You asked, and I’m answering! 🙂 I did a poll on Instagram a week ago to find out exactly what you guys wanted to know about blogging! I chose the 11 most common questions, and I’m sharing my honest responses today! I’m extra excited for y’all to read this post!
1: How do you pitch to brands/companies?
In the beginning, I waited for brands to contact me. I had no clue I could actually reach out to them! I decided to enroll in Julie Solomon’s Pitch It Perfect course, and I learned SO much useful information. The course is very straightforward and provides tips and tricks that really work! It’s an investment, but you make your money back 100% IF you actually follow the program!
When pitching to companies, I first make a list of brands/products I truly use and love. Example: My family has been doing Hello Fresh every week since January (I did it in college with my friends too), and I want to pitch to them soon! I think working with them would be a perfect collaboration because I seriously love the food!
2: How time-consuming is blogging and how do you balance it?
I truly believe what you get out of it reflects what you put into it. Especially with blogging! It’s impossible to be successful with anything if you’re just half doing it, though. Like I mentioned in my previous post about how I started blogging, I made the sacrifice to move home after graduation in December 2018 to focus my undivided attention on building Sassy Southern Blonde.
Truthfully, this blog consumes my life right now, but I don’t mind! I always have a ton of respect for influencers who are married and have families because I have no clue how they balance everything so well! Sometimes, I’ll be awake until 2 am working on a new blog post, interacting with followers on Instagram, or answering time-sensitive emails. The work never ends, but it’s a good thing. It means my platform is growing, and that’s the ultimate goal!
3: What camera do you use?
I use a Canon Rebel T6 with a 50mm f/1.8 lens for blog photos, and my iPhone 11 Pro for Instagram photos! (Hoping to invest in a better camera soon, but no idea which one?!)
4: Are you full-time blogging?
Yes I am. I have been for 8 months now!
5: How did you start collaborating with companies and who was your first sponsored post?
Similar to the first answer, I began collaborating with boutiques/brands that contacted me! Most were product exchange only until I felt confident enough with my content to start charging rates based on my audience size and engagement rate! (I think around 4k-5k?!) My first sponsored post was a boutique in my hometown. Neutrogena was my first big deal, and I still work with them to this day! 🙂
6: Is it expensive to be a blogger?
Oh gosh, it can be! Especially when you aren’t making much money in the beginning. I felt like it was an expensive hobby for a while! Lol. Luckily, most boutiques/companies will offer to send you free clothing! (If you fit their brand and vise versa) I only post what I like or chose myself, though. As far as purchasing clothes go, I buy way more than I would if I wasn’t a blogger. I try to style pieces various ways to show people that you can buy a fun top or skirt and create multiple looks depending on the occasion!
7: How long did it take to create your “Instagram style” and learn to edit photos?
This is a GREAT question. I love bright colors and fun prints! Always have, always will! I like to think my style is similar to when I launched my blog in July 2016, but it has evolved in the best way! Like, I’ll look back at photos and wonder why I styled something the way I did and how I could have improved the outfit. But it’s all just a part of learning what your style is and how to express it! I am really trying to incorporate more neutrals/casual outfits into my feed because I know that’s what most people wear! Just trying to stay true to myself, too! 🙂 And I’m still learning how to edit photos… I suck at Lightroom. Lol! I enjoy editing on my phone way better!
8: What was the hardest part of starting your blog?
People acted like my blog was a joke and didn’t take me seriously at all. Even some of my family and close friends! It really hurt my feelings, but I’m not one to dwell on the negativity (at least I try not to). It just made me even more determined to succeed! My best advice? Keep pushing forward. Remember why you started blogging in the first place! If you’re truly passionate about something, nothing will stand in your way! 🙂
9: Do you ever feel like you have to meet a certain body image standard?
This might surprise you, but no I really don’t. I also feel like I can’t answer this fairly because I have always been on the skinny side! (besides the Freshman 15, WHICH IS REAL. Legit dropped it when I graduated hahaha) But it’s 2018, women are embracing their curves and being total #bossbabes while doing it! It’s amazing!
#1 Most Asked Question- How do you gain followers/grow your following?
I could go on for DAYS about this. It probably deserves a full blog post! Lol. Every account is different, but for me, I gain followers through Instagram posts that do really well (I never know which photos will have high reach), giveaways with influencers in my niche aka fashion/lifestyle/beauty (I had a bad experience with an international giveaway, 10/10 do NOT recommend), and interacting with similar accounts (But not the exact same ones everyday). These are just the most popular strategies in my opinion!
**Would you guys want to see a full blog on this? I have way more info to share, but didn’t want the post to get too long! Let me know in the comments here or on my Instagram**
#2 Most Asked Question- How do you make an income blogging?
The main two sources of income for me are affiliate marketing (wrote an entire post about it here) through RewardStyle and partnerships/collaborations where I work with the brand or their PR company directly!
Thanks for reading! Hope you guys enjoyed! 🙂
XOXO
Kels