Episode 8: Social Media, a Lifestyle and a Business with Ariel Niu
Synopsis
Social media began as a way to stay connected with our friends - it used to be all about the “social”. Now social media is used to grow businesses, sell brands and sell people as brands.
Ariel Niu went to business school to study marketing. The field has lead her to the world of digital marketing, helping grow other brands while growing her own brand. Her goal - to grow enough of a following to make running her own person brand a full time job. Can she do it?
In this episode, host Greg Martin and Ariel talk about our relationship with social media and all the things it is good and bad for in our lives. The discussion focuses on Instagram, TikTok, Youtube and how Ariel has grown her following to tens of thousands of people in a short time.
With all the platforms out there social media is changing a lot of about our lives. What does it mean for us and our the world of business?
Key Takeaways
Greg and Ariel first met working together on a sponsored post on an Instagram account called Toronto Date Ideas to promote his restaurant Farm’r
In the food world on Instagram there are thousands of “influencers” going around looking for free food (and more) to collaborate and promote restaurants - the same is true for many types of businesses out there
Ariel has grown her own accounts and personal brand significantly over the last year, to over 15,000 Instagram followers on niu.views and around 100,000 followers on TikTok
Hopes to one day monetize the accounts and grow it into a sustainable business, there are many ways to do this but this world is still challenging and being developed
Social media offers a way to connect with friends, family and people we’ve never met in a crazy way
Ariel’s background in marketing and love of performing jive with her interest in social media business
Ariel’s Background
Manages her own brand through many platforms, including
Sources content and promotes Toronto Date Ideas blog / Instagram
Has worked in digital marketing in such jobs involving marketing automation and email marketing since graduating
Graduated from the University of British Columbia with a BCom in Marketing