Today we’d like to introduce you to Ariel Arison.
Hi Ariel, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve been creating content for as long as I can remember, although I didn’t always recognize it as content creation. Growing up, I was what you would absolutely call a fangirl. My first major obsession was One Direction, and that love for the band has followed me into their solo careers. I’m still keeping up with the members and their music today! Being a fan has shaped so much of how I interact with the internet, discover music, connect with people, and express my creativity.
I grew up during the early days of social media and was heavily involved in platforms like Vine, Musical.ly, Tumblr, and Instagram. I loved being part of online communities, keeping up with trends, and finding creative ways to participate in the things I was passionate about. My mom was also active on Myspace when I was growing up, and I loved helping her customize and curate her page. Even as a kid, I was drawn to the creative side of the internet: figuring out how to make a page look a certain way, choosing images, and making everything feel personal.
At one point, a friend and I even ran a dedicated Instagram page where we created fan edits. We made images and videos using overlays, visual effects, and different elements timed to music. It was a fun way to experiment with editing, aesthetics, and storytelling, and that account is actually still online today. Looking back, I can see how those early projects helped me develop an instinct for matching visuals to music, recognizing trends, and thinking about what makes content engaging. I wasn’t thinking about algorithms, engagement rates, or content strategy at the time. I was just having fun creating things and sharing them with people who loved the same things I did.
That interest in creativity extended beyond social media, too. I’ve always loved hosting and bringing people together, and I enjoy things like scrapbooking and other creative projects. I love the process of taking an idea and turning it into something tangible, whether that’s putting together an event, creating something visually appealing, or finding a way to make an experience feel special. Creativity has always been a part of how I express myself.
Academically, I took a different path. I attended the University of Mary Washington, where I earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with a minor in Mathematics. My education gave me a technical foundation and taught me to think analytically, solve problems, and approach challenges systematically. Although my degree wasn’t in marketing or communications, I don’t see that background as separate from what I do creatively. Social media requires both sides of my brain: understanding the data and strategy behind a platform while also coming up with ideas, creating content, and finding ways to connect with an audience.
As social media evolved, so did my interests. I’ve always tried to stay current with trends, pay attention to what people are responding to, and think about new ways to approach content. Eventually, I started creating content around another major passion of mine: live music. Music has always been more than entertainment to me. It’s been a way to escape reality, process emotions, discover new worlds, and connect with people and experiences beyond my everyday life. There’s something special about finding a song that perfectly captures how you’re feeling or discovering an artist whose music makes you feel understood. That relationship with music has been a constant throughout my life.
Concerts and music festivals became opportunities to combine my love for artists with my interest in storytelling. I began sharing concert reviews, documenting performances, talking about the crowd experience, and giving people my perspective on the shows I attended. I’ve attended Governors Ball in New York multiple times, and music-related content has become an important part of my creative work. Some of my TikToks have reached tens of thousands of views, including a video that received approximately 47,000 views.
Those experiences helped me see that content could do more than document something I enjoyed. It could introduce people to artists, help others decide which shows to attend, and create conversations among people who share the same interests. I love that a video I make about an experience can reach someone who wasn’t there and still make them feel connected to it.
My transition into social media management happened in a way I never could have planned. I was talking to a friend who plays drums for Maysuns, and he mentioned that he didn’t have the time to manage the band’s social media. I casually told him that if they ever needed help with it, I’d be happy to pitch in. At the time, it was almost an offhand comment, but that conversation turned into an actual opportunity. What started as a casual offer to help a friend became my first real experience managing social media for someone else.
That opportunity opened a door I hadn’t realized I wanted to walk through. I had spent years experiencing music from the perspective of a fan, following artists, discovering new music, attending shows, and participating in online fan communities. Suddenly, I had the chance to explore music from the inside and better understand what goes into building an artist’s presence, promoting releases, and connecting with an audience.
I found that I loved this side of music, too. Working with artists gave me a deeper appreciation for everything happening behind the scenes, from the planning and promotion to the ongoing work of building and maintaining a community. It also allowed my experience as a fan to become an asset. I understand the excitement surrounding a new release, the anticipation leading up to a show, and the little details that make audiences feel connected to an artist. I know what makes me stop scrolling, what makes me want to share something with another fan, and what makes me feel more invested in an artist’s journey. While every audience is different, I bring that perspective into the way I approach content and think about what fans might genuinely want to see.
From there, I continued growing my experience in social media management and content strategy. I’ve managed social media for local DC bands, including Spoonfed, developing content strategies, planning calendars, creating and editing videos, writing captions, promoting shows and releases, and maintaining a consistent presence across platforms. I’ve also worked on social media and content projects for clients such as Maysuns and Jordyn’s Nail Bar. Each experience has taught me something different about balancing a client’s goals with creative ideas and finding ways to communicate what makes an artist or business unique.
My work has also expanded into lifestyle, food, and local experiences. I enjoy discovering businesses, trying new things, and sharing experiences in a way that feels authentic to me. I like creating content that gives people a reason to explore something new, whether it’s a restaurant, a concert, a creative project, or a local business. At the heart of all these interests is the same motivation: I love finding something worth sharing and figuring out how to tell its story in a way that resonates with other people.
My journey hasn’t followed a perfectly straight line, and I think that’s part of what makes it interesting. I studied computer science, developed creative interests outside the classroom, spent years participating in online communities, and eventually found ways to combine those experiences through content creation and social media management. Each part of my background has contributed something different to how I approach my work.
I’ve also learned that turning a creative passion into a professional skill requires more than simply enjoying the work. It takes consistency, organization, communication, adaptability, and the ability to advocate for yourself. Freelancing has taught me how to manage projects, work with clients, understand their goals, and balance creative ideas with practical needs. I’m continually learning how to grow professionally while staying connected to the things that inspired me in the first place.
Today, I’m continuing to develop my work as a content creator and social media strategist, with a particular interest in music, entertainment, lifestyle, and helping artists and businesses tell their stories. I love that the internet has given people so many ways to find their communities and share what they care about, and I want my work to contribute to that.
When I think about where I started, it’s funny to realize that the kid helping customize a Myspace page, making fan edits on Instagram, and keeping up with every One Direction update was already developing some of the instincts I use today. I didn’t have a career plan back then, and I certainly wasn’t thinking about becoming a social media strategist. I just loved creating things, being part of communities, and finding ways to express my interests.
In many ways, I’m still doing the same thing. The platforms have changed, the tools have evolved, and the work has become more strategic, but the underlying motivation is still there. Music continues to be a huge part of my life, and working with artists has allowed me to experience that passion from a new perspective. I get to combine the excitement and emotional connection I have always felt as a fan with the creativity and strategy involved in helping artists reach their audiences.
I’m proud that I’ve been able to turn something I’ve loved since childhood into a growing professional path. I’m still learning, experimenting, and figuring out exactly where I want to go, but I know I want to keep creating, keep connecting people with things that matter to them, and keep helping artists and businesses share their stories with the world.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not! One of the biggest challenges has been finding my place in an industry I didn’t formally study. I graduated from the University of Mary Washington with a degree in Computer Science and a minor in Mathematics, so my educational background is very different from the work I do today. While my degree taught me valuable analytical and problem-solving skills, I didn’t follow the traditional path into marketing, communications, or the music industry. I’ve had to find my own way in, build experience through hands-on opportunities, and prove that I have the skills to do the work even without a conventional background in the field.
Another challenge has been navigating a male-dominated industry as a woman. A lot of my experience has involved working with male musicians, and it can be difficult to establish credibility and have your expertise taken seriously when you’re entering a space where you may not fit the typical image of someone working behind the scenes. I’ve had to learn how to communicate my ideas confidently, advocate for myself, and make sure the work I do is recognized for the value it brings. It’s been a learning process, especially when you’re building your career independently and don’t always have someone else there to advocate for you.
Freelancing has also taught me that being good at the creative side of the job is only part of the equation. You have to learn how to manage client relationships, set expectations, communicate your value, and establish boundaries around your time and work. When you’re passionate about what you do, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of a project and want to give it everything you have. Learning how to balance that enthusiasm with the practical side of running a business has been an important part of my growth.
I think one of the hardest parts of building a career this way is that there isn’t always a clear roadmap. When you enter an industry through an unexpected opportunity rather than a traditional career path, you’re often figuring things out as you go. I’ve had to trust my abilities, learn from experience, and remind myself that not having a conventional background doesn’t mean I don’t belong in the room.
At the same time, these challenges have helped me become more confident in what I bring to the table. My perspective as a lifelong music fan, my understanding of online communities, my technical background, and my hands-on experience with content creation all contribute to the way I approach social media. I may not have followed the traditional route into this industry, but I’ve built my experience by doing the work, continuing to learn, and finding ways to turn my interests into something valuable.
I’m still growing, and I know there will be more challenges ahead. But I’ve learned that you don’t necessarily need to have everything figured out before you start. Sometimes, you have to take an opportunity, prove to yourself that you can do it, and build your path from there.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I work in content creation and social media management, helping artists and small businesses develop their online presence, connect with their audiences, and tell their stories in ways that feel authentic to them. My work combines creative content production with social media strategy, from brainstorming ideas and developing content calendars to filming and editing short-form videos, writing captions, managing accounts, and finding ways to make content resonate with the people it’s meant to reach.
Music and entertainment are particular passions of mine, and I’ve found that working with musicians allows me to combine my professional skills with something I’ve loved my entire life. I’ve managed social media for local DC bands, including Maysuns and Spoonfed, helping them develop content strategies, promote shows and releases, and maintain a consistent presence online. I’ve also worked with other small businesses, including Jordyn’s Nail Bar, and explored content creation across lifestyle, food, and local experiences.
I would describe my approach as a combination of strategy, creativity, and an understanding of online culture. I’ve been immersed in social media since I was young, from customizing Myspace pages and creating fan edits on Instagram to participating in online communities and keeping up with emerging platforms and trends. I’ve watched social media evolve over the years, and I genuinely enjoy paying attention to what people are responding to, identifying new content opportunities, and thinking about how to translate an idea into something people want to watch, share, or engage with.
One of the things I think sets me apart is that I approach social media from the perspective of both a creator and an audience member. I’m a lifelong music fan, so when I work with musicians, I understand the excitement surrounding a new release, the anticipation of an upcoming show, and the ways fans build connections with artists. I know that audiences don’t just want promotional content. They want personality, behind-the-scenes moments, stories, and opportunities to feel like they’re part of an artist’s journey. I try to bring that understanding into my work by creating content that gives people a reason to care, not just a reason to scroll past.
I’m also analytical by nature. I earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with a minor in Mathematics from the University of Mary Washington, and I bring that problem-solving mindset into my creative work. I enjoy thinking about why something works, how content can support a larger goal, and how to balance creative ideas with practical considerations. I don’t see creativity and strategy as opposing forces. I think the strongest social media work happens when the two support each other.
I’m particularly proud of the fact that I’ve been able to turn a lifelong interest into professional experience. My first opportunity managing someone else’s social media came from a casual conversation with a friend in Maysuns. I offered to help when he mentioned that the band didn’t have time to manage its accounts, and what started as an offhand comment turned into a real opportunity. That experience showed me that I could take something I’d been doing creatively for years and use it to help other people achieve their goals.
I’m also proud of the audience I’ve been able to reach through my own content. Some of my concert-related TikToks have received tens of thousands of views, including one with approximately 47,000 views. For me, those numbers are exciting not just because of the reach, but because they demonstrate how something I create around an experience I genuinely care about can connect with people beyond my immediate circle.
Ultimately, I want my work to help people discover things they’ll love, whether that’s a new artist, a local business, or an experience they hadn’t considered before. I’m proud to be building a career that lets me combine my interests with my skills while helping other people share their work with the world. I’m still growing and exploring where this path will take me, but I know that storytelling, creativity, and community will remain at the center of whatever I do.
What does success mean to you?
I define success as being happy and feeling fulfilled in the life I’m building. I think it’s easy to get caught up in the idea that success has to look a certain way, whether that’s having a specific job title, making a certain amount of money, or reaching particular milestones by a certain age. But I’ve learned that what matters most to me is creating a life that feels meaningful and allows me to be myself.
For me, that means being able to pursue the things I’m passionate about, continue growing creatively and professionally, and do work that I genuinely enjoy. It means having the freedom to explore new opportunities, connect with people, and help others bring their ideas to life. I want to look at what I’m doing and feel proud of the work I’ve put into it, rather than simply measuring my success by external expectations.
I also think success is about balance. I want to build a career I’m excited about while still making time for the people, experiences, and interests that make life enjoyable. Music, creativity, and the connections I make with others are all important parts of who I am, and I want those things to remain part of my life rather than becoming things I only have time for outside of work.
Ultimately, I don’t think success is a final destination or something you achieve once and never have to think about again. I think it changes as you grow and learn more about yourself. Right now, success means continuing to build a life where I feel happy, fulfilled, and excited about what’s ahead. If I’m doing work I care about, growing as a person, and creating a life that feels true to me, then I consider that success.
Pricing:
- Social Media Management: Services include content strategy, content calendar development, short-form video creation and editing, caption writing, publishing, and community engagement. Pricing varies based on the platforms managed, posting frequency, and scope of work.
- Content Creation: Custom content creation for artists, brands, and small businesses. Pricing depends on the type and quantity of content requested and any additional usage rights.
- Custom Packages: Packages can be tailored to each client’s goals, budget, and needs.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/Arisquared
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arielarison/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@arielarison
