Have Your Say: And Why it Matters

I’ve just finished reading “By Any Other Name,” by Jodi Picoult, a fictional story of how the many volumes of Shakespeare might not have been written by Shakespeare after all. Some might have been written by a woman. As someone who studied these plays as part of my English curriculum at Rhodes, it was a bit of a paradigm shift. But the more I read, the more it made sense.

Emilia Bassano back in the fifteenth century has some similarities with the modern content creators we are today. When she was able to watch one of her plays, she watched the audience. Would they be amused? Would they get the jokes? She noted how women recognized their own frustration in her story. Perhaps they would believe that they mattered more.

It was the headiest feeling, to think you might change the world under the guise of entertainment. (p282)

Today’s content creators know when their reel has done well if it is hit a nerve. It’s something that everyone is feeling and you have created the content that encapsulates that. Not only is it entertainment, but it makes you think.

Towards the end of this book, when Emilia is older and wiser, she notes:

She knew the difference between idealism and practicality; she knew that clinging to your principles did not put food on your table. And yet, she was a survivor. That was both the blessing and the curse of hope: it turned a weary why into a seductive why not. (p444)

Here was someone who had to be silent about who she was, just so that her words could have life. That’s how much she wanted to write.

I’m not a guru or some expert who makes a lot from blogging. It doesn’t put food on the table for me. Teaching does that. There will be times when I can make 9k in a month, and other months: nothing. It’s a side hustle that helps me.

But it gives me joy. I enjoy writing. I like creating a blog post, finding all the images and putting the whole thing together. I’m also learning how to do reels and trying to adapt to the new social media normal.

Another gift that SA Mom Blogs has given me is the value of connection. I’ve been able to talk to and feature many other bloggers, content creators and PR professionals giving their advice and expertise. And some of these people have become my friends.

I think that’s what really draws me back to having a summit again – interacting with the most amazing people.

My real aim this time round, though, is a more honest one. I’m not really doing it to make money. Last year, I just broke even.

The real aim is to learn something from the experts. If there’s even a few things I can learn, it will make a huge difference to me.

I think one of the most memorable moments for me, and something that I do keep thinking about in this space, is Aisha’s saying “I think the thing I’ve realised is, everybody has a story.” All of us content creators are telling a story, the trick is to craft it in a way that resonates with our audience.

Last time I learned more about Ruth’s SEO process and now I try and use some of those elements when doing a blog post. After interviewing Ryan I use his AI outline, keyword finder and other tools to be a better blogger. I can’t forget Jhene’s tips on not to mix brands, Teresa’s tips on how to take great food photos (no evening electric light!), Amanda’s encouragement to “Just Go For It,” Cindy’s reminder that people are actually put off by those who aren’t real, the importance of tapping into how people are feeling from Nuri, and making a simple content piece emotional from Cherise. Pure inspiration was also in attendance from Aisha, the importance of how each of us has a talent from Pearl and Helene’s story of how she started creating styling tips for moms (from a place of just feeling ugly).

What I’d like to know is: what would you like to know this time round? Who would you like me to interview?

I’d like to sort things into 3 categories:

Technical advice (e.g. Capcut/ Canva tutorials, photography tips, AI, video tutorials, SEO tips)
Social media growth (e.g. Instagram, TikTok, working with brands, successful influencers tips)
Beyond blogging (other ways to make money online, selling digital products, podcasting, motivational, time management)