Tag: instagram influencer

How She Became An Influencer + How Important Authenticity is.

Hi Babes,

For this week’s Influencer Tips Thursday, we are learning so much from Camly on how she became an influencer & how important authenticity is! She has so much insider insights so let’s get to it!

Who are you and where are you from?

My name is Camly, and I’m a Vietnamese American who is LA born and raised.  My parents are both refugees from the Vietnam war, and my dad was a POW so the Vietnamese part of me is near and dear to my heart.  I graduated from UCLA so I’m a Bruin through and through.

What is your brand about and what made you start it?

My brand is just me, Camly. The crazy thing was it was my personal Instagram; I wasn’t necessarily looking to build it into a brand. I think one thing I realized was being myself and also wanting to break the mold of what a “influencer” should be was important to me. I want people to see my account, and see themselves. I want girls to see a normal, average height, average sized girl doing extraordinary things and know they can be that too.

Do you have another job outside of being a (blogger/influencer/entrepreneur)?

By day I’m a data analyst for a nonprofit in DTLA, called LA Promise Fund. I love my full-time job because it always allows me to keep perspective of life and what’s going on. I work with youth in South LA who’ve had to experience more life in some ways than I have. Its a constant reminder of the change I want to be able to make. I’m fortunate enough that my job allows for flexibility, while still feeding my soul to help others and make a difference.

Is it difficult to balance your work life and passion project(s)?

Of course, if it was easy everyone would be doing it, but I think the best things in life don’t come easy. They require commitment, sacrifice, and drive; at the end of the day I see the hard work as always worth it. I want to see how far I can push myself, how much I can do, what my limit is; there’s no better time to do that while I am in my 20s without kids or a marriage. Being able to explore these things has also redefined those goals; I actually think about whether I want a traditional family. My passion project has redefined what I’m passionate about. I’ve thought about adopting, about starting my own company. It is difficult hold that down while still working full time, but without doing both I don’t think I’d dream as big as I do. I don’t think I would have experienced what I have. I’m grateful that its been a roller coaster; where I’ve dealt with health issues that put me on bed rest post surgery for 2 months. It all gives you perspective about what’s important, and also what really matters to you.

What do you love the most about being an influencer?

That I have the power to make a difference; whether thats promoting a brand I love or sharing about something I care about. The term “influencer” means you have influence, and at the end of the day we are all “influencers”. I love being able remind every single person who crosses my path that. I’m not “special” or “unique”; I’m like you but took my influence and ran with it so you can too!

What do you think is the hardest thing about being an influencer?

I think its the idea that my feed is my real life, and yes it is, but I also want people to know I’m a real person. I think so often people don’t see all the behind the scenes, and do share some of that but Instagram is a highlight reel. I do my best to be real, but I don’t share every moment.  Like everyone else I have a private life; in many ways I’m an open book. But, I want people to know that influencer’s feeds aren’t every part of them; its a filtered down reality.

What are three tips you can give to someone who also wants to be an influencer like you?

1) You are already an influencer. OWN THAT! KNOW THAT!

2) Be open to networking. Meet people from all walks of life, and see where that can take you.

3) Collaborate! This is a space that is meant to work with people so you’re not on your own. Bring people along for the ride.

What are your goals and where do you see yourself a year from now? & where do you hope to be in 3 – 5 years?

In a year from now I hope that my brand has grown, but I don’t necessarily have a specific goal. I want to be open to whatever happens at some point I’d want to start my own company, but I don’t want to put a timeline on that. I think we so often set these goals, and when we don’t meet them we think we failed, but thats not failure its a learning process so who knows if in 5 years my company will be up in running. No matter what I hope to still hold true to who I am, and make an impact, empower young women, and love where I’m at.

Who/what inspires you or keeps you motivated to do what you do?

My parents are one of my biggest inspirations. My dad started his own business here in LA, ran it for 23 years, and came here as a refugee and POW without any money to his name. If my dad can beat all odds, what’s stopping me? Gives me so much perspective, and the kids I work with on a daily remind me that we need to change society. If I don’t keep fighting how are things going to change. They deserve better, we deserve better, this country needs better!

What’s your favorite app aside from instagram?

Oh that’s so hard…can I be honest I don’t use many apps. I’m pretty low maintenance on apps because I want to be in the moment and a not always locked to my phone. However, GoogleCalendar is my best friend! Its how I keep track of every collaboration, every lunch meeting, and every workout session. It keeps me organized and allows me to share with friends too!

What’s your next project and how can we support you?

I’m working on building out my website. IT’S NERVE WRECKING as I took on the task on my own, but I would love any guidance I can get. Also shout out to WEOSH! I’m working closely with them to launch workshops, events, and simply opportunities to empower other women so check us out and come along for the journey.

How important is it to you to make genuine connections/friendships through social media/in our industry & why?

It is so important. I am fortunate to specifically have a girl gang I LOVE, and they truly support me and back me up. Its hard when sometimes others tear you down, and without that love and support you can get lost in the industry. In addition I love being able to mentor women; I’m so young and have so much to learn, but those mentor figures in my life have kept me sane. Trust me…I have had my moments of insanity so its important for others to keep you grounded.

What does female empowerment and girls supporting girls mean to you?

It means you are genuinely supporting other women; its not competition. When one women gets a deal, a campaign, or a promotion its a win for all women. One more step closer to even the playing field for women kind. It means setting aside your opinions to truly love without expectations; so often society pits us against each other. WE GOTTA LOVE EACH OTHER, SUPPORT EACH OTHER, and BE HAPPY FOR EACH OTHER.

Where can we find you in social media?(state your social media handles/blog/website)

Instagram: @camly.me (formerly @camly.n)

Yelp: camly.yelp.com

MORE COMING SOON, and a rebrand!

What are you looking forward to the most from Influencer Girl Gang and what do you hope to acquire from joining us?

MORE Boss Babe connections, and simply another community of amazing women I love!

 

Hope this blogpost was helpful to other aspiring influencers out there to pursue their passion.

Xo,

Joy

 

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How To Create Content + Make It Work With Your Lifestyle

A few of the questions people ask me are: how do you create content? how do you know what people like? or what will attract more followers?

So for today’s segment of thursday’s influencer tips & tricks, I wanted to share all the answers to those questions.

When creating content, I always go back to what I represent. So before you create your content ask yourself these few questions:

  1. What is your blog about? 
  2. What is your niche? Have you found it yet? If not, it’s time to define it.
  3. Who is your target market & why?
  4. Why do you do what you do?
  5. Are you willing to put in work and time to create brand new content all the time?

If I answered these questions, this would be my answers:

  1. What is your blog about? Made With Joy is a fashion, lifestyle + adventure blog who features the latest fashion trends, travel destinations and insider influencer tips and tricks.
  2. What is your niche? Have you found it yet? If not, it’s time to define it. My niche are millennials who love fashion, traveling and who just wants to live their best life. They like going to festivals, wine tasting, the newest adventure around the corner or going to road trips. They are very artsy and creative and love life and adventuring. They’re always looking for the next thing to do with their girl squad or with their significant other.
  3. Who is your target market & why? My target market are females between ages 21 – 35 who wants to live their best life and are tired of their 9-5 job, that just wants to escape and create the most out everything. And I am here to teach them how they can achieve that and how it is possible to live that kind of lifestyle.
  4. Why do you do what you do? I do what I do because I love girl power + female empowerment and how important it is to pursue our passion + also live our dreams out loud at the same time. I am here to inspire others that it’s possible and I may not be where I want to be yet but I’m on my way there.
  5. Are you willing to put in work and time to create brand new content all the time? Yes, absolutely.

Now your turn! After you answered all those questions. It’s now time to jot down your plan of action. Let’s get to it.

  1. Scheduling is key. What does your busy schedule look like? Are you super swamped that you don’t even have time to create anymore? Or be inspired? So get to scheduling. Schedule some “alone or me time” in your week. Then schedule your create content time, and your editing time and your having fun time and your family and friends time. Do what’s best for you and what will make you happy.
  2. Start saying “NO” and mean it. Do you even sleep? And eat? Do you take care of your body? Your mental and emotional health? I’m here to remind you that an unhealthy body/mind is useless when it comes to creating. If you’re physically, emotionally, and mentally drained – how do you think you’ll have the time and energy to create? Maybe it’s time for you to start saying “no” to partying every friday night with your girls or brunch every sunday. I’m not saying to give up on your social life but definitely be smart about it and who you’re spending your time with and why.
  3. Make creating content a part of your lifestyle. Once you have done those first two tips – it’s now time to look in your planner/calendar and start making creating content a part of your lifestyle. You almost have to live and breathe it. Always carry your camera with you or your phone. For example, I went to Vegas last weekend for my grandma’s 80th bday and while I was there I got to shoot for a beauty brand and a partnership with a hotel. Although, I still spent a lot of time with my family, I squeezed in a few photoshoot sessions (which by now my family has been very supportive of me and understanding) I used to be embarrassed when I was first starting but now it just comes naturally to me. I don’t even have second thoughts. I just do it. It’s all about changing your mindset, rewiring and training your brain and making it happen.
  4. Be organized, resourceful and be bold. Jot down all your ideas and find a way to squeeze them in your everyday life. Be intentional about it. Are you a food blogger? Start making your portfolio and visit a few restaurants + cafes. Once you have enough content, maybe you can now start pitching. Are you a fashion influencer? Every time you go to an event that you have to dress up or just simply look pretty, wear a fabulous outfit and ask your friends or even strangers to take photos of you! (I’ve honestly done this and it paid off. The first time I visited NYC, I woke up early to adventure on my own and it started snowing!!! I have never seen snow fall from the sky before and I totally asked a stranger to take a video of me twirling!) Was I embarrassed? Not really. I hesitated at first but I did it anyways as I’m never going to see him again.
  5. Get out of your comfort zone. Are you an introvert who’s afraid of what people will say or think about you? Let go of that mindset and do something new. Take risks. Talk to strangers. Ask for help. Until not caring so much of what other people think of you no longer bothers you. As an influencer, it is very important for us to try something new in order for us to influence others. Are you an extrovert who’s the life of the party and cant seem to get it together? You have so many ideas but you can never find time to make them happen. (This is me) So here’s my tip! Find your quiet place (whether you set some time aside like waking up an extra hour to plan your day or a beach day once a week) and write down your goals, ideas and plans and make them happen. Do the first 4 steps above and once you’ve done those – make things happen! Stop just talking about it and actually put in the work. 

Was this helpful? Let me know your thoughts and drop a comment below.

XO,

Joy

 

 

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