It has become one of the most sought-after careers all over the world and all it takes is a phone, a ring light and appealing, unique content. Within months, you can go from 12 followers to millions, and with that, start making money from your social media.
Whether it is on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or TikTok, there is money to be made as an influencer.
One of the people who's found this out is Sima Mangolwane (21), a South African TikToker who has not only found a niche online but who made a career out of content creation.
With over 1 million followers on Tiktok, she's built a strong fan base, all from her gift of making people laugh.
Sima was recently trending after her YouTuber, rapper boyfriend Ghost Hlubi, real name Khanya Hlubi, revealed on his page that he bought her a brand-new Mercedes Benz.
She tells us how she got into the business of content.
When she first started in 2020, she wanted to make videos for fun and two years later she has found a way collaborate with big brands and monetise her craft.
The social media star is doing her third year in Public Management at Varsity College and she's a popular TikToker.
“I didn’t think content creation would a profession, I started making TikTok videos and they started booming and eventually my brand grew, and I started getting approached by brands that wanted to work with me. Making money was never the initial plan but I see that I can make a living out of it.”
The young content creator says that she is amazed at where her content has taken her. She recently attended the SAMA’s and she says that she can’t believe that this is her life.
“I am still in shook at where I am in life, I’ve always known that at some point I would be a public figure, but I thought it would be through Instagram. I am grateful for the opportunities I have received and the ones that are to come.”
She believes that there are many possibilities for the youth outside of traditional careers and she encourages people to explore their talents.
“I know parents don’t want their kids on social media. My parents were also not really into me being active on social media. I believe that if we show our parents what we would do and how much we’re making, they would be more supportive.”
Being a TikToker comes with its fair share of online hate and having to constantly read the negative things people say about her and her relationship gets to her at times, Sima says. But she’s found a better way to deal with the negative noise and that is to turn it into content so that followers can laugh.
Read more | Meet Thabo Mamase, the romantic Bolt driver whose relationship advice is making him SA’s own Agony Uncle
“I’m still trying to find my feet in the industry, I don’t believe that I am this big. It’s a lot, there’s a lot of hate and there are people that think they run your life because they see you on social media. I create content out of the negativity. I turn lemon into lemonade.
“I have a particular lifestyle for myself and my kids one day and that keeps me going. I don’t want my kids to face any struggles I have [dealt with]. I am working towards where I want to be in the next few years and it's definitely not in an office.”
In a recent YouTube video on his channel, Ghost Hlubi posted that he bought Sima her dream car, which is a Mercedes Benz and the two were trending on social media with many questioning the authenticity of the video.
“He did buy me the car. Being with him has expanded my brand immensely. He is an amazing person, and he is very supportive. People are always creating rumors; our relationship shakes a lot of people.”
Sima says that people should take a chance on themselves and start doing the things that scare them.
“Do what you love and try to go out of your comfort zone. You could really grow from that space and become a success.”
