How I Got Here: Writer and podcaster Maggie Zhou on thriving on the internet

Presented by Up.

Have you ever stalked someone on LinkedIn and wondered how they managed to land that wildly impressive job? While social media might have us believe that our ideal role is a mere pipe dream, the individuals with these titles were, believe it or not, in the same position once, fantasising over someone else’s seemingly unattainable job.

Behind the awe-inspiring position descriptions and the fancy work events lies a heck of a lot of hard work. So what lessons have been learnt and what skills have proved invaluable in getting them from daydreaming about success to actually being at the top of their industry?

The profile she spent years building online soon led to a series of internships (including one at Fashion Journal) which were the springboard into a career in media. She’s the quintessential ‘media girlie’, a title that rings especially true for Maggie because she wears so many hats. She’s a sustainable fashion writer, yes, but she’s also a podcaster, content creator (a term she prefers over ‘influencer’) and brilliant conversationalist, often cherry-picked to host panel talks and roundtables at industry events. While her interests span well beyond sustainable fashion, it’s a common thread throughout much of her work.

I often marvel at Maggie’s ability to juggle so much with ease and grace. I’ve worked with her in many different capacities over the years and I’ve never seen her miss a deadline or break a sweat – a truly remarkable feat in the fast-paced world of media. When I ask how she does it all, she credits apps for helping her streamline her workload (again, she’s a true digital native). She uses Xero for invoices, Monday for active jobs, Notion for tracking tasks and Up to simplify her finances. Being able to see her income and expenses grouped in Up means she can free up head space to focus on other priorities, like developing her creativity and relationships.

Maggie entered the industry as an outsider knowing nobody. Her focus on relationships, combined with her willingness to work hard and value her own worth, has helped build her enviable freelance career to date – with many lessons learnt along the way.

Hi Maggie! Tell us about yourself, what exactly is it that you ‘do’?

Hello! I’m a freelance writer, content creator and podcaster. I predominately write first-person opinion pieces for lifestyle publications about fashion, life, culture and health (and create social media content about these topics too). I also co-host a pop culture podcast called Culture Club, alongside my friend and fellow writer and editor, Jasmine Wallis.

Take us back to the early days of your career. Did you start with study or dive straight into work?

If I’m honest, this pathway probably started in my tweens around 2011 when I was in the throes of One Direction fandom. That’s where my social media obsession began: on my family computer, using Twitter as a means to make  members of the British boy band fall in love with me (reader, this proved to be unsuccessful). For a few fruitful years, I was part of a flourishing global community of mostly teenage girls, becoming fluent in internet slang and meme culture.

Around the same time, I stumbled onto the microblogging platform Tumblr, which proved to be pivotal education for my pop culture knowledge, visual language and style. I then joined Instagram at the start of 2013, posting outfit photos and ’grammable pics. That one’s stuck: over a decade later and I’m still doing the same. I also started a WordPress blog to share fashion photoshoots I forced my mum and sister to capture, accompanied by diary-like text and fashion musings.

I dive into my internet records because I firmly believe it’s been so crucial in moulding my interests and skill set. It led me to complete a double bachelor’s degree in communication design and media communications (specialising in journalism) at Monash University. During that time, I also undertook four unpaid internships: one doing marketing at a food-based tech app, and the others in writer positions at Broadsheet, Cocktail Revolution and Fashion Journal.

In 2021, in my final semester of uni, I landed the position of Writer and Producer (before becoming Wellness and Living Writer) at Refinery29 Australia. Being part of a national launch for a global brand was unbelievably exciting and truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

At the start of 2023, I became Fashion Journal’s Branded Content and Features Editor. There’s a saying we have: “Once an FJ girl, always an FJ girl.” I interned at Fashion Journal back in 2020, worked as an editorial assistant at the start of 2021 and then returned as an editor for a year. FJ’s home to some of the smartest, funniest and sweetest women, and I’m proud to be an FJ girl for life.

I bit the freelance bullet this year and now make my money from sponsored social media content, written feature articles, speaking gigs and podcast sponsorships.

What hurdles have you faced getting to where you are now?

It’s both a source of pride and a chip on my shoulder that I entered this industry knowing nobody, with no leg up or person to lean on. Perhaps because of this (and the fact that I came up at a time when oversharing on the internet as a woman was à la mode), I felt like I had to mine my identity for content. It was a mix of feeling not good enough, feeling ‘lucky to be here’ and having to prove my worth through excavating my marginalised identities. Whether that be for campaigns, projects or jobs, I’ve constantly struggled with feeling tokenised.

I never allowed myself to entertain the idea of a career in media. It wasn’t until I was a few months into my first full-time writer role that I realised I was living a dream I hadn’t allowed myself to have. It’s tiresome to point out how white-washed Australia’s media industry is, but it’s definitely why my imposter syndrome was pretty all-consuming at the start of my career.

I now recognise the many privileges I have, as well as the hurdles I also face as a woman of colour. I back myself much more now. Screw tall poppy syndrome and having to be grateful and humble to a fault: I believe in my worth and what I do.

What do you want people to know about the industry and what you do?

The influencing and media world is lucrative, finicky and tumultuous.  It’s glamorous too (events, PR packages and trips, there are so many perks to the job). I cringe when I hear creators moan about how hard it is. Like, go work a double night shift as a nurse and see who’s complaining! But a cost of the industry I’m learning more about is the toll of commodifying yourself. My thoughts, interests and appearance don’t feel solely my own. Of course, I’ve chosen to pursue this as a career (and I love it!) but it’s emphasised the importance of separating myself from my work too. It’s taxing and tiring to base your worth on engagement, numbers and the whim of strangers.

What’s the best part about your work?

Honestly, the access and financial freedom it’s afforded me. Is that crass to say? I’ve watched my parents work extremely hard all their lives and I know what a strain money can be. To do what I love and feel fairly compensated for it is what I ask for from a job. I’d be remiss not to mention the beautiful, incredible and delightful circle of friends my work has led me to also. These women make me smarter and sillier.

What would surprise people about your work?

A lot of creative thinking – whether that be for article writing or content brainstorming – happens when you’re doing nothing. These ‘nothing’ moments, like taking a shower, going on a walk or doing the dishes, are instrumental for creativity. Being bored is a gift. It’s easy to outsource distraction, so sit in your boredom and savour that discomfort.

How do you juggle all your deadlines, personal projects and business admin without dropping a ball?

I love being organised! It makes my brain feel good. I love handing in assignments earlier than the deadline, colour-coding my Google calendar and ticking off to-do lists. A priority of mine since going freelance is making the most of smart, digital apps that streamline processes for me. I use Xero for invoices, Up for finances, Monday for active jobs and Notion for tracking tasks. Being able to see all my income and expenses grouped in Up means I can free up my head space to focus on the creative stuff.

What skills have served you well in your industry?

Being personable, warm and nice! These may sound dull but in an industry where it is about who you know, people who are genuinely friendly and enjoyable to be around are much more likely to go far. Be the person who admits it when they don’t understand something, or pulls someone being left out back into a conversation.

What advice would you give to someone who wants a career like yours someday?

Why do you want it? No seriously, why? The job titles of writer, editor and influencer are often put on a pedestal, usually because of their shiny, glitzy perks, not because of the jobs themselves. Are you pursuing this career for your ego, for the social media announcement post, for the accolades and recognition, or the free stuff?

I think you actually have to really enjoy the process of creation to have a long, fulfilling career in media. I love the process of writing, it reminds me of assembling a puzzle. I love research and I love interviewing people. I love filming and editing video content. Make for the sake of making; write for yourself, make content for yourself.

What about a practical tip?

Meet deadlines. Be a go-getter, ask questions and then ask more questions. Crave feedback, read widely and edit your own work. Don’t read the comments. And when you inevitably do read the comments, don’t take them too personally. And see an accountant.

This article was originally published in Fashion Journal issue 195.

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