“Numbers are boring and monotonous. Apart from having a 9-5 job, this gives me something else to do. Something I actually want to do.” – FARIZ K ANSARI
#017 – In this episode, Fariz and I discuss Fariz’s content creation journey that actually started with Musicly and Dubsmash. We talk through dealing with negative comments, playing it safe, and how Fariz’s journey has changed from when he had 4k followers to now 20k followers on TikTok.
Enjoy the episode!
Have a question/comment or just want to chat? Email me at mahrukh@mahrukhimtiaz.com
Highlights from this episode:
[2:00] Fariz’s story
[4:32] Negative comments/ trolls
[6:44] Failing on Youtube
[18:00] How has the journey changed from 4k to 20k followers on Tiktok
[22:03] TikTok in Canada vs TikTok in Pakistan
Connect with Fariz:
A little bit about Fariz:
Fariz started his TikTok journey in 2020. He is already touching 20k TikTok followers and has 200,000+ likes! He posts consistent and fun content that gets a lot of engagement and he does that by being his authentic self. He creates content while maintaining a full time job as an Auditor. In his own words, he is an auditor by day and fulfilling his acting dream through TikTok by night.
Transcription:
Fariz K Ansari
So I was very much taken aback from the fact that there are so many negative comments draws coming up. People keep on just like, you know, commenting, anything that just can pop out, you know, and it can have an impact and especially, I was very much fragile at the time, saying like, Oh, will I be able to handle this, like if someone posts out anything.
Mahrukh Imtiaz
You are listening to Spiicy Chai podcast. I’m your host, Mahrukh Imtiaz. And I’m on a journey to create inspiring, helpful and meaningful content. This podcast is not going to showcase high-profile individuals spouting hollow advice like find your passion or hustle harder. Instead, my mission is to bring you the voices of people who are just a bit ahead of you. People you can relate to, and the people who will inspire you to put your own voice out there.
So grab your cup of Spicy Chai, and let’s get this show started.
Today’s guest is someone who started their Tiktok journey in 2018 and is already touching 20,000 Tiktok followers and 200,000 plus likes. He posts consistent and fun content. And I can say that because I’ve been following for a while. And He does that by being his authentic self. And that’s not it. He also has a full-time job. So in his own words, he’s an auditor by day and fulfilling his acting dream through TikTok by night. Welcome to the show Fariz.
Fariz K Ansari
Thank you so much. I am so much thrilled to join in today. It’s it’s it’s such a good time I cannot express like I was not expecting to be here seen so many other podcasters like coming in and seeing how much they have inspired people. It’s I’m like speechless right now.
Mahrukh Imtiaz
Well, thank you so much for us. That means a lot to me really happy to have you and I kind of know you and I kind of know the journey but for the listeners what is your story what got Fariz start creating content on Tik Tok in 2018. How did it all start?
Fariz K Ansari
My journey to Tik Tok actually started before when I was on musically and dubsmash. So yeah, I was on on those app. And something I would say I wasn’t a content creator in terms of like, posting consistently doing it outright at the moment, because I was very much new, and trying to explore it out. And with time, I think that just got like faded away. But since I found like, tick tock like I think that was like Feb 2018, where one of my friends suggested me, hey, you know, why don’t you just check this app out and see what is this, you know, like, people keep on posting funny videos, and there’s so much going on. So just as a matter of, you know, something, that’s what trending, I was like, Okay, I think I just go and see. And that’s where I was just sitting randomly in my cousin’s room, and I decided, okay, let me just see how this works. And I just posted something right there. And that was a very random video, which I started off a Bollywood one. And Bollywood, yes, yes, it was quite unexpected, because I just posted and then I just started sharing this to my cousins and my friends, everyone around. So I started viewing all the videos, but not just I was thrilled, but I was very much confused as how I am going to, like, start posting out there, because I was going through a lot at that time, in terms in terms of my job in terms of my audit deadlines, and everything that was happening, and then planning to, you know, move to Canada, and there was like, a lot happening on its own. So that’s where I was like, Okay, let me just give some time. More of on that way, I started to view the videos more, being more as like, just as a viewer than just like posting more, because I wanted to see like what’s going on, you know, and especially so I was very much taken aback from the fact that there are so many negative comments, trolls coming up. People keep on just like, you know, commenting, anything that just can pop out, you know, and it can have an impact and especially, I was very much fragile at that time. Seeing like, oh, will I be able to handle this? Like if someone posts out anything out there on any of my video? Will I be okay, and and then I was like, Okay, I think I should be okay. Having said if I just play in my own rules Play safe, you know, and just just go through as I go with the flow. I remember like in the first 50 videos, which I posted, and then I moved to Bahrain. So that was where I got an opportunity. And I moved into a farm and body and I relocated from Pakistan to Bahrain. And that’s where I started to view the content was very different as compared to Pakistan and then to Bahrain, which gave me an ultra sight as how things are moving, and then I sensed it out at Yes, I think this is the right place. Because I can express myself more easily in terms of my skills that I have, you know, apart from doing a nine to five job, I have something that I can do and which I wanted to do. Yeah, so I wanted to be an actor. And I think that’s something was a part of me since ever, I was growing up. And being as a professional accountant, I was like, No, numbers are boring. They’re very monotonous. I want to do something different. What I like, because of my schedule, and everything that I was doing, I think tick tock became one of the platform where I was like, Yes, this is where I need to hit the ground. This is my place. Prior to tick tock, I tried other avenues as well. That was
Fariz K Ansari
YouTube, YouTube. Okay, so you were you.
Fariz K Ansari
It was a failed attempt.
Mahrukh Imtiaz
Why do you say that? What do you think?
Fariz K Ansari
Um, I think I went inside I like I just went in because all the credit, I think I need to give it to my niece and nephew, trustee, they have pushed me to explore myself and to my capabilities in terms of social media to express myself out my inner talent of acting and all that stuff. They were the ones actually and give me not they’re in their teens now. Right. So so they pushed me out. I tried YouTube. Because I found out like, I don’t have How do I say like, you know, you’re more comfortable in in creating a content.
Mahrukh Imtiaz
You weren’t very comfortable with it. Like to begin with? Not a lot a lot of courage, maybe or just scared.
Fariz K Ansari
Editing skills?
Mahrukh Imtiaz
Oh, editing skills. 100%. Yes. Oh, my God, I could still relate to that. Like right now. I’m learning how to do Premiere Pro. And wow, it is like I have a lot more respect for videos that I see now. Because before when I would just see them, I’ll be like, oh, yeah, this is a 10 second video, what’s the big deal? But that was like, Wow, this kept me engaged for 15 seconds. What did the video editor do? Like, you know, it’s just the way you start thinking and it goes back to your earlier point of when you started like consuming Tik Tok versus posting on tick tock, you start noticing these things, because you’ve already posted on tick tock so now you’re not thinking of like a general consumer who’s just looking at tick tock, now you’re thinking from a content creator lens, like, Oh, now I, okay, I’ve created videos, this person is doing this, maybe there’s something I can apply, you know, so that the mindset or the lens definitely shifts when you start creating content? I definitely, I can definitely attest to that. There were a few things you said that I want to dig deeper on. You said when you started you were playing it safe because you were worried about the negative comments. I was some of the the. So how were you playing it safe? And do you think it held you back?
Fariz K Ansari
So there’s something which I can easily remember and recall, like, there was one video which I posted? That was just do it have someone? Okay, okay. And I’m not going to name it anything more than that. But it was not appropriate in terms of the content to be, you know, posted, and especially because of the fact that it violated the tic toc rules and guidelines.
Mahrukh Imtiaz
Oh, wow. So like, okay, style or the, like language, like, was it language or was it style? You
Fariz K Ansari
You don’t have to go into detail, but I’m just, it’s just that it was copyrighted copyright material. Yeah. I did not knew it. And also, when my video was being banned. I wouldn’t say that that is a big word. But like, when it was like, yeah, when it when it violated the policy, right. So I was like, Okay, there’s a policy, okay. And then I started to read through the policy because, you know, when ever you sign an application, and we say, oh, yeah, I agree. I agree. And then you do I’m guilty of exact all the time. So I was like, okay, so if I’m a content creator, it means that yes, I have a responsibility, yes, that I owe something to the society. And yes, it has to be user friendly at the same time and appropriate for the society. Right. So I went into reading that, and then I understood that, yes, you have to follow the policy guidelines, because that’s why when it’s not done, then countries are banning Tiktok. Okay, that’s a different story. But yeah, that’s exactly about the content. And especially when I read that, I was like, Okay, so since I was keeping, okay, so since, like, I open up the app, and then I start to scroll through the videos that are coming up. And then I just go into the comments section. And then I see people are trolling, making negative comments, and they are nasty. Trust me. Yeah, they can get so ya know, and then it gets too personal. And I’m like, Oh, wow. And then I was like, Is it okay, what if you know, someone comes up, and then I was like, Okay, fine, give it a shot. I mean, if I am a content creator, it means I’m liable for my own actions for what I post what I don’t I have this thing in my hand. Right. And especially when it comes to playing safe, it’s just actually following the policy guidelines. There’s nothing else to it. Yeah, it’s just like you’re complying. Yeah. Because if you’re not, obviously, I know some people as as in terms of my acquaintances who were being pulled out of Tik Tok because of the content, which they kept on posting. When constantly when you’re violating the guidelines, tick tock actually banned your account, it actually like removes you, right? So it becomes inactive. And then I was like, Okay. The second thing which came up, which came up after quite a long time, of having the feature of going live, and, yes,
Mahrukh Imtiaz
So we are right, yes. Right. All
Fariz K Ansari
Right now. So, so once I was live, and this
Mahrukh Imtiaz
This background, Mahrukh, and forest talked about us being live. That’s because we were actually live this was the only podcast where we were recording the podcast and it was live on his Tik Tok. I thought it was a pretty cool experience. But anywho back to the interview. This
Fariz K Ansari
This happened to be I think, during pandemic, yes. So I was live one one evening, and there was one follow up, which she she’s she’s working mom. And I really appreciated her anyway, for all her comments and everything, then I got to know that there are kids as well. Who are on Tik Tok as well. Yeah. And then I was like, okay, because I got to know from my comments, like people when they start commenting on your live, right? And then you see that, hey, I like your videos. And then I’m like, Okay, so can you please tell me about yourself, and then I’m getting to know that someone’s under 18? Or someone’s like, you’re now in their teens? Exactly, you know, above 13 or something. And I was like, okay, so that made me wonder like, so is my content appropriate for? Sorry? Is my content appropriate for the age group that I’m posting? or AM? Am I going to be trolled about that? Or, like, is it okay, and safe? You know, the same question that just came up. So, that made me think about, and then I started to post videos, and actually mentioned in the comments that this is PG 13 PG. 18.
Mahrukh Imtiaz
Yeah, very cool. Yeah. Cool,
Fariz K Ansari
Because this is what I started to realize, because that’s how trolls come that’s how people start to make a fuss about it, you know? Because you never know, right? You’re posting and let’s say you’re posting for an audience, which is 18 TGT in you know, like, above them that or whatever. And then I’m like, okay, so what if it’s not mobile phones and all all the gadgets have been like, been so easy accessible for kids now these days? It’s very hard for parents and everyone to control as how they using and this application is something that personally I know that we are kids have an access and you know, they’re viewing the content. That’s why banning comes that’s why you know, there’s so much yeah, and,
Mahrukh Imtiaz
And I’d like to stay in the space of trolling and negative comments and I’m, I’ve been definitely a victim of that on tick tock as well. And to be very fair, there was one video that went viral for me it was got like 1 million views and obviously it went viral because I had so many negative comments, right. But at the same time, I don’t know if you’ve noticed this. I didn’t even have to like fight those negative comments. They weren’t like strangers fighting for me, you know, in a positive way they were like, don’t say that to her or who are you to do that, and she can do whatever she wants. And so I do want to touch on like, there’s definitely a lot of negative trolls. But I honestly feel like part A is I honestly feel those people who leave negative comments on your videos are very sad and hurt individuals like you know, they’re living a really sad life like imagine like, imagine you have this much time that you’re on your phone, then you go on Tik Tok, and you watch the full video, yes, then you leave a comment, you know, so I mean, just be really, really hurt and sad. Like, and I genuinely empathize with those people, like you must be in a really sad place to do that. Right. And then the second thing I would mention on the negative comments is you I was surprised at least that how many positive people like stand up for you when those negative comments come? Because like, the reason I mentioned this is because I don’t want people to be discouraged from creating content, because they’re so scared. I pretty sure. Like you probably didn’t post as much because you were so scared. Yeah. And
Fariz K Ansari
I want to say one more thing, okay. When it comes to posting the content, okay, I’ve thought about this so many times, like, hey, you know, my, my ex boss is following me, hey, my colleague is calling. It’s so easy for employers these days to make a search engine and just put your name in, and then everything that comes in, and then you’re like, Okay, so what do I put in? And especially for the comments, I think I’d go back to this is where I agree with you that yes, you know, if someone’s having a status, like, like, you don’t have anything, and you’re just like, putting in the negative comments, but trust me, it’s another story to it. Another story, which I recently discovered is, everyone has different opinion. Right? Yeah. And having and having said that, I think since I started to post on very sensitive issues. So I was getting comments on the same level. And I think I was giving the same reply to them. Because since the comments that are coming in, they are either on your personality, they can be on either, what content are you trying to portray to the society? What impact it’s going to be? How it’s going to be like, you know, what are you trying to feed in into people’s lives, right. But when you’re reading through those comments, I started replying them almost now to all because at times, there was one time I remember what to ignore. I was like, Okay, we’ll leave it there, down there. But then I was like, No, I think you should reply. You have to tell them that no, I respect your opinion. But there’s another side of the story, right? You cannot change someone’s mind. But at least you can bring about a thought about it. Right? And also, it becomes a part of your self confidence, self acceptance, everything that flows out into creating this content.
Mahrukh Imtiaz
Right. Yeah, I love that. I love that piece. Because I think it’s so important. What you mentioned, there is so important that people don’t have the full story ever. Like, you know, people don’t even when people are commenting on your videos, they don’t have the full story. They don’t have the story of when what you were thinking when you created that. And I think that’s where it all comes down to like when even when, when I posted anything, when I’m scared, especially when it’s like a sensitive topic or something that I know, a I know, when I’m scared, I definitely need to post it. Like it’s one of those things where I’m like, I definitely have the courage to post it. And I think be is that if my intentions are good, exactly. Then respond to the comments and let them know that these are these were my intentions. This was my story. Yeah. And then after that, like nothing’s really in my control. But like, I feel like the intention is very important.
Fariz K Ansari
Exactly. How are ya? How are you trying to portray? Exactly, exactly.
Mahrukh Imtiaz
So it’s like so when you when you started and when you started playing safe. And then now you’re at a point with 20,000 followers. How has your journey changed from like zero followers to 20,000 followers how, as far as thinking differently now? I think
Fariz K Ansari
I’ve always I’ve always liked asked for criticism. I’ve always constructive sorry. Yeah, I think that’s I’ve always been focused about since I got that feature of going live. I used to always ask my followers Hey, can you please tell me where can I improve? Can you please let me know what I need to do? Because I’ve been doing videos of a certain pattern. And then I was like, No, I need to do something different. Okay. I’m hearing all those inspirational people, you know, all those content creators. I’m like, what do they mean like he believe in yourself, hey, you need to think about yourself like, what do you actually want to do, you know, do what you want to do rather than do what everyone else wants you to do. And I was like, what does that mean? And that’s exactly was a turning point. Because with each and every video, I think I tried to do something different, whether it was dancing, whether it was acting out, whether then it came down to using accessories and costumes, then it came out to speaking about public issues, social issues, issues, which are very sensitive in our society, something that people need to talk about, be it discrimination, racism. And, and I think when I was not getting a response, I remember when I had hit, like, almost 4000 to 5000 followers. I started this campaign, where I had asked all the upcoming, or I wouldn’t say upcoming, but like emerging, and you know, like, content creators, which have just started, hey, we need to pull ourselves up. And let’s just be together and start debating our videos. Okay, let’s recreating those because because we do see that this is big ocean, there’s like, you know, people from all over the world and everything is going on. But yes, we need to be together, we need to support each other. Because, yes, we are inspired from all the big numbers for all the content creators that they have. But we are not there yet. And this is how we need to grow. We need to understand, respect each other and know that what you’re posting. I think this this, this was just there. But also, I think I started to see the trends, especially where I want to highlight since I visited Pakistan just recently, and that was in December during my Christmas holidays. Tick tock in Pakistan has a very different vibe. So yes, it is completely different from North America. It is not exactly what I was thinking in my head. You’ll see you’ll see many differences. It is amusing. Yes. Men and women slashing out beautiful clothes coming out in SLO Moes weather here are just like moving out in the air. And it’s like, Oh, okay.
Mahrukh Imtiaz
Very like, yeah,
Fariz K Ansari
It’s perfect. It’s like, so if I just wake up and post something like right out of my bed. Oh, hello. It’s 00 Nights, zero views. And then you’re like, hey, why don’t you post like, when you’re out of your bed? I’m like, What do you want? Like, I should just dress up something like, you know, and they’re like, oh, yeah, that’s how you do in Pakistan. I was like, okay, then Middle East is kind of different. Because I think that that was a time when I started to see because it was a mix of drama. We would you see dance, and more of like scenic beauties people, people capturing their travel experiences. And here in North America is very, very diverse, as you know, and there’s so much into it. But there was a turning point where I think I’d like to say one video, which I posted about and recreating African songs and not to forget those. I think my fan following actually increased more. I got so much love from people from Africa. And this is where things started to change for me. A lot of followers started to come in people started to, you know, like, oh, how can I forget? So like, I think it was fall. And I was taking Uber. And there was an Uber driver. He he was following me. He was he was from Africa. And he was like, Hey, I follow you.
Mahrukh Imtiaz
What a small world. Yes,
Fariz K Ansari
There have been places like okay, like last week, I was at Shoppers Drug Mart and then I was like exhibiting and there was this one guy and he was like, Hey, are you are you mister? I’m sorry. I was like, Yes. And then he was like, you know, I before coming to Canada, like when he was in India. He said I was following you and you know, like, I’ve been like seeing your content and everything and I was like Okay, great. So I think my journey actually has seen all those but but I only believed in one thing is exploring more coming out of the actual is what I can do this friend. And I think that’s how I started to see development in the numbers as well. Well,
Mahrukh Imtiaz
It’s been quite a journey for Fariz, and we’ve learned a lot about experimentation and negative comments. So to hear more about his journey, go to part two. And until next time, you got this beautiful!
Hey you thanks for listening to Spicy Chai. I really appreciate it. And to make sure you never miss an episode, subscribe to the podcast, the obvious and if you want to learn more, head over to mahrukhimtiaz.com and until next time.
My friend hit the record button. Or you know the publish lots of love from your favorite. You got this beautiful!
