The mental cost of content creation

“There are times when I can’t make up my mind to work for my content, but then, I remind myself to be professional and think like a hard worker”, reflecting his work, said Meer Raihan Masud, who runs Raihanism Travel and Food, a page where currently 380k people follow him. Fame is just one click away, and it is no exception for Bangladeshi content creators. They smile at the camera, mic in hand, ready to record that catchy storytelling, and watch as thousands of people see the video.

What started as a fun activity has evolved into a full-time job for some, allowing them to entertain the audience. However, the story behind any content carries bittersweet moments. The cost of being seen is often unseen, measured not in followers but in mental strain.

For individuals seeking to work in the digital industry, social media has emerged as a new platform for success. While some wait for the perfect opportunity, many fall by the wayside; others catch a glimpse of light. People often experience mental strain and a desire for online attention, which can lead to a pursuit of fame and recognition.

Algorithm is the real deal for content producers. Every view, likes, and comment matters, counts as a ‘reward.’ They are constantly monitoring their content for better reach and responses.

Nusrat Sultana, a travel content creator who works full-time in a renowned NGO, shared her opinion, “Once I upload a piece of content, there is always a mix of emotions, excitement, nervousness, and sometimes fear. I check the responses, engagement, and views, but honestly, the algorithm can play with your emotions.”

Many creators brush off the concept of chasing after likes and views. Even if they receive backlash from any post, they continue their own work. Shaidur Rahman Manik, a content creator with a Facebook page, Voice of Manik, which has more than 400k followers, shared his thoughts on how he deals with negativity.

He said, “I really don’t care about anyone saying negative things about my content. I try to keep my content fresh to avoid hatred or negative comments.”

The journey of becoming a social media content creator is not an easy one. The spotlight, the arena; we are all new to this unknown world. Before starting, creators make mistakes and struggle a lot. Each creator has their own stories or regrettable moments that they might be embarrassed by.

“When I first started doing content creation, I felt a bit embarrassed while shooting in a restaurant, then gradually the shyness perished. I enjoy the journey, and now I feel no extra burden or struggle,” said Mr Meer Raihan Masud.

Mr Manik shared his struggles and the pressure he faces while filming and producing videos. “The pressure to make unique and better content, as well as maintain my image, got me from time to time. When I first started, I made videos using my phone camera, and now I have the desired gadgets I need to make quality uploads.”

A creator’s work is more than just a means of entertaining people; it also showcases a portion of their lifestyle, their story, and their journey.

A big part of their fame depends on their content and viewers watching behind the screen. Creators have their own method of making their videos appealing compared to others. Editing, visuals, storytelling, thumbnail, and interactivity, algorithm-anything matters for every person to enjoy their favourite reels and videos.

“I sometimes don’t understand the algorithm. The content that I expect to hit millions sometimes goes downwards, and vice versa. So, I get a bit confused. But there are a few basic tricks that help me understand whether the algorithm will take the video to the top or push it down,” stated Mr Manik about his thoughts on the algorithm of his content.

Creators have their own predictions and expectations of audience engagement. They are constantly monitoring their post for the next ‘hit.’ View count, comments, reachand feedback help them understand what the viewers want from them. For some, the number of views and likes is no big deal, but for others, it’s a routine check. After the hard work, the struggle is all worth the wait.

Nusrat Sultana often juggles between her personal and professional life. While asked about her struggles, she commented, “There is quite the struggle behind the scenes, managing time between my professional work and personal creative space, trying to keep the audience engaged without losing any authenticity.”

In many cases, scenarios occur where the content may not reach the target audience as effectively. And so they feel down and worried about their ‘perfect digital career’. Creators may feel disconnected from continuing the job and become increasingly less interested in posting content regularly, lacking validation.

They doubt their self-worth, and as their self-esteem is directly tied to the number of followers they have. Some view the low number of followers or views as a personal rejection, which creates fear in their minds.

A big boost for any social media creator is becoming ‘viral.’ The word ‘viral’ is now just a concept. Even before social media really took off, going viral was viewed positively and remembered as a significant moment for anyone. However, now anyone can go viral at any time, regardless of the content they create.

Any viral content can have both a positive and a negative impact on a content creator’s career. Either way, it can have a drastic effect on their job or lead to impressive recognition from viewers.

The Voice of Manik has millions of views on its videos. But that has little impact on him. He said, “I have videos that have got up to one million to seven million. But this didn’t change anything, nor did I get fame overnight. I feel very overwhelmed when I go out in public and people recognise me for my content and take selfies with me.”

The world of becoming a digital star is compelling, yet evidence and experience reveal a different story, with new lessons to be learned. Remember the creator who has a lot of followers, the one with the ‘perfect life’ we all dream of, just filmed content for hours after trial and error to get that ‘money shot’.

The real courage isn’t just logging in; it is to uphold the identity that exists outside of the comments section. The industry controls the performance, but in the end, it is the creators who pay the final, lonely price for it.