We recently connected with Nicole Sharmaine and have shared our conversation below.

Nicole, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about a time you helped a customer really get an amazing result through their work with you.

In the early days of my content creation journey, I landed an exciting contract with a small yet ambitious healthy pasta sauce company. Their online-exclusive presence and limited social media reach presented an intriguing challenge. Together, we joined forces to craft a variety of captivating content, including mouthwatering recipes, engaging videos and photos, high quality product commercials, and stunning product photography.

Fast forward two years, and the impact of our collaboration has been nothing short of remarkable. Their website, YouTube channel, Instagram, and Amazon listings now proudly feature my creations across the board. Their Instagram following has skyrocketed, experiencing exponential growth. In addition, they now sit proudly among the top five pasta sauce listings on the Amazon platform.

But our collaboration doesn’t stop there. The reach of my content extends beyond the digital realm, finding its way onto billboards and even gracing the esteemed platform of QVC. This impressive growth has opened up exciting opportunities for the company, as they have expanded their product line to include an array of condiments, dressings, and oils and their sauces can now be purchased in almost all major grocery store chains.

I find immense satisfaction in knowing that my content and recipes have played a role in propelling their business forward over the past few years. And the journey continues as continue working together to uncover new avenues of growth and success.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hey there! I’m Nicole, and I’m a full-time UGC creator and content creator. Let me take you back to the beginnings of my business journey. For five years, I worked at a marketing firm while also exploring a side hustle—running an online bakery business. I crafted custom cakes and desserts for all sorts of occasions, and it was quite a sweet adventure. However, when the pandemic hit in 2020 and we were all forced to work from home, things took an unexpected turn.

While I continued my marketing job remotely, unfortunately, the bakery business began to slow down. But hey, every cloud has a silver lining! With a bit of extra time on my hands, I started pondering my next move. That’s when the magic of UGC creation and social media management came into the picture. I transformed my Instagram into a hub for sharing recipes, food videos, and mouthwatering food photography. I even took the plunge and started sharing my recipe videos on YouTube too.

Around six months into this new journey, I summoned the courage to cold pitch my video and photography services to different food brands. At that point, I wasn’t seeking payment but rather collaborations in exchange for their products. It was a win-win situation. As I built solid partnerships with various brands, those exchanges gradually transformed into contracts for paid work. I couldn’t believe it! Who knew something I loved so much could become a full-time job?

Nowadays, I’m happily immersed in creating content for multiple food brands and helping them grow their social media presence. My business focuses on building and growing brands through content and providing the best social media strategies. But that’s not all! I’ve also expanded my portfolio to include beauty, fashion, and home brands. It’s amazing how this journey has opened doors I never even knew existed.

One of the things that brings me immense joy is sharing my experience with other creators. I want to encourage them to pursue their passions full-time, so I help them create killer pitch decks to land their own partnerships. Seeing them succeed fills me with a sense of pride and fulfillment. Also, playing a role in helping small businesses get back on their feet with my services after the pandemic has been a HUGE achievement for me.

Throughout this adventure, I’ve had the pleasure of building relationships not only with fellow creators but also with small business owners. It’s wonderful to connect with like-minded individuals who share the same drive and passion for their craft.

All in all, I’m incredibly happy and proud that I turned my true passion into my livelihood. The journey has been full of surprises, but it’s worth every moment.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

If you’re just starting out on social media and eager to grow your presence on the platform, I’ve got some valuable advice for you: Lean in, stay consistent, and embrace the power of community.

First things first, consistency is key. Hit the ground running and make sure to maintain a regular posting schedule. Aim to share 1-2 posts per day to get your name out there and establish a strong presence. Consistency not only helps you stay on your audience’s radar but also demonstrates your dedication to your craft.

Next, it’s time to find your community. Seek out individuals who share similar interests or missions as you. Engage with them, start conversations, and build relationships. It can be as simple as following them, liking and commenting on their posts, or introducing yourself via direct messages. Don’t underestimate the power of genuine engagement and connection. Building a supportive network of like-minded individuals can open doors and create valuable opportunities for collaboration and growth.

Lastly, let’s talk about vanity metrics. It’s tempting to get caught up in the numbers game, but it’s essential to keep things in perspective. Don’t let low engagement on a post discourage you or make you question your worth. Remember, we’re all human, and it’s easy to feel disheartened when our expectations aren’t met. Instead, focus on the love and passion you have for your content and your business. Do it because you genuinely enjoy it, not just for the pursuit of virality. Patience is key, and as you stay true to your passion, the numbers will naturally follow.

So, remember to lean in, be consistent with your posts, build connections within your community, and keep your focus on what truly matters. With time and dedication, your social media presence will flourish.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

Brand Loyalty is one of the most important parts of a business. There are many ways to foster brand loyalty, but here are my top 6:

Deliver exceptional customer experiences: Providing top-notch customer service and going above and beyond to meet and exceed customer expectations can leave a lasting impression. When customers feel valued and well taken care of, they are more likely to remain loyal to your brand.

Build strong emotional connections: Develop a brand identity and values that resonate with your target audience. Create messaging and experiences that evoke positive emotions and build a sense of connection with your customers. By fostering an emotional bond, you can establish long-term loyalty.

Offer personalized experiences: Tailor your products, services, and communications to cater to individual customer preferences. Use data and insights to understand your customers better, anticipate their needs, and provide personalized recommendations and offerings. This level of personalization can make customers feel valued and understood, driving loyalty.

Maintain consistent brand messaging and experiences: Ensure that your brand messaging and experiences remain consistent across different touchpoints and channels. This consistency helps build trust and familiarity, allowing customers to develop a sense of reliability and dependability with your brand.

Reward and incentivize loyalty: Implement loyalty programs or reward systems that provide tangible benefits and incentives for repeat customers. This could include exclusive discounts, special promotions, early access to new products, or personalized rewards based on customer preferences. Recognizing and rewarding loyal customers reinforces their decision to stick with your brand.

Actively engage with customers: Foster two-way communication with your audience through social media, email marketing, or other channels. Respond promptly to customer inquiries, feedback, and concerns. Actively engaging with your customers demonstrates that you value their input and are committed to their satisfaction.

By implementing these strategies, you can cultivate strong brand loyalty and create a community of dedicated customers who continue to choose and support your brand over the long term.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolesharmaine/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicolesharmaine1
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC831QcYtv0YeTiWr46qCBYg

Image Credits
Nicole Sharmaine