Let’s Talk Content Creation with Wyatt Sippy

Content creation is constantly evolving. It can be frustrating for many entrepreneurs because it leaves us feeling like slaves to an algorithm. I recently sat down with Wyatt Sippy, content creator and re-seller, who has seen incredible success online. He started out by simply promoting his re-selling business, and then found his videos going viral REGULARLY.

Read on for highlights from our conversation, or catch the entire convo at the podcast link above. Let’s go!

WHO IS WYATT SIPPY AND WHAT DO YOU DO?

WYATT:
So, yeah, my name is Wyatt Sippy and my social media name is Rewilded Reselling.

Introducing myself, I played college basketball until I was about 21, focusing solely on the sport. I had minimal tech or editing experience. After that, I worked for a couple of years as a trainer, aligning with my basketball background. One day, I stumbled upon a YouTube video featuring a guy buying items at a yard sale to resell on eBay. I found it fascinating, having only known about sneaker reselling. I didn’t realize people were reselling used items like this. This was around the time my daughter was about to be born, and I wasn’t actively seeking extra income. I just thought it was cool and decided to try it. Soon, I realized it could be quite profitable. I grew my sales to the point where I could quit my gym job and become a full-time reseller. During that time, I also started making YouTube videos, primarily long-form content, 8 to 12-minute vlogs about yard sales, thrift stores, and online flipping. Eventually, TikTok and short-form content gained popularity, solidifying my interest in pursuing this path.

CHLOE:
Did you initially plan to combine reselling with content creation, or did it naturally evolve that way as you entered the reselling community?

WYATT:
That first YouTube video I stumbled upon featured a reselling expert who is now a prominent figure in the reselling YouTube community with nearly 400,000 subscribers, a significant leap from his 800 subscribers back then. What’s even more intriguing is that he happened to live just 20 minutes away from me and eventually became one of Jenna’s clients. This leads me to an interesting point we’ve discussed with fellow resellers. Reselling can be a somewhat isolating job, despite the thrill of treasure hunting at thrift stores and yard sales. When you return home, the solitary work of cleaning, photographing, and listing items can make you feel alone in your room or garage. I’ve been fortunate in this regard because Jenna also works from home, which provides some companionship. However, many resellers face the challenge of a sedentary lifestyle and solitude, which can lead them to quit the business a couple of years in due to the lack of a supportive community. Consequently, many resellers turn to social media as a means to share their work, seek feedback, and connect with others.

CRITICISM IN CONTENT CREATION

CHLOE:
How do you handle criticism from people who question the ethics of reselling items for profit, and what’s your approach to addressing such concerns?

WYATT:
I don’t let negative comments bother me. When I used to make long-form YouTube videos two years ago for a smaller community of resellers, I rarely encountered negativity because it was mostly fellow resellers watching. Any negative comment would sting because it stood out from the generally positive feedback. However, the landscape changed when I shifted to short-form content on platforms like TikTok, where I reached a broader audience, including those who might not appreciate or understand reselling. Honestly, I find it somewhat amusing, and it even helps boost engagement. People often criticize me for supposedly “stealing from the poor,” but I remind them that I buy just a few items at a time, leaving plenty for others. The thrift store shelves remain stocked with hundreds of items, and I focus on valuable items to resell. I don’t address negative comments often, but occasionally, I might reply strategically to make a point. However, these comments no longer occupy much of my thoughts, as I receive them consistently throughout the day. If someone were to target my family, it might be a different story, but that’s a rare occurrence.

STORYTELLING IS KEY

CHLOE:
How do you balance being a content creator and a business owner, and is it challenging to juggle both roles, or does it come naturally to you?

WYATT:
In the past three months, I’ve found content creation to be more financially rewarding, particularly through TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube, which offer good monetization for short-form creators. On a side note, I advise people interested in storytelling and engaging their audience to start with Instagram stories. It’s a valuable testing ground where you can gauge views and viewer retention. By crafting stories with a compelling hook, building the narrative across multiple stories, and introducing some tension before concluding, you can practice storytelling techniques that apply across platforms like TikTok and YouTube shorts.

CHLOE:
That’s a really good tip. And you’re so good at storytelling.

WYATT:
I appreciate that. I don’t necessarily consider myself good at it; instead, I’m always focused on finding what captures someone’s interest briefly. It’s more challenging on YouTube compared to short-form content because viewers on platforms like TikTok are fully engaged during those brief moments. On YouTube, the average view duration for my videos is around 30 seconds, and if you can get someone to watch a two-minute video, that’s quite good. Short-form storytelling is about delivering a hook, showcasing what’s interesting, adding a twist, and providing a payoff within a minute or so. YouTube requires a different approach, where you need to build the narrative with a hook, tension, twist, and resolution, and it’s a whole different world. I’m good at short-form storytelling, but I’m still working on translating that to YouTube, which might be one reason why my YouTube channel is growing slowly. I’m trying to figure out how to transition short-form viewers into long-form content.

Storytelling is a skill that can be developed over time. It’s not necessary to be naturally creative or adept at it. There are resources like books and courses that can help you improve. Personally, I’ve gone through courses and even had a mentor who helped me enhance my storytelling abilities, especially in writing. Learning has been a significant part of my journey in this area, and I believe storytelling is one of the most valuable skills, whether you’re trying to sell something or convey a message effectively.

AUTHENTICITY IN CONTENT CREATION

CHLOE:
Do you believe that authenticity is a crucial element in being a successful content creator and building a loyal following, even though there’s a certain level of entertainment expected on social media?

WYATT:
It’s crucial to maintain your original mission and purpose on social media. People often lose sight of their initial goals, getting caught up in likes and engagement. For me, my mission is to help others through reselling and practical advice. So, I constantly evaluate my posts and interactions, asking if they contribute to connecting or helping people learn. This focus on why you started is essential.

CHLOE:
Yeah, I totally agree. Well, Wyatt, it’s, like, been so good talking to you, you’re welcome back anytime! Where can people find you to connect?

WYATT:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/wyattsippy/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wyattsippy

YouTube:   https://www.youtube.com/@rewildedreselling

FB: https://www.facebook.com/wyattsippy

Support our adoption: https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-sippys-adopt-asher