How I bring positivity and laughter online

Comedy is like the superpower of all powers, a unique gift used to heal and lift us. For me, it’s not just entertainment but a therapeutic force that makes life much easier.

I didn’t just randomly decide to make people laugh on social media. It all started with great times of family laughter on Sunday nights, watching shows like Family Guy. That shared joy was like a magic wand that made everything feel right. And because I’m not a selfish man, I wanted to bring that same vibe to the world around me, and I just knew the best way to have the biggest reach was to start my social media journey!

Crafting a positive online vibe isn’t some calculated move. It’s more of creating a digital hangout space about warmth and laughter. I want to spread good vibes within myself and anyone who hops on this online joy ride.

Life is full of quirky moments, so my secret recipe for spreading laughter is taking those everyday situations and giving them a hilarious twist. Memes, videos, and — most recently — musicals that make you say, “Yep, that happened to me too!” Of course, the goal is to keep it inclusive – no offense intended. I’m just a regular, nice guy creating content that’s as cool and calm as a Sunday afternoon.

Engaging with my followers is the best part! My preferred ways to stay in touch are through Insta stories and an occasional live session. That’s where the real magic happens! It’s like an open mic night where everyone gets a chance to step up to the virtual stage and share a laugh. Comment sections can get wild, so I like to focus on why I started this journey: to spread some joy and keep it light.

I love collaborating with other creative minds and spaces. Teaming up with fellow creators who get my sense of humor is one of my favorite things to do. One of the coolest collaborations is my parent-teacher conference video. We turned a potentially stressful situation into a comedic masterpiece. Rather than turning lemons into lemonade, we turned them into a comedy routine, and more than 4.7 million people loved it! Working with other creators adds a whole new layer to the laughter. It’s like a potluck of humor, where each creator brings a unique spice, resulting in a comedy feast. And the audience gets to taste a bit of everything.

What’s most endearing are the messages received from followers. I take comfort in knowing that laughter travels through the screen and brings a smile to someone’s face — that’s the real measurement of success. I knew early on who I was and what I wanted to do, and that’s what I thrived on. The success of your journey will always come after you have truly made it a passion, and I made that decision early on.

Life is a journey of twists and turns, but joy and laughter are always around the corner. I’ve learned that as I spread joy to others, doing it for myself is equally important. Tony Talks is like a never-ending party with infinite seasons, creating content that slaps a smile on your face one view at a time. It’s not just a show. It’s a vibe and a constant commitment to keeping the positivity flowing.

“How do I make my content?” some people may ask. My content is often based on an exaggerated storyline of real-life events. If I ever feel like I’m reaching a block, it’s because I need more inspiration. Grocery stores, parks, movies, family, and friends are all a part of my inspiration that contributes to my writing process. After writing, I set up my equipment to film and edit. My overall process from start to finish may take about 3-4 hours from start to finish!

Through this journey, I’m lucky to have a supportive family and team around me. Being a queer creative has never really been an issue or hurdle for me. Rather than letting the world affect me on a personal level, I give all my queerness to the world daily when I release my content. In a world that tries to define or limit you, it’s freeing to feel and be every bit of yourself. Although we have begun to see more representation around us, we still have a long way to go. Until then, I will continue to make my mark of representation to help and encourage others.

My content is an accurate reflection of who I am. I’m queer, loud, vibrant, and super random, and it’s exciting to be able to put accurate characteristics of myself into my content to show the world who Tony Talks really is!

Antonio 'Tony Talks' Baldwin is a comedic influencer based in Atlanta, GA. He is one of social media's most recognized and sought-after comedic influencers. Follow Antonio 'Tony Talks' Baldwin on social media via @iamtonytalks.

Have an inspiring personal story to tell? Want to share an opinion on an issue? Learn more by visiting out.com/submit.