# Be Your Audience's Best Friend

## lessons from katiexsocials

Grace Lemire

May 13, 2025

Hey.

The world doesn’t need another robotic creator following the “niche down” playbook.

It needs _you_— your full, authentic self. With all the seemingly disconnected interests. **Because that’s what makes you interesting to the right audience.**

In today’s newsletter:

- How to become the niche
- Tips for a more natural camera presence
- Building recognition on social media
- Quick link highlight: Pitch template for 80% success rate

## Becoming Your Audience’s Best Friend (ft. Katie Xu)

We recently sat down with Katie Xu, a creator who helps entrepreneurs, musicians, and fellow creators build authentic personal brands. Her approach flips the traditional script for growth on its head.

Here’s her playbook in 6 simple steps:

### 1️⃣ Being the Niche > Niching Down

Traditional advice says: pick a niche and stick to it.

Katie says the actual nuance of what’s making you different as a creator can’t be represented in a simple content niche or pillar.

> **katiexsocials**  **Katie Xu**\
> View profile](https://www.tiktok.com/@katiexsocials?referer_url=news.trykarat.com%2Fp%2Fbe-your-audiences-best-friend&refer=embed&embed_source=121374463%2C121468991%2C121439635%2C121749182%2C121433650%2C121404359%2C121497414%2C122349556%2C122221973%2C122122240%2C121351166%2C121811500%2C121960941%2C122122244%2C122122243%2C122122242%2C121487028%2C121679410%2C122258714%2C121331973%2C120811592%2C120810756%2C121885509%3Bnull%3Bembed_masking&referer_video_id=7204643793910517035)

### 2️⃣ Multi-Identity Approach:

- Identify the various aspects of who you are (e.g., student, fitness enthusiast, entrepreneur, etc.).
- Find the common thread that connects these seemingly separate interests.
- Share content through the lens of your unique perspective on these topics.

Katie Xu

### 3️⃣ The FaceTime Mindset

Feeling awkward on camera? Katie says to stop thinking about “the camera” and start thinking about who’s on the other end:

When you FaceTime your friend or you’re on a Zoom meeting, you’re talking to the camera and you’re completely acting normal.

Katie shared these practical tips for a more authentic camera presence:

#### Talk to ONE Person

- Create content right after having a conversation with someone who needs your advice.
- Direct your words toward that specific person in your mind.
- Remember: if one person needs this information, thousands more do too.

#### Capture Your Natural Energy

- Record when you’re genuinely excited about a topic.
- Use hooks that convey authentic enthusiasm (e.g., “I’ve been thinking about this all night”).
- Skip filming when your energy isn’t there—viewers can tell the difference.

#### Share Relatable Struggles

- Start with a statement people in your audience would respond to with “Same!” (e.g., “I have a fear of being in front of the camera” or “I’m so busy that I just don’t want to do anything after my 9-to-5”).
- Use these relatable moments as bridges to your advice or story.

### 4️⃣ Build Recognition Through Repetition

Instead of constantly chasing new topics, Katie found success by creating recognizable series with consistent branding:

I realized that [a specific] phrasing was hitting really well. People liked thinking about it that way…so naturally, with every next video, I just framed it all under that same title.

### 5️⃣ Mundane Moments Are Compelling Content

Katie disagrees:

There’s a lot of things, small things within your experience day to day, that only you can translate into words.

**For example:**

- A single mom shopping for a family of four on a tight schedule
- A finance-focused recent graduate learning to budget for themselves
- Someone planning a surprise birthday celebration
- A meal prepper organizing their entire week of nutrition

### 6️⃣ Katie’s 15 Minute Production Process

Katie has streamlined her content production to an impressive degree. She’s able to publish consistently without the typical creator burnout.

**Her streamlined workflow:**

1. Use TikTok to record initial thoughts.
2. Film one continuous take on camera (7-8 minutes).
3. Edit down the best parts using keyboard shortcuts.
4. Use pre-made templates with consistent fonts, colors, and music.
5. Auto-generate captions in her established style.
6. Export and publish.