Welcome to our new IZEA interview series with influencers and marketers of all niches to highlight their journeys, share their insights, and inspire!
Meet Owin Pierson, a 30-year-old LA resident and Asian American-Pacific Islander, LGBTQ+ and mental health influencer. He uses his Instagram platform to inspire his 221K followers to be the author of their own story. He’s worked with leading brands like Netflix, Panda Express and Tylenol to share posts that focus on lifestyle topics, Asian American cultures, and issues the LGBTQ+ community faces. He first started his Instagram as a photographer before transitioning to sharing his experiences with his followers. Storytelling was how he grew his audience, so we chatted with Owin to learn more about his story.
Thanks so much for chatting with us. Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do.
“I work in the creative space in content creation. I grew up biracial; my mom’s Japanese and my dad is Caucasian. I first took to Instagram to do photography. I like to say that I’m a storyteller in the sense that I share my own life as someone who is part of the BIPOC, Asian American community, LGBTQ+ community and then someone who also got his degree in psychology” and likes to share mental health content.
What is the message you share with your followers?
“I would say I’m in the lifestyle and advocacy space. My mantra is you are the author of your own story and what that entails is you do not have to live your life for anyone else — you live your life for you. I really try to spread that positivity, but also the message that you matter.”
Mental health issues are prevalent in the minority and LGBTQ+ communities, he says.
“I try to showcase that it’s hard, but at least we’re in this together. And this is a safe space. I try to really create a safe space for anyone. Come to my page and feel represented or included.”
What keeps you going?
“It’s really my chosen family and the people I have connected to on Instagram. Like I’ve really met my best friends and family through my job. A lot of people don’t like to clock in their jobs, but for me, my job has saved my life.”
“Travel is such a thing that helps me feel invigorated and loved because I get to experience new cultures and foods and people.”
You focus on the topics of inclusion, issues facing the LGBTQIA+ community and diversity. Are you seeing positive changes?
“It ebbs and flows. There’s always been a tug and pull. There’s been … people throwing bombs my way to attack my integrity and who I am. But I get just as many positive messages from people and followers and friends.”
What social media platforms are you focusing on?
Instagram but “I want to find a way to incorporate my message (on TikTok).”
What’s a pro tip you would give to someone starting out as an influencer?
“Don’t get discouraged so quickly. Do it for you and what brings you joy and don’t start up for the money. I didn’t make money for the first year and a half, two years. It was all just gifting or just traveling and just building an audience. So you have to enjoy what you do because otherwise you’ll get burnt out. So you have to enjoy it.”
“Have a strategic plan. Don’t be afraid to collaborate with other people in your space or friends.”
“The beginning is the nice sweet spot, in my opinion. The first year or so, just really try new things. Try trends and different things outside of your comfort level, because the more you grow” the more people expect certain content.
“Start doing things for trade or something, but … read the contracts or have a contract for things like exclusivity and usage rights. Those are super important that I didn’t know about it.”
And what about someone who’s growing up LGBTQ+ or biracial; what would you say to them?
“You’re doing a great job. You’re putting yourself out there. It’s difficult to not see yourself represented in the media, but you are represented. I see so many people pushing for diversity and inclusion. Don’t get discouraged by what you’re not seeing.”
What are your goals?
“To continue sharing my message. To create actual inclusivity for biracial, Asian Americans, BIPOC, and LGBTQIA+ people.”
Where do you see influencer marketing going?
“I think it’s a mixed bag. It’s going to be very relevant for a long time. We are the new commercials. On the creative side we are shifting the way we create content to video content. I’m very open and I’m adapting.”
What else would you want to share?
“It’s so exciting that companies like IZEA are investing in sharing stories instead of just advocating for things that need to be done. I think that’s important and a beautiful thing, and it really helps when content creators share their own perspective and advocate for everything that needs to be done because we all know there’s so many important things … that we all know need our help and need our attention … but at the end of the day, we are just one person who can’t save the world. We’re not like these superheroes who change the world. … For me, (social media) has been a place that I found community. I found strength and motivation and also a career that I would never have gotten into if I didn’t put myself out there.”
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