Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Mauren Kennedy (Cat Lady Tails). We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Mauren , thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
When it comes to pet content creators, there’s literally hundreds of thousands of them online… if not millions. Some creators blow up almost instantaneously, gaining millions of followers overnight with brands in their email inbox stumbling over themselves to deliver fistfulls marketing deals. And some creators (like myself) work quietly and consistently for years, only seeing success after stumbling onto an app called TikTok that gives content real traction for the first time in their life.
For over six years, I watched pet content creators go viral on multiple platforms, while my content–for whatever reason–never really got the same attention. And even now, ten years after I posted my first cat photo on Instagram, it’s hard not to compare myself with other pet content creators and their success after I have been doing it for so long. Do I belong in the same space? Do I deserve my audience? Should I keep posting? (the answers are: yes, of course, the only way you fail is if you quit.)
How do you overcome imposter syndrome? You continue to show up for the people who see and love you for who you are. I could have given up years ago, but instead persevered despite a lack of instant results. And now, a true decade later, I have an incredibly supportive, kind, wonderful community of 2M+ followers across platforms that is even more amazing than I could have ever dreamed! Focusing on you and your people, that’s the best way to overcome it. Stay in your lane.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My name is Mauren Kennedy the owner of the social media brand “catladytails”. I have been creating and sharing cat content online since 2014, for over a decade. I grew up with no cats in our home because my parents are allergic. It wasn’t until 2013, when I was out of school, that I adopted my first ever cat. I originally began sharing kitty content online in an effort to capture the joy and love I experience with my first ever cat, Gremlin. Born physically different, Gremlin’s tongue is almost always sticking out and usually brings a smile to many faces all over the world. Over the last 10 years we have acquired an audience of almost 2 million across our platforms TikTok, Youtube and Instagram @catladytails, and I have gone from having just one cat, to now owning six and self-describing as cat lady.
@catladytails Gremlin has decicded head brushies are acceptable 😹😽 #catladytails #catbrushing #catswiththeirtonguesout #gremlinthecat #blepcat #blep
It wasn’t until 2020 and the boom of short form video that we really found our stride. As someone with extensive experience in social media, a special interest in photography and videography, and the desire to share positive content amidst a sea of negativity, sharing pictures and videos of my cats has not only brought me a lot of joy but inspires joy in the hearts of others, too.
As long as there are cat-lovers online, I am happy to share my kitties with them. What started as a way to document the love I have for my pets has turned into a global community, and I am constantly in awe of the many corners of the world my content finds itself being shared and enjoyed.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C065RP7rbTQ/
Recently, I’ve teamed up with 500 MGMT—they are my management agency—and we are focused on better monetization for my content and building my brand through various PR tactics.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
My journey isn’t exactly traditional, but I am very grateful I expressed an interest in photography and videography from a young age. From age 11 onwards, I always wanted to be a filmmaker. And despite being rejected by every film school I applied to in my college years, I now get to use my editing and filming skills to create deeply personal content that resonates with many. I think now, more than ever, it’s easier to learn photography and videography and that anyone who really wants to become a professional can do so.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C7MN7vmLz1C/
Along that same vein, being able to adapt and learn from the ever-changing platforms (YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or Threads) we utilize to share our content is a must. Like teachers doing continuous education to be the best teachers they can be, content creators also have to educate themselves about the nonstop changes that social media platforms implement almost daily. If you do not learn how to take feedback and change strategies based on these algorithms, it’s unfortunately way too easy to lose your audience. I follow various social media coaches for tips, but most importantly pay attention to the platforms themselves as they will often explicitly say what is changing and what you can do to see success in future algorithm iterations.
And lastly, in the world of likes, shares, and comments, you can’t take failure too personally. There are so many opportunities for content to fail, and it’s harder than ever to connect with the audience you already have. You have to be willing to fail and keep going. Because you will fail, as all content creators do. When you share something you think people will love and it doesn’t go your way, start planning the next It may be easier said than done, but future you will be so thankful, and you never know if it will randomly take off later. Just keep going.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
All credit for anything I do goes to my amazing dad, whom I owe everything in this life.
He taught me how to work hard for the things you want most, how to persevere even when things get tough, and how to stand up for what’s right and for what you believe in, I mean…this list truly could go on and on. Despite working so hard all day every week, he was always the dad in the stands cheering me on at my sporting events.
He fostered all of my passions and allowed me to be the little creative weirdo I have always been. All I know is that without his love, support, wisdom, and guidance, I would never be where I am today, and I am so eternally grateful to have been blessed with such an amazing father in my life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bit.ly/catladytails
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grim.stagram/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grim.stagram/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maurensparrow
- Twitter: https://www.threads.net/@grim.stagram
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@catladytails
- SoundCloud: https://www.tiktok.com/@catladytails
- Other: [email protected]
