Exploring Cleveland and Northeast Ohio: A Fresh Approach to Local Content Creation

Hello, Cleveland, Northeast Ohio, Ohio in general. If you live here or consume content that is like local to the area, um, I would love to ask you some questions as I’m just trying to get feedback on kind of where I wanna take content creation going forward. I have like my own kind of different things that I’m going to be doing which I’ll talk about. So this is a longer video, but I would really appreciate your thoughts and opinions if you have the time. Okay, so basically I have an Instagram account called Hannah dot in dot, Ohio. And I also share like local videos here. Um, usually the same content I put there, I put here too. Sometimes I even do more here because of like the picture option. But um, I’ve kind of taken a big step back, um, for two reasons. One, I got diagnosed with POTS last year, so just like, in terms of like, energy and ability, I’ve had to take that step back. But um, I just have like a renewed energy for like my passion projects. And as I’m able to take more care of myself and find more balance amongst my other responsibilities, cause I work full time in healthcare, I do really, really wanna get back into content creation locally. It’s something I’m super passionate about and I love doing, but I was honestly getting very burnt out on it, I think, just as from a consumer standpoint. A lot of the content that I found myself, like, doing was very, like, duplicate, duplicative and repetitive or trying to keep up with, like, what other people were doing, because like, a lot of it is like, trying to share, like, the new spots in town or like, whatever. That doesn’t necessarily mean that the spots are actually good. And I feel like a lot of content creation has moved away from being like, reviews and more so just a spotlight or a highlight of a location. And that’s not what I started out to do. And it’s totally awesome if people want to do that, but me personally, I don’t actually get fulfilled by really doing that. Um, I really do want like, my posts and videos to be like, stories and like, storytelling, cause that’s like what I’m passionate about, especially with like, my marketing background. And I’m trying to find a way to bring that back to like, the center of my content creation. That means kind of reframing my mindset to quality over quantity. Like, even if I can only put out a few videos a month, but they’re higher production level and I just have more integrity with what I’m putting out there. Um, I think I’ll feel better about it and that will allow me to like, keep going and then hopefully that’s more productive and helpful for my audience. But that’s also why I’m here, because I have a lot of questions. I guess my first question is, is it when you’re sitting down to watch a video, do you want just like, the 20 second version of, like, here’s a new place? Or are you genuinely interested in hearing from the owners, maybe hearing, like, the story behind why a business started, um, and maybe just, like, their ethos and what they believe in and, like, again, the reason why they started in the first place. Obviously that takes more time as the creator, but it’s not really a format that I see being followed on, like, a local level. It’s obviously not a new format at all. Um, you can turn on like, and he’s like Cooking Channel, but also, like, tons of tik tokers and content creators have built their platform on telling the story behind a place, which is awesome. It’s a format that I really, really like to consume. It’s probably like the empath in me. I just like to hear the story behind something. It really helps me buy into that, like, community business aspect of things. And like, you know, going to a place that you really, like, believe in yourself, it just. It just makes the transaction so much more meaningful. Um, and even though we probably all have places like that, I don’t necessarily think, like, it’s always spotlighted on social media. It is a format that takes, like, longer time and energy and research and all of that and coordination. But if It’s something that people would genuinely be interested in in this area. I would definitely be interested in, like, pursuing that myself. And like I said, this is not like, a novel idea, but it’s just something I’m wondering if people want more of. Or are they, you know, not interested in sitting through a video that is like a minute, 30 seconds long? I also just want to know, like, what type of content people want to see. Um, I. I didn’t start out to be, like, a food critic, but, um. And I don’t think I have like, a very, like, like, Amazing Palette or anything like that. Like, I really don’t think that is like, my niche or my space, but it’s something I’m going to cover because, like, I do eat food, and I do, like, enjoy a lot of great places in the area that are like, mom and pop shops and I think could use business. But, like, if there is like, a negative review or, like, a less positive review, are you interested in seeing that? Or do you think that’s, like, not, like, uncool? I feel like it kind of depends. So I guess, like, disclaimer there that it wouldn’t be, like, bashing a place. I would always try to give, like, constructive feedback, but I don’t know. I’ve given like, two more negative reviews to places, one of them being a chain, so I really don’t feel bad. And it was Restoration Hardware thought it was super overpriced for the food, but you can go watch that if you want. Um, but yeah, like, are you interested in that, in that feedback of being, like, I kind of like the Keith Lee approach of, like, I’m not the target audience, but just showing it anyway and kind of giving that feedback. Or are you really only interested in the things that are actually, like, good and positive? I think those are kind of, like the two main questions. Um, but also, I guess just in types of videos. Like, where do you think there is, like, a gap in content? Are you looking for, like, date night ideas, weekend plans, like, full itineraries for towns to visit? Or are you more interested in that, like, individual, let’s really just talk about this one place, this one business, this one story? Um, or just, like, a mix of both? I kind of like a mix of both. But I am, like, super interested in where you think there’s gaps in terms of, like, formatting and presentation. Um, in terms of, like, types of content that is presented to you. This is just, like, a hobby for me. Um, so I get to have a different approach from it. I don’t need to make money off of this. Obviously it would be nice. Student loans do exist, but for me, it’s important that I keep this, like, kind of a. I don’t know, Like, safe. And it’s, it’s just. It’s just a hobby and I don’t want to like, monetize it necessarily. I’m sure opportunities will come my way, which is amazing. And they have before. I think I’m just trying to be more careful about how I approach this whole thing. Um, because again, I wanna avoid that burn, burnout and that attempt to like, kind of keep up with the Joneses, if you will. And I think it’s only natural. But, um, yeah. Interested in any feedback, advice, what you’re missing as a consumer, where you think there’s gaps, what there’s maybe too much of. Um, I just feel like a lot of content creation has just become like, showing a really cool place in like 10 seconds. And for me personally, doesn’t actually do anything for me. Doesn’t tell me if the place was good or worth going to. It just shows that it was cool for like, a snippet. But like, if I really sit there and like, contemplate whether or not that’s worth going to, doesn’t really give me like, the full picture. But I also think, like, our attention spans have changed and it’s totally valid that someone would want to consume just that type of content. Obviously every consumer is gonna be different, but really just interested in like, where are the gaps? And um, trying to see if I align with, like, being able to fulfill that via taking more time with production. Cause I Really love video creation and editing and stuff. It’s just a matter of, like, time and energy for me. But like I said, I’m hoping that I’m, like, getting back into that. Just have had a lot of limitations in this past year. Um, but I’m hoping fall and winter will be kind to me and I can get out there more. Um, also just showing, like, diversity and, like, the types of neighborhoods I go, the type of businesses I go, the types of people that own those businesses. I think that’s really important. Cleveland and Ohio is such a melting pot of different cultures, and I really, really want a spotlight like that. I do have some pretty intense food allergies that unfortunately stops me from going to some places. So I’ve even thought about, like, partnering with people that follow me. Yeah. Like, partnering with, like, someone in my audience and them showing me, like, their favorite spot, maybe because, like, I can’t eat there or they just have, like, a personal connection to it. To, like, that is also kind of a cool story. That’s, like a community spotlight. Um, and, like, it shows someone that’s, like, passionate about a place. Maybe I don’t know much about, or I can’t eat there or whatever, but that could be kind of, like, a cool, like, collaborative idea that I’ve thought about doing. Um, so, yeah, I don’t know. Just have a lot of ideas. I love Cleveland. So much. It’s show me so much love and warmth in the past year since I moved here. If you don’t know, I grew up in Baltimore, Maryland. That’s why my OS are on. On whatever they’re on. Um, yeah, I really love Cleveland. And, um, you know, I started this little thing, like, during, like, kind of after lockdown, just because, like, I was exploring the city and, like, the area around me for the first time, and I was, like, so excited about it, and I was, like, finding all these, like, kind of hidden gems and. And different things and local favorites and, like, spotlighting them, and, uh, I just want to get back to that energy. Obviously, things look a little different now, but, um, really appreciate your time and feedback. It means a lot to me. Community means a lot to me, and that’s what I want this to be. And I’m excited to get back to it with, like, a new and, honestly better approach. So, yeah. Thanks for watching.