YEM: How did you get into social media, especially TikTok?
Blake: I started TikTok around December of 2019, crazy to think it has been more than a year! I started off posting videos and using sounds that were on my “ForYouPage” and it kind of just blew up from there. I thought I was so famous when I had like 20k followers on TikTok and was so excited…who would’ve thought I’d be at 2 million now!
YEM: What have you learned from your experience of being on social media?
Blake: There are a lot of negative people that just say stuff to make you feel bad about yourself. I learned, and am still learning, that I can’t let that stuff affect how I live my life. I just need to be me and be confident in myself. And I try not to pay attention to the hate and just focus on the positive comments and have fun.
I also learned people are not always honest on social media and put a certain perception out there which is not always true. I have learned this sometimes the hard way so I go out of my way to make sure the things I do and say are true and honest.
@blakethegoattyour 1st @ has a lil crush on you♬ Up Down (Do This All Day) (feat. B.o.B) – T-Pain
YEM: In your opinion, what is an important step for people looking to get started on a Tiktok, Instagram, or Youtube Channel?
Blake: An important step when just starting out is to do something that you like and to just to start posting daily and staying consistent with that. I still struggle a little with the consistent posting (like 3 times a day) because I have lots of other commitments, but I still try to post 1-2 TikToks every day. For Instagram, it is different. I think you should post on your story at least every day and do an actual post on Instagram 1-2 times a week. Again, even I struggle sometimes with keeping up with my social presence as I am so busy just living life. I just recommend doing your best and staying positive. Only do it if you enjoy it and it makes you happy.
Blake: I have played basketball and baseball for most of my life. I play basketball currently. But I played baseball up until last year and stopped due to covid. I play varsity basketball for my high school team as well as playing on a club team and my goal is to play basketball in college.
I believe a great athlete practices a lot, but the biggest thing is their mindset. They need to have a passion for the sport and perseverance to put the time in practicing and, most of all, believe in themselves. Whenever I am challenged with something, or someone says I am not good enough, I work extra hard to prove them wrong. I always step up to the challenge and show that I am better than they thought. It’s all about your mentality and your confidence.
YEM: What has been the biggest challenge you’ve had to face and how did you overcome it?
Blake: One big challenge I had to face when I was younger was I broke my left middle finger and was out from playing sports for 4-5 months. This was crazy long because my left arm was in a cast from the original break and it did not heal correctly and then I required surgery and another cast and physical therapy. It was quite an ordeal. While everyone else was practicing and getting better within those 4-5 months, I sat out and just watched. When I finally came back, I had to work extra hard to regain my strength and skills to get better than the people around me. It was challenging, but made me a stronger person.
Blake: One thing my fans should know is I am a shy person sometimes. When I am first meeting new people, I can be very quiet. Even though I can be shy at first, once I get to know you, I can be really outgoing.
YEM: What has been your favorite youtube video to shoot and why?
Blake: My favorite youtube video to shoot was me either playing basketball with my friends (the TikTok boys video) or doing the Spill it or Fill it Challenge with some friends and other influencers. These are my favorite because I love hanging out with other people versus making videos by myself. It brings out more of my personality when I can interact with others.
YEM: A general piece of advice you’d like to leave our readers, or a quote you live by?
Blake: A couple of quotes I like and live by:
“I don’t want to be the next Michael Jordan, I only want to be Kobe Bryant.”- Kobe
“Everything negative – pressure, challenges – is all an opportunity for me to rise”- Kobe
“Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.”-MJ
