*This episode was recorded live at Social Success, hosted by Fun Love Media Founder Britney Crosson.

What happens when an IT intern and retired teacher discovers he needs more energy from people, not just computer screens? Kalum Johnson took inspiration from one moment at Disney World and turned it into a global following on social media. You'll hear:

• How social media content became a bridge for connecting with students
• Why remixing trends can be the spark for something bigger
• What happens when viral posts change your growth—and your schedule

Follow Kalum Johnson here.

Learn more about Fun Love Media here.

Subscribe to Your Mic on YouTube, Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

Shoot Freddy an email: freddy@spekepodcasting.com.

Buy tickets to Speke Fest: Night of the Living Pod here.

Key Takeaways

1. Authenticity and Personal Branding on Social Media

Takeaway:
Being true to yourself and embracing your unique personality or "flavor" is essential for standing out and connecting with an audience online. Kalum Johnson discusses how stepping into his extroverted, energetic self—despite skepticism from others—was what allowed him to resonate with followers and make a genuine impact, especially across global and diverse communities.

2. Consistency and Content Scheduling

Takeaway:
Consistency is about what works for you, not simply matching someone else’s output. Kalum Johnson highlights that whether posting three times a day or twice a week, what matters is regularity and presence on platforms. He also notes the importance of deliberate content scheduling to maximize audience engagement and capitalize on different time zones and audience segments.

3. Remixing Trends vs. Originality

Takeaway:
You don’t always have to reinvent the wheel. Remixing existing trends, but infusing them with your personal style or spin, is a valid and successful approach. Kalum’s viral success came from adapting a popular trend in his own way, demonstrating that originality can come from how you interpret or remix something familiar.

4. The Power of Community and Networking

Takeaway:
Building an in-person or online network takes effort, but the rewards—a sense of trust, camaraderie, and support—are invaluable, especially for entrepreneurs and creators. Britney Crosson emphasizes the importance of community for emotional support, inspiration, and professional growth, likening the hard work it requires to the cycles of entrepreneurship itself.

5. Leveraging Tools and Platforms for Success

Takeaway:
Modern tools like Canva and a presence across multiple social media platforms lower the barriers for creativity and consistent branding. Megan Colwell discusses embracing user-friendly features to produce high-quality content easily, stressing the point that there’s “no excuse” not to create visually appealing, consistent content—even for beginners.

Timestamped Overview

00:00 "Struggling to Find My Growth"

05:51 Consistent Posting Across Time Zones

07:22 Content Balance: Trends and Skits

11:30 "Content Creation Goals for 2024"

15:42 Podcasters on Social Media Clips

16:36 "Leverage Social Media for Podcasts"

20:49 "Social Media Presence Importance"

23:49 Evergreen Brand Story Videos

28:22 "Perseverance in Business Challenges"

29:50 "Open-Minded Growth and Improvement"

Support the show: https://cruzthroughhtx.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.