Tell us a bit about your background?
I have a background completely different from social media or marketing. I started off as a billing specialist in the ER.
How did You get your start as influencer and how you decide industry focus?
I started as an influencer in a strange way honestly. I had a friend that had 10k followers and she was always sharing the “Free” stuff she got over on Facebook. I was pregnant with my 3rd child and always curious but when I was 6 months along I got really sick and spent 6 weeks on and off in the hospital. I have stuck alone in a hospital bed a lot so I started an Instagram page.
My two younger kids birthdays were coming up and I wanted to see if I could work with some brands for them. I landed in a lifestyle niche because I shared so much about my kids and stuff for them. I shared my journey of trying to regain my health after my daughter was born and really connecting with other moms. Once I started though my page grew rather quickly and I fell into a rabbit hole on what it meant to be an influencer. I love connecting with people.
Where do you get the ideas for your content?
My content is really day-to-day life. I am a stay-at-home mom, we love to travel, visit our horses, or really spend time as a family. We put a huge focus on how normal our lives really are.
How do you choose which brands to work with?
I try to work with family-friendly brands. I try to stay with Kids items, home decor, books/podcasts, and travel. I really love small businesses and trying to support people are trying to create their own dreams. I love products that are made in the USA or are eco-friendly.
How has Your life changed since becoming an influencer?
Being an influencer has done amazing things for me. I was working 50 hours a week and I was able to replace and double my salary. Now I can stay at home with my kids. I can volunteer at school, going on a picnic in the middle of the day, or enjoy extra morning snuggles.
I have really grown into myself and gained a ton of confidence. I used to be terrified to make videos and now I run a small business just making videos for brands.
What’s been Your biggest challenge as an influencer?
It has taken me a really long time to learn how to really pitch to brands. I am sure my style could still use tweaking. I have undervalued myself a lot and its taken a long time to really start pitching my worth.
How did you build that loyalty with followers?
I try to stay really involved. Always replying back to messages and connecting with other people.
How did you grow your channel?
Engagement. I swear if I did not engage with others and actively use Instagram my page would have never grown.
Do you feel that your online life reflects who you are as a person?
Yes. I am very candid online. We don’t have that perfect house, my kids are in their pajamas 1/2 the time or with unbrushed hair. That is real life. I don’t prep ourselves for photos. I don’t feel like it is authentic and it’s very misleading. No one should feel like an influencer is “better” than them or share unrealistic life goals.
As an influencer, what do you do to switch off from your phone?
I do most of my work at night. That’s the beauty of the job. My phone is off usually between 11 am-4 pm every day. That is the time I really focus on my kids. Unless we are traveling for our project my phone is off on the weekends too. Family time is a huge priority. I became an influencer to spend more time with my kids and I want to make sure those lines don’t fade again.
What is the best piece of advice that you were ever given?
Engagement. Engagement. Engagement. I dont care if you have 100 followers or 100,000 followers actively being engaged with people is SO important.
Do you predict any shift in influencer marketing in the coming future?
I think video marketing with be the new big thing. I really think people need to start getting comfortable making videos rather than just taking photos.
What do you think is most misunderstood about influencer marketing?
I think a lot of people think influencers are girls on the beach trying to take the perfect photo or teenagers having a wild party for youtube. There is a lot of work that goes into being an influencer and it is really a full-time job.
What’s one “influencer marketing must” that marketers often overlook?
Engagement. I really cant stress this enough. Building a community with other infleuncers for advice. Remember that a village is better than just you.
