An Interview With Karen Mangia
Be consistent with your content. Have a routine. Post at the same time of day or same time of the week. Having a daily routine for creating and posting allows you to get into the flow.
We often use the term “Influencers” to describe people with significant social media followings on platforms like Instagram, Twitter TikTok, Youtube, Linkedin and Facebook. Influencers have become today’s media titans, sought after for everything from product placements to timely trends. What’s the difference between influence and impact? Fans and followers? Sizzle versus staying power?
In this interview series, called, “How To Cultivate Community In A Click to Connect World” we are talking to influencers about how they define success and what we all need to discover about the true nature of influence. As a part of this series I had the pleasure of interviewing Luca Schaefer-Charlton.
Luca is a notable Canadian influencer and internet personality who rose to fame via social media. He first created his presence with comedic and lip-sync videos on musical.ly and TikTok, and today he is also firmly established on both Instagram and Snapchat with supporters and fans worldwide. Luca is known for his loyal following and solid engagement levels across all platforms.
Thank you for making time to visit with us! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. How did you discover your career path and what got you to where you are today?
I think that I pretty much knew that I wanted to be a content creator of some sort as soon as I had my first iPhone. I was watching other creators and influencers, and quickly figured out how to start creating and posting my own content. From the start I just started to build a loyal community, and it is that community that has really helped carry me forward.
What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned along the way that influences how you operate now?
I learned very early on that you have to tune out the ‘noise’ and ignore the negativity that comes with being a creator. There are always people trying to tear you down, and if you start absorbing the negativity then you will find it very hard to stay focused, enthusiastic, and move forward.
We’re all searching for some good news. How are you using your platform to make a positive social impact?
As long as I can make one person smile or add a bright moment to their day, then that is amazing. So many people are dealing with something or facing obstacles, so, if my honesty and sense of humor can impact one person then I feel like I have made a difference.
Many of our readers are influencers as well. Others have tried and have yet to succeed. What words of advice would you offer to aspiring influencers, knowing what you know now?
It’s so important to be consistent with your content creation. And, no matter what format you use or platform you post to, be sure to post what is enjoyable for you so that it doesn’t feel forced. Have fun with it.
Success is often a matter of perspective. I’ve always resonated with Henry David Thoreau’s quote, “It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.” How do you see success — or define success — for yourself now?
I know that this can change as one grows and matures in life, but right now I define success as being able to do what I enjoy most, and also being able to make a living doing it. I work hard, have long days, and face hurdles like everyone else. But, it never really feels like what I do is just ‘work’ because I truly live and breathe in the world of content creation and am happy where I am, which feels like success to me.
What are your strategies to make room for who and what matters most?
To be honest, I have never really had a strategy. I guess I have allowed my path more freedom to play out organically, but have always made sure to factor in time for friends and family. They matter most in the big scheme.
How do you reduce or mitigate stress?
I go for a walk and listen to music … tuning the world out. Or, I hit the gym. Both work well for me.
I’m going to try a few of your tips, and I’m hopeful our readers will, too. Now it’s time for the big reveal — the moment our readers have been anticipating. What are your “five strategies to cultivate a large & engaged social media community?’ Please share a story or example for each. T
Take time out from your day and respond to comments and questions. Follow-back.
Be consistent with your content. Have a routine. Post at the same time of day or same time of the week. Having a daily routine for creating and posting allows you to get into the flow.
Be you and be authentic. Take inspiration from others and then make the content your own — like using a recipe but adding your own secret ingredients.
Tap into your community and collaborate with others in your niche. Collaboration is a great way to grow and extend your reach.
Don’t just stick to one platform. Cross platforms, step outside of your comfort zone and discover new communities.
What do you do to create a greater sense of connection and community among your fans?
I try my best to respond to comments and livestream. Through these actions I feel that my community gets to know me on a personal basis in real time.
As an influencer, you are, by definition, a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.
If I could inspire a movement, it would be about the power of small moments — like making someone smile or brightening their day. So many people are facing struggles like anxiety or depression, and sometimes a bit of humor or honesty is all it takes to make a difference. If I can uplift even one person, I believe that moment can create a ripple effect, helping them spread positivity to others. It’s the little acts of kindness that add up to something big, and that’s how we can make the world a better place.
We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world with whom you’d like to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He, she or they might just see this. 🙂
Well, I would love to have breakfast with Will Farrell for the memorable laughs and fun. But, for inspiration I really think that connecting with someone like Justin Bieber would be rewarding. When I look at his career path, how he has evolved and stayed relevant, and the hurdles he’s faced… I really think that I could take away some great guidance from him.
What is the best way for our readers to further follow your work online?
Catch me on Instagram @mostlyluca and Snapchat @mostlyluca. These are my main platforms for day-to-day content and where I am most busy. You can also find me on TikTok @mostlyluca and YouTube @mostlyluca.
Thank you for these thought provoking insights. Here’s to your continued success!
About The Interviewer: Karen Mangia is one of the most sought-after keynote speakers in the world, sharing her thought leadership with over 10,000 organizations during the course of her career. As Vice President of Customer and Market Insights at Salesforce, she helps individuals and organizations define, design and deliver the future. Discover her proven strategies to access your own success in her fourth book Success from Anywhere and by connecting with her on LinkedIn and Twitter.
Influencer Luca Schaefer-Charlton On How To Build A Large, Loyal, & Engaged Social Media Community was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.