Work with Me

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Content strategy and consulting for craft-forward brands.

I help brands make meaningful, original, organic social media content that reaches the right audiences. Your brand isn’t like other brands, so your content shouldn’t be either. We’ll work together to identify your ideal audience and create an approach specifically tailored to your needs. You’ll see how to use content to connect with discerning people that truly value craftsmanship, artistry, and depth over trends.

職人や作り手の仕事に敬意を持ち、トレンドよりも物語の深さを大切にする、日本発のブランド様へ。「目の肥えた英語圏のお客様に、ブランドの価値観を正確に、そして魅力的に伝えたい」との想いをお持ちの皆さまを、日英バイリンガルの視点からお手伝いしています。

Standard Packages:

Social Media Account Audit + ICP + General Recommendations

(starting from USD $1000/160,000 JPY)

You’ll receive an audit of one social media handle covering your bio, photo, link in bio (and associated landing pages), and your 30 most recent posts. We’ll clarify your ideal customer persona (ICP), what kind of content they are likely to respond to, and identify any current pieces of content that are currently correctly targeting that persona. You’ll receive general tips and directions to move in when making your content in the future.

Social Media Account Audit + Specific Recommendations + 6-week content strategy plan

(starting from USD $3000/480,000 JPY)

In addition to the audit and ICP (ideal customer persona) development described in the package above, you’ll receive an approximately 6-week long content strategy plan. This includes a spreadsheet you can use to record the most important data and identify which types of content are performing best for you (and I’ll make sure you understand how it all works). I’ll create specific content topics and presentation styles that are designed especially to reach your target audience, and we’ll adapt according to the data we get from the audience. You’ll receive tips specific to your account, your audience, and your business needs, and you’ll receive a final report at the end of the 6-week period.

NOTE: 2-client capacity per month at this package level; please understand there may be a waitlist.

Social Media Account Audit + Recommendations + 6-week content strategy plan + content direction support

(starting from USD $5000/800,000 JPY)

In addition to the audit, ICP (ideal customer persona) development, specific recommendations, and 6-week content strategy plan described in the above package, you’ll receive in-depth content direction support. Not sure how to film? Feel like your pacing is just “off?” Are you trying to learn how to speak on camera without being awkward? Do you feel like you’re not good at spotting opportunities for good content? I’ll come to you on-site (within Japan) for filming and help you find an approach that works well for you and for your audience.

NOTE: 1 client capacity per month at this package level; please understand there may be a waitlist.

Case Study: I transformed my own demographics in under 3 months

I believe so strongly in my approach that I applied the same content strategies I use with my clients to my own Instagram profile. Take a look at the results I started getting just 5 videos in to a strategy I created for myself. The goal at the time these videos were posted was to shift the demographics of my follower base. I was averaging 8-12,000 views per video prior (when I was using Instagram more casually).

With these videos as a part of my strategy, I was able to increase my following (composed of people from my target demographic) by 8% over just a 2-month period.

Who is this for?・対象となるブランド

• Your brand is aiming to target audiences with a discerning eye.
• Your brand is craft-forward or artisan-driven, and you value depth over wide-reaching virality.
• Your brand has been posting carefully produced, beautiful imagery, but it isn’t getting the attention it deserves.
• You have a Japan campaign, product, or partnership coming and you want to make sure the Japanese elements (language, cultural references, craft terminology, tone, etc.) are handled correctly and with depth and care.
• Your brand does not want to be embarrassed by getting Japan wrong, making errors, or looking cliche.
• You’re looking for help with an upcoming Japan project and need someone on the ground.

Brands in Japan・日本のブランド様

• 英語圏のお客様にアプローチしたいが、社内に英語で発信できる人材がいない。
• ある程度の英語はできるものの、自社が大切にしている価値観まで正しく伝えられているか不安がある。
• 英語でのコンテンツをすでに発信しているが、期待していた反応が得られず、改善したいと考えている。
• 日本語コンテンツの単なる翻訳ではなく、文化的な文脈までふまえた適切なローカライズを求めている。

If you’re looking for high-volume trendy content, language lessons, or translation services for legal and technical documents, I’m not your person.

Other ways we can work together

1. Consulting

You have campaign copy, creative, or concepts with Japanese elements (think: language, imagery, cultural references) and you want it reviewed before it ships. I review it for accuracy, nuance, and depth, and tell you what a Japanese audience (and a Japan-literate English-speaking one) will actually take away from it. If there are any issues, I’ll flag them before your project goes live. If the scope of the content is larger than just me, I’m happy to connect with qualified cross-cultural professionals in my network to get the in-depth look your work needs.

Pricing starting from 40,000 yen ($250 USD) per 1-hour call

Best for: campaigns in progress, agencies producing Japan work, brands considering a Japan campaign

Need something not included above? Reach out! Let’s see if there’s a match with what you have in mind.

2. Content Production

On-location photography and videography across Japan, interviews with makers conducted in Japanese (and translated into English), bilingual scripting, and even voiceovers. If your project is too big for just me to take care of, I’ll collaborate with photography and video professionals on the ground in Japan who share the same values. For work samples, please see my portfolio.

Photo/video day rates start from 113,000 yen ($700 USD)
Voice over hourly rates start from 30,000 yen ($185) for internal-use projects (client responsible for securing recording studio)

Best for: brands that want someone already in Japan to research, shoot, and tell a story while keeping the overarching content strategy top of mind

3. Creative Partnerships

If you’re a considered brand looking to work together to create content for use on my own social media profiles or as a part of a partnership agreement, please email here: partnerships@arishaintokyo.com.

Media kit available upon request.

4. Other Proposals

Do you have a proposal that doesn’t quite fit one of these categories, but that you still think aligns with my expertise? I’d be happy to hear from you. Please reach out with the form below.

Why me?

1. I live and work in Japan and am already integrated into creative fields where care, craft, and consideration are paramount. As a Japan contributor to the Homo Faber Guide, I interview emerging and master Japanese artisans about their practice in Japanese. I have also spent over a decade exploring the arts, design, craft, and culture of Japan. Attention to detail, care, and specificity are built into all facets of the work that I do, and the knowledge in my work integrates information and experiences I’ve received firsthand.

2. I know content. My on-camera and editorial work on YouTube has earned over 4.5 billion impressions and 300 million views, including hosting EnglishClass101 (8M+ subscribers) since 2012. I know the difference between content that performs and content that matters (and when to apply them). I know how to read analytics and make data-informed decisions to ensure content is carefully crafted to provide real value to the audience while also giving it the best chance of success in terms of reach.

3. I’m bilingual and I’ve been based in Tokyo since 2009. I work in Japanese and English daily. Editorial credits include The Japan Times and Metropolis. I also spent five years doing media, academic, and editorial work for the University of Tokyo’s Graduate School of Engineering, in the Advanced Design Studies architecture lab.

Contact me now – General Inquiries

Tell me a little bit about what you need and who you are with the brief form below.

For creative partnerships, please email me: partnerships@arishaintokyo.com