We recently connected with Marcie Coltman and have shared our conversation below.
Marcie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start big picture – what are some of biggest trends you are seeing in your industry?
Influencer marketing and social media level the playing field for small businesses. It provides an opportunity to spread brand awareness without compromising artistic integrity or general-audience appeal. Going viral on social media can be obtained, even if you’re a small fish in a big pond.
In 2020, coinciding with a government shutdown, entrepreneurs followed large corporations’ lead and tapped into influencer marketing as a key component to expanding their market share.
Reaching global heights became something that could quickly happen overnight. Entering this emerging field, people like me – scrappy marketers who had been put on the back burner after tech giants took over, capitalized on previously untapped talent.
For example, you could advertise your business on social media and offer influencers compensation to help spread brand awareness. This way of marketing has proven to be very effective because it allows small businesses an opportunity they might not otherwise have without compromising artistic integrity or general-audience appeal.
But what exactly is an influencer? An influencer is someone with a following on social media who has the ability to influence the purchasing decisions of their followers. This is because their followers see them as real people rather than celebrities who are paid to endorse products.
When looking for an influencer for your business, the key is to watch who tags your products and already uses them. This creates an organic and authentic brand collaboration. By finding an influencer who is genuinely interested in your brand, you’ll be able to create a partnership that will benefit both parties. This will improve your brand’s image and help you reach a wider audience.
People have found unique ways to collaborate across industries. Whether you are an influencer or utilizing influencer marketing for your own brand, It’s an exciting time to tap into a market ripe for innovation and creativity!
Marcie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
In 2020, I was forced to make a career pivot, like many of us were, and it turned out to be one of the best things that ever happened to me.
Many brands depended on social media to spread their message during the pandemic. I saw potential in creating content that would be engaging and entertaining–and could help them achieve what they need from customers during this stressful period: brand awareness! So I combined my creative passions and economic necessity – voila, a business was born.
I started getting more paid opportunities to collaborate on social media content as I approached brands. One thing led to another; until now, here we are, a successful freelancer with many projects under her belt. But my entrepreneurial efforts didn’t stop there; I’ve cultivated multiple income streams from my online presence.
Influencer marketing is a 16-billion-dollar industry, so I’ve developed courses for others to learn about this exciting field. My goal? Helping aspiring content creators monetize their passions and build personal brands on social media platforms. I will soon launch ’90 Day Influencer’, an intensive 8-module program covering everything from growing an audience to negotiating brand collaboration contracts.
Today’s influencers are more than just 20-yr olds dancing on TikTok. Brands are looking for diversity, and I am proof- a 43-year-old woman who IS NOT a size 2, identifies as gay, and sports my natural gray hair. The need for more representation among influencers was overdue.
If you want a FREE guide about learning how you too can be an influencer, check out “Roadmap To Becoming an Influencer” HTTPS://connect-21f1d.gr8.com.
You can also visit www.collabkwik.com to find paid sponsorship and brand collaboration opportunities.
How did you build your audience on social media?
As anyone who has started a social media account knows, growing an audience can be challenging. With so much competition out there, it’s crucial to have a defined content pillar to make your posts stand out. For example, if you’re in the beauty industry, your niche might be “sharing beauty tips for women over 40 with naturally gray hair.” This focus will help you create unique and appealing content for your target audience. And as you grow your following, you’ll be able to expand your content pillars to include other topics that your followers will find valuable. So if you’re just getting started on social media, don’t be afraid to niche down and focus on what makes you different.
It’s also important to remember that social media is a two-way street. To get the most out of social media, you need to offer value to your audience. That means creating content that is interesting, informative, and engaging. It also means asking yourself whether your content is truly designed for your audience or if it’s just self-promotion in disguise. After all, social media is a competitive space, and you only have a few seconds to capture someone’s attention. So make sure that your content is all about them, not about you.
It’s essential to recycle and repurpose content to use on multiple platforms. You never want all your eggs in one basket as social media is borrowed land. Also, diversify the type of content you produce to boost viewer consumption. An example; on Instagram, create both reels and static feed posts, post daily to your stories, and go live once a week. By doing this, you reach every type of viewer & maximize how your content is consumed (plus the algorithm loves it).
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
My personal journey took a significant shift as well in 2020. My consumption of alcohol was out of control. I was living alone, stuck at home (like the rest of the world) & depressed.
To give you a bit of a backstory – In 2014, my brother was shot and killed by the police; it was an unjustified killing, as he was unarmed. So in 2020, riddled with forced solitude, my mental health took a toll. My anger at the justice system was literally eating me alive.
Fast forward to 2022, and I’m happy to report that I’ve been sober for over a year. I decided NOT to give up. I used my social media like a vlog and found a purpose by authentically sharing my struggles. If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll spectate my vulnerable posts. But with this transparency comes great rewards; it is incredibly meaningful to get a DM from someone telling me that I helped them by sharing my not-so-great moments. Advocating for mental health and addiction awareness has become one of my content pillars on social media.
What helped me the most along this journey is that I found a purpose. I thought I was just sharing about my gray hair transition, sprinkled with some transparent posts, but it has proven itself much more. By taking action, any action, even messy action, I began to see my life transform.
Success will find you working, but one has to be willing to start, even if it’s from the bottom. So many times, we get in our own way by making excuses or telling ourselves we’re not good enough. If you can find a purpose that sets your soul on fire, chase after it with everything you’ve got. It’s not going to be easy, but it will be worth it. Don’t give up on yourself–keep going and show the world what you’re made of.
I’ll end with this; If you’re struggling, please don’t stop before the miracle happens. It’s OK to take a break and rest, but never give up. Your story will make an impact on someone else one day.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.influencersbydesign.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/marciecoltman
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marciecoltman/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcie-coltman-aa2769142
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCorNmsjad0SOmK0f3wcIK2g
- Other: TikTok www.tiktok.com/@marciecoltman Facebook business page https://www.facebook.com/nicheinfluencer/ Pinterest https://pin.it/7d76tlH Join the mailing list and get a free guide on becoming an influencer: HTTPS://connect-21f1d.gr8.com
Image Credits
Here Comes The Sun Photography @hctsphotography www.hctsphotography.mypixieset.com