First Content Creators' end of year party in Cape Town

Most creators are reliant on brand events to meet and touch base – until now. #CTCCX2016 welcomed all influencers of any audience size to join the free event and celebrate the achievements of others.

Megan Peta, creator of the event and blogger for Boring Cape Town Chick says of #CTCCX2016, “Content creators know that the success of their work depends heavily on the feedback of their audiences. Having support for one’s work is vital and I believe this needs to start at ‘home’. The purpose of #CTCCX2016 was to allow content creators to meet one another, have a drink and congratulate each another on their successes of 2016.”

Content creators from a variety of digital platforms joined on the evening, including award winning bloggers Cindy Alfino from 3 Kids, 2 Dogs and 1 Old House, Katherine Rossiter from Becoming You and Vaughn and Lauren from The Travel Manuel. Instagrammers included Sabine and Benike Palfi from I Love Foodies, Dean Horwitz and Francis Gersbach from InstaEats and Tracey-Lee Lusty from Fitness Girl. YouTubers included Phillip Black from I Am Phill Black, Terence Mentor from Afro Daddy and Siv Greyson from Ich Bin Siv.

Because there were so many influencers in one place, the event trended within Cape Town for a few hours, reaching nearly 100,000 Twitter accounts and creating nearly half a million impressions (429,084) - TweetReach 2016.

The evening started with a welcome drink from Mokai and Peachee, followed by snacks provided by Dunkin Donuts, Butlers Pizza, The Eatery Woodfired Grill and Wheyo Protein Ice Cream.

Upon arrival, each content creator was able to draw a ‘Christmas present’ from a lucky draw. Sponsors on the evening included Sweep South, Darling Brew, The Entertainer, Galileo Open Air Cinema, Crazy Store’s Thingamajig, Catrice Nail Polish, Four Cousins, Origin Coffee, Sugar & Vice.

Content creation in 2017

Building an audience and retaining existing followers is one of the most difficult parts of any online brand strategy. It is also what motivates influencers to sit up late and at night editing their photographs for Instagram, posting their words on blogs and uploading their videos to YouTube.

Content creation is a form of self-expression, as well as a service to readers who are keen to stay in touch with ‘what’s new’ around their cities. By acknowledging and celebrating the work of others, support starts at the grassroots level and directs the industry in a positive direction.

#CTCCX2016 has started a sense of community within the content creator’s industry and hopes to see it ripple through the greater industry in 2017.