In the bustling realm of TikTok, where creativity knows no bounds, one figure stands out for his ingenious approach to advertising and photography. Omar Abd ElBakey, better known as @0mareko, has carved a niche for himself, captivating audiences with his tutorials and behind-the-scenes glimpses into the world of ad creation.

In this exclusive interview, we delve deep into Omar’s TikTok journey, exploring the origins of his passion, the secrets behind his success, and the impact of his content on both audiences and industry professionals.

Could you walk us through the origins of your TikTok journey? What motivated you to dive into the platform, particularly in creating content that revolves around ads and tutorials?

What encouraged me to share my content on TikTok was the fact that it’s an edutainment platform that facilitates the spreading of videos easily. I anticipated that my content would have a significant presence and reach on TikTok because it fosters simple, useful, and educational content. Initially, my focus was on product photography. Then, I decided to teach people how to shoot TV commercials at home using just their phones only, even if they have limited equipment, and to provide insights into what happens behind the scenes.

What helped me to reach my target audience, particularly young people seeking educational content, was the hashtag #LearnOnTikTok. This hashtag encompasses informative videos, how-to guides, tutorials, and entertaining facts specifically tailored for young audiences. By utilizing this hashtag, I was able to share my content with the desired audience and contribute to their learning experience.

Delving into the specifics of your content creation, what initially attracted you to the world of crafting advertisements on TikTok, and how did you decide to share your expertise through tutorials?

When it comes to content that I create, what initially drew me to shooting commercial videos on TikTok was the fact that the platform allows videos to spread far and wide among the targeted audience who are interested in the type of content that I share. I have always had a passion for photography in general and for capturing beautiful images of things I care about. In the beginning, it wasn’t specifically about advertising or shooting products in the way I do now, it was more of an exploration of my creative abilities and interests.

Over time, I discovered that product photography gained me a significant following base, and I started sharing the steps and techniques I used because I received numerous questions about my shooting methods and the videos I posted. Hence, I decided to provide guidance and explain the process step-by-step so that anyone interested in learning my photography techniques could benefit from it. Additionally, I found that educational content on TikTok was already achieving great success, and I drew inspiration from other educational content creators whom I follow and admire, so I wanted to share it with other users to gain more knowledge and give them a glimpse of what to do behind the scenes.

When you began sharing your insights and tutorials on TikTok, did you foresee the level of success you’ve achieved, or was your initial foray more about the joy of imparting knowledge and engaging with the community?

When I started creating content on TikTok, I had a strong feeling that my content would go places and reach a wide audience on the platform because it offers easy, helpful, and educational content alongside my unique content as it hadn’t been widely seen in the Arabic-speaking world. In addition to TikTok’s nature as an edutainment platform that allows users to showcase their talents and facilitates easy video sharing.

Furthermore, #LearnonTikTok community played a crucial rol, as I mentioned before. It aims to showcase educational and useful content that enriches the daily lives of TikTok users. By aligning my content with this community, I sought to not only impart knowledge but also engage with the community and contribute to their learning experience.

Reflecting on your TikTok experience, what key guidance would you provide to individuals interested in creating effective advertisements on the platform, based on the lessons you’ve gathered along your journey?

Based on my experience, my advice to individuals interested in shooting and creating advertisements is not to wait until you can afford expensive equipment for shooting. Instead, start with the resources you have and as you continue creating content, you will develop your skills and be able to invest in equipment that will enhance your work. Not only that, but I encourage any content creator who wants his/her content to reach their target audience to take a step and participate in relatable competitions that support creative content, such as #LearnOnTikTok competition that TikTok conducted last month to uplift talented youth to unleash their creativity.

Remember, everything happens step by step. The key is that you don’t need to be great to start, but you need to start to become great in the future!

Within the realm of tips and tricks you’ve shared, can you spotlight one that took you by surprise, offering a more significant impact than you initially expected, especially in the context of creating compelling ads?

In terms of the tips and tricks I’ve shared, there’s one that surprised me with its impact and how it helped create compelling ads. Initially, my main focus was photography, capturing people, fashion, and landscapes. I tried various aspects of photography until I discovered my passion for product photography. This passion allowed me to unleash my creativity and experiment with different ideas. From that moment on, everything changed. My success story began, and my achievements started to accumulate, especially after my videos gained unexpected views.

I remember one particular video that made me pay more attention to this field, as it garnered lots of views. It was about an energy drink brand, and I decided to create a video that showcased the product innovatively and unconventionally. I created a winter scene and prepared all the tools that helped me shoot the video at home. I shared the process, the tools I used, and the final result, which looked like a professional ad.

The video reached many users and got high views across different social media platforms, particularly TikTok. It was at that moment that I realized this field had great potential, and it became a significant motivation for me to try other products and create more ads.

My advice for anyone starting in this field is to explore different areas initially and not expect to achieve millions of views right from the start. The more you experiment, the more likely you are to discover the field that ignites your passion and allows you to achieve the success you desire. Once you find that field, you can truly excel and make a name for yourself.

Have your TikTok videos showcasing ad creation and tutorials translated into tangible opportunities or collaborations in the professional sphere? Have you found that your content has influenced or opened doors within the industry you specialize in?

Absolutely! Sharing my skills and professional-level photography on my TikTok account, along with educational tutorials, was the reason behind the tangible opportunities and collaborations I’ve had in the professional field. The exposure and wide reach of my videos have attracted offers from various brands. That’s why I’m grateful for the TikTok platform because it has helped me reach a wider audience and helped me to reach and benefit youth with educational videos, and truly opened many doors in my professional life.

In the dynamic landscape of TikTok, where trends come and go in the blink of an eye, Omar Abd ElBakey stands as a beacon of creativity and expertise.

His commitment to empowering others through education and his innovative approach to advertising have left an indelible mark on both audiences and industry professionals alike. As he continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible on TikTok, one thing remains clear – the journey is just beginning for this visionary content creator.