6 years ago, I quit my day job. Today, I create social impact campaigns with the help of 300,000 fans worldwide.
I graduated from Mining Engineering with the conviction that it was NOT what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
Unfortunately, I wasn't good at much else so the (asian) parental units convinced me that the best course of action was to go ahead, and earn some money which I begrudgingly did. This was 2008.
Somewhere along the way, I discovered photography - quit my job - travelled the world - participated in a couple global marketing campaigns - only to realize that just making money wasn't as fulfilling as I thought it would be.
I wanted to do something that would help make the world a better place, not just cash out on it.
Fast forward 18 months of unpaid work - I finally created a campaign that finally reflected what I hoped to do with my career: To put my art in the service of something that actually mattered.
What has always surprised me within my projects was not the final result, as much as the support of complete strangers coming together. For my mermaid project, over 50 volunteers came together to clean other people's trash, sorting, cleaning, de-labeling thousands of bottles. Without them, there would be no project.
When I tied a model underwater for shark conservation, divers, models, scientists, videographer and even the resorts all came together to support the initiative.
Not for any commercial gain, but because it was the opportunity to be a part of something greater.
When I made a video for a complete stranger, the father of a little girl hoping for a viral video to save his little girl from a terminal degenerative brain disease, the community once again rallied and came together.
Their contributions, likes and shares helped it build enough momentum to be the top GoFundMe campaign for over two years, raising a million dollars in just a month.
Time and time again, regardless of the projects I've worked on - the success or failure has come down to one thing: Community.
The problem though, is that despite the 3000% growth that I've experienced since quitting my day job - the social kings of Facebook, Instagram and Youtube that are supposed to help us BUILD community have split us apart with algorithms, sponsored posts and prank videos.
Even worst, content creators now need to PAY to have their content seen by the following they spent sleepless nights tireless creating for.
Bullshit!
What used to be an opportunity to connect with the world has transformed into a sea of competition just to have the privilege of being an influencer for a few measly dollars.
/Rant. Over.
Looking at Steem, there seems to be a whole new world of possibilities. The chance for the community to support the continued creation of projects that they enjoy, simply by interacting the content seems a little too good to be true. Yet there are clearly those successfully doing it: @velimir, @helene, @art-mess to name a few.
I'm not sure what the future holds but I'm excited to give this a shot. Thank you guys so much for reading. I look forward to hearing more from you!
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If you enjoyed this post, please consider upvoting, commenting or sharing...We're doing a Facebook LIVE tonight at 7:30 PM EST if you want to join in talking about all things STEEM
It's the real me <3
Ep 1: Storytelling. How to get noticed onlineEp 1: Storytelling. How to get noticed online https://steemit.com/introduceyourself/@vonwong/6-years-ago-i-quit-my-day-job-today-i-create-social-impact-campaigns-with-the-help-of-300-000-fans-worldwide Telegram Announcements: t.me/thevonwong
Posted by Von Wong on Monday, January 8, 2018
Since you seem to have already engaged in big community projects, steemit will be the right place for you! If you happen to make videos again, be sure to check out @dtube!
Resteemed you via @welcoming, a page for sharing promising newcomers like you!
Greets, @theaustrianguy
Hey @theaustrianguy ! Thanks so much for taking the time to drop in! I was trying to find ways to dual stream from FB to dTube but wasn't able to quite figure it out. I hear that you guys only like original content though so what do you recommend?
When I need to stream to two locations I use a second computer to encode second stream. Video capture cards for gamers work really well. I use a Elgato Game Capture HD60 Pro and OBS to stream to second source.
Wow, amazing to see a photography big gun on here, I'm delighted! This introduction resonates with me a lot, I'm a civil engineering grad also pushed into an industry I have no desire to be in, by parents. And with a dream to make a career out of photography. Would love to be a part of your future critiques.
Solid dude! Thanks so much for the re-steem. I would love to hear more about your experience here on Steem and how you built up to 51 reputation. How long did it take you? How has the experience be? Did you have to use bots? Do you really need to post 5x a day?
Come be a part of tonight's facebook live <3 I'll check out your feed now!
Wow I didn't really notice the 51 - I'm on here since July but only really started being a daily visitor in the last 3 weeks or so. AFAIK each rep level is harder than the last, but writing content, upvoting, and commenting seem to be the way to go. Personally I've occasionally used upvote bots but not often. Some folk swear by them. As for 5x a day! Nah man, I'd lose the will to live if I sat at a computer that long lol :D
What's the principal with the upvote bots?
Sorry man, had to have some sleeps there :) The whole bot thing is a deep rabbit hole. Here's a link to an article I found very helpful, might be useful for you: https://steemit.com/steemit/@adonisabril/your-first-month-on-steemit-22-tips-to-help-you-succeed
Really amazing to see your work. I think that you are going to like it here on Steemit. It's attracting more and more people that are fed up with the ridiculousness of facebook, instagram and other social media. I'm really glad I found your blog, and I look forward to seeing more of your work. Welcome to Steemit!
@vonwong
Welcome to @steemit, may you inspire and be inspired.
stay blessed...
Appreciate the welcome buddy. If you have any tips or tricks, I'd love to see them.
@vonwong
@steemit
@originalworks
Your work is amazing, am sure you don't need tips from me, you will do great. I read a post a long time ago with regards to improving visibility and also creating content that drives people to your page. May or may not be applicable to you, since I think your work and post will just bring followers organically. either way here it is, this is one of the steemians I find always has one interested. but , as I said very different content, but I guess the basics would work the same:
Read this post written by @sweetsssj for comprehensive tips on improving your posts. This I think is one of the best posts to for great tips.
https://steemit.com/steemit/@sweetsssj/sweetsssj-s-tips-to-successful-lifestyle-blogging-on-steemit
solid buddy! I'll check it out! I've read a lot of things about using bots and chat groups but I'm hoping to develop it a little differently, from the ground up. Not sure if that's naive or intelligent haha.
@ecotrain !
Does tagging someone send them a notification?
This is incredible. You are incredible! Very inspirational thank you for sharing! Serously awesome pictures.
Thanks Austin ! Appreciate you taking the time to write in!
I'm following your work for a couple of years already. Because of you I found Steemit so thanks for the great inspiration and all the great info that you provide. P.S Missing those BTS :D
Hey Raoul! So great to see that you followed me over from another platform. Was it facebook, instagram or telegram?
Tonight I'm hosting a FB live chronicling the journey to build a STEEM presence!
I got here from Facebook. But I admit on being a little stalker and following you on Instagram as well :D
Solid buddy! Come be a part of the FB live tonight!
Thanks for the invite! I'll be there :)
Welcome to steemit.
I think you will do great in here!
Fingers crossed! Would love any tips if you have any!
I think you have probably already read about this but gonna say it anyways, just in case.
You should learn which passwords to use and when, also how to secure them as much as possible.
I think that's really important if you're planning to stay on steemit for a long time ^^
Wait, passwords? I just have the super crazy long one they give you when you log in....
Ooh, there are like 5 big long passwords.
You can read about the passwords here:
https://steemit.com/steem/@mooncryption/steem-keys-and-passwords-full-guide
oh epic, let me check that shit out!
I really enjoyed this post. Awesome pictures. Do me a favor, keep up the good work! you got yourself a new follower :)
EDIT: After watching that video I feel guilty for using my 2cnd hydracy waterbottle
It's been a few years - hoping to have the discipline to keep up the content here on STEEM.
Hi Ben, I've been following you and your work since the mermaid project. Keep up the good work! Keep inspiring for a better world! 😃
hey @versstyle, glad you like my work! If you liked the mermaid one I have a few more coming up I think you'll LOVE! Hopefully they come out in the next few months :)
They take so much work to create.
I wrote mermaid by mistake. I meant the shark Shepard. Hahaa. Always eagerly waiting for your next project.
Oh! I'm also trying to do a new underwater project... but it takes quite a little bit of time to prepare. We're hoping for some coral bleaching awareness projects.
Welcome to steemit. I've seen your video few years ago and I think it was in Facebook, but I could hardly remember now if I repost it. I never expected that I could encounter again the video here and it's even so surprising to see you here. I salute for your advocacy! Enjoy Steeming!
Thanks @puroypoi!! such a small world sometime. How has your time been on Steem? Any tips to get noticed by the dolphins and whales?
I really don't know, I just got started here a month ago, though I signed up july of last year. They say, one should make quality content post/s in order for dolphins and whales short notice you. But hey, you already got noticed my few minnows, an orca and several planktons, I think you are heading that way. ;)
hahaha. Lots of plankton - I tried migrating my community over so they're all starting brand new :) Let's see how this goes!