Today we’d like to introduce you to Emma O’Dell
Hi Emma, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Over the years, I’ve been inspired by countless content creators on Instagram. I’ve been drawn to social media profiles that focus on aesthetics and photos of clothing in everyday life. Following my favorite content creators or “influencers” has helped me develop my creative eye and sense of style. While I was always fascinated by the influencer industry, I never thought that it was something I’d be capable of doing–especially since I was an average college student with an average number of Instagram followers. In late 2021, I attended a few concerts for one of my favorite artists, Harry Styles. I would livestream on my Instagram account for a few songs during the show. Because of this, I gained a few thousand followers. International fans or U.S. fans who didn’t have the chance to see him in person were grateful for any opportunity to experience him live. After this, I was sent a hoodie from a fan-made Harry Styles merch store (The Cherry Club). They asked if I would post a few photos in the hoodie in exchange for the free item. I was happy to do this, and it was received surprisingly well by my followers. I noticed that although I had a pretty average amount of followers, I still had an influence and this brand saw that. It made me realize that maybe I could adjust my account from randomly posting on special occasions to trying to document my love for fashion, beauty, lifestyle, and travel. After doing some research and listening to podcasts, I began to reach out to hundreds of brands myself in search of more gifted collaborations. I received many more no’s than yes’s in the beginning, but the few brands that said yes helped me build my portfolio and my experience in taking photos with and of products. It’s always nerve-wracking trying something new–and I was initially scared of judgment from my peers or those who didn’t understand what I was doing or why–but this turned into something that helped me make a substantial amount of income on the side. I have now participated in countless paid collaborations with well-known brands and I’ve been able to share the rewards with my friends and family. I’ve learned negotiation skills, made brand contacts and friends, attended brand events, and hosted brand-related activities. I’m still a small creator, but I’m really happy with how things have gone and how much effort I put into learning the basics of the industry. I hope that I can potentially take this full-time in the future.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
When I was starting in content creation, I was a bit nervous about being judged by my peers because I didn’t personally know anyone doing this. However, I quickly moved past this mindset because I was so grateful to be considered valuable to these brands that I love. At the end of the day, Instagram is a creative outlet for me and I’ve enjoyed it much more since viewing it that way–a source to gain inspiration and be inspiration. At a certain point, growing your followers is the next step to reaching bigger opportunities in the influencer space. It has been a bit difficult to navigate Instagram’s algorithm and learn how to grow–I’m still trying to find new strategies every day because I want to stay active as a content creator. There’s a level of consistency needed to keep your audience involved, and it can be taxing at times to navigate this alongside school or a full-time job.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m an Instagram content creator who specializes in the fashion, beauty, travel, and overall lifestyle niches. I would say that I’m known for posting comfy casual clothing, concert outfit ideas, natural makeup/skincare, and pastel colors. I like to take photos that make the clothing or products the center of attention. I’m authentic because I have a pretty down-to-earth mindset about social media in general. I just want to use it to inspire others, give them style ideas, and get that inspiration myself. I’m most proud of how much effort I put into learning how to get started in this industry and making it happen. Because of content creation, I’ve been able to support myself better financially and share the benefits with my family and friends.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I think the influencer industry is more popular than ever, and more and more people are realizing that you don’t have to be “famous” or have thousands and thousands of followers to have influence. Over time, brands are seeing the impact of advertising in a natural way. For example, when you hire a style influencer that aligns with your aesthetic to post in your dress, you know it’s being promoted to an ideal target demographic. I see brands learning the value of working with even small creators to use their experiences to influence their friends and family. The best reviews come through word-of-mouth and someone you trust, and I think marketing teams are seeing this and it will likely just grow in the future.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmaaodell
