Creator Spotlight: Michael Hawley - Harber Media

By Viralnoise

"Looking back at your journey - what was that first piece of content that made you think 'I might be onto something here'? What clicked for you?"

I started making YouTube videos about a decade ago, mostly centered around an augmented reality game. I was experimenting with vlogging, gameplay, and informative content—just feeling things out. Honestly, it was a slow build. I wasn’t naturally comfortable on camera, especially not in public. But everything shifted during a trip to Boston. There was this rare in-game event happening, and without overthinking it, I pulled out my camera and started filming like no one else was around. That was the moment it clicked. For the first time, I felt completely at ease creating content.

"Every creator has their essential toolkit. What's in your current tech setup, and which tools have been game-changers for you?"

I’m absolutely obsessed with my Sony FX3—it’s hands down the heart of my setup. When I first bought it to launch my real estate media company, I’ll admit, it felt like a massive leap. At the time, it was way more camera than I knew how to handle and definitely overkill for the videos I was producing. But now, a few years in, I couldn’t be happier with the results it delivers. It’s been a total game-changer. Paired with my go-to lenses—the Sony 16-35mm, 24-70mm, and the Laowa 12mm—I’ve got a toolkit that’s dialed in perfectly for real estate media. That trio covers everything I need with power and precision.

Creator burnout is real. How do you keep your content fresh while protecting your creative energy? What helps you stay consistent yet innovative?"

Honestly, the rapid rise of AI has been a surprising antidote to burnout for me. The constant wave of new tools and possibilities has kept things exciting—I feel like there’s always something fresh to learn or experiment with. It’s pushed me to evolve my editing workflow week after week, and that momentum has really kept my creative energy alive. It’s definitely kept me on my toes, in the best way.

"What advice would you give to creators just starting to build their audience? What do you wish someone had told you early on?"

You don’t need the latest gear to get started. Honestly, most of the tools released in the last five years are still more than capable of producing great content. People told me that early on, but I didn’t fully believe it until I became a full-time creator myself. Now I know it’s true. The one exception? Your computer. You don’t need the newest model, but investing in a relatively recent machine can make a huge difference in your editing workflow—it’s all about keeping things smooth and efficient.

"How do you balance jumping on trends versus creating original content that's authentic to your brand? What's your approach?"

This one’s tricky. With AI and fast-moving trends, it’s easy to fall into the trap of chasing what’s new just for the sake of it. And sometimes, there’s absolutely a place for that. But for me, it always comes back to the purpose of the content. When I’m working with real estate agents, I make it a point to understand the “why” behind the video—are they building their personal brand? Promoting a listing with a classic walkthrough? Is the content meant for social media, the MLS, or an email blast to their database? Once I know the intent, that guides whether I lean into a trend or craft something more original and brand-aligned.

"What's one creator myth you'd like to debunk? What's the behind-the-scenes reality that might surprise people?"

One big myth? That being a content creator is all glam and easy money. The truth is—it’s a lot of work, often way more than people think. When you break it down, many creators are earning less than minimum wage for the hours they put in. Sure, there are fun moments and some great perks, but behind the scenes, you’re wearing every hat—creative director, editor, marketer, strategist. It’s long hours, constant decision-making, and often creating content not knowing if anyone will actually see it. It’s rewarding, but it’s definitely not effortless.