We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Linda Kinsman a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Linda thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.
I started blogging and creating content eleven years ago on a whim after reading about it online. I thought it sounded like a fun, creative way for me to share some of my thoughts as a work at home mom and to connect with a larger community while I raised my young daughters and worked part time as my husband’s administrative assistant for his small business.
I’m a self taught, conversational style writer, which did well back in 2010-2011 when I first started on this journey. The old saying, you don’t know what you don’t know is true! Once I got my first product review email, I was fully immersed in learning more about content marketing, while making sure I held fast to my core values: family always came first.
Knowing what I know now, I would have learned more about picking a niche and building content pillars before I wrote anything. However, when I first started My WAHM Plan, I saw blogging as a creative outlet, not an income stream. Fast forward to 2022, and the whole blogging and content creating landscape has drastically changed, but the one essential skill that’s remained a constant is the ability to be open to change in this fast paced, freelance working environment.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Hi, I’m Linda, a happy Nashville, TN, WAHM of two Gen Z daughters, celebrating 20+ years of working at home, with over 10 years on My WAHM Plan, my blog, where I share tips & ideas for a happy home life. My blog was recently selected for syndication on MSN, so I can reach a wider audience with my content. I’m in my second year as a film critic with Nashville’s own Music City Film Critics Association, where I provide film coverage and cast my ballot during film award season. This year I was honored to be selected to provide media coverage at the 53rd Nashville Film Festival as well.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
I’ve built my audience on social media slowly and authentically. I love sharing inspirational posts that are attainable, whether that be keeping your houseplants alive, or making homemade trail mix.
If you’re just starting out, my advice would be to pick a social media channel you love, find the type of content you like, and then see how you can implement that style in your own, unique way.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
Blogging and content creating is a tough industry to be in. At any moment, your best social media account could be hacked, your blog could get hit by the latest google update, and collaborations may not come your way. I feel being able to create content and get paid to do so on my original blog, is a testament to my growth and resilience.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mywahmplan.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ismilefirst
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wahmwithaplan
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ismilefirst/
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/ismilefirst
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/ismilefirst
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@ismilefirst https://www.pinterest.com/ismilefirst
Image Credits
All images are my own.