Content Creation: Tips for Barbers on Instagram & TikTok

Can Content Creation Really Boost Your Barbering Career? Tips and Insights to Get You Started.

As a barber, your primary focus is on perfecting your craft and building relationships with clients. However, becoming a content creator allows you to share your expertise, showcase your skills to a wider audience, and create additional revenue streams. The question isn't just about choosing one path but understanding how content creation can enhance your barbering journey.

Balancing Barbering and Content Creation

One of the biggest challenges is finding the time to create content while working full-time as a barber. For me, content creation was a lifesaver that prevented burnout behind the chair. It provided an outlet to express creativity and connect with a broader audience, which reignited my passion for barbering.

Here’s some advice if you’re considering adding content creation to your skill set:

Why Do You Want to Create Content?

Start by asking yourself why you want to create content. For me, it was about building a portfolio and improving my photography and videography skills to showcase my work in the best light. I wanted to share my experience and talent with the world, and content creation was the perfect platform.

When you’re clear on your mission, whether it’s big or small, it becomes easier to stay motivated. You don’t need to see the entire picture right away; just focus on the next steps. Often, we overthink things, which leads to indecision. I’ve been there—my mind would wander to too many projects, preventing me from making progress where it mattered.

Embrace the Journey, Not Perfection

As creators and artists, we rarely have everything figured out from the start. The journey itself reveals your purpose and direction. Looking back, the only decisions that truly mattered were the ones I made in the moment. Before opportunities arise, you’re in preparation mode, building the skills you need for the next level. Embrace where you are, whether you’re just starting or further along, and trust that more growth is ahead.

The Power of Gratitude

“Gratitude is the greatest accelerator of success.” This quote resonates with me whenever I’m learning a new skill. In today’s social media-driven world, it’s easy to feel like you’re in a race to achieve success. But if you’re doing something you enjoy, why rush? Saturation is often used as an excuse when we’re not confident in our position. However, when you focus on work that matters, competition fades, and you find alignment in what you do because you love it.

Starting Content Creation Today

If I were starting today, here’s what I’d do differently, knowing what I know now:

1. Invest in Help or Time: If you’re financially able, invest in someone to shoot content for you. If not, carve out one or two days a week to develop your content creation skills. Time management varies among individuals, so find what works for you.

2. Trust Your Own Judgment: Don’t seek outside validation for your content. Your post’s performance will tell you if it’s good or not. Social media evolves rapidly, and with the right information, you can grow your presence faster than ever before.

3. Create What Matters to You: Don’t just mimic what’s trending. Focus on topics that excite you and align with your values. You’ll avoid burnout and have a richer pool of ideas to draw from.

4. Compete for Attention: Remember that you’re not just competing with other barbers, but with all the content online. Make your posts stand out by offering something unique—whether that’s a fresh perspective, high-quality visuals, or valuable insights. Capturing attention in the first few seconds is crucial, so think about what will hook your audience and keep them engaged.

Every successful content creator began with zero followers and likes. It’s easy to get discouraged when you’re starting out, but remember that growth takes time and consistency. Don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s success—focus on improving with each post, and keep showing up. Progress might be slow at first, but it’s those steady efforts that build a strong foundation for long-term success.

Here’s a slide from one of my presentations that you can use as a guide when you’re short on ideas:

Use this guide to spark inspiration, and start creating as soon as possible. Like perfecting a fade, content creation is a skill you develop through repetition.

Why Is Content Creation Important for Barbers?

1. Build a Personal Brand: Your content acts as an online business card, reaching more people than you could ever talk to in a day.

2. Expand Your Reach: Content creation helps you connect with potential clients and peers worldwide, establishing your reputation beyond your local area.

3. Diversify Your Income: Content creation opens doors to brand partnerships, sponsorships, and other revenue streams that complement your barbering career.

Is it okay to just be a barber? Absolutely. But incorporating content creation gives you an edge, helping you stand out in a crowded market.

What it has done for me

After diving into content creation, I’ve seen significant growth year after year. As I’ve built my skills and consistently put out quality content, it’s not just my audience that has grown—opportunities have too. When people see that you can create effectively for yourself, it acts as a business card for creating content for others and brands.

Being recognized as capable and skilled in content creation opens doors to collaborations, partnerships with people and brands. It’s proof of your ability to produce valuable content, making you a sought-after resource in the industry. The more you create, the more you’ll find that opportunities start to come your way.

Monetizing Your Social Media: Paid Posts, Brand Collaborations, and Pay-Per-View

As your social media presence grows, there are several ways to monetize your content. One common method is through paid posts, where brands pay you to feature their products or services. This can be a quick and straightforward revenue stream, especially if you have a substantial following.

Another option is brand collaborations, which involve a longer-term relationship. These partnerships can include multiple posts, product placements, or exclusive content creation, offering a steady income and a deeper connection with the brand.

Some creators also explore pay-per-view models, where you earn money based on the number of views your content receives. This can be harder to achieve since it typically requires a significant and engaged audience, but for some, it’s been a successful avenue. Whether you’re getting paid per post, building long-term collaborations, or earning per view, these options provide diverse revenue streams for barbers looking to expand their business through content creation.

Quick Tips for Using Content on Instagram and TikTok

When it comes to maximizing your content’s impact on Instagram and TikTok, understanding how each platform works is crucial.

Instagram: Hashtags aren’t as important as they used to be. They mainly help the platform categorize your content rather than boost your reach significantly. Instead, focus on crafting strong captions, using on-screen text, and incorporating relevant audio or dialogue. These elements improve your SEO rating on Instagram, helping your content reach a more targeted and relatable audience.

TikTok: On TikTok, hashtags still play a significant role. I recommend using about five hashtags that are directly relevant to your video. Additionally, talk about your video’s content in the actual video and pair it with a valuable caption and on-screen text. These strategies help TikTok correctly categorize your content and improve your reach, making it easier for your videos to connect with the right audience. On this platform, these elements feel more crucial for success.

Value can come in many forms—technical advice, emotional stories, spiritual insights, or simply sharing how you got started. Being just a page of haircuts isn’t enough to stand out today. Diversify your content and make it resonate with who you are and what you stand for.

Choosing Your Platform: Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube

When it comes to content creation, choosing the right platform is key. Each platform has its own strengths, audience, and style, and understanding these can help you decide where to focus your efforts.

When choosing your platform, consider what fits best with your personality and strengths. Some people are naturally better suited to the fast-paced, trend-driven world of TikTok, while others might thrive in the more polished, visual environment of Instagram, or the in-depth, community-building space of YouTube. Experiment with each to see where you feel most comfortable and where your content resonates the most.

Understanding the Learning Curve of Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube

Each platform—Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube—has its own unique learning curve, and understanding this can help you set realistic expectations and plan your content strategy effectively.

Understanding the learning curves of each platform can help you decide where to invest your time and energy. Whether you’re looking for quick engagement or building a long-term community, knowing what to expect will set you up for success.

Instagram:

• Moderate: Focus on mastering visual aesthetics and storytelling.

• Consistency: Regular posting and engagement are key to growth.

• Features: Learn to use on-screen text, captions, and audio effectively.

• Trends: Stay updated with the latest trends, but also mix in original content that reflects your unique style.

TikTok:

• Steep: Requires quick adaptation to trends and fast-paced content creation.

• Creativity: Spontaneous and authentic content performs best, along with original ideas that can set you apart.

• Algorithm: Understanding the platform’s unique culture and algorithm is crucial.

• Growth Potential: High potential for rapid growth with a mix of trending and original content.

YouTube:

• Steepest: Producing high-quality, longer-form, original content takes more time and skills.

• Consistency: Success depends on regularly delivering valuable, original content.

• Engagement: Building a loyal subscriber base is a long-term effort.

• Authority: Offers the opportunity to establish yourself as an expert in your niche through consistent, original content creation.

Do more short-form video before diving into long-form content

From my personal experience, it’s much easier to start with short-form video content, like what you create for Instagram Reels or TikTok, before diving into long-form content on YouTube. Short-form video teaches you how to capture attention quickly, convey your message efficiently, and engage your audience within a limited timeframe.

This is a great way to build your skills in storytelling, editing, and understanding what resonates with your audience. Once you’ve got a handle on short-form, transitioning to long-form content becomes less daunting because you’ve already developed a sense of pacing, engagement, and content creation that keeps viewers hooked. Start small, master the basics, and then scale up to more in-depth content.

I hope this information inspires you to get started or to push even harder than before. There’s so much opportunity out there, and it’s absolutely worth giving it a shot. Content creation has been a game-changer in my life, and that’s why I’m so passionate about sharing it with you. You’ve got this.

Wishing you an amazing week ahead, and I hope this gives you the kick start you need to move in the right direction!

Sof!