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Creating Content for TikTok Will Increase Your Social Media Success with Ella Whatkins

• Kyle Kaplanis / Ella Whatkins • Episode 59

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In this episode, we are chatting with genius comedy writer Ella Watkins, who is best know on TikTok as  @ella.whatkins. She has amassed a following of 768,300 followers (as of August 24, 2021) in just 10 weeks with her hilarious comedy skits!

We discuss Ella's rocky start to TikTok as she underestimated the organic power it had and realized focusing her energy on TikTok was what she needed to grow her social media presence across other platforms. Learn how Ella's fear of success has made her a better content creator, by being able to sit down, focus, and write incredible series like her famous "Uno Reverse" series.

There are many samples of Ella's work throughout the episode so get ready to laugh your ass off as you also learn some insights and tips from Ella to grow your content and following.

Guest:

Ella Watkins
TikTok Creator / Comedy Writer

TikTok -www.tiktok.com/@ella.whatkins
IG - www.instagram.com/ellawhatkins/
YouTube - www.youtube.com/channel/UCuDGgqj_hKW3QHEPuzoC0GA


Social Media:

Follow Kyle on TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@kylekaplanis

Follow Kyle on IG: www.instagram.com/kyle_kaplanis

Reach out to Kyle directly at kyle.kaplanis@prjtztalent.com

Follow Kyle on Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-kaplanis/

Check out our website to meet the team, view show notes and transcripts: www.biztok.co

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Kyle Kaplanis:

Hey everyone. And welcome back to another episode of Biztok for TikTok . As you know, I have a lot of really cool guests that talk about. Insights especially on the brand and marketing side, but today's episode, I thought it would be really fun to bring one of my favorite creators on that. I'm hooked on her series, which we're going to dive in, but we can learn something from every creator out there regardless of what their content is. So I am so excited to introduce to you LOR kins, who's joining us today from Melbourne Australia. She is a content creator who does comedy series. And she's hilarious. Ella, welcome to BizTalk for TikTok.

Ella Watkins:

Thank you so much.

Kyle Kaplanis:

The first time that you came up on my, for you page was one of your, viral videos, maybe one of your first ones, because you did a recent video in regards to it with the meat curtain. Right. A while back ago.

Ella Watkins:

Yeah. Yeah, no, that was my first viral videos. With my Ted talk history, I created my T talk back at the end of 2019. And I posted it on it for a few more. But I was trying to grow a YouTube channel at that point. So I mostly saw as maybe a way to grow my YouTube. So I mostly posted little excerpts from my YouTube on Tik TOK and, in the beginning I grew it to about 60. No, no 80 K followers. The mom's a mouse, but I didn't really appreciate what taped up could be those. So, when the pandemic hit, I just stopped posting altogether. And, I hadn't posted it in over a year and a half. And then I started posting again 10 weeks ago now. So it was may 26. Yeah, no, it was crazy. And this time when I started posting again, I was okay, I'm going to create content for TikTok. Yeah. I want to create some videos. And for the first week and a half, I was doing trends. I'll do like one off jokes. And that video, that first big viral video about the meat flaps, the be curtains. That was, yeah, that was kind of the first time that I did. I guess like a scripted scene. It was my favorite one to meet. That's what I love doing. I think that's what I'm best at. And that one, I guess I blew up. And yeah, just the growth started from that.

Kyle Kaplanis:

That's so fun. There's a lot of people that listen in that love to hear people's success stories. And then they also like to take things away of how it can help their content. And I think you hit the nail on the head is you decided to come back to TikTok and say, okay, I'm going to focus my energy here. I'm going to create content for them. Platform, not focusing on another one, you decided to put your energy and efforts here and that was where the success came from. You decided to put your efforts there and boom, you had some viral success. What was the outcome like of that? You had a few million views on that?

Ella Watkins:

Yeah. So that video, hit a million views in . Like maybe 16 hours or something and, yeah, it was crazy and what was interesting as well, was that a few days prior, I had another video, I jumped on a trend and that video also hit a million in under 24 hours, but I only have like 500 followers from that. And that was because it was a trend. I wasn't really talking the video. It was just like a one-off school joke.. But this one, after I posted it within three days, I'd gotten another 70,000, fellow is set. He jumped up to, I think around 140, 150,000 followers. I may TikTok and after that I was like, oh, this is my favorite content to create. I'm just going to keep doing this.

Kyle Kaplanis:

It's interesting, you mentioned that you had two viral videos yet. The traction you got from each was different, there is a lot of times where people say I've had viral success yet. I didn't really grow from it. And it's true because the one you said there was a trend, people found that piece of content exciting, but you as a creator, maybe they were like, oh, okay, whatever. But because you created something that you're passionate about, you created some sort of script around. It was hilarious. They realized, oh, Ella is a creator of comedy. I must follow. Exactly.

Ella Watkins:

That's exactly. It so I was talking to another one of my friends yesterday., he also wants to , come on Tik TOK and everything. And then he was talking about one of his friends. He also got like a blog video and I was trying to explain, I'll try it. Pin why exactly, because I was using those two examples. How, what am I doing? This blew up. I got no followers book, 500 and another one, and then was like massive, massive kind of follow a game. And that's exactly it. It's the content versus like people recognizing, oh, you're a creator. Like it's not just a one-off joke. It's yeah.

Kyle Kaplanis:

Exactly. So when I'm talking to people I'm saying, I think it's important to still do trends if you're still new, because you did it in the beginning, you have to try things, right. So it's important to try things, but I think it's also important to figure out and hone in on what are you really excited to create? Cause that's when you're going to find the right audience and build that community in the right way. And you've done a really good job with that. So once those videos started happening, you said, okay, This is where I need to focus my energy. Is that what happened

Ella Watkins:

a hundred percent? It was more validating really because what I love, I want to be like a script writer. I want to write television series and everything. And I feel that's what I have most experience and that's what I'm good at. And when I came to TikTok, It didn't have it really quick that maybe I could write, scripted little scenes, little sketches. When I first came on, for the first week and a half, two weeks, I was just doing trends and doing really short one off little, hard hitting jokes, I guess. But, when that video blew up, I mean, I had so much fun making it as well. the night before I filmed it, it was like 1:00 AM and I was just lying in bed and I was like, oh, this is an idea. Sorry, I'm always like, whenever I sleep, I like grabbed my foot and moving on with my eyes squinting and my ideas and everything. And then the next morning you wake up, I was like, okay, I'm going to films will take up today. So I filmed a trend and also that video. And then I posted the trend and, it wasn't doing too well. It was, it was doing it right. And then I was like, oh, you know, I think I'm going to post like the video, the other, scene via that I filmed today. So I posted that and I had never seen the numbers like that. The rate that it was growing and it was definitely, as you said, realizing that is what works for me, but it was, I guess at the same time, that's what I had the most fun creating that, and that's what I know that I'm good at. It was all kind of validating and being like, oh yeah, this is actually something you can bring to this point.

Kyle Kaplanis:

Exactly. Were you a little bit nervous because of the content? It was, I guess it's a little bit controversial in a way, like in a sense where you might feel, Ooh, this is a little bit different. Should I go with it? You just went with it or what were your thoughts? Yeah.

Ella Watkins:

I didn't think about it too much because from coming up with the idea and creating it, it all happened. The one day kind of thing. So I didn't really think about it too much. When I was making it, I was having like a good giggle to myself. I was like, oh yeah. And also, I didn't really have a platform at that time. I was only getting a couple of hundred views per video. It, wasn't like, oh my God, something could happen. That's potentially from this. So yeah, it didn't really cross my mind. I just posted it and which was really interesting. Even though it's like a silly video, it's lots of jokes and everything. There is like the body positive element in there. And a lot of girls yeah. Commented. And I got a lot of DMS on Instagram of girls saying, it was really funny, but it also made me feel really good and validated. So

Kyle Kaplanis:

I love that. I love that. So your comedy efforts. Created some positivity for, women to speak out and say, thank you for this video and bringing attention to it and having fun with it and bringing light to the subject to that. Sometimes people don't like to talk about. I'm sure it was rewarding in multiple ways, not just from the virality of it and gaining followers. You're like, thanks. But I think it's those little moments where people reach out and say, thank you your content. Helped me or made me feel more confident of who I am as a woman. That probably was so much more powerful than

Ella Watkins:

it was. It was, yeah, it was incredible. And to realize as well that you can, have that effect and you have that voice cause, I just pictured myself, being younger and being insecure about a lot of things and being able to have that effect on people. It's just, it's amazing to think.

Kyle Kaplanis:

I love the power of take talk of people, being able to share themselves authentically and not being afraid to hide behind things in life where people almost put down, right? Like you're able to now share it and say, this is a part of human beings. Not everybody has these things or whatnot, but I'm going to share it and speak up about it. And I loved it and it was so funny. It was one of my favorite videos. And then I got hooked on your content style . and I became a huge fan of you and now you're running . A series of, I can not stop laughing. It kills me your creative approach and just the way you have multiple characters in your videos, which is so fun. And I think the aspect, that level as well about TikTok and we can talk more is how you're able to portray more than one character without really having to change much about you., you don't have any, this big prediction studio, you could do it right there on your phone. How far.

Ella Watkins:

No completely. And that's one of the reasons that, I came to TikTok when I did, because with the pandemic and everything, I felt the need to create and create now, but I wanted to do that in, a low pressure environment where I didn't need to be working with like a crew. I didn't need to apply for funding. I didn't need to do any of that. With my phone and get these ideas out and made.

Kyle Kaplanis:

So then you thought, okay, you're your lunar reverse series? That is one of my favorites. It is so funny. And I think there's a lot of people you've inspired to put, you know, reverse cards even in their pockets or wallets. How did that even come about? What inspires you.

Ella Watkins:

I am not entirely sure. obviously there's the meme that's been circulated I think someone, sent me the meme and I'd seen him a million times. Oh, I'd love to see this like actually used in. Yeah. Come to life. I filmed, five videos in the series so far, I've got a whole bunch of plan. Kyle, I've got like eight more episodes and they escalates the whole storyline plan. But, the first three, I didn't intend for them to really be, a storyline. Us three all at the same time. And then I went to post the first one on a Sunday and I get a bit of performance anxiety. So sometimes I miss upload days and video. It's more cause I get a little bit anxious and I'm like, oh, I'm not gonna post today. I had that first, you know, video ready to go. I waited until the next evening. And then I posted it and it did so well. And I was like, oh my God, why did I post it yesterday? Then it blew up. And then I posted the next two that I had. And by the time I posted the third one, it had become, I guess, like a bit of a trend people were commenting, like I've seen 10 of these in my page. I love these videos. But then I was like, I want to continue this, but I want to take it to the next level. And that's what I made the fourth one in that series, which was the one that really,

Kyle Kaplanis:

yeah. Almost half a million views.

Ella Watkins:

Oh yeah, yeah, no, it's insane. And the other ones were already doing really well, over a million views. But , I wanted to take it to the next level. So I had the idea for the police officer with the driver's license. I had that idea when I was filming the other three and in the beginning it was only the, like the one drink. I was like, oh yes, the reverse of the driver's license. But then when I sat down to film it, I was like, oh wait, no I'm going to take it further. I've got to make it more. So then I edited my script, editing all the other lines and I filmed it and I edited it that afternoon and left with that one. And, people just love that one. And that's when I was like, oh, these characters, they're really fun. It's kind of like Bonnie and Clyde.. So now I've got like a whole series planned. I'm still figuring out what, the best way to do it. Cause I really love the idea of creating, multiple, series on TikTok, but, it's interesting. I've got to find the balance of creating a series, but every video still being enjoyable on its own. So you don't have to say the other videos to enjoy this one video. That's what I'm working on with what I'm writing these other videos. I like, I've got to find the balance. I've got to keep the storyline going, but I've got to make the video. Enjoyable just as it is, if he come across that and you've never seen any of the other universities, you can still enjoy

Kyle Kaplanis:

it. That's really smart. I think because it's true. We all know, especially those, if you're listening and you're a huge TikTok user, you will understand that your, for you page throws you mixes of things. And sometimes you might not see the whole series show up on your for you page, unless you go and look for it and then go back and watch them all. So I love that. You're thinking ahead of time. Hmm, how can I make this video still be a part of the series, but that people will enjoy this as a whole. And then if they want to go back and watch, they can too, but it's still enjoyable as its own video itself. That's really, really smart.

Ella Watkins:

Yeah, thank you. Well, I think that's the way that going to do it with the way that the TikTok algorithm works, because you can't guarantee that the people who are going to get, the video in the beginning are going to have seen the rest and you don't know what's going on.

Kyle Kaplanis:

Exactly. And the funny thing is that the way that algorithm works, some of your other videos could kick out after one of these other videos have posted,, it's just weird how that happens. Has any of your videos been, research-related like almost went viral again all the

Ella Watkins:

time, all the time. It's constant. And I'll notice when a video's going viral a second time, it really comes in a way. Yeah. Um, no, because in my notification tab, , I'll just start getting a whole bunch of notifications for, with, and you can see the thumbnail of the video that notification is for. Like a video that I posted three weeks ago. and it happens multiple times. A few of my videos that went viral. You know, you hit a million, they sat on a million for a few weeks and yeah. They hit a million, like again and again. And now that I know a few of those are like in the three millions, because of going viral, like three times, it's interesting. The way the algorithm cycles through, I guess it pushes that out to a new group of people and eat that really well. Picks up

Kyle Kaplanis:

again, exactly , but I love that your content can almost stay evergreen on there and then it's can research isolate once you post it's not lost. It just, it can recycle. And you'll probably find that even a year from now, I guarantee some of these videos that you posted, like you might be on UNO part 50, who knows. And then UNO part one, the original video might reset again. A month later, I've seen that with certain content. So like , my daughter is a content creator on the app too. She's got 2.4 million followers and some of her content she'll tell me as well. She's like, oh my gosh, I'm getting notifications from like 6:00 PM to go on some of these videos. And they just research collate. And I love that though. Everybody has an opportunity and they can come back around. And I tell people who may come. Don't worry about it. Just keep them out there. They, you never know when they can pop.

Ella Watkins:

No you don't. Yeah. And, one thing that I find is that's really reassuring with the TikTok algorithm. It's easy to see it as just be crazy thing that you can't understand., it does its own thing and you don't know what it's doing, but a lot of the time, if you're patient, I found personally with the kind of content I create, I don't know if it translates into other styles of content creation, but I've found. The videos that I'm really proud of and the videos that I really think, oh yeah, this is some of my best work. It's reflected in the views and the TikTok algorithm. Where's the video. When I go to post them, I'm like, Hmm, I'm not so happy with this video, but I'll post it because I made it. And I don't have anything else to praise today., that's reflected in the views too. But it's reassuring to be like, oh yeah, TikTok algorithm agrees with my own standards that I set, but yes. So on the idea I've had various, that I've posted them and be like, oh, I was really happy with that video, but didn't do so well. But then a few weeks later it starts getting pushed to the right people. Then it starts getting some traction and I'm getting reflect how I feel about it.

Kyle Kaplanis:

I was actually just a guest on a podcast today, , myself. I was on somebody else's show and we talked about that exact same thing cause they asked me what's the biggest advice I could give to content creators. And it was that advice right there that you mentioned is. To not over think your content. If you create a piece of content and you love it yourself, other people will see it, they can almost feel the vibes and energies off of it. So if you feel really confident about it, even if it's underperforming, just be proud of it because it could take off, that's the power of it is just create content you love and your proud of posts. Those.

Ella Watkins:

Yeah, no, a hundred percent that, , and again, I've been having this conversation with my friends who want to, start take talks too. And we're all watching those videos on YouTube that are like, what should you do to help , making it on TikTok and everything? And they do say, if a video does well, try and recreate that, but I think it's more important to literally just do what you really enjoy and bias from that whole idea of, a video does well. Try and recreate something in the vein of that. But I think it's , more than just recreating that video safe. It's not really something that you enjoy, that you feel passionate about analyze, why it did well, break it down and then take that element and put that into something that you are really passionate about. And you think this is the kind of content that you love making, but yeah, no, I totally agree that. I think it shines through when you're having fun. You're enjoying yourself.

Kyle Kaplanis:

It's 300%. And I could speak to that on my daughter when she's really confident in her videos, those videos immediately kick off and then she'll be like, what the heck? And I'm like Jade it's because people can feel it. And I can see in her videos too, when she's just having an off week, let's say, she just posting the posts because you do that as a content creator. You still feel like you got to give content out, but you're just not in the right mindset. People can feel it. They'll still be excited about it, but you'll see the views reflect it.

Ella Watkins:

Yeah entirely, but that itself, as I said before, it's reassuring. Because , I remember when I first started posting on up here, I heard so many people talk about how the algorithm is just this untamable beast and you never know, but it's reassuring to see that it reflects.

Kyle Kaplanis:

I want to go back to your in a series because there's, one video I recently watched I've seen them all, but I thought it was so funny is when they went to counseling and then the counselor ended up being the police officer. So I wasn't expecting that., I was like, okay, where's this going? And then that happens. And it was. Hilarious. I was like, how do you think of these things? I'd love to know that as well. Where do you come up with these ideas? How do they just come about, because obviously you're now starting to think further and you have ideas for the future, but how do they come about?

Ella Watkins:

I love the whole idea of, how you come up with like ID generation and everything. I'm only just rediscovering that. And I was in this boat off. I don't really know what I'm doing, and I think the way that I've, you'd being creative and creating content has completely changed in the past 10 weeks. I think, it all goes back and track the fixed mindset or the growth mindset. But I very much, when I started placing on take, took I'll do you know, wait until I was feeling inspired and I'm like, oh, I need to write. And I write ideas down, all the ideas would just come to me. But now, ever since, my first viral video, I was like, okay, I'm actually gonna, try this and go a hundred percent., on days when , the ideas are just coming to me, I have to sit down and be disciplined and say, okay, I'm sitting down. To generate some ideas to write. And, what I found is that creativity a hundred percent just like anything else, it's a skill and you work on it and you develop it and you get better at it. And forcing myself to sit down and write when I'm not inspired to do so, but isn't just like coming to me. Validating because before every time I'd have a good idea, it felt like a one hit wonder, it felt like it was a lightning strike and it was like, oh, I can never do. And yeah. And I can only speak for myself, but I think a lot of people almost have this. Fear of success because I had, when I started TikTok, I was like, oh my God, like maybe it's possible. But at the same time, there was that fear that was thinking if I do blow up, how am I going to upkeep with the content? Because at the fixed mindset with creativity in that ideas would just come to me out of nowhere. And how could I ever be, they were going to come to me again in that same manner. But now that I've actually started as sitting down and being disciplined and right. I'm like, oh no, this is a skill just like anything else I can sit down and I can get myself into that state and I can write., and, some of the best stuff that I've written has been when I have just sat down and said, yes, I'm writing right now. And as well, what I've found as I said, it's a skill and you get better at it. Me versus me 10 weeks ago, ideas just come so much faster because I'm constantly working that muscle and constantly flexing ideas. I think a lot of the ideas that I get, I like to riff on ideas. So once I had the first day, which came from, a friend sent me the meme and I'd sit in a lot of times. And I was like, I don't have my back to make this video. Then I just riff on the idea, at a sec, we'd be like, oh, what about in this situation? What, and I love taking one thing and then something completely unrelated and bringing that into the equation. Like, bring the, you know, the joke with driver's license and then, the idea for then going to therapy, I love, creating storylines and everything. Oh, wait, bring it into this situation, bring it into this situation. I feel like a really great way to create content really quickly and easily if you're new to it, is asking yourself. So, particularly with the meat flap videos, , that each line is just like me. Yes. Ending be like, okay, . And then it's , oh, here's another , funny way of like, thinking about that and applying an idea into . Threading two ideas that are completely unrelated together, , I love that. I think I pass personally funny.

Kyle Kaplanis:

What's really cool that you mentioned and is so important for people to listen and hear is , you mentioned, 10 weeks ago you were in a totally different creative way and now you've really improved. And a lot of people I think get overwhelmed when they come to creating themselves. Channels like yourself who look like, you know exactly what you're doing., and there's a lot of really great creators out there. Call me crises a really good one that does a lot of really cool., videos that she portrays different characters as well. And some people might see these accounts and be like, oh my gosh, they're way too good. I can't be as good. But you have to remember that each creator like yourself, you just explained that 10 weeks ago you were not the same. You not even as good. So you have to create in order to get better. And I love that you said, right? Like you said, you. Force yourself to be more disciplined. And I think that's right there is really important is that yes, you're going to get these amazing moments out there that just come to you, but you have to put yourself in that creative mindset. If you want to be a crater, you have to put in the work. So you have to show up and say, I got to do this. I got to create that.

Ella Watkins:

Yeah, if you really want to do this, he can't just take content when it comes to you, when it's all, flowers and wow. Lightning strikes and that kind of thing . But as I said, as well, when you realize that you can actually be disciplined and sit down and do that, it's so much more satisfying because then it's oh yeah, this is something that I'm capable of, but it's not. That happens out

Kyle Kaplanis:

of the blue. Right? Exactly. And there's a lot of people out there who might want to be just a one-off creator and that's fine. When you have those moments, , then go for it. But those that really want to make this a thing. You really do got to sit down and put in the work and figure out these new moments and learning, but in order to do so, you just have to keep creating and keep creating and, and you'll learn as you go and get better and you'll get faster , and more ideas will come. And your audience is probably a huge driving force , on some ideas. Have you gotten a lot of really cool ideas from you? Yeah.

Ella Watkins:

Yes, there are actually a few that I, have seen recently. I'm like, oh my God, that's right. I need to create, I haven't gotten them yet, but absolutely. And sometimes I'll get like DMS of people be like, you should do UNO in this way. And I'm like, that's such a good idea. And someone was like, I want to see, you know, with a Karen's and I was like, that's a really good idea.. And also. My audience they're so funny. There's sometimes I post a video and the comments I say it all the time, , oh my Instagram stories look like you guys see the comments you'll riding a funnier than the video themselves. I think the audience themselves that's so creative and they're so fun.

Kyle Kaplanis:

That's what makes it more fun too? How many times do I go to a video and go to the comment section? Just to see all the funny comment they like help of video even more because you read other ideas within the video and it just makes it more fun. I love that the community can come together on a video concept , and enjoy each other. Yeah. Comments as a whole.

Ella Watkins:

Yeah, I forgot to mention as well the, you know, video that really blew up, everyone before that was saying, , I want to see the person reverse the reverse. And so that was from the audience. Yeah.

Kyle Kaplanis:

That's so funny. So, yeah. Kicked off this new series of the reverse reverse, which is hilarious. And I love that with other people's content elder, even if it's not comedy based, your audience is so fun on giving you] new ideas, and , my podcasts, I talked to a lot of brands and businesses. As a brand and business we've even seen it, you probably seen it on four new pages, right. The audience really gets creative with the brand or business said, you guys should work with this, or you guys should do this and, or your product. It'd be cool if you collaborated with blah, like it, there's so many things that your audience wants to get involved. And as a creator, you're getting involved as they resonate with that. Cause you listen.

Ella Watkins:

A hundred percent. And I think that's where Tik TOK is really leading, like with any other of the platforms you can't really get that same collaborative element between the creator and the audience. Yeah. It's such a nice environment.

Kyle Kaplanis:

It's really fun. And there's so many different, features that you could do to collaborate with people. Have anybody ever , do edit your videos?

Ella Watkins:

Oh, yeah, there are lots of duets. I don't always see them all., but I've seen a few and when it first started happening, like when my first video blew up, I got a lot of duets to that. It's so flattering. Yeah., it's crazy.

Kyle Kaplanis:

It is. I, I love that feature because as a creator, you get comments which is great, but when somebody like do it to, it makes a video to even share it, or just showing their moment of how funny, just them laughing along with the video, it just shows another side, that you can't reflect in a comment. So I love that.

Ella Watkins:

Yeah. it's like having a telescope into the other side of the phone, if the POV moment when, where you are the phone screen, watching them watch your TikTok. It's crazy. Yeah. I, so I started doing it recently. That was, I think it was just someone laughing at the, driver's license in a reverse. And I enjoyed watching them. So much it's all virtual, you see the numbers, but it's hard to fathom that people actually watch the videos. So then when I see that it's like this is someone watching the video, my brain comprehends that more than just seeing a number.

Kyle Kaplanis:

So have you been out in public and has anybody recognized you.

Ella Watkins:

Yes. Recently I haven't been out in public because we've been in lockdowns and everything for like the past like months. I had my huge growth. I haven't been out., but after my, meet flaps video went viral, I was asking about, and I was having coffee with a friend. So we had our masks off. And someone yelled at me from across, across like the mole and were like, I love you and take trucks. And then I yelled back. I was like, thank you very much. And then she was just like, I just thought you had to know. And I was like, thank you. So, yeah, but aside from that, I haven't been out in public for a while and I haven't been out without my mask on I had my mask off because I was drinking a coffee in your lap.

Kyle Kaplanis:

Exactly. What's funny is a lot of people are consuming, especially in Australia with you guys are back ] in another lockdown. So they're just continuing, continuing. So when you are able to get out there, or people are probably going to be like,

Ella Watkins:

Yeah, no, that's crazy. I think. I think , there's a large portion of my Australian audience that it would be Melbourne because I know that TikTok prioritize is sending the content out in the first batch to people who are in your immediate interesting, My own videos. I'll see them popping up in like, Groups and like on Instagram, like repost and stuff. And that, that as well as the same feeling of like, oh, wow, this is crazy.

Kyle Kaplanis:

Even though Facebook is so old school, but when they can reach that, that means your video is doing really well because you. The entire demographic, everybody's resonating with it. And some of these younger creators don't really get pushed out to Facebook audiences, like we saw with, dog face, for 20, with his content and the ocean spray videos. You might've sound that all the way in Australia have you,

Ella Watkins:

if I have, I don't know if I have

, Kyle Kaplanis:

his went viral within the Facebook community and then it just went crazy. Once you reach that demographic over there, you know, your videos are doing really good.

Ella Watkins:

Yeah. Yeah. They true Facebook so far from TikTok.

Kyle Kaplanis:

Sophie can get over there. It's traveling and how fun is it to know that your video. Traveled that far where people had to share it enough to be excited to share with their friends , and then get onto these groups. That's so cool. How rewarding is that?

Ella Watkins:

It's crazy. And it's so flattering as well, but it's also crazy to comprehend. I feel like my brain is still trying to, I don't think humans have made to comprehend those kinds of numbers and reaching that fog when you're not physically there. I feel like my. Can't really grasp it at the same time yet to maybe you've never, well, we'll see.

Kyle Kaplanis:

Awesome. Would you be able to share with us, any futuristic things? Should we be excited about the content that's coming.

Ella Watkins:

Yes. Oh, yes, totally. I always love to look at my videos and I feel I can take something and learn something from each one that I make. the Juno series has really shown me that I want to create, a few that can be staple characters on my channel that. Yeah. So I'm really working on that at the moment. There's a whole bunch more videos in the storyline. So I've written, a storyline that goes through, I think, eight episodes,, that I've got planned. And, it's a series. But in their entirety are also enjoyable. So that's what I'm looking at the moment, creating some characters that people will hopefully really love and. Storylines that thread through.

Kyle Kaplanis:

Awesome. So we can be expecting some new characters to emerge. Yes, yes, yes. Oh, fun. That's so exciting. How did you come up with the concept of. The meat curtain video, when your head, like the potluck?, I think was it a toast.

Ella Watkins:

Oh, okay. So before I filmed that video, I had some friends over and I had that red star on my kitchen bench. I, one of my friends like teasing me about my toast and I was like, this is cause I dunno. I feel like it's a very bespoke toaster. I really like it. My friend was teasing me about it. And then I think it was like a few days later I went to film this video and I just had my bra on. It was like in the middle of filming it. Hmm, I'm going to replace my Baret with my bespoke toaster and the dice was just forefront of my mind because my friend had the comment. Easing about me, about my toaster. And then I also put the plates on as well. Cause he didn't play the same shape as the Baret in the video that I posted recently, I had a whole bunch of other things put in my head, but I haven't developed the skills to be able to balance them on my head and get out my phone and film yet. So, I wasn't able to actually fully through and all

Kyle Kaplanis:

those, but that's hilarious. But you were able to do the toaster and the pot within a pot lady.

Ella Watkins:

Oh yeah, it was

Kyle Kaplanis:

public. Yeah. It's funny, things like that, that really keep the audience engaged the whole time. Like, what the hell did I just see that? And they want to like, watch it again. Was that a toast? Cause if you don't make any reference to it at all, you're continuing on like normal and people are just like, wait so., Ella Watkins: I think there's And, I've put a few of those little moments in a few videos and the fun thing about that. They usually not planned, I'll usually be filming and then I'll think, oh, I'm not doing this. So in the, you know, reverse with the driver's license, when, again, I had this moment where one of the characters reaches out and grabs the glasses and takes the policemen's glasses and that as well, like I was just filming. Oh, I need to take the glasses right now. It's weird as well. Cause it's improvising with yourself. Yeah. Yeah. That's so cool. Would you tell other creators to have fun with it? If a moment comes up and it just feels right to just go for it?

Ella Watkins:

Yes. All a hundred percent. Some of my friends. Things have just been in the moment, I, lot of the times, like when I'm filming, I brought a script butter or you really keep to the script, maybe 60% because as I'm filming and I'm having fun, I'll come up with a better lines of dialogue, like more jokes and stuff, and I'll throw those in. And then make a little note to , make sure, , when I feel the other character I put in , some other lines so that I can make it a dialogue. don't be set in your space, . Really have fun and whatever ideas

Kyle Kaplanis:

come. I love that. I think that's really smart yeah, don't be set. Have your idea, but if other things come up, have a good time with it. I think people really feel that through a video you can just see it and if you're having a good time in your room, I feel that as well, and it makes me want to have a fun time. And so it is really important in regardless of what you do.

Ella Watkins:

No, totally. And I think some of those organic moments are the bits that are sometimes the funniest. I just like in the video that the most recent Meekum video that I posted my bra fell off in the moment. And I refilled that line, with my bra, like properly on my head. And then when I went to edit it and I was like, no, you're the one with the Berry falling off that's way better. And then the people in the comments were like loving the bra falling sliding off.

Kyle Kaplanis:

I think a lot of people do that. Even when they're speaking, maybe they miss pronounced something or they say an almond. They're like, want to redo it, but it just feels more genuine when it's real like that. And I've noticed a lot of people who are like, you know what, I'm going to post it. I don't care. That is when people comment. And they're like, I felt such a stronger connection to this and I do it. I'm the number one critic of it. My wife tells me all the time, cause I'm always rewatching. I'm like, oh, I didn't like the way that sounded to myself. If you like, what are you talking about? It's perfect. That's who you are. And then when I redo it, Professional or how I feel like it should do. She's like it feels not you. And I'm like, it's true. It's true.

Ella Watkins:

It's so much more connected. It's like less rehearsed. It's just, it's in the moment all the time when I'm cutting together, my scenes and everything. I might do something multiple times and it's always the first, the first take that's the best one.

Kyle Kaplanis:

Yes, exactly. Just the truth, who you are, you don't overthink it. You're just being who you are. I love that. Yeah, exactly. Is there any, tip that you would give to creators out there, regardless of their content, what is something you would give them as a content?

Ella Watkins:

I guess we've already covered it, but it's just do what really makes you excited if you're creating content that you're excited about. Festival that's sustainable. That's what you should be doing, but don't be on TikTok to make videos that you're not inspired yourself by that you don't enjoy making. And as we discussed already the content that you're really excited and passionate about people who are going to be at to feel that yeah. Probably going to be the content that performs the best for you in the long run. So, yeah, I didn't

Kyle Kaplanis:

follow that. Absolutely. And I like to ask a couple of creators that come on my show, these fun questions that are TikTok based, and one is what kind of content is found on your, for you page?

Ella Watkins:

It depends what I interact with, but I get a lot of, comedy kind of talking to the camera, I'm a big fan of G I come right back TikTok handle, but she's English and it's almost blogged, but it's called me. So I had a lot of comedy stuff on, like for you page. I also get a lot of in videos, building harmonies, which I actually really liked. I really liked the, and I get a little standup, videos of people's stand up routines.

Kyle Kaplanis:

I like that. It's a very comedy filled on your channel, which is good. Cause it's like inspires you. I'm sure you are like, wow, those are some great ideas. I can't wait to go out there and share my ideas now. Yeah, yeah, absolutely.. I think that's really key. If you're creating content is to follow other creators who are in the space to see what they're doing , and take away some ideas and what is working, what's not working and really learn about your community and diving into other people's communities will help grow your own and learn from. So that's really fun. Somebody from our audience asks the question, it's actually my wife, she's listening in and she did make an, a good comment here. And I wanted to ask you because it's something. Worth asking and she said, have you ever unlocked dark take talk, quote unquote, and got some hate comments.

Ella Watkins:

Oh, okay. So yeah, this is an interesting question. I always tried to reply to the comments I can, the first hour or two, I try to get on there, interact with the audience. After I posted a video 24 hours later, I don't want to go through and necessarily. Look and read all the comments and everything. I mostly only see the ones and that's not deliberate. That's just because I'm like, I moved on to the next video and I post every day. Focusing on the comments in, the most recent video, but sometimes I do every now and then see like a hate comment pop up in my notifications. And it's been on the videos that have gone really viral because obviously they're reaching more people. I know that TikTok can be very harsh, but I think for the most part, my audience is really supportive and I like to think that my content attracts those kinds of people who are already positive and funny. But I've definitely got some hate comments. when I first posted the first meet curtains video, I got a few here and there, but it was mostly, stuff like, oh, red, isn't your color? It was like things like making fun of my appearance and obviously that's just someone having a hard time and just like reaching out. So that doesn't really bother me., and then I guess on the most recent one, I got a few comments this is why girls aren't funny, I haven't gotten any comments that happened. Um, I guess upset me because it's mostly just people reaching out, because they're having a hard time. Exactly.

Kyle Kaplanis:

For creators who do get hate comments, what is some advice that you would give? Would you tell them don't take it too personally. It's usually a reflection of that person.

Ella Watkins:

Yeah. A hundred percent. If you think about the person , from the perspective of the person who made the comment. You think about like why, if they would go out of their way to post that comment. Cause I would never do that on social media. And I think like I were to do that. I'll have to be in a really dark place. I would really have to make myself. It's never really about you. It's about what they're going through. Um, and yeah, and also like as well, like not, everyone's going to enjoy your car.

Kyle Kaplanis:

Exactly. Especially the more big you grow, you're going to reach more audiences and we all have dislikes and likes and it's just going to reach people that sometimes don't like it and it is what it is. That's just part of it. Yeah.

Ella Watkins:

Yeah. A hundred percent like, and that's why, content itself is so exciting because everyone has different preferences and there's so many different kinds of content. Yeah. It's what makes it exciting. So you can't expect everyone to love.

Kyle Kaplanis:

Me and my wife actually joke about is when you start seeing hate comments, come in, be excited because that means your content is getting pushed out there. The algorithm is in your favor. So if you're like seeing. You should say yes. It's getting pushed to look at

Ella Watkins:

yeah. A hundred percent. A hundred percent. Yeah, absolutely. And also it's interesting as well. No, the difference between a hate comment or a, criticism, because I have gotten comments from people who follow me, who just give me some advice. Particularly with the, you know, reverse videos, the third one that I posted right before the really big viral one, I knew that wasn't really hitting the mark and I posted it and I think someone commented, but then they removed it because I, then I commented on that video and being like, oh, episode four is up. I think they commented, oh, like the drug's getting a bit old and it was getting a bit old., but then they commented on the fourth one because I took it to the next level, and that was from a person who follows me and like really supports me. The audience and, take on my feedback. They can be right. And that can be how you can improve your comments. And it's, it's fine.

Kyle Kaplanis:

Absolutely. Yeah, definitely. I agree., there's a difference between, Hey, and then there's a difference between critiquing and learning , from it, for sure. And don't get yourself too in your head, listen sometimes to your audience and there's lots of creators I've talked to. Who've had those moments where their audience can come across a little bit like that. Cause you could take it a little bit personal, but you take a deep breath and sit back and say, actually my audience loves me. They just are looking to get a little bit more, change this up , and by listening to them, it can make you a better creator as well. So I think that's really important to do that. But those ones that are deliberately. Brush it off and realize it's because your content actually reached new audiences and that's exciting. Don't get too caught up. I love that. And some of those that are listening now my goal is that they're new fans of you because I love your content. And I'm hoping that my audience does as well., but for those listening, where can they find you follow you and learn more about your content?

Ella Watkins:

Yes, sir, on Tik TOK, at L Watkins., and I post on Instagram a lot, mostly in my story is I'll send updates as I'm filming or as I'm editing or if you're interested in what I'm doing in my life, I'm mostly in, up, down now. So it's a moderately interesting. Yeah, you can find me.

Kyle Kaplanis:

That's fun. Those of you that are listening, you can easily go to the description notes of this podcast episode, and you'll have all the links right there to Ellis social pages. So you don't even have to look it up. You can go there and click those links and be able to go follow her on her channels. I really am telling you right now to go do that because she is so funny, you will love that, you know, reverse series and even her meet curtains video, both of those, I urge you to go check them out because they're hilarious and the funny thing is I'm a guy, right. And that content really. Made me laugh and had a good time. So if any guys out there are saying like, oh girls, aren't funny. Well, that's bull because I found it amazing. And I really am so excited to, to see where your series goes it's like a new Netflix. I can't wait for the next episode. I'm like, come on. I got to binge watch. You got it.

Ella Watkins:

No, that's it's crazy. I felt like after posting the content, people like. Enjoy it. And I think, but I get a lot of comments, like every time. Cause I posted a few videos in between now, like since I've did the loss, you know, video and I'm prepping the next one, but it's taking me some time. So I was waiting on some crops to be delivered and stuff because on Instagram people be like, I need the next video. I need it. And I have a whole series planned, so don't worry coming.

Kyle Kaplanis:

Perfect. So those of you that are addicted now to Ella's content like me, don't worry. She's got a whole series planned. I've unlocked. we've got confirmation that this is going to continue, and this is going to be really fun. So thank you, Ella. I appreciate it., so much. And could you do the, what,, like , your famous, what for us, for our podcast episode?

Ella Watkins:

Yes.

Kyle Kaplanis:

I love that. Thank you.

Ella Watkins:

My slogan. And, in my TikTok handle, I've spent my last name with an H like what? Yeah. Cause my name Watkins was taken, but that was never intentional. I never, now

Kyle Kaplanis:

it's kind of, that was perfect. It was like, perfect. That that happened. Cause it just, it works out. I love that. We'll have to do some myrcene is that in the works?

Ella Watkins:

That's not in the works, but I would love to, I have some ideas, but, I've only been on TikTok ready for 10 weeks, so everything's happening so fast. So I would, yeah, I would love to make much and everything. Yep.

Kyle Kaplanis:

Awesome. Cool. Well, thanks everyone for listening into another episode of his talk for TikTok. Do me a favor. If you're listening to this right now, make sure to come over, subscribe and leave a review. And come visit us on my social media pages, which are also in the description notes. Leave a comment that you came from this episode, share any thoughts and feedback I'd love to hear from you and we'll tune in next week.

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Kyle Kaplanis

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