Inspiring Conversations with Tia Squires of Tea With Tia

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tia Squires.

Hi Tia, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
It all started when my Facebook friends suggested that I start a blog. I honestly was not interested because I knew nothing about blogging. I started off working alone, trying to figure things out. I gave up on the blog in 2016 because no one was reading or engaging with any of my content. In 2018, I decided to give the blog another try even though I still didn’t know what I was doing. I started to teach myself how to edit, that was only half the battle. When it comes to blogging and building a successful brand, having a team is necessary. I gathered a few of my college friends and taught them everything I knew. It was very hard trusting the process because I was working extremely hard and wasn’t seeing any results. I remained consistent and kept working hard. This is when I broke my first real story. I went viral after exposing a local business that used racial slurs towards a door-dash driver in Durham, NC. When this story broke, it spread like wildfire. This brought a lot of views and followers to my blog. I watched my blog grow from nothing to reaching millions of people monthly. I got to where I am today by staying true to my vision, hard work, dedication, my team and consistency.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I have hit several potholes and speed bumps along the way. The road has never been smooth sailing. My largest challenge has been growing my following 100 % the organic way. On social media, a lot of people judge your worth based on follower count and not the actual content. It was always quality over quantity for me. I was turned down a lot when it came to requesting interviews and getting accepted to cover certain events. It was also a struggle for me to work a full-time job and run a successful blog alone. Before I got help from my team, I was drowning because I simply couldn’t keep up with all the news. I quit once when things got hard, I will never quit again. I have had a lot of struggles and some I still face today. The obstacles that are placed in my way help me become a better blogger.

We’ve been impressed with Tea With Tia, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Tea With Tia is an entertainment blog that covers news, celebrities, music, sports, tv/film and fashion. Over the last five years, Tea With Tia was nominated by Queen City Awards for Blog of the Year three years in a row and has had countless of opportunities to serve as press for networks/shows such as Lifetime, Revoltv, PBS, BET, TVOne, Super-Bowl, Gospel Celebration, The NAACP Image Awards, BET Honors, just to name a few. I am mostly known for my witty and vibrant personality, which has open doors for me to host a talk series entitled “Talks With Tia”. My series features a wide variety of celebrity guests such as Carole Baskin (Tiger King) Shane Johnson (Saxe from Power), Deon Cole (Blackish), Courtney Kemp (Power Creator), Ma$e, Rickey Smiley, John P. Kee, Meagan Good, Keri Hilson, Christopher Duncan (Jamie Foxx Show) and many more. I enjoy sharing my perspective with the world and I take great pride in the Tea with Tia motto, “Team No Fake News.” Promo, interviews and collaboration opportunities are available. Send us a DM on IG at TeaWithTia or email us at tia@teawithtia.org

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I have to give credit to my dedicated Tea With Tia staff. Thank you Karis, Whitney, Josh, Jamie, Imani and Breana for all of your help. I also would love to shout out 2 very dope blogs Kesha With The Tea and Sip Wit Chyna, we lean on each other for support. Lastly, I would love to thank my very loyal ride or die fanbase The Tea Party!!!! They are the reason I keep going, they love the content and rely on me to serve the tea. Their support means so much.

Pricing:

• 24 hr story post w/ link – $25
• Permanent IG Feed Post – $50
• Post on All social media- $120
• FB & IG Sponsored Ad – 7 Days ($250), 14 Days ($500), 30 Days ($800)
• Rush Fees- Story same day $50, Feed Same Day $100

Contact Info:

• Instagram: www.Instagram.com/TeaWithTia
• Facebook: www.Facebook.com/TeaWithTia
• Twitter: www.Twitter.com/_teawithtia
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/c/TeaWithTia 

Image Credits
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