We recently connected with Elena Fedorchenko-Tsukanova and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Elena, thanks for joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
Throughout my entire professional journey, creativity has always been my driving passion. From the outset of my career, I delved into various creative pursuits. In my home country, I worked as a commercial interior designer, and here in the United States, I co-founded an Interior Design company. Currently, I am fully immersed in learning how to become a successful influencer, dedicated to inspiring others to embrace life to the fullest. Blogging, in particular, has proven to be the most creatively fulfilling endeavor I’ve undertaken, as it allows me the freedom to express my creativity in a way that resonates deeply with my followers, who appreciate and love the imaginative content.
Elena, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Hi! I’m Elena, I’ve been living in the USA for the past 7 years with my family after moving here from Italy. Originally, we are from Moscow, Russia, but I have come to love Dallas, our current home.
Throughout my life, I’ve had a strong connection to two things: design and social media. They have always been a part of my life, sometimes more prominently than others. Back in Russia, I worked as an interior designer for commercial spaces. When I came to the US, I met a friend, and together we founded an interior design company where we worked for two years. However, I’ve also harbored a desire to become a blogger, using my platform to inspire and motivate people to improve their lives.
While I’m still involved in the interior design business, I found it challenging to juggle both professions effectively. As a result, I made the decision to pursue my passion for blogging. On January 1, 2023, I made a post on my Instagram announcing my journey as an influencer, and since then, I’ve been sharing my lifestyle, doing what I love, and experiencing life like never before. Each follower I gain means a lot to me, and I’m dedicated to enhancing my social media skills daily.
My ultimate goal is to attract as many followers as possible so that I can share my life, knowledge, energy, and positivity with them, influencing them to make positive changes in their own lives. As I’ve transitioned into making blogging my full-time job, I am actively working on improving my digital content and collaborating with brands and other bloggers, which I thoroughly enjoy. Monetizing my Instagram has become a significant focus, and I’m excited about the journey ahead!
My expertise lies in curating captivating digital content for Instagram, where I showcase trendy outfits through reels, posts, and stories. By posting links to the outfits on the exclusive LTK platform, I make it effortless for my followers to discover and purchase the products they admire on my Instagram feed. As a lifestyle and fashion blogger, I am renowned for my contagious positive energy, which I generously share with my friends and followers. My distinctive sense of style and design further set me apart in the fashion world.
Aside from my fashion-related content, I also possess a profound knowledge of interior design, allowing me to share valuable insights and provide private consultations for those interested in mastering design software. Currently, I am diligently working on developing my own SketchUp course.
What fills me with the greatest pride is the incredible community I have cultivated through my blog and social media platforms. Witnessing the impact I’ve had on my followers’ lives is truly rewarding. My authenticity and transparency in sharing my personal experiences and perspectives set me apart from my peers in the industry.
In addition to my digital content creation and fashion expertise, my cultural background and multilingual abilities play a significant role in setting me apart in the industry. Embracing my unique cultural code allows me to infuse my content with diverse perspectives and insights, making it relatable and appealing to a wider audience.
Being fluent in both Russian and English further enhances my ability to connect with a global community of followers. It enables me to communicate effortlessly with a broader audience and engage with individuals from different parts of the world, fostering a sense of inclusivity and cultural exchange.
My bilingual proficiency also opens up opportunities for collaboration and networking with brands and influencers from various regions, making me a sought-after partner in the fashion and lifestyle sphere.
Overall, my cultural background and bilingualism enrich my content, making it distinct and resonant with audiences from diverse cultures, and contributing to the strong and supportive community I’ve built around my blog and social media channels.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative, for me, is witnessing the transformative power of inspiration in others. It’s incredibly fulfilling when I see that my work or interactions have encouraged somebody to step out of their comfort zone and pursue something they previously felt unable to do. Whether it’s overcoming fear, lack of knowledge, or a lack of inspiration, knowing that I played a part in motivating someone to take action is deeply gratifying.
Seeing individuals muster the courage to learn to drive, start their own business, take up dancing, or explore other endeavors is a testament to the impact art and creativity can have on people’s lives. Being able to ignite that spark within someone and witness them grow and flourish brings me immense joy and reinforces my belief in the power of art to create positive change.
Knowing that I’ve played a role in empowering others to explore their potential and achieve their goals fuels my passion for creativity and strengthens my commitment to continue sharing my artistic expressions with the world. The connections formed through these inspiring interactions become treasured memories, reminding me of the profound influence art can have on shaping lives and inspiring growth.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
Building a social media audience begins with the foundation of creating consistent and engaging content. Once you have captivating content to share, actively engaging with other bloggers in your niche becomes essential. Collaborating with bloggers, liking and commenting on their posts can increase your visibility and attract potential followers to your profile. Including relevant hashtags and geolocations in your posts and stories can further expand your reach and attract a more targeted audience.
Mentioning brands or restaurants in your posts can also be beneficial, as it can lead to collaborations and partnerships. In my experience, some of my collaborations have emerged after mentioning places I visited during a meal or outing. These interactions can open doors to exciting opportunities while also providing valuable content for your audience.
Additionally, leveraging targeted advertisements can be a strategic move to grow your following. By reaching out to specific demographics or audiences that align with your content, you can attract more engaged followers who are genuinely interested in what you have to offer.
In summary, building a social media presence requires a combination of consistent, quality content creation, active engagement with others in your community, strategic use of hashtags and geolocations, brand mentions, and targeted advertising. By embracing these practices, you can steadily grow your audience and establish a meaningful presence on social media.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.elenaftusa.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elena_ft_usa/
- Facebook: facebook.com/elenaftusa/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elena-fedorchenko-tsukanova-46581781/?locale=en_US
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@elena_ft_usa
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@elena_ft_usa
- Other: Amazon Storefront amazon.com/shop/elena_ft_usa LTK shop shopltk.com/elena_ft_usa
Image Credits
Elena Fedorchenko-Tsukanova