Teree Daisuke on pursuing content creation full-time in his 30s and how it’s never too late for anyone
TikTok has made Teree Daisuke booked, busy and grateful. The first time I met the TikTok Beauty Creator of the Year, we were at a packed beauty event and briefly introduced—I will never forget it. He shared how during the first 10 months of consistently posting on his account, he made his first 1,000 followers. Now, he’s celebrating a milestone: 1.2 million followers.
At a private Sunday luncheon for the homegrown brand GRWM Cosmetics, I caught up with Teree to discuss his most recent win during the recently concluded TikTok Awards Philippines 2023. I quickly realized that we had more in common than I thought. “[To win TikTok] Beauty Creator of The Year, ‘yun ‘yung goal ko for the longest time. Ma-recognize ka lang, na you’re one of the top beauty creators here in the Philippines…I think anyone na nasa kaniya-kaniyang niche, gusto nila mag-excel sa forte nila,” he reveals. “Before, dream ko lang siya…very surreal na after how many years, na-achieve ko ‘yung milestone na ‘yun in my life.”
(“[To win TikTok] Beauty Creator of The Year, that was my goal for the longest time. To be recognized that you’re one of the top beauty creators here in the Philippines…I think anyone who has their own niche wants to excel in their forte,” he reveals. “Before, it was just a dream…very surreal that after how many years, I achieved that milestone in my life.”)
@tereedaisuke Never ever lose sight of your dreams or goals in life. It may sometimes take days, months, or years but I guarantee you, it will all be worth it! In God’s perfect time Thank you to everyone who supported and believed in me since the beginning up until now I’ll continue to post entertaining and informative content Hala! Ang gandang bata oh! Sino mama mo?! #tiktokawardsph2023 #tiktokph ♬ original sound – Teree Daisuke
Before focusing on creating content full-time, Teree handled influencer marketing for a publication company. This would play a significant role in his success on the short-form video platform. He started creating content “to understand what it feels like and what it is to be a content creator so I can relate to them…parang (like a) talent manager.” He pivoted and started doing really well at it until more people started taking notice.
It’s no secret that the saturated scene of TikTok has plenty of Gen Z players, many of whom have gone the non-traditional route of pursuing content creation instead of a regular nine-to-five job. For Teree, instead of looking at it as a disadvantage as a 30-something, he sees it as his edge. He reveals, “Ang advantage lang sa age natin, may work experience tayo. We really deal with all kinds of people, how to communicate with them. ‘Yun ‘yung leverage and advantage ko [from] the rest [of the younger creators]. I know how to talk to people lalo na nag-sales ako before…May mga days na I would think, shet ang babagets nito. Pa’no ko [papasukin] ‘tong industry na ‘to na ang mga kasabayan ko super young, super fresh? But lagi kong iniisip, baka may market pa rin for me.”
(He reveals, “The only advantage of our age is we have work experience. We really deal with all kinds of people, how to communicate with them. That is my leverage and advantage [from] the rest [of the younger creators]. I know how to talk to people especially since I did sales before…There are days that I would think, shit they’re so young. How will I enter this industry where everyone’s super young, super fresh? But I always think to myself, maybe there’s still a market out there for me.”)
@tereedaisuke Ever wondered what creators do during events? Here’s a quick peek of my life as a content creator during an event at the @Lancôme ‘s pop-up at Greenbelt 5. #IdoleLancome #LancomePH #vlog #minivlog ♬ original sound – Teree Daisuke
Teree even recommends aspiring creators to experience the world of corporate first before entering this rigorous industry to set them apart. Doing the grunt work will prepare you like no other experience. “Mag-work ka muna. Finish your studies. Iba ang may knowledge ka sa backend ng lahat (Work first. Finish your studies. It’s different when you have knowledge on the backend of things).” From personally dealing with clients to reading a brief, there’s much to be learned. “If you can juggle both [work and content creation], better. Marami kang matututunan kahit admin work (You will learn a lot, even admin work).”
From a hobby to a visual journal to now his full-time job, TikTok has truly changed the life of Teree Daisuke. It has even helped him be more truthful to himself. For the longest time, he felt too conscious that others would think him too “feminine” or “flamboyant.” When he started experimenting with makeup during the pandemic, he felt liberated. “It’s very liberating na na-express ko ‘yung self ko through makeup na hindi ko inexpect na magugustuhan ng ibang tao. During that time, andun ako sa place na baka i-judge ako na ‘Bakla ka, sobrang feminine mo.’ Majority talaga ng nanonood sa ’kin really like what I do [and the] content that I upload. Natutuwa sila.”
(“It’s very liberating to express myself through makeup, which I didn’t expect other people would like. During that time, I was in a place where maybe I would get judged, ‘You’re gay, you’re too feminine.’ Majority of those who watch me really like what I do [and the] content that I upload. They enjoy it.”
@tereedaisuke Beginner’s Guide on where to swatch foundation to find your shade Hope this helps #makeup #beginnersguidetomakeup #foundation #tiktokfashion ♬ original sound – Teree Daisuke
From beginner-friendly makeup to mukbang videos, Teree wants his viewers to feel like they’re just talking to a best friend and they’re catching up over coffee. This authenticity and spontaneity, I’d like to think, is what sets him apart from other creators. He lets me in on a secret: He never uses scripts on his videos!
For aspiring creators, Teree Daisuke advises: “Do not think about what other people will think and just have fun.” Being yourself is enough, it’s a matter of being confident in the content you produce and upload. Everyone starts with 0 followers; if you care about what you do, chances are, other people will, too. And oh, have fun!
Photos Teree Daisuke
Art Macky Arquilla
