Christian Hull is one of Australia's most entertaining comedians and a content creator who has amassed an impressive following with over 600 million views of his videos. The comedian opens up to Style News about starting out in comedy, his financial struggles and how superstar Sam Smith inspired his OnlyFans.
Besides offering some great entertainment with his videos, comedian Christian Hull offers up some fantastic advice for anyone looking into breaking into the world of content creation and not get into trouble when it comes to managing everything finance.
How did you get your start in comedy and ultimately become one of the most viewed creators?
I spent nine years in radio trying to make it big and get a show but that never happened. It wasn’t until I worked on the social media side that I saw the value in getting my own YouTube channel and Facebook to make my own videos.
I was a digital producer so I made small videos for different radio shows to highlight them. It was so fun and I learned how to edit and capture the attention of an audience.
I was working on a show called YouTube Hits. A nightly radio show that was also a drama channel. It was here I was told I should be making my own videos so I started doing skits and dumb videos. I created a character called Trish and she really exploded my online career. I got a big taste of being a solo entertainer external from radio and ran with it. Then it was big enough to leave work and do this on my own, with a team of legends behind me.
What inspired you to launch your OnlyFans account?
I’ve always been a sexual person and someone that is very open. I’ve had a podcast talking about a few naughty things and I took the plunge after I saw Sam Smith being trolled for their weight. Sam isn’t even big! I thought I’ll show you big. Launched my account as a body positive form of expression. It was also a great tool for me to be really comfortable with my own body. I’ve struggled for years with how I look. Not anymore! I have really learned to love my body and OnlyFans has been such a freeing experience.
What advice would you give someone who is wanting to get into the creative universe?
The creative universe has become so massive. There are so many different ways in which you can essentially perform. My best advice is to just start and learn as you go. There really isn’t any courses to take, it's all on the job learning. Make the mistakes, try all different things and you’ll see if it works pretty quickly. The engagement on your posts will alert you if you’re doing a good job. A lot of people are afraid of “what will my friends think”. My answer to that is if you don’t tell them it’s highly unlikely they will find out. So start podcasting, start filming and editing and posting and when you have finally found what it is you enjoy in the creative universe then that’s the time to tell everyone you know. Also video leap is a great editing platform on your phone. I do everything on my phone.
With so many opportunities, as well as competition between creators, how have you managed to stay financially savvy while balancing such a creative and varied career?
With great difficulty. Leaving the safety of steady employment to be your own boss is really freeing and amazing, however, it comes with heaps of unexpected challenges. The first being there is no accounts department so you’re all on your own when it comes to things like GST and income tax.
I thrived when I left my job to do content creation on my own. I was making great money. Touring and sponsorships being the big earners. I was dumb and clueless. For years the company I worked for paid my income tax for me. I never needed to worry. Then at the end of the year I’d usually get a company like H&R Block to support in getting me a refund. That’s not the case when you work alone. So after a great year of takings tax time rolled around and I was hit with a bill close to $170k. So there’s the first lesson I learned. Then it was a long road to become financially savvy. I made so many mistakes and I also invested in things that due to several reasons just didn’t work out. I went down many paths that didn’t work but have lead me to be in a really comfortable position now.
The last three years were tough creatively because I was constantly worried and stressed about the finances. Part of me wishes that I brought in a company like H&R Block to help me from the beginning. I was just none the wiser.
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