Biggest Challenges Faced By An Independent Media Professional
Willa's biggest challenge as an independent media professional is overcoming "mental blocks" and building an online presence that aligns with their service-oriented work, relying instead on word-of-mouth referrals. The difficulty lies in trusting their work's value, accepting imperfections, and navigating the personal aspects impacting their ability to engage, highlighting the internal struggle to balance self-belief with the demands of a freelance career.
Overcoming Challenges, Mental Health, Self-Doubt, Building Confidence, Online Presence
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Willa Cutolo
Independent Media
Independent Organization
UCLA
N/A
English, Writing & Education, English
Arts, Entertainment & Media
Operations and Project Management
Scholarship Recipient, Pell Grant Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, LGBTQ, First Generation College Student
Video Highlights
1. Building a successful online presence for service-oriented work can be challenging and requires a different approach than simply relying on social media.
2. Overcoming self-doubt and mental blocks is crucial for success. Trusting in one's abilities and the value of one's work are key factors.
3. Maintaining a strong support system is important, but ultimately, self-belief and the ability to manage one's mental health are essential for navigating challenges in a freelance career and pushing through creative blocks.
Transcript
What is your biggest challenge in your current role?
One of the most challenging aspects of this work has been pushing through the mental blocks I encounter. I tend to get in my own way, and recently, that's manifested as struggling to figure out how to establish an online presence.
Many people automatically assume social media is the primary way photographers find work and clients. While that's true for some types of photography, my work is more service-oriented, and word of mouth is my biggest asset. I'm very fortunate and grateful for the clients, friends, and loved ones who recommend me for opportunities.
Despite that, I still want an online presence. However, there's no one to guide me on what to post or what to keep private. Ultimately, I have to push through my own reservations.
It's vital for me to remember that my work is valuable and to trust the positive responses I receive. This can be tough, but it's the hardest part of the job. Everything else is fairly straightforward, except for dealing with myself and my mental health.
External factors in my life directly affect my capacity to engage in my work. I can't rely on anyone else to be me. Thankfully, I have a great support system, and my girlfriend is phenomenal.
She's always willing to help when she can, but she can't do the really difficult internal work for me. This includes trusting myself and reminding myself that it's okay to make mistakes and present myself imperfectly. These are things I have to do myself, and that's the toughest part.