In 2020 she was working in client relations and recruiting on the sets of shows like "Power," "Jessica Jones," and "Pose." She started making travel-inspired candles and documenting her entrepreneurial journey on social media when she stopped working because of the Pandemic.
Cunningham launched her startup, lit city candles, in March of 2021, based on trips she has taken around the world. After tinkering with the production process, she re-launched the brand seven months later. Her community of 13,000 subscribers watch her weekly videos about events she attends or a day in her life as a small business owner.
Many people are turning to platforms like Youtube,Instagram, and TikTok to make extra money to prepare for a possible recession or layoffs.
Cunningham uses the internet to supplement her business income and grow her brand awareness. While she's sold more than $13,000 in candles since launching the startup, she earns hundreds of dollars a month through online tools, totaling thousands of dollars a year. Cunningham uses income streams like YouTube's advertising program and affiliate marketing.
As a small-business owner, she told Insider about the importance of building a community on the video sharing site. The story was edited for clarity and length.
Before I started my candle business, I was interested in travel and had a channel on the internet dedicated to it. It made sense to combine it all online when I started making candles based on where I'd been.
The community that I've built around my brand is the benefit of the video sharing site. It helps increase brand awareness, share my story, and allow viewers to connect with both me and my products. viewers get to see how much effort I put into my business when I showcase the intricate parts of running lit city candles Even with a niche business, there is a community and a customer base out there.
The most important thing I've learned from growing my channel is that you have to be real and honest. Being vulnerable is also included. I will say so if I'm talking about a pop-up event. If I don't make any sales, I'll let my viewers know what I've learned and what I'll do differently next time.
People are connecting with me thanks to this strategy. Building that connection leads to more positive comments, more paying customers, more honest feedback, and more genuine opportunities down the line.
I have generated sales by posting online. A former coworker of mine discovered my business by watching one of my videos. They bought my first ever bulk order. When I filmed a video about the experience and posted it, I got even more sales.
Public relations and outreach for my brand can be done with the help ofYouTube. My online presence made brands and candle manufacturers reach out to me.
I make more than one stream of passive income from the internet. When I see ads on my videos, I make money through the use of the AdSense program. I use affiliate links, where I include product links in the description of my videos and earn money if a follower purchases that item. If I'm talking about a candle product that someone buys, I get something out of that.
Business owners are going to have to use social media to market their businesses. Alternative ways platforms can support you and your brand.
I'm able to make money off my channel with a small community that I built, even though I have a relatively small number of subscribers.
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