On this week’s segment of TBP Insiders, we caught up with our new hottest TBP Talent members, David (driftingdcal) and Georgia (georgiaspencer10). We did a quick Q&A asking everything influencer related and this is what they had to say about themselves...
Hey David! Introduce yourself! What made you become a blogger/influencer and how long have you been doing it for?
I got on Instagram when it first came out because I always liked taking pictures and sharing them with my friends. But I would say that it was around 5 years ago that I began to be hit up by brands because they liked my aesthetic and content. I’ve always wanted to be a host on a tv channel or something like that - I was super late to the YouTube party - so Instagram was the platform that I began to use to facilitate my own dream instead of waiting for someone to do it for me. From there my Instagram just began to take a stronger shape with a direct aesthetic of men’s fashion, lifestyle, travel and of course all things nerdy. I’m a huge comic book, video game lover, etc. and it was important that I kept that part of myself in my content. Now I’ve been officially blogging with my official Drifting Dudes blog, alongside with @TimsTide, for almost two years! We even have our own Drifting Dudes YouTube Channel where we post all our travel adventures and I have my own Drifting DCal YouTube Channel where I post all my “nerdy” content!
Where do you find your blog inspiration and what do you do when you’re having a creative block?
I'd have to say a lot of my inspiration for my blog stems from what I'm interested in and then I think to myself is this something I think my audience would like to know? I'm an avid reader of GQ and Conde Nast Traveller so those are definitely publications that have influenced my content one way or another. When faced with a creative block I just go back to my Instagram and try to see what's the general message I'm trying to send out. Is it resonating with my audience? Is there a different way to convey it? What was the response from my audience? My followers are so engaging that I can easily see if there's an idea of what I can do to give them something they'd like to see!
Tell us a fun fact about you and your life before you moved to London?
Before l moved to London I had been living in Los Angeles for 8 years. I know, I know - why would I leave sunny LA for London? But I haven't regretted my decisions since I've left - okay maybe a few times every winter but never enough to go back. I love London. My last four years in LA I was hitting the grind and going to castings all the time whether for films, tv, or as a model. I book a lot of commercial modeling on a regular basis but when the opportunity came along to go to London I jumped at the chance. I felt like life was pushing me in another direction and I felt disenchanted with the "business" and all the castings. So I moved to London and put my effort on my Instagram and blogging and now brands that I've gone on casting calls before are reaching out to collaborate with me.
Who’s been your favourite brand to work with so far and why?
I'd have to say my favourite brand to work with thus far is Ted Baker. When I first moved to London I discovered Ted Baker and it had a direct impact on my own personal style. The tailoring of their clothes and the sophistication of it - even in their casual outfits - immediately became a staple in my wardrobe. One of my favourite things about Ted Baker is that they aren't afraid of using colour in their collections! I love colour.
How do you try to stand out from the crowd of fashion influencers?
That's a tricky question because I don't necessarily go out of my way to try to stand out. My view on that is the best thing to do is be your most genuine self. By doing that, I feel people will resonate with you more directly. That's why I really like Instagram stories because it allows more of my personality to come across versus just an image on my feed. But if I had to pick something about myself that makes me stand out I would have to say it's all my nerdiness and pop culture love. I love it when I hear from my followers that they're playing the same Marvel video game as myself and wanting to connect with me on there or asking me what comic books I'm currently reading - the answer is X-Men: Red! I'm a nerd who loves to hang around a comic book store nicely dressed!
Hey Georgia! Tell us a bit about yourself – how long have you had your Instagram for and why did you start?
Initially I started my Instagram around 4 years ago, and it was completely personal. I never had the intention of turning it into a career, and I guess you could say I kind of fell into it! I have always had a passion for fitness, fashion and travelling, which is why I decided to combine all three and create my own little niche. I studied photography at school, alongside sports science and English, so I combined the knowledge I had in all three subjects to help me start creating content that I could share with others. It has enabled me to be able to live a life I love and don't see as a job.
Did you find it was a specific time that your Instagram grew and do you know why it happened?
My Instagram grew after I trained to become a personal trainer, I started posting a lot more about my love for sport and my journey to become a qualified personal trainer. I took the unconventional route after dropping out of school aged 17 due to illness and decided to pursue a career in fitness which I have had a passion for since a very young age. I truly believe breaking the norm started the initial growth of my page, as people were interested to see whether I would succeed. However, I also believe sharing my personal story regarding my auto immune disorder really helped others who also suffer with personal issues or illnesses to be able to relate to me.
What would you encourage micro-influencers to do in order to increase their social growth?
Mainly keeping their content relevant and interesting to those who follow them so that they engage with their posts. Using hashtags to broaden your reach can also be beneficial, as non followers will be able to view your images and find your page. Posting regularly and at peak times will also help. Engaging with your followers and replying to comments will also help to build a genuine relationship with your followers. Also posting stories can help people relate to you and find your page more personal.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to start a blog but is nervous about what other people would think?
I think a key part of starting a blog is to just be true to yourself and keep it real. If you're not authentic people won't want to follow your story or eventually buy into your personal brand. For example if you begin selling items such as a workout plan in my field of expertise.
You have been back and forth to America a lot and we can see from your gorgeous feed you love to travel. Where’s your favourite place in the world and why?
I would have to say that LA is definitely my home away from home, I love the extensive array of gyms, health cafes and juice bars available, but most of all I love the sunshine! However, as for a city break I absolutely love Paris and all the amazing architecture and cute little streets and cafes.
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