Today we’d like to introduce you to Jaysen Headley.
Hi Jaysen; so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, how can you bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I am a content creator on Instagram and TikTok who creates short-form video content mainly focused on books, but I have explored all sorts of fun, nerdy topics. From a Doctor Who watch-along series to board game reviews to Disney films and parks to international haunted houses and more. I started creating content during the Covid lockdown in 2020 with a couple of book reviews on Tiktok and noticed that people were taking an interest and giving me tons of book recommendations to check out. Before I knew it, my tiny library of books had grown so big that I needed to purchase more shelves! Since then, I have expanded my content to many other areas. I’m always looking for new ways to capture moments from my life and introduce viewers to the list of things I enjoy doing, watching, and reading daily.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not always been a smooth road, but it’s always been exciting! One of the biggest challenges I, and many creators, the face is that algorithms on social media apps are constantly changing. Not only that, but our viewers are real people whose taste in content and what they want to see on these apps are always in flux. Because of this, finding ways to be me while always coming up with new ideas for content is always a challenge. It ends up meaning a lot of trial and error. Some days a video will connect with a huge group of people; other days, I’ll work on a video for hours only to have no one take an interest or even see it! One of the challenges of creating is always taking the good with the bad. And finding ways to stay excited about what we’re making rather than how well the content performs. I always remind myself that nothing else matters if I love reading the book and creating a video about it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My main focus from the beginning has always books and reading. I specialize in making funny, relatable content about nerdy obsessions. Whether I’m giving an in-depth review of a book or simply making fun of the everyday things we do every day as readers, like going to the bookstore for one book and walking about with ten, I always try to make my video filled with lots of energy and fun. Since starting my channels on Tiktok and Instagram, I’ve gotten the chance to include many things I love, from board games to television to video games and even my frequent trips to the local theme parks.
Honestly, I’m known for my sense of humor. Whether discussing readers and reading, unboxing a new board game, adventuring in the parks, or simply reacting to an episode of Doctor Who, I always hope that viewers leave my videos with at least a few laughs. I work hard to keep the books and media I consume and talk about on my page super diverse since I know my audience comes from all different backgrounds and from all over the world. I’m incredibly proud of the little community I’ve built online. Hanging out in my comments section is like a warm hug. Everyone is encouraging me and others looking to read more, play more and enjoy the nerdier things in life! I’m also proud to have cultivated a group of online friends who have now become real-life friends. I’ve never been part of a group that so actively and lovingly supports each other despite our differences, and I often say that the best thing to come out of all of this ‘internet fame’ is to have found these incredible humans.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting?
The number one thing I tell people asking me for advice is to develop a mission statement for your content. You never have to share it with anyone else, but it’s helpful to know. Ask yourself why you want to create content on the internet for others. It can be an insanely fun job or hobby, but it also has its hurdles and hard days. For someone who deals with anxiety and depression, creating content allows me to be joyful and share that joy with others. It’s a bit of time every day when I get to be unashamedly ridiculous. It’s my reminder to smile and laugh. It might be entirely different for you, and that’s okay! The point is, knowing why you want to create content helps keep you focused, and it also enables you to get through those more challenging days. I also tell everyone looking to be involved in online spaces to be safe and set boundaries. I know everyone says this, and it is a constant struggle. Still, it is essential advice for maintaining your mental health in any career or hobby, this one included! And, of course, don’t compare your success or failures to others.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://beacons.ai/ezeekat
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ezeekat/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ezeekat
- Youtube: http://youtube.com/ezeekat
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@ezeekat
