Today we’d like to introduce you to Libby Cope
Libby, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I love the art of storytelling. I love capturing moments and sharing them with whoever will watch and listen. I’ve loved doing this for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I’d have all of my friends dress up in funny costumes and we’d make music videos around the neighborhood and act out skits. This “content” was filmed on a hot pink SONY digital camera. I’d sit and edit those videos on Windows Movie Maker for hours, just for us to gather around my computer and watch it. It’s honestly kind of ironic, because I was a content creator before I even knew what it meant. By the time I was twenty years old, two things about me were true: I loved making videos and I loved being outside.
I grew up in a small town called Alton, Illinois. I spent a lot of my youth in the swampy woods by the Mississippi River, playing in the creeks and hiking trails in Southern Illinois. My love for the outdoors evolved into a passion for hiking and the next thing I knew I was moving to Colorado to pursue a degree in social media, where I fell in love with digital media and digital storytelling. I learned how to use cameras, and how to create feelings through videos and photos. After college, I worked in a corporate social media manager role but I still posted to my instagram as if it was my full time job, even though my following was pretty small. At that point it wasn’t as easy to grow on social media.
TikTok changed everything. I’d share videos from a hike, and complete strangers actually wanted to follow along. I began my journey as a full time outdoor content creator in the summer of 2023. I moved into my car after building a bed in it, and I traveled around Colorado sharing my adventures online with one of my friends who I actually met on TikTok 2 months prior. We spent those months of car-camping in the mountains reaching out to every brand we could think of and just posting non-stop, trying to build a following. Hiking every day, bathing in rivers, and editing videos like crazy. When it was all over and summer turned into fall, I was ready to leave Colorado and try something new.
I chose San Diego having never been here. I’d actually never been to California, either. I asked my followers where they think I should move based on my “vibe” hundreds of people commented “San Diego!” and so, here we are. My content looks different here and has definitely transitioned. This new lifestyle has brought me new outdoor hobbies, which makes for fun content. I started running long distance again, writing poetry, and started painting again too. I hosted my first beach clean up and I’m excited to do more events. Sometimes it takes a while to adjust to a new place, but this feels like home!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I think majority of content creators can agree that one of the hardest things about this job is that by giving others so much access to our lives, we subject ourselves to unsolicited criticism. After a year of doing this full time, I’ve learned to brush off as much negativity as I can, but I’m only human. Words hurt! But the good out-weighs the bad, and I have to remind myself that thousands of people followed me because they relate to me and enjoy seeing my journey. Posting online and basically building a brand brings in so many opportunities, ones I wouldn’t have had if not for that vulnerability.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
When it comes to the more personal side of my social media, connecting with others is my only goal. A lot of people feel alone out there, and it’s pretty rewarding when you post a video and thousands (and sometimes millions) of people relate to it. I try to create a safe space on my page. The outdoors can be a place of real healing. Getting outside may not look the same for everyone, but I try to show that the outdoors are for everyone and just laying on a rock in the sun all day qualifies someone as “outdoorsy”. If there’s anything I’m proud of, it’s giving people more motivation to get out there and try new things. I always try to keep it real and stay true to myself no matter what I’m producing.
As for the more professional side of content creation, I work with brands in a handful of ways and I’m extremely proud to say I’ve worked with almost every one of my favorite outdoor brands. I work with brands through sponsored posts to my pages, and UGC (user generated content), and I offer both videos and photography. Taking photos of products in scenic locations, whether it’s the ocean, the forest or on top of a mountain and then seeing those photos get used by brands in ads or on their social media is a very rewarding feeling! I really appreciate that majority of the brands I’ve worked with give me complete creative freedom, trusting that I’ll deliver satisfactory content. I think something that sets me apart from others (at least I hope) is that even in my ads, I try to give the video a more nostalgic feeling while highlighting a product instead of stating all of the reasons you need to buy it. This has worked for me so far and I’ll continue to show emotion through visuals in the outdoors whether it’s for fun or for an ad.
What are your plans for the future?
Honestly, I have learned not to plan too far a head. My life is constantly changing as new opportunities arise, as I meet new people and I’ve learned to never get too comfortable. I would love to plan more events like beach clean-ups, and things that get the community excited about the outdoors while doing something good for our environment. I hope to get into surfing and more water sports, and this year I’m going to try to run my first marathon. I can see myself working in a coffee shop while I continue to create content, too. Someday, I’m sure I’ll find myself back in a marketing role. Long story short, I’m taking it one day at a time! If there’s one thing I know about myself it’s that I don’t plan to settle down, or stay in one place for too long. I want to spend the rest of my twenties traveling and discovering new versions of myself as much as I can before I really settle down. Life is short and there is no shortage of places to see, and I plan to just get out there for as long as I possibly can.
Pricing:
- -Prices depend on the type of content I’m creating. I offer several packages with different rates. But everything is always negotiable and if the brand and I align, I try to find something that works for both of us. I’ll never be one of those creators who sets a high rate and passes up working with amazing companies with amazing brand-missions just because they don’t have a super high budget. I’m flexible because I genuinely love making connections and expanding my portfolio.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://libbyccope8089.wixsite.com/libclairecreative
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lib_claire/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@momcallsmebirdy
