Meet Trisha Hershberger

Today we’d like to introduce you to Trisha Hershberger.

Trisha, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I always tell people that I tripped and fell into YouTube and, for the most part, that’s entirely true. I got a Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre in Pennsylvania then relocated to Los Angeles to follow my dream right after. I quickly realized that my ability to perform Shakespeare and Chekhov had little to do with any sort of gainful employment as an entertainer if I wanted to earn my living solely off of my performing and not rely on a ‘day job.’

I always told myself to keep taking risks and apply for any and every job that paid and didn’t require me to compromise any personal values. One day I auditioned for an on camera hosting job for an untitled online news show – a fine job I had thought. After the audition, I was asked what my favorite video game was, how much I know about technology and if I liked fantasy entertainment – things that personally I was very passionate about but had never been asked about professionally so I was a bit taken aback to say the least. That being said, I will NEVER pass on an opportunity to talk someone’s ear off about video games, fantasy literature, building PCs and collecting action figures. I left that audition having no idea what it was actually for but feeling like I had nailed it!

That job became a multi-award winning YouTube channel that was acquired by a major television studio and I became not only talent but development, production, writing and distribution. I took classes to up my expertise in the areas of production I was less familiar with and soon founded my own production company. Today I am fortunate enough to have found a foothold in digital media – as a producer, consultant, freelance host and journalist, social media marketing expert and more. I wear many hats and have had the fortune to work with many large brands in the fields where my natural fandom began – tech, video and tabletop gaming, sci-fi/fantasy entertainment, comics and more. I love my job; it’s different everyday and I wouldn’t want it any other way.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
My greatest struggle has been adapting from what I thought other people wanted me to be and simply giving myself the freedom to be me. As an actor, we are told to become whoever casting wants us to be, but in my experience, it is our differences that make us stand out.

We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
My production company Fun Sized Vids specializes in short-form digital content whether that be for social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Twitch or YouTube or specific clients who want to create an engaged community in a new way. Almost all of the content I create that I can be seen in as a host is content I have written and produced as well. This skillset is so much more valuable now than it was even ten years ago.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
To me, success is defined by having a career that you can appreciate and enjoy in a way that leaves you fulfilled. Every job is work and to pretend there aren’t tough days would be a lie, but overall, if you can love what you do, even sometimes, that is a success to me.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.trishahershberger.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/thatgrltrish
• Facebook: facebook.com/thatgrltrish
• Twitter: twitter.com/thatgrltrish
• Other: youtube.com/trishahershberger

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