys to Paris with Huda Magnificence and London staycations with Nars. Initially from Edinburgh, Harvey solely went on her first model journey — to Los Angeles with Sephora Assortment sprinkled with just a few Dolce and Gabbana magnificence occasions — simply six months in the past.
She launched her social media channels in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, and, as she places it, “things took off pretty quickly.” Since then, she’s constructed a loyal world following along with her make-up tutorials, dramatic magnificence appears, and very on-line persona. Beneath, Harvey answered a few of our greatest questions on how she grew so far, how she monetizes her content material, and the way she turned her make-up ardour into her dream profession.
How Sam Harvey will get all of it accomplished
Credit score: Jeffrey Hazelwood/Mashable Composite; Sam Harvey
Mashable: The place do you discover inspiration or concepts to your movies?
Samantha Harvey: There’s actually a lot that conjures up me! I do know it sounds kinda cliché, however I’m such a make-up lady at coronary heart — it’s significantly my completely satisfied place. Whether or not it’s a brand new product drop, a celeb make-up look, or some iconic popular culture second, I’m at all times soaking all of it in.
Like most of us, I’m chronically on-line, so I’m at all times scrolling TikTok to maintain on prime of tendencies. And Halloween!! It’s principally the make-up influencers’ Olympics. I’m that lady who begins planning her Halloween appears in July or August!
How lengthy did it take earlier than you noticed vital development in followers, and what methods helped you get there?
I used to be actually tremendous fortunate to begin my web page throughout lockdown, so issues took off fairly rapidly for me! I didn’t have a job on the time, so I simply threw myself into it fully. I’d be doing inventive make-up appears like three to 4 instances per week, leaping on each single pattern and viral audio.
I’ve at all times tried to get essentially the most out of every look, like I’ll movie a bunch of content material in a single go so I can submit extra persistently. That undoubtedly helped with development early on!
What was your first viral video or submit, and the way did it change your method to content material creation?
My first viral submit was really a make-up transition video on TikTok! That type of turned my factor after that — it’s what individuals began to acknowledge me for, so it actually helped me work out what sort of content material I ought to lean into.
At what level did you understand you can flip your content material right into a full-time profession and generate revenue from it?
Once I first began, I had no concept really become profitable from the content material I used to be posting. I used to be actually simply doing it for enjoyable for, like, the primary 12 months! So when a administration staff reached out and advised me this might really be an actual profession, it was such a game-changer. It significantly modified my entire life!
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How did you get your first model deal? How did that differ from the way you come by model offers right this moment?
I nonetheless bear in mind how excited I used to be when a small lash model DM’d me providing free lashes in change for content material—it felt like such a giant deal on the time! Now, all my model offers both come by way of my administration or instantly from manufacturers desirous to collaborate. My supervisor and I’ve a long-term technique the place we deal with working with manufacturers I genuinely love and already use, so every thing stays tremendous genuine.
How do you become profitable out of your content material, and what monetization strategies do you employ?
Most of my revenue comes from model offers and partnerships, however I additionally make a bit from YouTube AdSense and the TikTok Creator Fund on the facet.
When did you are feeling such as you “made it” as a content material creator, if in any respect?
Being a part of the first-ever Huda Magnificence influencer marketing campaign was majorrrr, like such a surreal second!! I’ve seemed as much as so most of the creators in that area since I used to be a teen, so being acknowledged and really working alongside them was actually a dream come true.
And actually, there are days I’m doing my make-up, filming content material, and I simply cease, like… OMG, I actually get to do that for a residing. I get to play with blush and lip gloss and name it work?! It’s kinda iconic.
Which platforms have been most vital in rising your viewers and why?
TikTok was 100% the platform that helped me develop the quickest — it’s simply a lot simpler to go viral and attain new individuals on there. However actually, I really feel like Instagram is simply as necessary for me. The viewers there feels a bit extra loyal and constant, like my actual day-ones.
I’ve additionally simply began branching out into some long-form YouTube content material, which has been so good. It offers me area to truly chat and lets individuals get to know me on a extra private stage, not simply the glam facet!
Are you able to stroll me by way of your workflow from ideation to publishing a submit?
Not gonna lie, I’m undoubtedly not essentially the most organized content material creator on the market. However I do attempt to sit down at first of every week and replace my record of concepts, whether or not it’s new tendencies, merchandise I’m loving, or requests from my followers.
I’m not likely into scripting my content material both. I really feel like I work method higher after I simply sit down, vibe, and drift. I attempt to batch-film after I can, however I’m not the quickest with regards to filming, in order that half is usually a little bit of a battle generally.
I edit every thing on CapCut, and if I’m being actually up to the mark, I’ll really schedule my posts forward of time. However let’s be actual — more often than not I’m scrambling to complete modifying so I can submit at a very good time.
What recommendation would you give to somebody beginning out in content material creation right this moment, seeking to construct a profession and develop their following?
Discover what you’re keen on doing and simply go for it! Follow, keep constant, and please don’t stress over likes and views. And significantly, don’t let the concern of being “cringe” cease you!! I’ve undoubtedly felt that method, however belief me: it’s completely fantastic to really feel awkward in entrance of the digital camera (I nonetheless do generally). Pushing by way of that cringe is actually what helps you develop!
