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Episode 11 - Influencer Check-In with Lauren & Leslie
112 Plays2 months ago
In this episode of The Influencer Sisterhood Podcast, we’re sitting down for a real-life influencer check-in — no fluff, just what’s actually been happening behind the scenes over the past month.
We’re talking about big moves, lessons learned, and what’s starting to click in our businesses.
✨ Lauren shares her experience joining an influencer agency — how she chose the right one, what it actually means for her business, and what you should consider before signing.
✨ Leslie gives an inside look at collaborating with other influencers through freebies and email list growth, plus what’s finally helping her feel more consistent and confident with content creation.
We’re also tossing around a fun idea — coaching one of our listeners and documenting the entire process for a future episode 👀
And if you’ve ever thought about joining us in person… we want to hear from you. We’re exploring the idea of a retreat and would love your input!
💬 DM us if you’d be interested in:
- Being coached live on the podcast
- Attending a future Influencer Sisterhood retreat
This episode is part catch-up, part strategy, and full of honest conversation about what it really looks like to grow as an influencer in the “in-between” stages.
Sister Shout Outs:
@everydaystylewithj
@thedailywithmarissa
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Transcript
Introduction to Influencer Sisterhood Podcast
00:00:06
Speaker
Hey, I'm Leslie. Hi, I'm Lauren. And we're the Influencer Sisterhood. Your weekly coffee date for real, unfiltered conversations about life as a midlife influencer.
00:00:17
Speaker
No gatekeeping, no fluff. We're two women at different stages of the journey, sharing the wins, the struggles, and everything in between. This is safe space where all influencers belong.
00:00:29
Speaker
So grab your drink, get comfy. Welcome to the sisterhood. Let's dive in to this week's episode.
Influencer Catch-up Session
00:00:39
Speaker
Hey, y'all, we're back with another episode of the Influencer Sisterhood podcast. We took a tiny bit of a break because of scheduling and trying to get together to record something. So we felt like this first one back should be a little catch up session, an influencer check in, if you will. Right, Lauren?
00:00:57
Speaker
Absolutely. So what's been going on over the last month in regards to anything influencer related, like brand deals? What have you been up to Give us the scoop.
00:01:10
Speaker
Okay. And we're going to do both of us because, again, we're both um on a journey. We talked about that sounding like The Bachelorette. Right. We are both in you know in different places in our businesses. And so we thought it would be kind of cool to let you see kind of like a month in the life kind of thing. Yeah, like what really happens.
00:01:32
Speaker
At your stage, at my stage, what are the things we're facing and how we are, um you know, addressing them, dealing with them, conquering them, whatever. Absolutely. for
Decision to Join Influencer Management Agency
00:01:42
Speaker
me, okay, I would say a couple things. Well, one of the biggest things that's happening in my business right now is actually today is the first day that I am working with an influencer management agency. Which is so exciting. And I just have to interrupt and say, I've tried to get Lauren to do this for months now and she finally listened to me. there you It is true. And I have to say, and I'm not going to talk about who they are yet because there is a six-week
00:02:13
Speaker
trial basis that they do so that they can feel out how it's working on their end. I can feel out how it's working on my end. And if, you know, I've noticed, I don't know what I can say and what I can't say, to be honest, but was new so tread yeah what I have noticed with this agency is once that six week trial period ends, if people decide mutually to go forward, They then announce them as a new signee. right there So like I kind of feel like I shouldn't say who they are up front, but I can talk about the process of getting to this point. Okay. let me ask a couple of questions. Okay. So I was trying to get Lauren to do this months ago because I feel like
00:02:59
Speaker
She's big enough to have an agency and representation. i think it would help. um You did have a past experience with a friend that kind of scared you off, which is why you didn't initially reach out.
00:03:14
Speaker
But I think for people listening, what they might want to know is what made you finally come to the conclusion to actually reach out to agencies? How
Managing Influencer Responsibilities
00:03:25
Speaker
many did you reach out to and what was their response? Because we know that I've been trying to get you to reach out, but that wasn't necessarily the thing that made you actually do it. Exactly. yeah Although I do appreciate the, I've always appreciated the the push. I just knew that, and you knew when I was ready, I would be ready. Well, secretly it's just because I'm never going to probably be there and I'm vicariously living through Yale. So there you go. Well, here you go. really Well, and you know, I don't always agree with what you have to say about that. However, so I just want to put that on the record, but I, it's, it's a couple of things. One,
00:04:06
Speaker
Mainly it comes down to time, to be honest. And my husband was very, very, um he's been very pro me looking into this. Okay.
00:04:18
Speaker
Yeah. What ends up happening in my life is that i you know, you work all day doing the things, the filming, the unboxing, the steaming, the the editing, all the things, right? Right.
00:04:33
Speaker
Then as many of you know, your emails and your DMs are just flooded with people saying, hey, we'd love to send you this. Hey, we'd love to, you know, it doesn't matter how long you've been doing this. You've got somebody reaching out to you, whether they're whether it's legitimate, whether it's not legitimate, whether it's the, prop you know, whatever it is.
00:04:56
Speaker
And so what i would happen is in the mornings, I would spend hours sifting through emails and And responding, negotiating back and forth. um And if you go back a couple of episodes to when we talked about brand deals, you will get some of the backstory as to how to interact with brands when you are trying to negotiate with them. So it it can be very time consuming. And then at the end of the day, I would get in the tub at night because I'm a ah tub girl and I would have my phone and that would be in the evening. I would be responding to the ones I didn't get to. And then there are always so many more. Like I had over a thousand emails unread because I didn't have time to go. And look, let me let me stop and say ah over a thousand. That does not mean these were like over a thousand emails. really great brands that want to work with me. And I was going to make a ton of money. Okay. Like it, and they're also in there, they're spam. So, but the point is you had a lot and also trying to steam and you're also trying to live life and do all the things.
00:06:03
Speaker
And my husband would really like for me and me too, not to be living in my phone as much as I do yeah in the evenings and in the mornings. So yeah, um And I just was feeling very overwhelmed where that is concerned. So that was the the real um push, trying to buy some time back in my life. Right. Because there are certain things that...
00:06:27
Speaker
It's just like with anything when you outsource something, right? This is essentially outsourcing something, right? No one can replace you as the person in the content. That you have to do. And you probably have to steam because nobody else in your house doing it. Like those things, right? Else can represent you.
00:06:46
Speaker
Answer your emails. Clean out the junk. say this isn't worth doing, say this is, then that same person can actually be out there actively reaching out, not just reactively answering emails, right? So time, gaining back time for the things that you personally can hand off to someone else was a reason to go with the management system. Correct. And, um and, you know, wondering what that would actually look like.
Selecting the Right Agency
00:07:17
Speaker
And so what I did, we were, if you were, if you follow me and you've been around a little while back in um January, end of January, I went to Yellowstone with my husband. And I mean, I was so out of the loop because we had no Wi-Fi for like a week, hardly at all. And I was so overwhelmed. And I flew back before he did. And I can remember I was sitting in the airport in Bozeman, Montana, waiting for my flight.
00:07:44
Speaker
And I thought, you know what, I'm just going to start. ah only knew of like three agencies off the top of my head. And these are just three that you just saw on Instagram or saw another influencer with kind of thing. Okay. Correct. I just knew of them as agencies. Right. And, um and I knew of people who some I knew better than others, but who had worked with these. Right.
00:08:08
Speaker
I just went online and you know and there's like a thing to fill out. And so you right you fill out just a basic inquiry, right? And then wait to hear back. kind Well, one agency never responded ever, ever, ever. Is it the same one that, I mean, we can't say, we're not goingnna say the name, but is it the same one that like I sent an email to and they never responded to me too?
00:08:32
Speaker
Yeah. Yeah. That one. Yeah. i So now listen, let me just say they didn't respond to me. I'm small potatoes, but I wasn't asking them to be my agency. i was asking them, what do I need to work toward? If this is something I would want in the future, you would think they could at least respond. And then on your side, they didn't respond and you are big enough to have an agency. So you know Yeah. It was just, you know, was one of those things, it was like, you know, and and i I, of course, you know, you chat GPT the world. And, um, and I was asking specifics about each of the agencies based on what chat GPT knew. And one of the things about that agency is I think they look for vol, not that anybody doesn't want volume, but they're more of a, um,
00:09:21
Speaker
I don't want to say powerhouse because that makes it sound like the others are not, but they're more of a churning out, churning out, churning out, churning out content. Right. um And well but still, from a professional standpoint, you can at least respond. I mean, I'm sorry. Like, fine, they're not big enough or you're not big enough or we don't, you know, they don't see like, but they could have a polite auto response. My God. 100%.
00:09:45
Speaker
100%. So they did not respond. yeah Then another one came back and was like, um yeah, thanks. And they had this one that came back. The second one that I'm going to talk about did it had more information. It required of you in the inquiry in terms of details about your account. Yeah. Your analytics. And so i did all of that.
00:10:14
Speaker
And then they came back with basically, and maybe within a couple days, they came back with, um yes, we don't think this is a good fit for our like,
00:10:26
Speaker
top tier management type situation. They would handle your social media for you or something, right? Affiliate. Like they have like this like group affiliate kind of thing. And I was like, yeah, I don't need that. That's thanks. But no, that's not what i'm looking for, which is fine. And so, you know, not where I was going for, but they did come back. And then the third one took a couple of days and then they came back with, you know,
00:10:48
Speaker
Thanks so much. We would love to learn more about you. And then please fill out this XYZ. So this is very comprehensive thing that went into um all of the analytics and over time. And really, they were looking at the last six months. And specifically, they wanted to know how much total revenue i had already received.
00:11:12
Speaker
earned over the past six months from brand collaborations only. No affiliate commission, right no bonus. Don't you think they were asking that because they get a percentage?
00:11:26
Speaker
Correct. They wanted to know where I am. Yeah. yeah They wanted to know where I am right now without them. What am I consistently doing? And so I have to tell you, it was really kind of interesting for myself because I really didn't know. You know, I would like to say that I'm lay better probably don't pay attention to that. Like, yeah. No, exactly. But when I looked it up, I was like,
00:11:47
Speaker
wow, okay, that's pretty that's not bad, Lauren. And it also confirmed for me, um i know that where most of that came from. And had I not made the decision to switch from one platform to another where the majority of what I was posting, I would have never gotten a Walmart deal or would have been a very long time. And Walmart was the big, huge, as well as a few others that came through there But I also have a one on one rep with that platform, which I never could get with the other one.
00:12:21
Speaker
brett So I see the value there. Right. And so I thought, well, wow, OK, that was that's good. um So well let me ask you this, because they didn't ask for affiliate stuff. Does that mean they don't get anything from your affiliate stuff? They do not get stuff from brand deals. OK, yes. I mean, there's like one little caveat, but it's like has to do with a certain percentage if it's a certain size of a deal and that they commit. You know, they that there's a time where they may, but pretty much they get paid based on how they get paid on the campaigns that they negotiate for you. Right. OK. It's a flat fee. that like you know Is it a percentage fee? Yes, it is a percentage. Correct. It is a percentage. And it's a pretty standard percentage across the board.
00:13:08
Speaker
um At some point, I might be comfortable sharing what that is, but i don't want to do anything to screw that up. But... And it's not because I'm trying to be gatekeeping. I just really don't know what I can and can't say. Sure. so Because you're in a trial basis. I mean, yeah. And, you know, and it's, you they may, I don't know what they're, I'm to be, I mean, I've been over the contract a thousand times, but you never know what I may have agreed to sell say. I don't know. I don't want screw it up.
Benefits of Agency Collaboration
00:13:33
Speaker
So, um and really, and truly, it took, ah it took a while to get to this point Because people were out of town, back and forth. But um once, so then I had a call, they booked a call. After they reviewed all of that, then they came back to me and said, we would, you know, we've reviewed everything you sent in. We would love to have a call and meet you. So there were two people on the call with me, one of whom is ultimately my personal manager.
00:13:59
Speaker
Okay. nancys People too. um But, and then the other one I think might be above like manage the managers, but she also, I think manages people. And just out of curiosity, are they younger Yes.
00:14:12
Speaker
Yes. Oh, yeah. I have learned um that I don't think there are many people in this industry who are older than we are. And I don't i like i mean like like... Influencers that are our age, but you're right. um As far as... Yeah, no, I can see that. Okay, yeah. Oh, yeah, this didn't really exist. And so most people in our position, i would think in life, are pretty set in what their job is, right? Absolutely. Most people are not switching over to something new. That doesn't mean it doesn't happen or it couldn't happen in the future. But for now, you know. um But so I met with them. We had a ah FaceTime call.
00:14:52
Speaker
And um I was struck by how relaxed they were okay laid back. Like they weren't super professionally dressed. They were not inapp inappropriately dressed, but it was like, you know, they're working remotely. So one's outside somewhere. She could get on the call. And I really liked that because it was very much more relaxed. Um,
00:15:14
Speaker
I felt comfortable being myself and, you know, just basically wanted to know where I was in my business and what I was looking for from them. Right. And um then theft after that conversation, you know, I felt good about like, because I'm interviewing them too. Right. i i don't know this is I'm still not sure this is what I want to do. Right. It has to work for me. I had a really bad experience before. It also taught me a lot. So I went into this differently than I would have before. But yeah so after that, then they said, let's be, know, we got the next step would be sending you a contract to review.
00:15:50
Speaker
And, um you know, there is a six week trial period. And the trial period is for us to get to know each other, how we work together. um But they are, in fact, going to get you brand deals or during the six weeks. That's the plan. That's the Yeah. You know, so we'll see what happens in six weeks. But basically, you have to see if they're getting you what you expect in this six weeks, just like they have to determine if you are producing whatever it is they I don't know what their criteria is, but you know what I mean?
00:16:22
Speaker
Exactly. So, um, so that starts today. And, um, so as of yesterday, I know that there was, you know, I, I had a deal that was coming through and, and, um,
00:16:35
Speaker
so i So I've CC'd my manager on that, even though we hadn't started together. And so, and she's like, Hey, do you want me to just go ahead and take care of that? And I'm like, sure, that's great. So, you know, we're starting, I had, there's a whole onboarding system that I have not even opened the email yet to look at what that means. So I don't know. So today is day one, but if things go according to plan, okay. If things go according to plan and,
00:17:00
Speaker
At six weeks, if either of us decides, you know what, this I don't think this is a good fit, then it's just no harm, no foul. But if you decide to move forward, it's a year, right? Then you sign a year a year deal with them. And then there are you know exclusivity things that come into play. And um you know so that was something I had a lot of hesitation about. you know Am I comfortable with that? But it's pretty standard in the industry. Right, sure. Okay, so then let me ask you this.
00:17:27
Speaker
ah Well, first of all, let me say next month, we're going to check back in and we're going see how many brand deals did your agency bring you. But my question is, what about brand deals that you get on your own?
00:17:41
Speaker
while you're in this six week thing, they still have to take a percentage? Everything goes through them. They completely take over my email. Okay. Complete email management. Like all that stuff I was doing. You can't talk crap about them in an email. I'm just kidding.
00:17:57
Speaker
Why would you say in an email? I'm just kidding. So, you know, they take over your email and which is... exciting. And, and, you know, it's like, it's, it's one of the, you take it off your plate. Now, in the meantime, I want to say before I signed, I did talk with DM back and forth with two people I know with the agency. that work And one, I didn't know well, but she's in my area and I didn't know. And we recently, and I'm not sure how and why, but we popped up on each other's feeds and started following each other. Because our phones listen to us.
00:18:31
Speaker
Probably. And um I had no idea that she was actually, i was looking at their roster and I'm like, wait a minute, is that this one? And it was like, oh my gosh. So I reached out to her and I was like, hey, I know we don't know each other very well, um but I'm just, you know, I'm in the process of of signing the agreement and the contract. And I just was curious what your experience was. And she's actually been with the agency for eight years. and had glowing.
00:18:58
Speaker
Anybody I spoke with has been glowing and not and I don't think they need to be. You know what I mean like if But the beauty of it is she said she's watched, I didn't realize they'd been in existence that long, but she's grown with the agency as it's grown. And she's had multiple different people manage her and they've all been good. And, um you know, another person who I spoke with who I have met in person, um she said she's been with them almost a year. And she said that, um you know, she has had nothing but wonderful. Like, she's like, i don't know how to do it without him. And um it has been nothing but positive. And, you know, i have nothing but good things to say.
00:19:39
Speaker
And, um, and she had been with another agency before and she had nothing. She said, I have nothing but good things to say about them too. It just wasn't the right fit. Right. think. So, you know, I felt better about that.
00:19:51
Speaker
Um, and you know, we'll see. And it's not even so much them, me personally. Yes. I would like them to bring me maybe more, more money or more deals, but really it's gaining back the time right that I have been spending negotiating.
00:20:08
Speaker
right you know like That is worth the percentage for me, not to have to spend all those hours sifting through the emails. And they manage everything. Here's one thing I want to say real quick. Let me say this real quick. And the other thing is that they manage things...
00:20:23
Speaker
from start to finish. Like we manage everything about the deal in terms of, also in terms of invoicing, making sure you get paid, like all of it. It's not just we negotiate it and then you manage the deal because anybody who's worked ah a brand deal, you know, throughout a collaboration or a campaign, there are multiple steps to,
00:20:44
Speaker
that you have to constantly be doing and they keep you on that timeline. Like it is a, a whole system. And like that is exciting. hold you accountable too, which is good. Absolutely. But also what I was going to say is I do think there is something to be said about you not personally invested in dealing with the outcome or negotiation because it's too personal. That doesn't mean you can't do it. Obviously you did it up until this point, but I am saying somebody that is not you negotiating might go a little harder on it or might not say yes to something you might say yes to. Cause you're just like, or like, Oh, like I don't, I don't want to say no. i mean, it's a gifted, you know what to mean? Like I feel like a third party is just going to be neutral.
00:21:34
Speaker
And be able to maybe get things that you might not, a think of to ask for, but B, might feel bad about asking for it. I don't know. And they also have relationships already established with all of the platform main platforms, the bigs, the LTKs, the Maveleys, the ShopMys.
00:21:54
Speaker
um I'm sure Amazon as well. I mean, like they have relationships that are established yeah already with those people that I don't necessarily have.
00:22:04
Speaker
And so they're going to find out about brand deals that I might be um a good fit for that I wouldn't necessarily ever know. um Well, and those brands would not necessarily ever know about you, but it's a smaller pool of contacts, right? Like, where they could at least put your name in front of somebody that you might not ever get in front of on your own, just because out in the big sea of Instagram, who knows if X brand would happen upon Lauren Augs right? I mean, they might, but... Right, exactly. So, you know, i am I am excited about not having to do all the
00:22:44
Speaker
minute details, but what I understand, I'm not going to have to do. We'll shall see and or what I, so that I can focus on the things that I do well, right. Then where only I can do those things. And so time will tell if it actually pans out to be something that I think is beneficial. I won't know until such time as, you know, um,
00:23:10
Speaker
we get into it. But again, it's not even so much more deals or they do say statistically, not they, but like in general, the big they in the world say statistically, when someone else negotiates for you, you tend to get a higher.
00:23:27
Speaker
I would imagine. Yeah. yeah on Overall, right. But, but also, you know, for me, it's more about just not having to manage it all and have my time back. yeah um And that maybe I would not be as exhausted approaching the content creation because it seems like the content creation actually becomes the thing I have the least energy for in the end. And it's like, that is wrong. news And all that stuff is sucking out. Yeah. I mean, absolutely. Right. And so for sure it's kind of like back to when I used to just make content and it didn't matter. Right. It's like, and so, you know, it's been, I've been, I'm, I'm excited about it. I'm nervous about it. um i have, I
00:24:15
Speaker
I have no reason to believe it won't be a very positive experience. have all the reason to believe it will be very positive. If it's not, then it's not, you know, and it's no harm, no foul. And that's the beauty of this trial period on both sides. Like I, that was a part that was concerning to me. It's like, okay, well, what is my obligation from the trial period? Like, what if I decide I want to peace out?
00:24:37
Speaker
Like, What does what have I agreed to? Is that going to hurt me going forward with other brands and whatever? And it's like, no, I mean, it's like a no harm, no foul. Like, why would you not try this?
00:24:47
Speaker
Right. No, I mean, i agree. i mean, obviously, you got to have the the. criteria to be able to try this. Like, i mean, i I'm not in that position, right? But if you are in that position and you're listening and you're looking for time back or help with this or that or the other, an agency is certainly something to potentially at least start a conversation about. And you can reach out to Lauren, I'm sure in the DM, she'd be happy to say, you know,
00:25:18
Speaker
I'll be happy to tell you who it is and what i'm and what and who i hate the parents I reached out to. I just don't want to say it publicly, but I would be happy to have a conversation with anybody who would like to have a conversation.
Creative Content Strategies
00:25:28
Speaker
um Absolutely. you know and and And again, there are so many brands. I mean, there's so many influencer agencies, I'm sure, we out there that I don't even know about. right um i just It was like a crapshoot. Here I am, three. These are the three I'd heard of. Let me just start here and then...
00:25:45
Speaker
And luckily it worked out. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. So we'll definitely do a check-in next month to see how much time you got back and how many deals your agency got for you. Those are my two things I can't wait to see.
00:26:02
Speaker
I know. Okay. So we've talked a lot about me and I know had a big month, but you tell me about you. What's been going on with you? Because I i have seen so much growth in you in the last month. No, I really have. and in in In different ways.
00:26:19
Speaker
And I think you know the way I'm going. You might not know where I'm saying. Like, I think, no, what what I mean is like you, first of all, you know, I've always loved your content. I always have since the first time you will you have been a great cheerleader.
00:26:32
Speaker
Well, I try. And I mean, I don't blow smoke, but. No, no, no, no. No, I don't. No, no, I don't mean I am. Leslie, I'll tell you, I definitely don't split that. Neither of us do that. no which that we wouldn't be friends if we did. But um that would not work. But I do think that like I you have one of the biggest things that I've seen from you is you really love a plan. You love yeah to have organized, like it for your brain, it makes sense. And a lot of people will agree will relate to this. I think, what am I posting? How am I posting it? Why am I posting it? I need to have a plan because otherwise I just get lost in like, i don't know what to do today. And then it's the day's over. like, I haven't posted anything, whatever. So for you, you've come up with some series that you enjoy. And it's also because you started that, it's opened up the doors to how to film more content from that one series. So you're now posting mainly twice a day when you weren't before and you feel better about your content. Right. Yeah. No, I mean, that is true. So I don't necessarily have tangible things to report. Like I don't have tangible or whatever.
00:27:43
Speaker
or whatever i to paul But i do, yes, I am somebody likes to plan. I do love a series because it's kind of like,
00:27:55
Speaker
when you If you read novels, okay, and you know that you you got a novel and you know there are five more in that series, like you don't have to think about what you're reading next. You just go buy the next one in the series, right? So like my brain works like that. If I can come up with a series of content, then I know what I'm going to film the next day. And then don't get stressed out about what to film. But i to Lauren's point, I did not realize that by doing that, it would open up my mind to more content. Like, I know I'm filming this specific thing every day but now my mind is like, oh, but you can also film this. And it's given me more content. I don't know if more content going to pay off in the end. Who knows? um But as far as like, I feel excited about the content. Let's put it that way, because I'm not struggling to come up with. And I even said this to Lauren. So, you know, I think we've probably covered this in this podcast. But when I first reached out to you and you were giving me advice, it was harder for me to understand and put into play that advice because I was speaking to no one. Like, you what mean? Like, I had no followers. i didn't know what direction I was going in I didn't know who wanted what from me.
00:29:14
Speaker
But as the journey has gone on, the journey, the bachelor, army the bachelorette, I don't know why. But as the process has gone on and I've gotten a little more comfortable with who's following me and who's, you know, who I'm talking to and the fact that I'm actually talking to people instead of zero followers.
00:29:32
Speaker
It does become a little bit easier. So yes, I mean, I definitely, ah definitely love that. Yeah. And what what i what you have done is you have your series. So you basically film every day. You work from home.
00:29:48
Speaker
Yeah. And you you know you started, God, months ago. I mean, I can remember last year you did something where you were like, I'm going to film what I'm – it's like my walk to work. It's basically from my bedroom to my office. This is what I'm wearing to work. because like i don't Because I was talking about how it helped me with what I was wearing to work. but I walked out of the house. Yeah. You used to get dressed every day, film what you wore. And lot of people do this. Like this is not some brown groundbreaking, whatever, right? Like everybody gets dressed for the day and shows what they're wearing. I happen to run own business. So what I wear every day is a lot more casual
00:30:26
Speaker
Right. It's a lot more. i can wear whatever I want to. I have denim cutoffs on today. You couldn't wear that if you were somebody that actually went to an office. So I have a unique perspective.
00:30:36
Speaker
Right. On what I wear every day. Something that could work for somebody running errands, somebody picking up their children. So what I might wear to come to my office every day to edit photos um is also something somebody could wear to run errands and do this, that, and the other. So, but just the sheer fact that I know that I'm going to get dressed every day because staying in my pajamas is not an option.
00:31:04
Speaker
And I'm just going to film that because don't they say that the best content comes from what you're already doing? And this is what I'm already doing. I'm getting dressed every day. So that's like my first piece of content every day. But then that turns into, so case in point, today I have on denim shorts. It's what I put on to come into my office, sit down and start recording this podcast and editing photos and all the things. But what I can now do is go and film a second reel of the day, which is how to style denim shorts four different ways or five different ways. Like it it almost extends the content, if you will, which is really, really nice. um So I'm not at a loss for
00:31:47
Speaker
what to film these days where I might have been back in the day. Right. You definitely were before that was a big struggle for you. It was like, I, and you know, like, I don't know what to film. I don't know what to film. And, and, and it's like here, it just makes sense. And it, and it builds on itself and it lends itself to showing things multiple ways, more times than once, because people,
00:32:10
Speaker
need oftentimes to see things more than once before they buy. and also, I don't always buy new things. Like this is, this actually lets me relax on the having to buy new things. Right. I don't know why that was such a struggle in the beginning, i guess, because I was trying to get people to, you know, click on links and all the things. Right. um But now it's just like I'm going into my closet. Some of the stuff might be new. Some of the stuff might not be new, but I'm just getting dressed like it it kind of takes the pressure off. I will say that it does. And it also falls under the category of more education and how you work.
00:32:46
Speaker
get dressed And so, cause you have, you're going to your office down the hall and it's interesting. And that's just movement with, with trending audio and and text on screen. Yeah. So it's it's great. And then, then you also include a tip, like here's a style tip as on the screen. And then later that day, you at you know, you, you elaborate with talk to camera on the tip.
00:33:16
Speaker
And so that, you know, is, I think is brilliant. And I think it is such, and it might be brilliant because I think I might have said it. No, I don't think I said Well, probably. Just kidding. No, but it's, it's like, it is brilliant to use words. one piece of content and extend it, like you said. yeah and and and And I love that for this business. I love it for my photography business. I love it to tell other photographers, like it it really does help. So if you're out there listening and you're struggling with what to come up with, come up with something that,
00:33:50
Speaker
Literally allows you to do the same thing every day and then maybe make a second con piece of content off of that one thing you already filmed that day, because then you'll never be at a loss for content. And then, you know, the only other thing I have to report over the last month is I have helped a couple of other influencers create freebies.
Marketing Strategies for Influencers
00:34:11
Speaker
yeah In addition to Lauren's, because I did Lauren's freebie too. um So that was fun and different.
00:34:17
Speaker
And to be able to help the community in my own way, right? Like I might not have a lot to give as far as like... I don't get a lot of brand deals and I don't, you know, whatever. But I do know how to make a freebie. I know how to put together an email marketing system because I do it in my regular job. And I've helped now three influencers, Lauren and two others, create freebies because let's all face it. What if something happened to Instagram?
00:34:43
Speaker
Right. it does i have a friend house room right now I know. Right. Yeah, we do. poor Yeah. We have a friend going through that right now. Yeah. And so, but yeah, so, and that, I do want to give a little plug for Leslie. So if you want to learn about that, reach out to her, yeah her, her prices are so reasonable for what you get. And she is really, really good at it and will help you come up with ideas talk through your content to what would be something that would be valuable. And it it has been invaluable for me. i will tell you. So how many people wait, do you know how many people you've gotten on your email list so far from the freebies? I'm almost, I'm like almost to a thousand.
00:35:27
Speaker
Oh, that's good. Cause you were like a hundred, right? Yeah. Yeah, I, yeah, I don't know what it is. I mean, I look every day. i don't remember. um Because I started I was saving them. And I'm like, why am I saving this? I started getting rid of email. And um so yeah, it's, let's see, I'm sure I can find it. But I might have deleted the last one. Oh, no, I'm at 990.
00:35:50
Speaker
Oh, so close to 1000. That's good. because Before the freebie. Which if anybody's listening, the freebie is just an avenue to get people to join your email list. Of course, you can say, have an email list, join it. But people are less likely to join that versus get this free thing in exchange for joining my email list. Then if it's something they want, if it's something your audience wants, then you'll more likely get people on your email list. Right. And mine is, and there's a, once you get on an email list, there's a series of emails that Leslie can help you sign up, set up for you, which is what she did for me, which is great. So I don't have think about it. And so it's like mine is a look because I do so many looks for less. So mine is like my top favorite look for less kind of things. And that's the freebie, but then moves Which also helps you probably sell those things more than year. Absolutely, because a lot them are still available. Right, right.
00:36:44
Speaker
So yeah, it's it's good. And every time I send an email to people, it is almost every time somebody gets a DM from me. With a link, it's also included that they can sign up and get the freebie.
00:36:55
Speaker
Right. And that's important because you do have to market the freebie. You can't just have a freebie and expect people to join it. You got to keep talking about the freebie. Right. right so they I may not talk about it, i but they get it every time. So that's my version of it. Yeah, absolutely. I'm talking about it. Yeah, absolutely. And Leslie set it up for me. So that's my point is that like, that is not my wheelhouse. I'm not strong in that. So it was really important to have her be able to do that. But.
00:37:21
Speaker
Well, yeah I have loved this check in and I feel like we could talk even more. So maybe when we have part two I know that you and I talked yesterday about some topics that we might want to cover on the podcast and chat GPT was one and trial reels is one. So you guys keep listening because we've got more stuff coming your way.
00:37:42
Speaker
We do. And also one of my favorites was when y'all, we actually, and unfortunately this, this was, it ended up not happening, not saving, but we had somebody reach out to us a long time ago back in January, I think. And right when we had, we hadn't even launched the podcast yet. We had recorded, but we hadn't started it.
00:38:01
Speaker
And somebody reached out from something else we did and asked if we would um be willing to help kind of like coach her. Yeah. And we were like, well, we don't really, we haven't really done that, but would you be, we'd be happy to do it if you could, in exchange for like, could we record it as a podcast? And it fabulous. And she actually said she got so much out of it and it was great.
00:38:22
Speaker
And then it didn't record. so um Anyway, but if anybody is interested that, we would love to have people on as well and yeah and talk through stuff. you so has't that I think the good thing about, you know, that call in any future coaching calls is we come at this from two very different knowledge points. Lauren has the knowledge of growing the Instagram click people clicking on links, selling the stuff, getting brand deals, that kind of thing. I come at it from a marketing on social aspect because i have to do that with my photography business. So what I give is more of like,
00:39:06
Speaker
marketing advice, putting yourself out there, you know, what you need. And not that Lauren can't do that. I'm not saying that, but that's sort of my thing. And hers is more the influencer side of things. But basically you are marketing yourself as an influencer. So you need both of those.
00:39:21
Speaker
Exactly. So that's always open. If somebody is interested, please reach out to us. We would love to do that. um and And, you know, and you could, in exchange, instead of having to pay us, you get to do that. That would be fabulous. Yeah, it is.
Conclusion and Community Shout-out
00:39:35
Speaker
Okay, this is one of our favorite parts of the show. It's time for our sister shout out. Each week, we each share a fellow influencer who is standing out. We'll tell you what she's doing so well, why her content stands out, and why you need to hit that follow button.
00:39:51
Speaker
Because supporting each other is what the sisterhood is all about. And when one of us shines, it lights the way for the rest of us. ok So now it's the favorite time of the day because we love to shout out some influencers that we find um doing really well. um You know, we love what they're sharing, all the things. And mainly just we want to be a cheerleader for all you guys out there. um And so every week we have each of us pick someone to highlight. um I'll go ahead and go first.
00:40:21
Speaker
I'm highlighting Jan Childers of Everyday Style with Jay. i just think she seems like such a lovely human being. yeah I think she seems very genuinely sweet.
00:40:34
Speaker
um She is always commenting, um responding to comments. ah You know, she does share comments. great style, um not expensive style, but things that look expensive. Right. So she does share a really good price point. um And I just I think she's just so lovely. And i would say go follow her um and give her a little show her some love. OK, Lauren, who's yours?
00:41:04
Speaker
Okay. Mine is the daily with Marissa and we had the chance to meet her when we were in Charleston. She's out of Charleston. She is hilarious. Okay. Yes, she is.
00:41:15
Speaker
I love what I think you can learn from following her is how to truly be authentically you show your personality because it completely comes across in her content. Yeah. She shows great stuff and it's, it's, it's budget friendly. Well, yes. He's also somebody that shows something that is not expensive, but she can make it look very expensive. Yes, she absolutely can. And she is, she's just, I love her, she her content shooting style and yeah.
00:41:44
Speaker
yeah And she can make something not expensive, look really expensive. And so i just, she's, she's just cute as can be. And um I highly recommend you follow her because she's, she's, a great follow to if you're not sure how to show your personality, she's a great person to follow for that. So I would highly recommend you following the daily with Marissa.
00:42:03
Speaker
And we'll link both of them in the show notes. And i'm going to do one more little plug that Lauren didn't expect me to do, but because we met Marissa at a retreat in Charleston that Lauren and I put together.
00:42:16
Speaker
If anybody would ever want to participate in that, we don't have one planned yet, but I continually want to plan another one. So somebody tell us to do that because somebody tell us you'll actually join us.
00:42:29
Speaker
There you go. Yeah. I'm like, i don't know if I can do Anyway, yes. but you we would love We would love to see if there interest I mean, i' seriously, i would love to see if there's interest. I mean, I think the last one was super successful. I think anybody who went would say. yeah you know, that they got so much out of it. And um so, yeah, I mean, y'all DM us if that's something you want to do. And I will start the planning process. Shout out. I'm now I'm like, OK, yeah, she totally surprised sorry ten But I'll do I'll do it. I'll do it. Y'all. I think there's just is something about getting together with real people instead of only knowing people all night.
00:43:11
Speaker
Oh, I totally agree. Oh, I know. I totally agree. You know, I totally agree. It's just and for me, it's a, it's another thing. And I'm like, Oh my God. Oh my God. yeah okay Remember all the time you're getting back. and to get Because you have the agency. So there you go.
00:43:28
Speaker
It's perfect. Perfect. All right. We'll be back next week with an all new episode. Thanks guys for listening. Make sure you follow, do all the things. Please share this with other people.
00:43:40
Speaker
If you find that this is helpful, seriously, we are not great at marketing this podcast, to be honest. We are not. things And, um you know, that's a whole other thing that could be on my plate that maybe I'll get to if I have time back. all this time But I definitely think that if you know there's, we I was surprised at how many people have actually really um reached out to us personally with how much they get out of it. And So share it with other people who you know are are in this world and trying to feel like, you know, there there needs to be a resource and they don't want to feel so alone. Share it with them. we would really appreciate Yeah, you've got some side chats going on. Somebody has a side chat. Somebody include this in your group DM. i mean, come on. All right, y'all. We'll see you next week. All right. Bye, y'all.
00:44:31
Speaker
Bye. See y'all next week. Thanks, guys.