Erica Barry Discusses Her New Book: Don’t Wait, Create: How to Be a Content Creator in the New Digital Revolution
What do Justin Bieber, Lilly Singh, and Andy Samberg have in common? They all launched their careers by creating content online.
Author Erica Barry has been a media strategist, entertainment industry professional, writer, and digital content creator. She studied economics and media studies at Pomona College, where she discovered her passion for media, entrepreneurship, and representation.
“I believe that the global pandemic accelerated the evolution of the entertainment industry and created new markets for alternative, self-produced content, and the Golden Age of Content Creation is just beginning,” says Erica.
The book provides a roadmap for content creators who want to get their stories out as well as describes the journeys of successful digital pioneers like Bo Burnham, Chloe Fineman, Jimmy Tatro, and others.
“We are currently living in the Golden Age of Content Creation because technology affords us unprecedented opportunities to engage, communicate, and share our stories with the world.”
Erica explains, “In the past, the content we consumed, the celebrities we admired, and mainstream pop culture as a whole were defined largely by invisible gatekeepers, and the popular visual media space was shrouded in mystery and exclusivity.”
Erica emphasizes that content creators today can take advantage of a radically different environment to leverage their creative visions: “Although many of us are content creators in some capacity, we have not fully realized our potential or grasped the power, influence, and responsibility associated with this role. We are currently living in the Golden Age of Content Creation because technology affords us unprecedented opportunities to engage, communicate, and share our stories directly with the world,” she says.
Don’t Stop Posting
One of the biggest pieces of advice Erica gives aspiring creators is to simply start creating.
“You need to start creating content. For a creator, failure is an inevitable part of the artistic process. Your first videos will be buggy, and they will probably not be viral successes, but that is the only way to learn and find your niche.”
What else is essential to effective content creation? Erica states, “Don’t give up. Evaluate your personal circumstances and give yourself a specific amount of time. For instance, three months, six months, or even one year that you will dedicate to content creation. If things aren’t working out during that time, reevaluate your plan and pivot your strategy, but don’t stop posting.”
For more information on Erica Barry’s work in the digital media landscape, visit www.ericabarry.com. Don’t Wait, Create: How to Be a Content Creator in the New Digital Revolution is scheduled to be published by New Degree Press on August 30, 2021.
