Tik Tok currently has over 1 Billion users, making it not only one of the most popular apps in the world but also one of the most popular apps in history. Many apps you see on the front page of Google Play or the Apple App Store are doing something right to earn their place at the top. 

Having such a massive reach has it’s advantages. Tiktok’s popularity is symbiotic, when you are known as a “Tik Tok star”, companies like Dunkin, Starbucks, Walmart, Cadillac and more multi billion dollar businesses are knocking on your door looking to strike a deal for mutual benefit. Basically, Tiktok gives you a platform to gain popularity, and in return you drive more revenue and attention to the app itself.

Tik Tok gives younger people another platform, like YouTube, to express themselves. That being said, stardom on such a world famous app can have it’s dangers. No matter how silly, vulgar, or inappropriate content is, if it’s popular, the general public will drive up the hits for it. Popular content is not always the mark of good art, so putting in effort to create this material can come at a cost. Most influencers and online professionals will tell you the same thing “it’s much more work than you think it is”. 

Because of Tiktok analytics and other social media platforms methods, you have to constantly be pushing out content to stay relevant in an incredibly fast paced, changing digital landscape. Tik tok videos are usually short,  so creating 1 video week or month simply won’t cut it. If you end up striking it big on the platform, no matter how many views you got the first time won’t last long. You’ll need to create dozens of videos every week that pertain to your audience. This takes an understanding of target market, analytics and their relevance for sponsorship deals with large companies, and how to gain a following as well as maintain it.

All of these strategies take tremendous effort, skill, and planning. It’s important to remember the power an app like Tik Tok has, while respecting that even the stars have to work hard to stay relevant, no matter the content.

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Whenever you decide to pursue a creative career on the digital landscape, there are a few questions you need to ask yourself.

1. What audience am I trying to reach? Your audience will be important for your success, as they are the ones driving up your views and engagement on your posts. Analyze your targeted audience, what age are they? Gender? Their interests? Why would they watch your content? How long is the average attention span for someone in your target audience? Would they follow other social profiles of yours? How likely is this type of audience to share your content with others?
2. What kind of effort will it take to produce quality content? Phones are capable of pretty amazing footage, but they still aren’t professional cameras. Simple technology such as ring lights, blogging equipment, and USB microphones are cost efficient and easy to use, but it’s important to first question how much effort it will take to produce the content before diving into what can be a time consuming project. Are you looking to do graphics? Quick edits? How much time will it take to record one video? Edit one video? The more elaborate the editing in the video, the more time consuming the process will be. 
3. Is it worth it? All of us have lives, families, and unique situations that affect our schedule in some way. Bills, responsibilities and commitments all cost us money and time, so we need to think of the payoff in each job we take on. Most jobs in the professional world, including digital media, have a pretty straight forward pay schedule and rate. Creative endeavors though, are a different story. Think about your schedule, and the time you’d need to sacrifice to achieve a potential career as a YouTuber and Original Content Creator. Will the payoff be worth it? Especially given there is no guarantee of any payoff at all? If you have time and money that can be sacrificed without negatively affecting your life, then it may be worth it. 

Creative endeavors do have their benefits if they work out. Being your own boss, making money off of something you enjoy doing, and getting to set your own schedule just to name a few. That being said, understanding the risks and commitment is just as important to the process. Make sure you have a plan before delving into the world of original digital content, as your careers success depends on organization and implementation.

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Social media brought forth an entirely new era, one that made stars out of people making silly, ridiculous and original content on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitch, and more. Celebrities have been quoted as saying their job is to be famous, Kim Kardashian being one of the most well known examples of somebody who sells different kinds of perfume and clothing just by having their name attached to it. Similar to a “brand” like Gucci, where you pay for the name and not for the product itself, “Social Media Influencers” have become the new Kardashians. 

Some of the most famous YouTube stars started in the early days, with the members of SMOSH creating an original video to the theme of “Mortal Combat” which ultimately pulled in millions of hits. However, Social Media Influencers were those who didn’t need to create creative digital content to become known. Many of them employed specific techniques used by marketing agencies and PR companies for ages. They played on the masses wants and needs similar to what you see in commercials. This included influencers who posed like models, talked like models, and their pictures were taken by professionals. 

Eventually, the masses become attracted to these stars. Many of them posing in clothing by companies such as Adidas or Fashion Nova. When their marketing techniques succeeded, with careful postings during peak times on Instagram and strategic hashtags, these companies flocked to them realizing there was a massive opportunity to reach their followers. Larger companies who use influencer based marketing would ask these up and comers to model their clothing, perfume, beauty products and even show off the “effects” that the products had in improving their lives. 

This new industry became known as the “Influencer Marketing” business. Social Media has done incredible things for individuals who otherwise would have no audience. With hashtags placed in certain posts, doing specific poses, and at carefully researched times, individuals could rack up the hits and follows in a matter of hours. As we’ve seen with Social Media, good or bad, a post can get massive attention if the right audience is drawn to it all at once. Now, schools are offering courses that include these specific marketing techniques, and the media industry has been forever changed by this new, but remarkably powerful and influential platform.

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Gaming has been around for over 30 years, but it’s popularity and integration into mainstream media has gained a very recent footing. Originally, it was the developers of games who made all of the money in the industry, but now gamers can make millions simply playing the games for a live audience. 

With this new booming industry, it needed a partner to bring it to fruition. Previously, companies like Razer and Corsair reigned as kings in gaming product sales. After the realization that the gaming industry would be stretching to live streaming, multimedia companies took advantage of that spike. Companies that produced video tools such as Canon, Panasonic, and Elgato wanted to develop gaming compatible live streaming devices such as game capture tools, easy to use 4K DSLR cameras and live stream switcher boards for at home use. Other companies such as Sony and Beyerdynamic started creating gaming headsets and live stream setup packages for high end audio quality.

The industry has expanded to become one of the most profitable behind music and movies, but even their celebrities have gained popularity that could rival the top Tik Tok, Instagram and media stars.

Markiplier gained notoriety because of his unique voice and his particular brand of commentary, however, most critics originally weren’t keen on his content as it was just “a dude playing video games”. Now having one of the most popular YouTube channels with over 20 million subscribers, sponsors are banging down his door trying to get in on the lucrative advertising potential. Charitable organizations also see his potential, as his live streams are so popular that doing a live philanthropic event where the streamer collects donations have totaled over $3 million.

Even the most respected organizations in media have recognized streamers on their popularity, as TIME Magazine named Pewdiepie one of “The World’s Top 100 Most Influential People” in 2016. He is YouTubes #1 creator, has over 95 million subscribers, and has been described as being a major influence on the gaming industry with some indie developers crediting him with increasing their sales. 

With any popular media, there will always be those that view a specific industry with disdain and refuse to understand and analyze why it gained so much notoriety. For anyone, especially in the multimedia/broadcasting industry, gaming is a business that cannot be ignored due to its massive profit, influence, and opportunities.

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Ethernet over WiFi: Ethernet cables are designed to take a network signal from a router/modem and plug it directly into a laptop or computer. This signal is much more secure, and faster. Usually, you need to be closer to your router/modem in order to get the most out of your internet speed, but an ethernet cable removes this issue entirely. With an ethernet cable, your direct connection can make your internet much faster, more secure, and prevent drop outs from happening as frequently. 

ISP’s will limit your Download/Upload Speed: Your Internet Service Provider will usually have prices set on how much they allow for your Download/Upload Speed. If you notice your connection is slow, you can always do a test on https://www.speedtest.net/ to find out what your limits are for speed. Contacting your ISP (Internet Service Provider) can be beneficial to learning what deals are out there for increasing your internet speed. 

Know the Different Types of Internet: With the internet, from slowest to fastest, there is Dial Up, Satellite, DSL, Cable, and Fiber. Each one of these types of internet has their own unique features that can affect their speed. When searching for different ISP, it’s also important to note what type of services they can provide. Fiber Optics is extremely fast, but currently has limited availability due to it being a newer technology. DSL is usually cheaper than Cable or Fiber, but it can’t offer the same speeds. It’s best to think about what exactly you’re trying to do with your internet access before deciding on a package. 

Understanding the Requirements of What You’re Streaming: How many people in your household use the WiFi? What is everyone trying to Stream? Are you trying to Stream 4k video or use a new HD Webcam for video conferencing? Your WiFi can only handle so much at one time, as things such as video conferencing, streaming a movie, and live streaming a video game or podcast all take up bandwidth. 

Before deciding on how you can upgrade your internet, first think about what you are using it for. In a world of advanced technology that is improved every year, knowing your options and how you can improve your own household tech is half the battle!

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With that comes the “boom” of new positions available for multimedia specialists, more specifically for the new positions in E-Learning. Thousands of businesses across the country rely on digital media to increase employee engagement, not only in their everyday work life but also in training for new systems, technology, processes and HR related issues. 

It’s important to note that E-Learning materials rely heavily on the skills of multimedia specialists. After all, those same materials are usually presented in the form of graphics, video, audio and more. As the communications business begins to grow, it starts to create symbiotic relationships with other industries. In fact, this growth and expansion has been quite profitable for both E-Learning and Multimedia. The E-Learning market is expected to reach $398.15 billion by 2026. 

This surge in demand has created job opportunities for those versed in media such as videographers, voice over artists, graphic designers, audio producers, and more. Those skilled in the communication arts are beginning to realize the broad opportunities available to them, however, these opportunities only present themselves when professionals are willing to expand their horizons and create/develop out of their comfort zone.

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Throughout the years, most people are burdened with distance between them and their loved ones, co workers, or cut off from the rest of the world because of their location. Social Media was a saving grace, allowing users to share photos, videos, music, and messages instantly from around the world. Social Media can grant an individual incredible power that can be used for good or evil, with the ability to post a hateful comment anonymously or support a stranger going through a difficult situation. 

With billions of eyes glued to their phones, Social Media became one of the most popular platforms for the arts, entertainment, businesses and individuals looking to spread their message to the world. When Facebook reached 1,000,000 users in 2004, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg was concerned about advertising on what would become one of the top social media apps too early. He would wait a year until letting the first ad run on Facebook in 2005. As Facebook users grew, so did the frequency of ads. In 1 year, the ad revenue grew to $60 million, and in 2016, apps like Facebook and Instagram made Billions in ad revenue. 

Social Media has undoubtedly become one of the top contenders for advertisements. Companies are always looking for new opportunities to advertise their products, so when Social Media gained so much popularity these same companies saw a brilliant opportunity: to advertise right in the palm of a user’s hand. Televisions, radio,  and other broadcast formats require a stereo or cable connection to view and listen too. Social Media has the advantage of being available on smartphones, which in the age of 2020 are used by almost everyone in America. 

Now more than ever it’s important to note the potential of Social Media Marketing. Dozens of educational institutions have created Social Media Marketing Degrees, courses, and certification programs. Businesses like Walmart, Target, H&M, and Kohls have created entire departments dedicated to the pursuit of Social Media Marketing campaigns. With the power to advertise right on a device that has become a necessary technology in recent years, professionals who learn skills that help them market on social media have grown in demand exponentially.

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Searches have increased for professional opportunities that are not only safe, but profitable enough to help a family thrive. With #WFH (Work From Home) becoming one of the most popular hashtags on Instagram and Twitter, it’s no surprise that many are flocking to industries like coding and web design especially with an estimated 36.9 Billion in profit for 2020.

This type of work can be done from home, including communicating with clients, collaborations with colleagues and supervisors, and the actual workflow. Many have come up with searches on “Web Development” when exploring new WFH opportunities but are unsure where to start. It’s best to understand the basics before diving into this lucrative and thriving industry.

Think of Web Developers as the architects of a company’s website. They build, design, and update the look and functionality of the site to ensure anyone accessing it is pleased to see how easy it is to navigate, use, and look at (looks do matter after all). Roles of a Web Developer are split into two categories, front end and back end. The front end developer handles the look and feel of the website. They are always up to date on current trends, for example, Apple is a front runner and has been for decades when it comes to great web design. Their “Minimalist” approach to the look of their website has become a staple in modern day web design. Letting the products and contect speak for itself by outlining them, rather than distracting the eyes with fancy graphics that have nothing to do with the product itself. The back end developer handles the data and heavy coding and is considered the “Engineer” to the “Architect”. They make sure that the programming suits the needs of the company, keep up the web servers and make a seemingly random assortment of letters and numbers in a program like Javascript turn into computer magic.

Both the Front End and Back End developers use some kind of programming language like Python, HTML, MySQL, CSS so although the designers are using code, they didn’t just learn every language at once. They learned, practiced and applied them all one at a time as any great future developer does. Learning these languages comes with time, patience, and a strong passion for the craft. These languages have been mastered by many professionals, and those professionals have even helped to create schools and programs to teach and guide others on how they can master the craft of web development too.

2020 has brought forth so many surprises, both good and bad, it has taught us more about ourselves through quarantine, survival instincts, and more importantly, what we are truly passionate about. The Web Development industry is made great by individuals who are truly passionate about the craft.

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