most frequently asked questions
Q: HOW/WHY/WHEN DID YOU START YOUR BLOG?
a: i started my blog back in 2015 as a creative outlet. i was in college and working full-time as a server and i just needed something to do in my spare time. without thinking, i randomly created a wordpress account and launched a blog called chictwentysomethings (my first blog name - didn't last but a couple months). over time, my blog kinda sat on the back burner for years until 2018. i finally decided to give it my all and within 6 months, i quit my office job and began blogging full-time. 2019 was my first full year of only blogging and it has been amazing. something that was a passion project/hobby turned into my full-time gig and i will never regret the amount of time, effort and tears that went into it. you can read more about my blogging journey and how i knew it was time to quit my job here.
Q: WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT BLOGGING?
a: i absolutely LOVE the friendships that i have made along the way. girlfriends that i would've never met because we live on the opposite side of the country. i love working for myself as well and creating my own schedule. also love the places I've been fortunate enough to travel too with this job.
Q: DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS FOR BEGINNER BLOGGERS? I WOULD LOVE TO TO BE BLOGGER BUT HAVE NO IDEA WHERE TO BEGIN...
a: GO FOR IT. the time is now. also - do it because you're passionate about it, not for the money. when you do it just to get a paycheck - it shows. i truly LOVE what i do and love chatting/sharing my life with my audience on a daily basis. the first thing to do is create a website. a lot of you ask if having an instagram is enough - personally, no I don't think so. while it seems ig is where everything is usually posted, it does not belong to you and anything could happen to the app. you own your blog/website and anything you put on there. i started with the free version of wordpress and then after a year of consistently blogging - i ended up paying for the next version where i had the option to customize my theme more. when I first started my blog, I did not follow any bloggers or had any blogging friends so it was a huge learning curve for me to begin, but I researched and googled anything I could about starting a website. next, you have to find your niche. are you into fashion? beauty? home decor? travel? a little bit of everything or maybe just two of the categories. focus on those! I share a little bit of everything but my passion is fashion. hehe! make sure you invest in a nice camera - while the good ole iPhone does the trick - I normally shoot all/most of my campaigns with a DSLR. learn how to use Lightroom too! editing your photos can be challenging but once you narrow it down - it's a piece of cake! a big piece of advice I'd like to give is to have fun with it and don't focus on the numbers. remember you have an audience - doesn't matter how big and there are people who are looking up to you whether you know it or not. I know it's hard not to play the comparison game. I'll admit it, everyone does it, but you truly cannot to have a successful business. be happy in the position you are in at that time. be genuine and authentic and you will do great things!
Q: WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT BLOGGING?
a: the fact that it never turns off. i would never change it for the world, but it is a 24/7 job.
Q: HOW DO YOU MAKE MONEY BLOGGING?
a: yes - i do. through brand partnerships, affiliate links, and advertising opportunities. brand partnerships is when i am being paid to promote a brand/product. i receive so many pitches daily by brands and i decline probably 75% of them because the product isn't for me. i do pitch my favorite brands and sometimes will get an email back and other times I don't. it happens to everyone! next are affiliate links like liketoknow.it. you click on a link and if you purchase something through that link, I do receive a commission. usually very very small, but very helpful! and advertising opportunities is when if a brand wants to use a photo for advertising purposes and we come up with a time frame and rate for them to use the photo.
Q: WHO TAKES YOUR PHOTOS?
a: either Lane or my mom!
Q: HOW CAN I SHOP THE ITEMS YOU SHARE?
a: i link everything on liketoknow.it. which you can find here. :)
Q: HOW DO YOU MAKE YOUR GRAPHICS ON YOUR INSTASTORIES?
a: my assistant usually makes them in canva or the app over.
Q: HOW DO YOU EDIT YOUR PHOTOS? DO YOU USE A PRESET?
a: i use a preset I created on Lightroom, but unfortunately I do not sell them.
Q: HOW DID YOU GROW YOUR FOLLOWING?
a: for 5 years, i stayed very consistent on instagram - posting every single day, replying to dms on a daily basis, replying to comments on my photos, engaging a ton with others, doing giveaways with my personal girlfriends that I know. in 5 years, I think I have grown very naturally and sometimes I get in ruts where I am stuck at a number for a very long time, but that's okay! :) just be happy you are where you are!
Q: DO YOU KEEP ALL OF THE CLOTHES YOU RECEIVE?
a: i wish i could! my closet would need to be a tad bigger. sometimes i sell on poshmark, sometimes i do closet sales, i give away to friends & family too.
Q: WHO DID YOUR WEBSITE?
a: trek your market! literally the best web designing company ever! make sure you tell them i sent you. ;)
Q: WHERE DO YOU LIVE?
a: sunshine state :)
Q: HOW LONG HAVE YOU AND LANE BEEN TOGETHER? MARRIED?
a: we have been together for 11 years this year and married 3 years in October. :)
Q: HOW DID YALL MEET?
a: we met at high school! he was the new kid in 10th grade and played on the soccer team and i knew all the soccer boys and that's how we met. :)
Q: WHAT MAKEUP PRODUCTS DO YOU USE EVERYDAY?
a: these products right here.
Q: WHAT HAIR PRODUCTS DO YOU USE TO KEEP YOUR HAIR SO BLONDE?
a: these products right here.
Q: HOW TALL ARE YOU?
a: i am 5'2 and 100 lbs.
Q: WHAT ARE YOUR NORMAL SIZES?
a: tops - xxs or xs depending on what retailer, bottoms - xxs, xs, 24 or 00/0, shoes - 6 or 6.5