You Need to Build a Brand to Monetize Your Instagram or Blog

When I used to hear the word influencer, I pictured someone taking pictures of in expensive clothes and posting them on Instagram with a one-sentence caption. Blogger always sounded more like a writer.

1. Tell us about your background and journey.

I actually have a degree in Neuroscience and had aspirations of working in a lab at one point. Animal research wasn’t for me though, so I took some time to figure out what I wanted.

I landed in marketing, and that’s what I do now. I freelance because I enjoy the flexibility, and it allows me to stay home with the kids (before there was a pandemic and everyone ended up home with their kids!)

2. What led you to start your page on Instagram and what is it about?

I started my Instagram @parentdaze and my blog ( https://www.parentdaze.com ) in June of 2017, right after my second daughter was born. I felt alone with 2 kids at home, and I was looking to connect with other moms. Writing is also one of my favorite creative outlets.

When I started it, it was all about the kids. Because when you have a new baby, your life IS all about the kids. As time went on, I realized I was more than a mom, and I expanded to more lifestyle content as well.

About a year later, I started another Instagram @explorelongbeach to focus on local events in our city. Since the pandemic started, I haven’t had as much time to post on it, and there aren’t very many events to post about with everything being closed, but it’s another passion project of mine.

3. How would you distinguish the term blogger from an influencer?

I still consider myself more of a blogger because I’m very verbose, and though I do brand sponsorships, I feel like my content is authentic. Even the sponsored posts for me are about sharing products I care about with my followers.

However, I guess I am also considered an influencer and I’m trying to overcome the negative connotation that comes along with that word. It’s a lot more work than it looks like.

Finding a good setting for photos, setting up the shot (which often requires at least one other person), following brand guidelines if the photo is sponsored, selecting photos, editing photos, hashtag research, writing captions, responding to comments.

It used to be that companies hired agencies of multiple people to do these things and now, if they hire influencers, we’re doing them all. It’s definitely more work than I anticipated.

4. How and where do you find inspiration to churn out content?

I like to sit outside at the park and write. I have a hard time finding inspiration at home with a 3 and 5-year-old running around. Even when the kids are gone (which is rare these days), I prefer to write outside.

I’d be lying if I said I’ve never had to sit down and force myself to write because it’s been a long time since I last put out content or because I have a brand deal that needs a caption, but ideally, I’ll sit down at the park and look out at the ocean while I write.

5. What is your idea of success or your mantra in life?

My idea of success is being healthy and happy. It sounds so cliche and lame, but that’s really it for me. Of course, having enough money that we’re not struggling to pay rent or buy groceries is important, and we’re fortunate that these aren’t issues for our family.

Aside from that, I’ve never been a big money person. I’ve never dreamed of being rich. I want my family to have our physical health, good mental health, and enough time to enjoy life. I guess in some ways, all of those things are tied to money, but it’s really about being happy for me.

6. Which is your favorite book and why?

My favorite book is probably the Harry Potter series. I’ve read all of them a dozen times. I went to boarding school when I was a teen and it was a really dark time for me.

Having a Harry Potter book waiting for me at the end of the day to escape into was one of the few things that brought me joy. I think I have an extra attachment to the books for that reason, but they really are wonderful books. They made you feel like a kid again.

7. What piece of advice would you like to give to future and aspiring creators?

I would advise aspiring creators to be authentic, but also to find a niche. When I started @parentdaze, I kind of posted whatever I wanted. That’s fine for a personal page, but if you want to monetize your Instagram or blog, you need to build a brand.

You have a little more wiggle room with stories, but for posts, I try to stick to parenting and lifestyle. I wouldn’t post 5 pictures in a row of my cat, even though I love him, because it’s not a pet page. You want people to look at your page and have some idea of what you’re about.

Also, be consistent. I’ve seen a lot of aspiring creators post for a couple months and then give up. I spent a few hours a day for 10 months creating content, engaging on other people’s posts, etc., before I got my first paid post. There were times I was even posting 2 or 3 times a day.

I’m not going to pretend it’s always easy. But it’s totally worth it. I’ve formed amazing relationships with other moms I’ve met through @parentdaze, I’m making some money from brand sponsorships, and it’s afforded me some opportunities to attend fun events and activities that I might not have done otherwise. I’m very fortunate.

Instagram ID - @parentdaze

I was born and raised in Michigan, but moved to Southern California for grad school and never left. I fell in love, settled down, and now I have 2 little girls, ages 3 and 5. I strive to find the beauty in all things around me and to find a balance between all the roles I play in my life.

Stephanie Gardner,

Freelance Marketer, Blogger, and Influencer.

Interviewed By - Sandeep Virothu