CConversations: Jade Farhat, Content Creator

In this CConversation we discuss a range of topics with Jade Farhat, a Toronto-based Content Creator.

From her personal brand to diversifying content creation to managing creative endeavors while working a full-time job, Jade and I chat about it all!

Around three years ago Jade started her blog itsjadefarhat.com to document her life and Crohn's disease journey. Over those years, her brand has evolved and expanded across various social platforms. Currently, Jade uses these platforms to express herself in diverse ways. This includes an Instagram account where she shares snippets of her daily life, a website where she shares blog posts, a Youtube channel where she vlogs, and a TikTok account where spontaneity plays a large part in her content. In addition to building her own brand as a lifestyle blogger, Jade works full-time at HelloFresh as a Social Media Coordinator. She demonstrates that you can do it all without sacrifice!

Jade became part of the CCommunity earlier this year when she utilized our Moodboard Exploration templates (linked here on her blog). Jade's testimonial shared that creating a moodboard and using Moodboard Exploration 001 really helped her de-stress because she was able to just create and put all her ideas onto the sheet. As someone that is busy and engaged in multiple creative endeavors while navigating and sharing content across various platforms, I was keen to understand how Jade would describe her personal brand in three words. The result was: Personal, Candid, & Evolving. Jade described a bit more about each one and how it relates to her brand.

Personal:

“I debated whether to use the word ‘personal’ because I am unexpectedly private on my social media channels. I started my blog to share my experience with Crohn’s disease and when I started to gain a following on Instagram, I steered away from the Crohn’s subject and focused more on other aspects of my life. I am back to being open about that HUGE part of me, and try to be as personal with my audience as possible while still keeping boundaries.”

Candid:

“I see and hear of many creators editing their photos and stories for hours, 90% of my content is honestly taken the day I post it - the other 10% are campaigns that I need to get approval for. That's where the candidness of my brand comes into play.”

Evolving:

“Like any creator in this industry, you have to continue evolving, you can’t keep posting the same stuff. A recent goal of mine is to grow my following on TikTok which involves taking more videos vs. photos.”

When asked about brand wellness Jade expands on her passion for self-care and how a recent partnership (F45) has supported this wellness routine. “I absolutely love how I feel after each class, I go early in the morning so that I can get back home in time for work and the rest of my day”. The authenticity of this partnership allows Jade to continue to create space for other collaborations that align with her brand values. There is significance in this strong sense of ownership and control for the content she creates. “Enjoying what I do is also a key to my personal brand’s wellness, I blog and share my life because I enjoy it, not for the free stuff or anything else. I genuinely like it and it doesn’t feel like a chore or work. Having support from my family and my boyfriend (AKA my photographer lol) is also huge. Just knowing that I am set up for success and I am so lucky to be in this industry also motivates me a ton.”

Jade’s genuine passion and experience working on both sides of the business solidifies her influence and understanding. But how does she manage her creative endeavors while working a full-time job? I was keen to hear Jade’s tips for female entrepreneurs who would like to follow a similar path. “It’s not easy! I think the biggest reason as to how I am successful in doing so is my love for both my jobs. I do consider content creating a full-time job. I work as a Social Media Coordinator as my 9-5 and to some extent my jobs do overlap. I started off wanting to showcase fashion and while I do have a passion for fashion, it isn’t what I wanted to do with my (small) platform. I love showcasing my life.”

When discussing saturation in the creator industry, Jade is clear that before you dive in feet first, it’s important to know that followers, brand deals, and likes don’t happen overnight - be committed and patient! This commitment to remaining consistent is supported by the type of content Jade produces and allows for success in both her full-time job and with content creation. “I have always loved watching girls show what they do in a day and I always found it fascinating. Because I share my day-to-day life, I find it easier to keep up with my Instagram.” This is a great perspective for those trying to launch themselves in the creator industry without leaving the security or experience of a full-time job. To stand out in an industry with a lot of noise, Jade shares some of her tips for creating content. “I feel like, during the pandemic, girls started blogs to fill a void. While I wish them all the best and I am happy more people are joining the industry, I have been at this for around 3 years now. It has always been on the back burner for me because I was in school and I was still deciding what kind of content I wanted to post. It wasn’t until I moved into an apartment on my own (1.5 years ago) that I started to create content I loved - and content I felt proud posting. Because I have been at it for a while I would say that my biggest tips are: stay consistent and post stuff you love. Don’t just follow trends.”

As someone who’s been involved in the industry for years, Jade can reflect on the purpose and evolution of her own content. Expanding on the transition of her social media, Jade shares that her account has transitioned to “pictures of things I am doing vs. doing things to take pictures”. “If you scroll down my Instagram, it was insanely obvious that I was copying other girls and just trying to do what they were doing. It wasn’t original. I was growing so slowly until I posted things I loved. My favourite concept has been my  “day in the life” posts. While I probably didn’t start those, I didn’t see anyone else do them. I randomly got the idea to do it one day and my followers loved it.”

This is the magical part of her spontaneous, unforced, raw content as she continues to build her dedicated community online. We can all learn from Jade’s evolving personal brand and perspective of the influencer industry. From the strong sense of her own brand to managing various creative endeavours while working a full-time job, Jade leads with authenticity and a strong sense of candidness always.

Find Jade Farhat on Instagram @itsjadefarhat and www.itsjadefarhat.com.