Written by: Jacqueline
Aruba-born Michael Fowler has taken the world by storm with his talent for content creation. But how did this former photographer become a sought-after creator in the digital space? His journey into the world of content creation began when his sister left a camera behind, and he started experimenting with photography. Since then, he has transitioned from being a wedding photographer to a full-time content creator, traveling to different locations, and working with clients across the globe.
Growing up, Michael was surrounded by art and technology, thanks to his mother's artistic inclinations and his father's expertise in technology. “I was raised in a family where my mother is on the artistic side and my dad is on the technology side and a little into the music side. I was always seeing my mom doing many various art projects. She draws, she sews, she paints & she makes jewelry. He dabbled in various art projects with his mother but didn't find anything that stuck with him.Later, when his sister left a camera behind, he started to pay attention to photography and learning about its technical and creative aspects.
TRANSITIONING INTO CONTENT CREATION
Before the pandemic, Michael was a full-time wedding photographer and commercial videographer. But when the pandemic hit, there was no movement in either of these industries. That's when Michael started experimenting with TikTok and learning about content creation. He was invited by the Croes Brothers to travel with them and got to see the full power of content creation and influencer marketing. Michael then focused on the psychology behind content creation and what keeps viewers engaged. "At that point, I was the creator making content for other creators, which was fun for me because I got to work with top influencers from a completely different country," says Fowler. "During that trip, I got to experience Cappadocia mornings with air balloons flying over us. Hotels with rooms from $5,000-$50,000 a night."
When Michael started creating content, people ridiculed him for it. He was overweight and didn't fully understand the potential of TikTok at the time. But he persevered and continued experimenting with his content. “ Since I was experimenting I made content that today I'm thinking, why did I do that? And also content that I am still proud and unable to recreate right now.”
His first real taste of content creation was when he was invited to work with other creators from the States to create content in Aruba. This experience opened his eyes to how content creation could be a job and a way to live life with no limits and pure fun.
THE POWER OF CONTENT CREATION
Fowler's experiences as a content creator have been nothing short of extraordinary. He has traveled to different locations and worked with top influencers, living life with no limits and pure fun. He experienced a creator house in Turkey, where he saw the ins and outs of content creation as a job and living from it.
Fowler went viral with a Turkish song called "Helicopter," and his content from the video got over 2 million views on different platforms, featuring other famous influencers. His stories of traveling, including being in a wheelchair, getting detained for a minute, and growing so much, are awe-inspiring.
LIONEL HARMS
LIONEL HARMS
Michael's classes on content creation in Aruba were a hit, and he believes that content creation has become an important part of modern marketing strategies. Companies that know how to leverage social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok can make a lot of money. “I gave classes because I was the guy making commercials before. But because of platforms like instagram reels and tiktok during the pandemic, people's attention spans generally became shorter. We want all the info in 3 seconds. You have 3 seconds to trigger someone's brain in either the educational, inspirational or entertainment space. Old school commercials heavily relied on people sitting and watching the tv. In between your favorite show you had no choice but to sit and watch commercials. But nowadays we have netflix, Iptv. And if there is a commercial break people go to their phones to social media. We are in a constant state of media consumption.”
Michael's top 3 tips for aspiring content creators are to concentrate on educating, entertaining, or inspiring, to not let other people's judgments determine their value, and to continue creating content no matter how bad it may seem.
My first night in turkey we went to a HUGE mansions with like 8 diff creators living in the same house all were ages 16-30 but they are living from this. they eat sleep breathe content. But in the mean time they get to live life with no limits and pure fun.
Michael is now dedicated to finding ways to make content creation work for him financially and using his network to collaborate with larger creators. He no longer fixates on being the best content creator in the spotlight but on being the go-to guy for great content.
Michael Fowler's journey from a photographer to a content creator is a testament to the power of perseverance and the potential of social media platforms. His story is an inspiration to anyone looking to explore their creativity.
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