The social media personality from Singapore discusses the serious business of telling nonsensical jokes as an online content creator.

This story was also featured on EverydayPeople.SG

ā€People donā€™t want real. Because everyday life is already so real, and people just want an escape. They want to turn off their brains and laugh at silly, low IQ content. So as a content creator, you give them that. They want to be entertained, so you be entertaining.

I think a naturally funny person is Godā€™s gift to Earth. On that note, my girlfriend felt very cheated. She thought I was funny like my online persona, but after we met, she realised Iā€™m quite a serious and boring person. Luckily, I have other qualities that made her stay. [laughs]

Some people were just born with a funny personality, but Iā€™m more of a quiet observer. Iā€™m constantly studying comedians, and thinking about how I can copy or outdo them. Iā€™m writing down ideas and jokes all the time, so Iā€™m really a writer at the end of the day.

What makes a good joke? You know, before I started making videos, I never thought of myself as funny. I have friends who are ten times funnier. But when I started making videos that people in Singapore could relate to, I suddenly became known as that funny guy.

People in Singapore appreciate relatability. We want to relate to things, more than we want to laugh at an actual joke. Which is why I think Singaporeā€™s sense of humour is a bit weird. The more relatable you are, the more people will share your content.

My journey in content creation actually began as a means to cheer someone up. My friend was feeling down because he had just broken up with his girlfriend. To get his mind off his ex, we got together and started making dumb and funny videos. 

I didnā€™t even want to post our first video. We looked like fools. But since we went through the trouble of editing it, we posted it anyway. We didnā€™t expect it to blow up! So we kept making and posting more videos, until SGAG eventually recognised us and reached out.

I was with SGAG for two years. Iā€™d wake up everyday and literally get paid to create nonsense content. It felt like I was living the dream. But when I realised how much companies were paying for videos and funny content, I wanted to be a free agent.

I made the choice to fly solo, and Iā€™ve been a full-time freelance content creator ever since. I told my parents to give me half a year to a year to try it out, and it has been the best decision Iā€™ve made so far. Because itā€™s making me more money than I used to make in a 9 to 5.

Challenges? It can get quite annoying when people meet you for the first time and expect you to tell jokes or make them laugh. It doesnā€™t work that way. Itā€™s all a persona. Everything you see on social media is fake. Only in really rare instances is something truly authentic.

I become a completely different person when the camera is on. After two hours of that, you just want to go to your room, curl up into a ball, and return to your true self. But people donā€™t want to see your honest moments. Like I said, people donā€™t want real.

People want entertainment, and it takes balls to put yourself out there, especially with the many DMs and comments you get on social media. Iā€™ve had people tell me stuff like, ā€˜You bring shame to the Malay communityā€™ or ā€˜If I see your face outside, Iā€™m going to whack you.ā€™

Humour is subjective, and when you make jokes about certain subject matters, people get sensitive and offended, even if your jokes are a reflection of Singapore and rooted in reality. They start to say nasty things, and thatā€™s when you realise just how nasty humans can be.

As a content creator, there is always that fear of being cancelled. I have apologised and brought down videos after people explained why I was being insensitive and ignorant. But when comments are made with the intention to thrash instead of educate, I donā€™t engage.

The negativity can get to you, no matter how thick your skin is. Thatā€™s when I remind myself that your loved ones are the only ones who matter. They are my moral compass. I share my jokes with my family and friends before I post anything. As long as they approve, Iā€™m good.

To me, itā€™s about how far you want to push comedy. Itā€™s about being in that grey area where youā€™re not overstepping boundaries, but still tackling subject matters that no one else is. As long as no lines are crossed, anything that raises eyebrows makes for a good joke.

If I can share any advice for aspiring content creators, itā€™s to not be afraid of leaving the 9 to 5 life. This is tough if you have a family to support and responsibilities. A full-time career is more practical. But if you have the opportunity to explore an alternative career, go for it.

Iā€™m not saying it would be easy. Most people in Singapore will not understand your life choices, and their opinions can be demoralising. Not seeing any money in your bank account, especially when youā€™re starting out, will also get to you.

But if you are genuine and hardworking when it comes to pushing out content, clients and businesses will come to you. If they donā€™t come to you, you have to reach out to them. People leave the 9 to 5 either to hustle or to chill. The choice is yours.ā€ – Faris Samri, 32

Interview by Arman Shah