Enlarge image
Influencer Charlotte Schüler: »I work around 60 hours a week«
Photo: private
The start into working life is exciting, exhausting - and often completely different than planned. In the series
“My first year in the job”
young professionals tell how they experienced this time.
This time: Charlotte Schüler, 26, influencer for sustainability from
Munich
.
»I started blogging during my training as a media designer, initially as a hobby.
On Instagram I gave tips for a sustainable life, for example how to avoid plastic easily.
Back then, sustainability already played a major role in my free time.
For example, I had got used to taking my own containers with me when I went shopping.
I wanted others to participate in this learning process.
"At first it was a part-time job."
At first I only posted photos and videos on the side, but at some point my account got bigger and bigger.
I was invited to workshops in companies, and was offered collaborations and a book contract.
At first it was a part-time job, but since graduating, I've put all my energy into it and live as a content creator for sustainability.
Advertising on Instagram
My job is divided into three areas.
As an author, I am working on a new book in which I will present recipes and give tips;
it should appear in autumn.
I also have a podcast that I research, record, and edit.
If I've worked four hours for my book or podcast in the morning, I have to take care of my followers in the afternoon.
I advertise on my Instagram channel, but only for companies that I think are good.
If brands ask me if they sell natural cosmetics, for example, but pack their products in plastic, I refuse.
Unfortunately, the third pillar has been left unused in recent months due to the corona pandemic.
Before that, I had given lectures in companies and schools about four times a month, went to festivals and read from my two books in different cities.
60 hours a week
Enlarge image
Influencer Charlotte Schüler
Photo:
Private
My training helps me a lot for customer orders.
I am well trained in image processing and video editing and I am very familiar with algorithms on social media.
My management is now negotiating how much fee I get for advertising mail.
I then produce a story or a post and send the material to the customers, who give me feedback and change requests.
I am often very free in the design, but there are still guidelines that I have to adhere to, such as describing the materials or special features of the product.
If I am not comfortable with it, I will not accept the assignment.
Then that doesn't suit me.
When I started naming brands on my account and giving workshops, I made around 800 euros a month with it.
It is now between 2000 and 10,000 euros.
How much I earn depends on the so-called thousand contact price;
the more followers: inside, the higher the reach and the fee.
The companies can book various services with me.
I can make a video and explain the brand message in the camera, post a photo with the product or link your website with a »swipe-up« in the story, there are also various packages.
I work around 60 hours a week, mostly on weekends as well.
But I love what I do, so doing a lot of work is okay with me.
Free time without a smartphone
I've been with TikTok since last year.
Essentially, I do the same content there as I do on Instagram, but the target group is much younger.
Sometimes I meet teenagers in town who ask me if we can take a selfie together.
I think that's cute and I really enjoy doing it.
Since more people have followed me, however, I've tried to make sure that it's not so easy to locate my apartment.
I also need a little privacy.
Luckily I haven't had any shitstorms yet.
Every now and then I get hateful comments, but I just ignore them.
More »My first year in the job«
Career entry as a civil engineer: "When there are problems, you have to be able to hit the table" Recorded by Katharina Hölter
Career entry as a medical physicist: »In the evening I have to check my hands and feet so that I don't carry any radiation outside.« Recorded by Theresa Palm
Career entry as a children's book author: "It's not about getting rich for me" Recorded by Helene Flachsenberg
My followers are important to me, I've grown together with them, and some have been with me since I started.
You motivate me and I am grateful for your support.
But I also notice that sometimes I need a break from social media.
When I am out and about privately with my friends, I usually don't have my cell phone in view.
I want to enjoy my free time in real life, the smartphone means work for me.
I am happy to have such a diverse profession.
The challenge for me as an influencer is to take part in the development of the platforms, not to rest on Instagram, but also to play my content on TikTok, for example.
This of course also applies to my content: I don't want to hold bamboo toothbrushes in front of the camera all the time.
That would annoy my followers: they have developed further and don't always need the same tips.
So, step by step, I've added new topics: travel, banking, clothing.
This year I will start my own fashion label with fairly produced clothing made from sustainable materials.
Having my own label has been a dream for a long time, I love fashion.
I did everything myself, from the designs to the logo.
I don't know whether I'll have worked as a content creator all my life.
But right now I have a lot of fun, I couldn't imagine any other profession. "
Have you just started your career yourself and would like to tell us about it? Then write to us at
SPIEGEL-Start@spiegel.de
.
