I've always suffered from stage fright, but in our COVID-19 world, stage fright takes on a new meaning when your stage is in front of an unlimited audience size that's hidden from view. It's also the first time an audience can talk during an entire performance without being deemed as rude. Their comments storm your screen, allowing you to read your audience's mind in real time.
This week, I took on my largest audience ever. Aerie, a lifestyle brand with over 1.3 million Instagram followers, asked me to take over their Instagram and moderate a live stream. I was the first Aerie Ambassador to ever have this opportunity, and I was assigned the responsibility to interview author Elizabeth Segran who just wrote a book titled The Rocket Years: How Your Twenties Launch the Rest of Your Life.
Initially, I panicked that online trolls might leave inappropriate comments, but my worry dissipated once I skimmed through the kind words people were sharing. The comments ended up calming me, especially when audience members shared how much they were enjoying it.
Segran's book discusses the influence our twenties have on the future decades of our lives. She shared plenty of insight on the importance of establishing an exercise routine, diving into hobbies, and discussed data that shows most people don't find their dream job until ten years of working.
Talking with Segran was a joy and she offered hope and advice to so many young adults. I highly recommend giving her book a read. Even if you think you've read all of the career advice books, hers is refreshing as it provides data to help the reader understand a pinnacle time of life. I am honored for receiving the opportunity to meet her and ask her for advice.
Even with a large following, a live stream does not always warrant a high number of viewership while you're live. People prefer to skip forward, pause videos, and watch content on their own time, and this experience isn't possible during a live stream. So, do not feel discouraged if you see a limited number of followers watching you throughout the duration of your talk, people simply tend to opt to watch content while uninterrupted. Do, however, save your video to your IGTV. Mine is now saved on Aerie's IGTV so people can rewatch it and continue to like and comment on it.
In case you're interested in our outfits after watching our video, I am wearing the Oversize Sweatshirt in the color Glow Bug and Liz rocked the Aerie Tie Knit Dress in Succulent Olive, which I also own in two other colors.
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