How this Duke Student Makes 6-Figures on TikTok (and how you can too)

Introduction

Katie, a full-time student at Duke University, took a gap year after her freshman year to dive into content creation and consulting on a full-time basis. This decision proved to be a lucrative one, as she earned six figures during her gap year. Curious about her success? This article explores the seven principles that guided her journey in the realm of social media and entrepreneurship.

The Journey Begins

Katie's content creation journey started at a young age. When she was just 10 years old, her parents gifted her an iPad for filming and editing videos. This sparked her interest in building an audience on YouTube, which dominated her middle school and early high school years. However, societal pressures and the goal of securing a strong college application led Katie to momentarily abandon her creative pursuits.

After working at a startup, where she managed social media efforts and created videos for various content creators, Katie rediscovered her passion for creativity and strategy. Encouraged by her newfound love for content creation, she started producing her own videos, ultimately leading to her consulting work.

Seven Principles to Success

1. Find What You Love to Do

Katie emphasizes the importance of pursuing your passion. Her initial clients found her organically, illustrating that being genuine and enthusiastic about your interests can attract opportunities.

2. You Will Always Be an Expert to Someone Else

Despite struggling with imposter syndrome, Katie reminds us that knowledge is relative. Even as a freshman in college, there are others who look up to your experiences and insights. Instead of feeling unqualified, use your unique perspective to offer value to those less experienced.

3. Always Bring Value to Your Audience

Bringing value is critical in any entrepreneurial endeavor. Katie’s success began with a coaching service where she provided strategic consultations to aspiring creators. By focusing on the needs of her clients, she garnered trust and established a steady revenue stream.

4. Find Community Doing the Same Thing You Are

Connecting with like-minded individuals can foster growth and confidence. Katie credits her supportive community of friends who share her entrepreneurial spirit as a key element in her journey, pushing her to keep pursuing her goals.

5. Build Your Lifestyle Around Your Goals

Katie’s approach to education reinforces her commitment to balancing academics with her entrepreneurial endeavors. She strategically chose courses aligned with her interests, maintaining her creative energy and focus.

6. Lower the Friction of Your Process

Katie identifies friction as a major obstacle in the creative process. By keeping her filming equipment readily accessible and minimizing set-up time, she allows spontaneity and creative ideas to flourish.

7. Always Seek Balance and Sustainability

For Katie, achieving balance is about prioritization. By allotting specific times for academic responsibilities, she's able to ensure she has the mental space to focus on her content creation ventures. This method not only helps manage stress but encourages greater productivity.

Bonus Principle: Discover Your Strengths

Finally, an important aspect of Katie's journey is recognizing her strengths and helping others do the same. By identifying unique qualities in her peers, she assists them in carving out their own niches within the content creation landscape.

Katie concludes with an inspiring reminder: no matter how challenging your day may seem, you can choose to turn it around through positive mindset and proactive action.

Keywords

• Katie
• Duke University
• Content Creation
• Consulting
• Social Media
• Entrepreneurship
• Principles of Success
• Community
• Balance
• Passion

FAQ

1. How did Katie earn six figures in a gap year?
Katie focused on content creation and consulting, providing services that her clients found valuable.

2. What is the first principle of Katie's success?
The first principle is to find what you love to do, which helps attract opportunities.

3. How does Katie address imposter syndrome?
Katie acknowledges that everyone is an expert to someone else and leverages her unique experiences to provide value.

4. Why is community important in entrepreneurship?
Community fosters confidence and motivation, as surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals encourages you to pursue your goals.

5. How does Katie manage her academic life alongside content creation?
She builds her lifestyle around her goals by selecting relevant courses and scheduling her time effectively to make room for both her studies and her entrepreneurial activities.