influencer insight: my start, advice i'd give, and the most difficult part of the journey
my interview with Keys Soulcare on having an online presence
Sometime last year, Keys Soulcare reached out to ask me questions about my experience as an influencer. We talked about what inspired me to be more intentional online, the piece of advice I’d share with anyone with a platform, and the most difficult part of the journey. Below, you’ll find a handful of my answers and a link to the full interview, should you wish to read it.
CAN YOU SHARE WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START GETTING INTENTIONAL WITH YOUR ONLINE PRESENCE?
In 2012, during my senior year of college, I was a passenger in a drunk driving crash. The crash left me with a broken neck and could have altered my life drastically. I wanted to share what had happened to me, and warn friends and family about the dangers of drunk driving from my point of view. I shared it on Facebook and received an influx of messages from friends and strangers alike saying they’d heard my story [after] never taking the dangers of drunk driving seriously, but promised to be more conscientious on the matter. I saw first-hand how my platform — even with just a few hundred Facebook friends — can raise awareness on an important issue. From there, my need to share important topics and issues grew.
WHAT’S A KEY TIP OR PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’D SHARE WITH ANYONE USING SOCIAL MEDIA OR DIGITAL PLATFORMS?
If you have one follower, ten followers, or 100,000 followers, you have someone you can reach. Social media should be used beyond material or social gain, and leave a positive impact in one’s own communities… We often share what we’re wearing, who we’re hanging out with, or what new restaurants we’re dining at — and I think we’re just as able to share what causes we feel passionate about, what we’re reading, or what we care about.
It needs to be done in a genuine way, though, and not to get praise or avoid criticism — but because one actually cares. Think about what issues make an impact on you and what you feel strongly about and start there. For me, it began with speaking out on drinking and driving, which gave me the courage to talk about other things.
HOW DO YOU KEEP YOURSELF FOCUSED ON MISSION VS. FOLLOWER COUNT?
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