Tech Wizzdom: How I Left My 9-5 & Grew My Creator Brand to 750K Followers

Hey Dom! Who are you and what is your creator brand?

Hey everyone, I'm Domagoj Lalk Vidovic, creator of the Tech Wizzdom brand, one of the leading tech accounts for short-form content, ranking as the third largest in the tech and tech development sphere on Instagram.

Alongside my creator brand, I also wear the hat of Chief Technology Officer and co-founder of Sparroww, a tech startup primarily focused on revolutionizing the movie and entertainment industry. Life's pretty good at the moment, but it hasn't always been this way. We'll dive into that journey later, trust me - it's been a rollercoaster ride.

Right now, my Tech Wizzdom brand juggles social media accounts, online courses, and we’ve even got a clothing brand up and running. It's been quite the adventure to get here, and the journey's still ongoing, because as you know it's a never-ending hustle in the content creation world.

Tech Wizzdom posing with his wife in Europe — .

How did you come up with your creator & content idea?

The journey of how I came up with my Tech Wizzdom content creation idea is quite an adventure, to be honest. It all started back in Croatia, where I got my CS degree and landed a coding job that didn't exactly pay the best – just around a grand a month, you know? But it got me thinking about the whole 9-to-5 grind and whether that was really what I wanted for myself.

See, coming from Croatia, entrepreneurship wasn't exactly the norm. I mean, it was all about that stable job life. But deep down, I couldn't shake off this idea of having my own thing.

So, I experimented with various online ventures – writing on platforms like Twitter and Medium, even tried my hand at running a ghostwriting business. But nothing quite clicked until I stumbled upon content creation.

Funny thing is, I wasn't even into social media at the time. I had ditched all my accounts – Instagram, Facebook – you name it. It all felt like a waste of time. But then, my sister suggested TikTok, and I thought, why not give it a shot? And boy, am I glad I did.

Turns out, being a creator on social media is a whole different ball game than just scrolling through feeds. It's like shifting from being a passive consumer to actively building something meaningful. And for me, that journey kicked off in August 2021.

With a commitment to consistency, I posted daily for over 500 days, immersing myself in the world of short-form content. I started creating videos, and man, did I fall in love with it. I've always had a thing for photography, and videography just took it to a whole new level. Coding tutorials, funny tech videos – I was having a blast.

After that the growth was consistently steady. Within weeks, I had my first viral video on TikTok, which fueled my motivation even more. By the end of the year, I had a solid following, and come March 2022, I hit the 50K follower mark. But here's the kicker – I made a rookie mistake by not expanding to other platforms sooner. Instagram and YouTube were kind of lagging behind until one magical moment in September 2022.

I posted this funny coding video for the umpteenth time on Instagram, and boom! It went viral, catapulting my account to new heights - we’re talking 4-5 million views on that one video. Suddenly, the algorithm was my best friend, and my follower count shot up like crazy. It was like a snowball effect. I doubled down on the content that was working, and before I knew it, I had hit the 100K mark in just a month, from only starting out with 500 followers. It really goes to show how much can change in such a short time period.

As my channel grew, so did the opportunities. Promo deals started rolling in, and suddenly, I found myself in a position where UGC videos I had been making as my primary income couldn't keep up with the demand. I was also able to quit my full time job, which was an amazing moment for me.

Even now, social media remains a significant source of income. Sure, other products bring in revenue, but nothing quite compares to the consistent stream from promo deals. So, if you're wondering how I came up with my content creation idea, it was through trial, error, and the undeniable power of user-generated content, setting the stage for a journey that continues to evolve.

Tech Wizzdom showcasing how he can work anywhere in the world — **Dom gets to work from anywhere in the world - including the beach**

What is your content creation process?

My content creation process for Tech Wizzdom revolves around two main approaches. Firstly, ideas often come to me spontaneously. As I continue creating content, my mind becomes more focused on spotting opportunities in everyday life for new videos.

Whether it's watching a random video online and thinking of adapting it to my style or simply walking down the street and being struck by inspiration, these moments are invaluable. The key is not to wait until you have a bunch of ideas at once. You need to start creating immediately, trusting that more ideas will flow as you go along. Sometimes, I just jot down whatever comes to mind for future reference.

Secondly, I purposely seek out content ideas. Platforms like Quora, Reddit, and even ChatGPT forums offer a ton of topics to explore. By addressing the problems or interests of my audience, I can create content that resonates with them. This intentional search for ideas lends itself to complement the spontaneous ones and ensures a steady stream of content inspiration.

“The key is not to wait until you have a bunch of ideas at once. You need to start creating immediately, trusting that more ideas will flow as you go along.”

Once I have a collection of ideas, I organize them into scripts. I often batch-produce content, dedicating an entire day to filming multiple videos. This involves planning shooting locations and optimizing setups to minimize disruptions. For example, if I have several scenes with the same character in one location, I'll shoot them consecutively to streamline the process. This organized planning allows me to record numerous videos in a really short amount of time, sometimes up to 20 videos in just a few hours.

Editing can be a challenge, especially without a dedicated editor, but batching content creation helps here too. By editing videos in batches, I can maintain efficiency and ensure a consistent posting schedule.

Previously, I used to create content on a weekly basis, but now I find it easier to produce content for an entire month in one day. This approach not only ensures a steady flow of content but also reduces the likelihood of missing posting days due when you just might not be able to get around to it.

Overall, my content creation process revolves around a balance of spontaneous creativity and intentional planning, all geared towards maximizing efficiency and maintaining consistency in my content output.

What is your marketing & promotion strategy? How are you growing your brand?

When it comes to how I get the Tech Wizzdom name out there, I use a two-pronged approach: inbound and outbound. So, while lots of creators in this line of work just sit back and wait for leads to come to them, I like to mix it up and go knock on some doors myself.

At the heart of what I do is content creation. I’m all about putting out stuff that grabs attention and gets people talking. Whether it's a great video or thoughtful post, I want to make sure as many eyeballs as possible are seeing what I’m putting out there. That way, when potential clients or brands come across my stuff, they're like, "Hey, we need to talk to Tech Wizzdom!”

I’m also a big fan of tools like LinkedIn Sales Navigator. It's like the supercharged version of regular LinkedIn. With it, you can zero in on exactly the kind of people you want to work with, whether it's marketing decision-makers at tech companies or social media managers looking for top-notch content. And with automation tools like Lemlist, you can reach out to loads of people without spending all day glued to your screen.

LinkedIn's also a goldmine. There are a ton of individuals just waiting to connect and do business. But here's the thing: when you start getting a bunch of responses, it can be a bit overwhelming. Suddenly, you've got more potential clients than you know what to do with! So, you've got to be smart about who you choose to work with, making sure it's a good fit for both parties.

So that’s basically my marketing game plan. I’m all about putting out great content and getting out there to make connections. It's a mix of old-school hustle and new-school tech, and it's been working pretty well so far.

How do you engage with your audience?

Engaging with my audience has always been a big priority for me, especially from the beginning. I firmly believe in building a personal connection with my followers. That's why I made it a point to respond to every direct message and comment, no matter how small. It's all about showing them that there's a real person behind the content, someone who values their input and interaction.

Even now, despite having a larger following, I still dedicate time after posting to engage with my audience for about half an hour to an hour. Whether it's providing information, cracking a joke, or simply using an emoji, I want my audience to know that I'm there and listening.

However, as my platform has grown, managing the amount of messages has become a challenge. While I try to respond to as many direct messages as possible, it's just not feasible to reply to all of them anymore. It's something I've considered hiring help for, but finding someone who understands the nuances of my niche, particularly the developer-focused content, can be tricky.

Despite the challenges, I genuinely enjoy interacting with my audience. The tech community, in particular, has a great vibe, filled with humor and just good vibes. It's what makes engaging with them such a rewarding experience. So, while the scale may change as I continue to grow Tech Wizzdom, the importance of engaging with my audience remains the same as when I first started out.

How have you monetized your business model?

What's fascinating is that you don't necessarily need a massive following to make money in this space. Through UGC, before Tech Wizzdom was as big as it was, I was churning out videos for brands without having a massive audience myself. Brands are increasingly realizing the importance of social media presence, and they're willing to pay good money for quality content.

For instance, I used to produce ten videos a week for a single brand, earning $750 for my efforts. And that was just the tip of the iceberg. The potential to earn from UGC is immense, especially for those starting out. It's a more accessible route compared to waiting for your following to grow before landing those big promotional deals.

Of course, building your presence across all social media platforms is crucial for organic growth. Initially, promo deals might be scarce, but as your organic reach expands, so do these opportunities. It's all about striking a balance between UGC and promo deals, depending on your time and priorities.

“If you’re stuck in a 9-5 mindset, you might struggle to break into content creation or entrepreneurship.”

For those who prefer sticking with UGC, there's an option to transition into an agency model. By leveraging your expertise and connections, you can monetize by commissioning content creation and taking a cut. It's a fairly scalable approach that offers nice flexibility and steady income.

As you grow as a creator, diversifying revenue streams then becomes key. Promo deals and UGC remain significant, but you can explore avenues like digital or physical products. However, it's very essential to build a substantial audience first before venturing into product creation. Your audience is your foundation; they're the ones who'll support what you’re selling.

One aspect I wish I had embraced earlier is building an email list. Email marketing remains unmatched in terms of conversion rates. Regular newsletters keep your audience engaged and pave the way for future product launches. Even with a massive social media following, email subscribers often drive the bulk of sales. It's honestly such a truth to the trust and connection you can build through personalized communication.

So, overall my business model for Tech Wizzdom has been a journey of leveraging UGC, gradually integrating promo deals, and diversifying revenue streams while prioritizing audience engagement and trust.

What are your biggest lessons learned & challenges faced?

Firstly, I can't stress enough how crucial it is to experiment like crazy in content creation. It's all about finding that sweet spot where your stuff really clicks with your audience. Value comes in all shapes and sizes – whether you're making people laugh, sparking their curiosity, or just giving them good vibes.

One big lesson for me was the power of sticking to what works. Whenever I hit a viral video or a winning format, I rode that wave for all it was worth. I'm talking tens of thousands of new followers on TikTok in a single week kind of stuff. It's wild how doubling down on what's hot can pay off big time.

Consistency is another game-changer. You gotta keep that content coming along while always trying out new stuff. And getting in early with things like building an email list and reaching out to brands – that's been a game-changer for me too.

And let's not forget about user-generated content (UGC). Seriously, even landing just one client and churning out content for them can be a massive motivator. It's like a snowball effect – one client turns into two, and before you know it, you're scaling up.

As well, I’d be remiss not to mention the TikTok shop. I've seen some creators make serious money with that. While I haven't jumped into the TikTok shop game myself, I've seen it work wonders for others. Definitely something worth keeping an eye on.

So, bottom line? Stay adaptable, keep hustling, and always be ready to pounce on new opportunities. That's what I’ve learned in this ever-evolving content creation game.

What technology & tools do you use?

So, in terms of hardware, I kept it pretty simple in my early Tech Wizzdom days. You don't need to break the bank to get started. Honestly, when I began, all I had was my smartphone. I picked up a light ring and tripod combo for just 20 pounds off Amazon, and that was enough to kick things off. Later on, as I grew, I splurged a bit and bought a Sony a7S III, which is an amazing mirrorless full-frame camera, but it's definitely not necessary in the beginning.

For audio, I'd recommend at least a decent microphone, maybe even a wired one if you're on a budget. Sound quality matters, but you don't have to go all out with wireless gear from the start. I've seen creators with millions of followers still using just their phones, so it's more about the content than the equipment.

As for software, I edit with Adobe Premiere Pro, but I wouldn't suggest it for beginners without prior experience. Instead, I'd highly recommend Capcut desktop. It's free, intuitive, and has all the features you need to create great content, especially when you're starting out.

Now, when it comes to managing ideas and keeping track of negotiations, I rely heavily on Notion. It's like my digital brain, where I jot down ideas, scripts, and keep track of deals and negotiations. Follow-ups are crucial in business, and Notion helps me stay organized with reminders for when to reach out again.

So, to sum it up, my main tools are Notion for organization, Capcut desktop for editing, and a simple camera for recording. It's all about focusing on content and finding the right tools that work for you without spending too much money on unnecessary things.

What future plans & goals do you have for your creator brand?

I've got some exciting things coming up for my Tech Wizzdom brand. First up is the ongoing growth of my brand overall, with a special focus on my newsletter. We've got some traction going, even though it's not quite on par with my socials yet.

Another thing I've been experimenting with is this course I created a while back. It's all about content creation and monetization, packed with the kind of knowledge, tools and insights I wish I’d had at the beginning of my journey. I've been blown away by the success of it, even without a lot of marketing. Just goes to show, good stuff sells itself. It's got a 5.0 rating on Gumroad, which is awesome to see.

Last week, I also launched an upgraded version of the course, with a community on Skool. It's more than just a course, it's a hub for creators like me who want to make a living from what they love. It's a safe space where I get to directly help people, answering questions and solving problems.

I've been there, you know, lost and not knowing what to do next. I think this community can be a great source of help that guides people through those difficult times.

On a different note, I've also got my hands in a clothing brand for developers. It kinda fell into place. We started with comics, then figured hey, why not print these on clothes? And people seem to love the idea.

I also have a tech start-up in the works called Sparroww. While it's not directly tied to content creation, I see content creators as our potential future customers. The aim is to give artists, filmmakers and screenplay writers a platform to shine, a place to connect, and to sell their screenplays.

I firmly believe creativity shouldn't be exclusive or elitist, and I think we can revolutionize the film industry like Spotify did for music. We’ve already gotten 750 users signed up, so I’m very excited to see what the future holds in store.

What advice do you have for aspiring content creators?

My advice for aspiring content creators is to jump right in. Start creating and exploring various social media platforms right off the bat, don't wait six months.

Find a mentor or join a community of creators - it can save you tons of time and give you a strong foundation to start from. It's essential to learn from experienced creators rather than trying to figure it all out on your own.

Content creation is still going to be a valuable skill in the future, even with the onset of AI. AI may be able to generate content, but it lacks the unique human touch that people are drawn to. The future is bright for content creators, especially as we head towards augmented reality, virtual reality, and metaverses. New environments will require new content, and that's where creators can really shine.

Remember, personal development and eliminating your limiting beliefs are also essential for success in content creation. If you're stuck in a 9-5 mindset, you might struggle to break into content creation or entrepreneurship.

If you're afraid of putting yourself out there, work on overcoming that fear. Or if you believe money is evil, you have to change that mindset to start earning properly. Be open to new ideas and ready to drop the identities that are holding you back.

You won't see success overnight - it might take months or even years. But keep trying. Even if you're 40 and it takes you five years to break through, you'll still have a good number of years to enjoy your success.

Trust me, the freedom of working for yourself, of creating on your own terms, is worth every single effort you put into it. You might not understand it now, but once you're there, you'll see what I mean.

Tech Wizzdom: How I Left My 9-5 & Grew My Creator Brand to 750K Followers

From humble beginnings in Croatia to building the third largest tech creator brand on Instagram, Dom Vidovic shares his wild journey in becoming a full time content creator…

Creator Brand: Tech Wizzdom

TikTok: 234K followers, 4.9 million likes

Instagram: 519K followers, 634 posts

YouTube: 18.6K subscribers, 7 million views

LinkedIn: 3,781 followers

Full time creator: Yes!

Hey Dom! Who are you and what is your creator brand?