The key behind Macy Blackwell’s 2.2M TikTok followers

You would possibly know Macy Blackwell from her Christmas and Halloween DIYs on social media.

“I love the type of content I post,” Blackwell, the Texas creator who has over 4 million followers throughout TikTok and Instagram, advised Mashable. “Before it was even its own niche, I was doing these things just for my own family. I’ve always been into decorating for the holidays. I’ve always loved to cook cute meals and seasonally themed items.”

She began creating movies about 5 years in the past, first on TikTok and in a while Instagram Reels, which is when she “was ready to make a go for it.” She had been posting images on her Instagram for some time, nevertheless it wasn’t till she determined to begin posting vacation DIYs that she determined to essentially leap into content material creation.

“It’s my true passion,” she advised Mashable. “I’ve almost never missed a day in the last five years for a video.”

Mashable chatted with Blackwell about her each day posting, how she works together with her husband to create grand patio shows, and why she loves the affiliate hyperlink influencer advertising platform LTK a lot.

How far forward do you need to plan for holidays versus simply common content material?

Very far forward, particularly when it is Halloween and Christmas. I have already got my Halloween village up in my lounge. I simply did it a number of days in the past. Since these are my two predominant holidays the place I actually go all out, I wish to give my neighborhood absolutely the most I can. So I begin actually early, that approach I do know they’re gonna get two to 3 months of a ton of content material, a ton of concepts, and a ton of worth. 

Do you keep in mind whenever you had your first viral video or submit?

I did this pumpkin arch on my entrance porch in 2021. I assumed it would be actually cute if I tossed this [pumpkin] up after which, once I caught it, there’d be a pumpkin arch behind me. And my husband and I — he helps me with the larger tasks — purchased all these pumpkins, we carved them, and constructed the arch. We not solely did the video I all the time attempt to do of a enjoyable, theatrical model with music and the vibes, however we additionally did a model that is a tutorial. Each of them simply exploded. 

I had 30,000 followers on the time, after which it went to 130,000 inside a few weeks. After which it simply stored going, and I spotted, “Wow, people love this. What else can I do?”

I did an enormous Christmas arch stuffed with ornaments. I dove deeper into the seasonal and the vacation content material as a result of I actually love that. That is my ardour. And I used to be like, “OK, other people love this too.” I take note of what went viral or what individuals have been loving and attempt to give them extra of that.

At what level did you notice that you might flip this right into a full-time profession?

It was in all probability in 2022, a couple of 12 months after I had my first viral video. It is very easy to go viral after which not make a profession out of it. It took a lot consistency over that 12 months, and at the moment, I had no supervisor or something but, so I used to be straight emailing with manufacturers backwards and forwards, attempting to even determine, like, how do I worth myself? As a result of it is a very gatekeeper-y trade, particularly 5 years in the past. There wasn’t as a lot schooling about what to do as a creator or the right way to go about this, and the way to not get taken benefit of. Then I acquired my supervisor, after which my husband left his job on the fireplace station. 

How did you determine the right way to worth your self earlier than you bought administration?

Trial and error. I might simply throw out a quantity, after which I spotted, “OK, all the brands are taking it easily, so maybe it was too low.” I had no pushback to start with. I used an affiliate hyperlink program, so I knew it was one thing that they wished me to promote. I may see how a lot I used to be promoting these objects, and I perceive {that a} model’s going to need constructive ROI, [so] I do know they’re going to pay me lower than what I can promote. I all the time knew I needed to promote greater than what I used to be asking for. 

So I began at that time after which would begin pricing myself a bit increased, and the entire time, my account continued to develop. I really feel like Reels have been taking off, every thing I posted would get tons of views [and] carry extra individuals in. It skyrocketed so quick. It was laborious for my mind to maintain up with the expansion.

How a lot did you make out of your first model deal?

My first time, I acquired paid about $75. I used to be so excited. That is going to be my job. I might’ve by no means imagined how massive this might get. I did not notice individuals have been making this sort of cash. I am so grateful that I get to do that as a job as a result of I actually find it irresistible, and it is wonderful.

Mashable Development Report

Are you able to inform me a bit about how you bought into affiliate linking?

I began sharing my outfits, and this was earlier than I began making video content material. I made positive my web page appeared like a blogger — at the moment, that is what we referred to as it. 

Gotta miss the blogger days.

I do know, I liked following bloggers. I utilized for LTK as a result of different influencers I favored have been utilizing that program, and so they appeared to achieve success from that. So I signed up for it too. 

Affiliate linking is an superior solution to begin build up your cash and begin incomes creator revenue.

The factor I like about LTK and affiliate hyperlinks is that you simply get to select the merchandise you wish to share. That is the distinction for me. With model offers, you select if you wish to align with and work with that model, however with affiliate hyperlinks, you might simply do that each one day with all totally different merchandise. You do not have to be one model particular. There actually are not any guidelines with affiliate hyperlinks.

You do not have to say sure key messaging or any of that. And that is what made LTK really easy to combine into my on a regular basis life. I may get up within the morning, present the pajama set I wore the evening earlier than, go all the way down to the kitchen, cook dinner breakfast, and present my little Tupperware set. In order that’s a great way to get began whenever you’re not on the level the place you are getting paid model offers but. Affiliate linking is an superior solution to begin incomes creator revenue. My husband had stop his job primarily based solely on my affiliate hyperlink revenue.

Actually?

This was earlier than I had any model offers, which got here a bit bit later. You blow up, after which it takes some time to get manufacturers to belief you. I did the most effective I may with what assets I had on the time. And on the time, we have been on a decent funds. I stayed at residence, and my husband was a firefighter.

What share do you get off an LTK?

The chances could be very small. The foremost retailers like Goal, Walmart, [and] Amazon could be as small as 1 p.c or 2 p.c. They convert extra simply as a result of everybody’s used to purchasing at Amazon. However many occasions, some manufacturers will provide 10 to 12 p.c on a fee. These manufacturers are usually smaller manufacturers.

What platforms have been most important to rising your viewers?

Positively TikTok. It began on TikTok. Secondly, it was Instagram Reels. Instagram took a bit longer for the video content material to catch on. These two platforms are actually the place I focus essentially the most since I do largely short-form content material proper now. I am not against dabbling in YouTube, however I do know it’s longer-form.

As a mother, how do you resolve what to share versus what to maintain non-public?

That may be difficult, and I do know it varies from individual to individual, however as soon as the youngsters have been beginning college, I spotted, “OK, I don’t want my brand to be dependent on my kids or on me being a mom because the kids are at school all day. They’re not here. They can’t really make content for me.” 

After which I used to be pondering of the lengthy sport, too. Like, they will develop up, they will go off to school or begin careers or no matter they wish to do, and it is simply gonna be me, and I am unable to have all my content material being kid-focused. So it has been simple to maintain a few of their lives non-public as a result of they don’t seem to be continuously in [my] content material.

My older daughter does not like to be in it as a lot as my youthful daughter. So if you happen to see her much less, it is simply because she mentioned, “I don’t feel like doing it.” I am like, “No big deal.” I allow them to resolve what they wanna do. In order that’s why 99 p.c of any of my sponsored content material is simply going to be me. As a result of in the event that they really feel like leaping in for a video, that is nice, nevertheless it’s by no means gonna be a compelled factor. And as I’ve grown, I am extra conscious of how a lot content material I put on the market, and so they’re getting older, and they need to have a bit little bit of privateness.

What number of movies do you find yourself posting every week? 

A minimum of seven every week. I all the time shoot for each single day to have a Reel and a TikTok going up, and typically, there will be two going up in someday. 

Are you able to stroll me by your creation course of?

Initially of the week, I’ll write out all of the concepts for movies I wanna submit. From there, I’ll order all of the objects I would like for that or make my grocery listing. If I am filming three days every week, I am doing movies on Tuesday, three movies on Wednesday, and two extra on Friday, or one thing. I divide it up. If I am filming on Tuesday, I’ll movie that video and edit it proper that afternoon. And that may normally be posted on Wednesday. 

It is simply me. That makes it very easy, as a result of I haven’t got a crew of individuals. I do have my administration, however they’re out in LA, and so they’re all digital, and so they assist with the model offers. However I do all of my very own content material. I movie myself, I edit myself, I submit myself. It is simply me. I prefer it like that as a result of I really feel like I could be actually mild on my toes and fast, and I am not counting on anyone else for assist. Now, if I get actual wild and I am identical to, “Oh my gosh, I have to do this idea right now,” I’ll inform my husband, “We have to go to the store. We have to go to Home Depot. We have to grab this.” After which we’re doing it that evening, and we’re posting it that evening. It relies on how excited I’m about one thing.

What do you employ to movie? 

I simply use my telephone. It is an outdated iPhone 13. I movie every thing on that. It is simply this and a tripod. And I’ve a janky ring mild from Amazon. It is labored for me up till this level. 

What do you employ to edit?

I take advantage of InShot.

In your telephone? 

It is an app on my telephone. I take advantage of the paid model, so there are not any adverts, and it isn’t annoying. I spotted I could not do it within the Reels app or the TikTok app. As soon as I began working with manufacturers, they wished to see previews, a duplicate of it with none textual content overlay. I wished to make a clear video after which have the ability to switch it to every platform individually and nonetheless have that uncooked copy. 

Do you again it up on a tough drive?

I save and simply hope for the most effective.

What recommendation would you give somebody who’s beginning out in content material creation and needs to construct a profession just like yours?

Attempt to lead with worth on your neighborhood. That is when issues shifted for me. I all the time take into consideration saves and shares. Create content material that folks will get enthusiastic about and wish to save or really feel so strongly about that they will share it on their Tales or ship it to their pals. Earlier than I submit something or create something, I feel, “Is this saveable? Is this shareable?” And create worth with that. I additionally assume it is essential to be as authentic as doable. 

Earlier than I submit something or create something, I feel, “Hey, is this saveable? Is this shareable?”

Decide a distinct segment that you simply completely love and are actually passionate [about]. It is essential to not leap onto no matter’s trending that month. If you need to, consider the way you need others to recollect you on the app and one thing which you could see your self doing 5 years from now, 10 years from now. At all times start with the tip in thoughts and take into consideration how your model will have the ability to develop over time, and guarantee that it really works for you.