We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Maggie McGill a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Maggie, appreciate you joining us today. Going back to the beginning – how did you come up with the idea in the first place?

Storytelling has always been a passion of mine. I started with writing fiction as a teenager, then graduated to video and photography in high school and college. It was around this time that being a “YouTuber” was emerging as a career path, and I knew I wanted to one day support myself by creating content. I wasn’t sure of the “how” but I started anyway. After a few flopped attempts, I finally found a niche worth sticking with: plus size fashion and radical body acceptance.

Truthfully, I didn’t know if I would ever make content creation my career. As a fat, queer, non-binary person, I didn’t think many companies would want to have me as their spokesperson. And to a point, I was right. I do receive less opportunities because of the identities I hold. But money and fame were never my main motivation. I was driven by the desire to educate and uplift the fat community from the oppression of fatphobia and size discrimination.

I made it my mission to amplify the message of body liberation, the freedom from social and political systems of oppression that designate certain bodies as more worthy, healthy, and desirable than others. If I could help just ONE person discover their value and improve their self-worth, it was worthwhile.

For me, changing people’s lives in a positive way is how I measure success. I’m grateful that my skills as a creative help me reach even more folks who need to hear my message.

Maggie, 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?

I’m a plus size style and body liberation influencer based in Philadelphia. I share my experiences as a queer nonbinary femme to inspire my followers to embody their most authentic selves through style, cultivating meaningful relationships, and authenticity.

With a background in digital marketing, communications, and fundraising, I have a keen ability to identify what will resonate with my followers and work exclusively with brands that align with their best interest. I recognize the value in repetition and prioritize long-term partnerships to warm up and sell to my community authentically and effectively.

Because of my commitment to working with solely aligned brands, I’ve developed deep trust and connection with my followers, some who have been with me for almost 10 years. I connect my followers with products, services, and media that I know will help them on their own paths to living in true alignment.

This alignment-focused strategy integrates brands into the personal growth of my followers, becoming an important part of their story, and ultimately creating an emotional relationship between brand and user.

How did you build your audience on social media?

In 2018, I invested in a social media course that promised to help me get to 10,000 Instagram followers by the end of the year. I had 2,000 followers at the time and saw how rapidly Instagram was growing as a platform for content creators. At the time, I was working at a non-profit with a small salary and I had to crowd fund to raise enough money for my class registration. It was a humbling moment, but I was determined to make it happen.

I started the class in February and by October, my Instagram grew to over 10,000 followers. Over the next two years, I grew to 50,000 followers. Today, 6 years later, I’m approaching 100,000 followers! I say all this to add the context that growing an online community takes time. There are a lot of coaches and consultants that are selling the idea that with the right strategy, you can get 10,000 followers in just a month. I have a lot of opinions about that, but in short: growing an authentic and supportive following takes a lot of time.

Growing an audience on social media today is much different than it was in 2018. Organic growth is nearly impossible, thanks to algorithm shifts and the introduction of in-app advertisements. My biggest piece of advice: don’t rely on your content alone to get more followers.

As far as content itself, focus on authenticity and speaking directly to your ideal client or follower. Use your social media like a storefront and ensure that anyone who visits your page can determine in an instant if you’re worth a follow.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

As an introvert, I was afraid of networking. I felt awkward around people and didn’t feel like I had enough life experience to connect with strangers. I wish I had invested sooner in growing my networking skills! In particular, I wish I had read the book The Charisma Myth by Olivia Fox Cabane. I suggest anyone who struggles with networking to read this book, it’s helped me so much.

I see now the immense value of networking and creating connections within and outside of my industry.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.magsmcgill.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maggiemcgill/