Discover how Sly Roque’s “Trying Sh*t” series turned an honest experiment into a movement in authentic marketing, creativity, and personal growth.
If you’ve been following me lately, you’ve probably seen a series on my socials called “Trying Shit.” What most people don’t know is that it all started by complete accident.
It was an accident for me, but definitely in line with my God-given purpose more than I realized.
At the time, I wasn’t trying to launch a new series or reinvent my personal brand. I was just juggling a lot. I had multiple campaigns running, two major events within weeks of each other, and several creative projects in motion. My personal page was starting to look like organized chaos, and I remember thinking, “People must be confused about what’s even happening.”
Up until then, I hadn’t done much UGC or direct-to-camera content. My page was mostly about my work, my events, creative direction, campaigns, and design projects. But something in me said, “Forget the plan. Just talk.”
So I did.
I picked up my phone, hit record, and said what was real:
“I know there’s a lot going on on my page right now, but honestly y’all… I’m just trying shit.”
That moment changed everything.
I explained that I was experimenting, seeing what landed, what didn’t, and learning from the process. I told people if something connected with them, whether it was an event, an activation, or a creative project, to like it, share it, RSVP, or just give feedback.
Then I said, “I’ll keep y’all posted on how it goes.”
And I actually did.
The next week, I picked up the camera again and gave updates on how everything was going, the wins, the lessons, the pivots. Then I did it again. And again.
That’s how Trying Shit was born.
What started as one unplanned, honest post turned into a weekly ritual. Every Monday, I show up and talk about what I’m trying that week, in life, business, or both. It’s become part accountability, part reflection, part community check-in.
The engagement has been wild. My Instagram has grown faster than it has in years. My brand-new TikTok account launched with this series, and it’s already gaining traction. But beyond the numbers, what really blew me away was the response.
During Thanksgiving break, friends and family literally pulled me aside just to say, “Please keep doing that. You don’t know how much it encourages me every week.”
That’s when I realized this isn’t just content. It’s connection.
Sure, the title raised a few eyebrows. Some of my audience wasn’t sure about the word “shit” at first. But they came around because it’s honest. It’s raw. It’s me.
Even Facebook, my most conservative platform, took some time to catch on, but now the videos there are growing every week too.
From a marketing perspective, it’s funny. I’ve spent years telling clients to show up authentically, create consistent content, and tell their story in real time.
Trying Sh*t forced me to live it.
It’s storytelling through transparency.
It’s marketing through honesty.
It’s brand building through humanity.
And it’s working.
This “accident” reconnected me to my voice, rebuilt my personal brand, and reminded me that sometimes the best ideas aren’t strategized, they’re felt.
So if you’ve been waiting for the perfect moment or the polished plan before you start something, take it from me: sometimes you just have to start trying sh*t.
If you haven’t seen the Trying Sh*t series yet, come check it out on Instagram. I post new videos every week. You’ll get the real, unfiltered side of growth, creativity, and figuring it out as I go.
👉🏽 Follow me on Instagram @slytheclever
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