Meet Jiaqi Zhou | Marketing&content operation specialist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jiaqi Zhou and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jiaqi, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
It’s my pleasure to be here and share my growth journey in the media industry. First of all, I’m from Zhongshan, Guangdong, a place known for its openness and cultural richness. The environment places a strong emphasis on nurturing talent and interests, so from a young age, I was exposed to various forms of art—dance, calligraphy, traditional Chinese painting, piano, singing, and more. I also had opportunities to perform in places like Japan, Hong Kong, and Macau. I enjoyed the spotlight on stage, and being recognized and praised by others, which made me proud.

During university, I started my creative journey. For example, in dance, I began choreographing to popular songs. Then, I served as the choreographer and director for five years in my university, organizing and directing various events and performances. I even received invitations from local charity organizations to perform in their programs.

As the social media industry began to thrive, I decided to share my life on these platforms. This was one of the best decisions I made in my creative career. At first, my content barely got any attention, and I had thoughts of giving up. However, my passion kept me going. As the saying goes, “effort will not betray you.” My persistence paid off, and more and more people began to notice me.

Passion and persistence have always been key factors in my continuous exploration and growth in the media and creative industry. The joy and pride of being recognized are my driving forces.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As a content creator, my journey has not been smooth. In the beginning, I simply pursued my interest and curiosity, trying to share my thoughts and daily life on social media. At that time, I had little experience and didn’t know how to attract an audience. I was just recording the things I enjoyed. My first post or video might have gone unnoticed, but that didn’t make me give up. In fact, it fueled my drive to keep experimenting. Becoming a content creator opened doors for me into various media industries, including journalism, advertising and marketing, public relations, broadcasting, social-media creation, and e-commerce.

Through continuous learning across these industries, I gradually learned how to create more engaging content, such as video shooting techniques, copywriting, and how to interact with my audience. I also began focusing on data analysis, learning how to adjust my creative direction based on audience feedback. Along the way, there have certainly been moments of doubt and low points, but I keep going.

What I’m most proud of is that I’ve built a loyal followers and received many collaboration offers from brands. Their support and recognition have made my mission clearer—to provide valuable content and share the things I’m passionate about with the world.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’ve lived in China, the UK, and the US, and I often have friends visiting me from my hometown. I really enjoy catching up with old friends. Before they arrive, I always make sure to plan everything in detail. I like to combine ‘classic’ and ‘innovative’ experiences, taking them to explore the local culture and customs.

At first I would select iconic and famous attractions, such as natural landscapes and historical landmarks. These places are rich in cultural history and offer a great opportunity to experience the unique regional characteristics that differ from their own hometowns.

Then, local events and festivals are always best choices. It is an excellent way to dive into the local culture and customs. Many festivals have a long-standing history and reflect the area’s cultural heritage. These events usually attract a lot of locals and tourists, creating a vibrant community atmosphere and plenty of opportunities for social interaction. Plus, it’s a perfect chance to taste traditional local food. I believe food is one of the top priorities for any traveler, and I always recommend my friends check out local small shops and eateries. These places offer a much more authentic experience of the local culture and are also perfect for discovering unique handcrafted items and souvenirs. These experiences often leave a much stronger impression on visitors than typical tourist spots.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’m incredibly grateful to my parents. I was born into an ordinary family, and neither of them had a standout career in the arts. They made great plans for me when I was young. They encouraged me to develop a wide range of hobbies and interests, enhanced my understanding of aesthetics, and sparked my curiosity about everything. At the same time, they did everything they could to provide me with opportunities to broaden my horizons, including participating in various international and cross-regional arts and cultural exchanges.

Throughout this journey, whenever I had doubts or thoughts of giving up, they were always there to encourage me and help me push through. They often said: “As long as you’re determined and have a clear goal, just follow your plan and stay the course. You will surely see results.”

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redpanda_aaa/profilecard/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jiaqi-zhou-redpanda/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jiaqi.zhou.2024?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Other: The Red Book:https://www.xiaohongshu.com/user/profile/60c1f6560000000001007fe5?xhsshare=CopyLink&appuid=60c1f6560000000001007fe5&apptime=1731458019&share_id=f088bffbabb44f508e254ec2c17217f3

Lemon8：https://v.lemon8-app.com/s/ArMcRhTppR

TikTok：https://www.tiktok.com/@redpanda_aaa123?_t=8rLVFuvbieZ&_r=1

Image Credits
Credits to Jiaqi Zhou