In a world accustomed to instant gratification, Sophie advocates that aspiring social media enthusiasts prioritize commitment and take the first step without overthinking unnecessarily. She poses her own career as a testament to the limitless opportunities that a career in social media can offer.

Sophie Annaston reverse engineered her personal brand, working backward from her desired outcomes to identify the steps and strategies needed to achieve them. Identifying her goals and target audience with a business plan, content strategy and offer in advance allowed her to begin monetizing as soon as she started gaining traction on social media.

According to Sophie, the first step in pursuing a career in social media is to just start, instead of planning how to start. “Not everyone has clear goals from the beginning and goals often change over time. I use my own overthinking as a creative approach, but for many people it can be paralyzing.”

She adds thinking of your future self is crucial for avoiding the allure of instant gratification that can hinder and delay your ultimate life goals. Immediate gratification is often elusive when building a career in social media. Success in the realm of social media typically requires consistent effort, patience, and a long-term perspective.

When pursing a career in social media, it can be advantageous to experiment with different strategies, platforms and content types. This allows you gain valuable insights into what resonates with your skills and interests and also provides a well-rounded understanding of the dynamic social media landscape.

Social media platforms are a rented space. Relying solely on one social media platform can be risky, as algorithms, user preferences and platform policies can change unexpectedly.

To build a more resilient and diverse online presence, it’s advisable to establish a presence on multiple platforms as Sophie has. This not only mitigates the risk of dependence on a single platform but also allows you to reach a broader audience and adapt to shifting trends in the social media landscape. Diversification ensures that you have a more stable and sustainable digital footprint for your personal brand. The same approach applies to income. Sophie has multiple income streams, including YouTube ad revenue, affiliate marketing, brand partnerships and endorsements, exclusive content and digital/physical products.