Today we’d like to introduce you to Nikki Baker
Hi Nikki, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I posted my first video when I was living in Los Angeles attending college in 2009. There was a website called break.com that offered cash prizes if your video made the homepage. I repeatedly posted prank videos that secured a homepage spot. Shortly afterwards, I began uploading videos to youtube. I had a video go viral that was receiving hundreds of thousands of views every time I refreshed the page. This was before youtube had a monetization program. Soon after, youtube developed a monezation program (adsense) and invited me to become a “youTube partner.” Looking back, it is pretty cool to think that I was one of the first people to earn a living creating videos online. Now it is such a common thing, but I lived through the transition. I remember all of the “get a real job.” comments. Creating videos online was able to pay the bills and that was amazing. I continued to create online content and it turned into many television appearance’s, like my videos being featured on MTV’s “Pranked.” Later, I starred in a Youtube Red show called “Ultimate Expedition” where tradiotional media and social media stars attempted to climb a mountain in Peru. I then moved to Minnesota to raise my daughter around family. I have since moved away from prank videos. I now post on my newer youtube channel “Your Favorite Family” and @YourFavoriteNikki on instagram and Tiktok. My content now is mainly vlogging, lifestyle, fashion and a dash of humor. I married my husband, Brandon in 2023 who was a contestant on The Bachelorette and we had a baby boy in June. My family is often featured in my content. I am enjoying being a mother and I am happy to have a career that allows me to prioritize being a mom and spend so much time with my children. My business is doing well and I have a few streams of income now including brand deals. I Have been creating content for a long time now and it helps establish trust with brands when they are determining who to hire for sponsorships.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not always been a smooth road. Putting yourself out there also opens yourself up to negative comments from the public. This was particularly difficult in my early twenties when I hadn’t entirely developed my sense of self. There were moments where I was wondering if this was worth pursuing . Income was unsteady, some months being better than others. There have also been times where I was taken advantage of and fallen victim to bad business deals. In 2019, I essentially started over again creating new content and going in a different direction. I had to build up new income streams again.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am an online content creator. I began posting pranks in 2009, I have had several tv appearances. I guess what sets me a part is that I am an OG and one of the first people to earn a living creating content online. As my life has changed, I have also adapted. I have been able to continue this career for 15 years. I enjoy creating content and create from a place of fun while now in my 30s remaining grounded and understanding what is truly important in life.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I think content creation or being an “influencer” will be around for quite some time. Some popular apps have come and gone, some remain for decades. Even when you see one app dying, something new tends to come along to post your content and earn a living. I think more and more audiences want to watch real people vs the life of glamorous celebrities. I also see age mattering less and less. I see content creators of all ages gaining a following.
Pricing:
- you can create a a side hustle and earn a little bit
- With numbers in the middle you can earn $50k-$100k per year
- Of course with higher numbers you can earn anywhere up to millions of dollars
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourfavoritenikki/?hl=en
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@YourFavoriteNikki
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@yourfavoritenikki?lang=en
