Want to Reinvent Yourself on Social Media? Here's What You Should Know

If you’ve clicked on this article, there’s a good chance you’re a content creator who feels stuck.

Maybe you’re no longer passionate about the type of content you’re creating. Or have decided to take a totally different approach. Maybe you’ve even decided you want to ditch your entire brand and start from scratch.

Going back to the drawing board may seem daunting, but it’s worth it in the long run. In fact, reinventing yourself is the first step toward building a rewarding and authentic career that is aligned with your unique identity.

We’ve gathered everything you need to know about successfully reinventing yourself on social media, including some real-life examples of creators who have won big from clever brand transformations.

Reinvention isn’t about having an identity crisis

There are many reasons why creators may choose to ditch their current identity and take a different path. Which reason do you relate to?

• – Your online identity no longer aligns with your values
• – You want to move into a new industry
• – You want to connect with different brands
• – You took a break from creating
• – Your audience wants something different

Meet three creators who reinvented themselves

Before we move on to our tips, take a moment to read three real-life examples of creators who successfully reinvented themselves and found a new purpose online.

Filthy Frank and Joji

Whether you know George Miller primarily as FilthyFrank or Joji will depend on your age and your interests.

Filthy Frank entered the chat in 2011 when Miller first created the comedic, offensive character as part of The Filthy Frank Show on YouTube. He became known for the type of ‘edgy’ humor that was popular in the early 2010s and was immensely popular among a young, meme-centric audience, gaining millions of followers in only a few years.

Then in 2017, everything changed. Miller announced that he’d no longer be producing Filthy Frank content due to a lack of interest and began pursuing a music career in earnest, taking on a new identity as ‘Joji.’

While Miller’s old YouTube content catered toward a younger audience, Joji’s alternative music style is aimed at a more mature, mainstream audience; so it makes sense that he needed to shed his old persona in order to be taken seriously in a competitive industry. Luckily for Miller, he’s won big, receiving critical acclaim for his albums and even debuting at number one with Ballads 1.

MrBeast

Reinvention is a huge driver of MrBeast, or Jimmy Donaldson’s, success.

Donaldson kicked off his career all the way back in 2012 when he was just 13 years old. Now 26, it’s unsurprising he’s undergone some changes in that time.

Not only has Donaldson matured over the years, but he has been open about how closely he monitors YouTube’s algorithm, adapting his brand identity and content accordingly. He got his start by posting gameplay footage from Minecraft and Call of Duty, soon moving on to commentary videos covering other creators, YouTube trends, and content creation before landing on the type of extravagant, viral-worthy content he produces today.

Donaldson’s true passion is content creation rather than any specific topic, and he uses this interest to adjust his content in order to outperform others. Today, his audience is huge and wide-ranging, with large-scale challenges that grab children’s attention to philanthropy-related content that appeals to more mainstream viewers.

Lydia Millen

Finally, meet Lydia Millen. Millen, a British content creator, posted her first video on YouTube in 2014. Back then, she posted fashion and beauty content, including tutorials and GRWMs.

As her platform grew, so did her bank account — and unlike many of her peers, Miller did not attempt to hide this fact. Instead, she lent into it. Today, Millen’s content includes everything from home renovation projects and travel to high-end fashion and country living.

While some viewers have criticized her for ‘selling out’ and no longer being relatable, many argue that she’s being more authentic by posting about the luxurious lifestyle she’s lucky enough to live. What can’t be argued with is Millen’s role as a leader in the British luxury space.

How to successfully reinvent yourself

Ready to reinvent yourself?

1. Define your values. What do you stand for? What are you passionate about? What does your content make people feel? Your answers to these questions will form the basis of your content strategy and define your new identity.
2. Determine your audience. It’s so important to understand who you’re creating for. You may want to target a new audience entirely or adapt to your viewer’s shifting needs.
3. Create your aesthetic. People are visual creatures, and your visual aesthetic is a huge contributor to how people view your brand. Ensure your aesthetic aligns with your identity and is consistent across all content, from your logos to your editing style.
4. Decide on your content pillars. Whether you create TikTok videos or host a podcast, selecting three or four key content pillars — or topics — to focus on will help establish your new identity. For example, Lydia Millen’s content pillars likely include high-end fashion, luxury lifestyle, beauty, and home decor!
5. Choose your platforms. Your audience and the type of content you create will determine which platforms you post on. If your content is business-focused, you’ll likely find your ideal audience hanging out on X and LinkedIn, whereas fashion creators get the most value from posting on Instagram and YouTube.
6. Begin creating new content! Last but not least, it’s time to introduce your new identity to the world.

Are you a content creator? Join our Discord!

If this article piqued your interest, you'll love our vibrant Discord community. It's a hub for creators to network, share experiences, and gain valuable insights. Join us to expand your knowledge and boost your creative skills!