If you’ve been following us for a while, you know how much we love talking about LTK, which is why we’re so excited to be joined by Reesa Lake, VP of the Head of Creator Agency & Partnerships at LTK. We discuss her role in bringing economic opportunities to creators across various platforms, categories, and demographics. 

Reesa is known for being a relationship builder and connector, and in our conversation, she highlights the power of networking and relationship-building in the creator economy. We also cover her shift from her previous agency to LTK, where she shares her advice for maintaining positive relationships when transitioning in the industry. Plus, for those interested in joining LTK, Reesa shares exactly what they look for when approving creators! 

IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT:

- (10:09) LTK's collaboration with agents, managers, and creators

- (14:46) How to know when it's the right time to make a career transition 

- (16:43) The importance of relationships and networking

- (25:00) What is LTK and its best creator practices? 

- (30:47) The ways LTK can support you with diversifying your revenue

- (34:03) What Reesa looks for in creators applying to LTK 

RESOURCES

- Learn more about Be Social Group

CONNECT WITH REESA 

Follow Reesa on Instagram: @reesalake

CONNECT WITH ALI

Follow me on Instagram: @aligrant

Follow me on TikTok: @aligrnt 

CONNECT WITH JESS

Follow me on Instagram: @jessyoowould

Follow me on TikTok: @jessyoowould

Today, we’re chatting with April Lockhart, a clean beauty expert, marketer, lifestyle creator, and former Director of Influencer & Partnerships at ILIA. With six years of experience in the influencer space, April has a deep understanding of social media marketing and how to inspire a digital audience. She is also a passionate advocate for disability awareness in fashion. 

In our conversation, we discuss how April transformed her side hustle into a full-time career by combining her corporate background with her extensive experience in the beauty industry. We also unpack April’s content creation process and how she grew her multi-platform following. 

IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT:

- (11:23) April's experience at ILIA as Director of Influencer & Partnerships

- (14:15) Advice for building an influencer community and aligning with brand values

- (20:36) Tips for leaving a corporate job to pursue freelance content creation

- (24:14) How April grew her following

- (28:41) The internet’s influence on April's confidence in sharing content as a disabled creator 

RESOURCES

- Learn more about Be Social Group

CONNECT WITH APRIL 

Follow April on Instagram: @aprillockhart

Follow April on TikTok: @april_lockhart

Subscribe to April on Youtube: @april_lockhart

CONNECT WITH ALI

Follow me on Instagram: @aligrant

Follow me on TikTok: @aligrnt 

CONNECT WITH JESS

Follow me on Instagram: @jessyoowould

Follow me on TikTok: @jessyoowould

Today, we are joined by Callen Hamilton, founder of Sway Social and a long-time collaborator, to discuss the world of influencer project management, adjusting to the algorithm, and affiliate marketing. With her extensive experience working with creators, Callen highlights the importance of building a collaborative team to grow your brand. 

In our conversation, Callen emphasizes that consistency, authenticity, and prioritizing engagement over follower count are crucial aspects of being a successful digital creator. We also explore the keys to affiliate marketing, why it's an essential strategy for creators, and how to get the most out of LTK. From micro to macro creators, Callen shares valuable insights that can elevate your brand to new heights!

IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT:

- (5:19) How we connected with Callen, and why she believes strong relationships with management companies are vital for success

- (9:22) Recognizing your strength as a creator and outsourcing the weak areas to drive growth 

- (13:24) Seeking opportunities for improvement as a leader and the importance of overcommunication with your teams 

- (19:50) Strategies Sway Social uses to assist clients in their Instagram growth

- (25:57) Tips for affiliate marketing and utilizing LTK 

- (34:56) The criteria Callen considers when selecting clients to work with

RESOURCES

- Learn more about Be Social Group

CONNECT WITH CALLEN 

Follow Callen on Instagram: @callenboyer

Follow Sway Social on Instagram: @theswaysocial

Learn more about Sway Social: theswaysocial.com

CONNECT WITH ALI

Follow me on Instagram: @aligrant

Follow me on TikTok: @aligrnt 

CONNECT WITH JESS

Follow me on Instagram: @jessyoowould

Follow me on TikTok: @jessyoowould

When Jenny Park was rejected by the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, she set out to create her own opportunities. Now, she is a personal finance content creator and leader of brand partnerships at LinkedIn, collaborating with high-profile talents like Ryan Reynolds, Mindy Kaling, and Mr. Beast. Jenny joins us today to discuss how she bridges the gap between creation, storytelling, and operations at LinkedIn while balancing her content creation side hustle. 

In our conversation, she highlights LinkedIn as a valuable tool for recruiting and fact-checking during the hiring process. Jenny uses TikTok content creation as a creative outlet, and she shares her tips for juggling a full-time job with being a content creator, increasing creator marketplace interest, and making six figures in brand partnerships as a micro creator. 

IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT:

- (6:31) Jenny's background in brand building as it relates to her current position at LinkedIn 

- (12:56) Using LinkedIn for recruiting and fact-checking during the hiring process

- (17:56) How LinkedIn collaborates with brands, high-profile creators, and entrepreneurs

- (19:36) Jenny’s experience juggling a full-time job while being a content creator

- (22:16) Tools for streamlining your content editing 

- (30:42) Advice for generating huge earnings as a micro-creator 

RESOURCES

- Learn more about Be Social Group

CONNECT WITH JENNY

Follow Jenny on Tiktok: @mohaewithjennypark

Connect with Jenny on LinkedIn 

CONNECT WITH ALI

Follow me on Instagram: @aligrant

Follow me on TikTok: @aligrnt 

CONNECT WITH JESS

Follow me on Instagram: @jessyoowould

Follow me on TikTok: @jessyoowould

In this episode, we have the pleasure of chatting with Chelsea Becker, the founder of Becker Editorial, to unpack the behind-the-scenes content curation of your favorite creators. Becker Editorial specializes in helping creators, influencers, and small brands grow by planning their digital content, strategizing Instagram feeds, aligning creativity with their goals, and much more. 

In our conversation, Chelsea highlights her organization and collaboration techniques that drive brand success. She emphasizes the importance of investing time in your business, being consistent with audience engagement, and delegating tasks to those who know them best. Plus, Chelsea lets us in on the benefits of using Pinterest in your business strategy and ways to make your email newsletters shine. 

IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT:

(6:21) The ways Becker Editorial assists influencers, creators, and brands

(9:28) How Chelsea works and communicates with her clients 

(12:24) Why you should have a website or blog in addition to your social media 

(18:07) Tools for effectively managing time while juggling multiple clients 

(19:25) Tips for incorporating Pinterest into your brand strategy

(26:06) Advice for being a collaborative and successful creator across all platforms

RESOURCES

- Learn more about Be Social Group

CONNECT WITH CHELSEA

Follow Chelsea on Instagram: @chelseambecker

Follow Becker Editorial on Instagram: @beckereditorial

Work with Becker Editorial: becker-editorial.com

CONNECT WITH ALI

Follow me on Instagram: @aligrant

Follow me on TikTok: @aligrnt 

CONNECT WITH JESS

Follow me on Instagram: @jessyoowould

Follow me on TikTok: @jessyoowould

Maddie Raedts, a creative entrepreneur who launched her first company at 21 and is now working on her new venture, Bond, joins us today to discuss her career in entrepreneurship and her goal of revolutionizing influencer marketing. 

Maddie introduced Bond to disrupt the traditional commerce model. In our conversation, Maddie breaks down the details of starting your own company and how taking risks to follow a career in alignment with your passion can have major results. She walks us through the steps of selling a successful agency, the challenges of developing her new app, and how diversifying revenue streams can make you money in your sleep. 

IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT:

- (5:30) Maddie's journey into influencer marketing and where she got the idea for her agency 

- (8:49) Maddie’s experience in selling her business 

- (11:56) The qualities that set Bond apart from the rest of the market

- (14:04) Diversifying revenue streams for passive income 

- (19:57) The challenges of introducing Bond to the world of influencer marketing 

- (23:58) Advice for pursuing your passion in creative entrepreneurship 

RESOURCES

- Learn more about Be Social Group

CONNECT WITH MADDIE

Follow Maddie on Instagram: @maddieraedts

Follow Bond on Instagram: @join.bond

Join Bond: joinbond.com

CONNECT WITH ALI

Follow me on Instagram: @aligrant

Follow me on TikTok: @aligrnt 

CONNECT WITH JESS

Follow me on Instagram: @jessyoowould

Follow me on TikTok: @jessyoowould

On today's episode, we’re chatting with our new haircare bestie, Dianna Cohen! She is the founder and CEO of Crown Affair, a haircare brand empowering people to redefine their relationship with their hair through accessible luxury products, guidance, and community. In our conversation, Dianna shares her journey building the brand and her approach to managing a team. 

With her extensive experience in marketing, including running an agency and working with brands such as Harry’s, Outdoor Voices, and Yumi, Dianna provides valuable insights into the world of entrepreneurship and influencer marketing. Dianna launched Crown Affair just weeks before the pandemic hit, and she opens up about how it impacted the foundations and evolution of her brand. As a leader, Dianna takes a realistic, empathetic, and feminine approach that fosters trust within her team and empowers them to learn and grow so they’ll thrive in whatever they do next.

IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT:

- Engagement on Instagram vs. TikTok 

- How the pandemic impacted Dianna's brand launch 

- Utilizing influencer marketing for product promotion

- Tips for engaging directly and vulnerably with your consumers 

- Dianna's unique mentorship program

- Ways to foster trust within your team and empower them to make decisions 

- The benefits of a hybrid work environment when building a brand 

- Dianna’s realistic and empathetic leadership approach

- Advice for transitioning from masculine to feminine energy

CONNECT WITH DIANNA

Follow Dianna on Instagram: @diannacohen

Follow Crown Affair on Instagram: @crownaffair 

Follow Crown Affair on TikTok: @crownaffair

Check out the Crown Affair products: crownaffair.com 

CONNECT WITH ALI

Follow me on Instagram: @aligrant

Follow me on TikTok: @aligrnt 

CONNECT WITH JESS

Follow me on Instagram: @jessyoowould

Follow me on TikTok: @jessyoowould

In the current digital space, it's more crucial than ever before to diversify your online brand and develop multiple revenue streams, because you never know if platforms like Instagram or TikTok will suddenly shut down. Today we're joined by Jules Acree, a multi-platform digital content creator and entrepreneur, as she shares her insights on mindfulness, creating digital products, and focusing on steady and sustainable growth as a creator. 

In our conversation, Jules reminds us that success looks different for everyone, and the most important aspect of digital creation is finding alignment, passion, and fulfillment in your social media presence. Plus, with almost a decade of online experience under her belt, Jules shares her expert advice for moments when you’re feeling uninspired or you need to unplug from social media. 

IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT:

- Tips for getting started with meditation and implementing cycles into your daily routine

- The ways Jules unplugs from social media

- Jules’ journey into the creator economy 

- Reaching financial milestones through passive income from digital products 

- The importance of being excited by the content you’re creating 

- How Jules works with a team and a manager to maintain her brand

- Finding alignment while evolving and diversifying as a creator 

RESOURCES

- Stardust App

- Simplify + Thrive

CONNECT WITH JULES

Follow Jules on Instagram: @julesacree

Follow The Homebodies on Instagram: @thehomebodiesco

Follow Jules on TikTok: @julesacree

Subscribe to Jules on Youtube: @julesacree

Learn more and find her digital products on Jules’ website: julesacree.com

CONNECT WITH ALI

Follow me on Instagram: @aligrant

Follow me on TikTok: @aligrnt 

CONNECT WITH JESS

Follow me on Instagram: @jessyoowould

Follow me on TikTok: @jessyoowould

Between the dwindling follower counts and unpredictable engagement, Instagram is one of the most frustrating platforms for creators right now. We invited social strategist Taylor Loren onto the pod to learn about how to cut through the noise on Reels and grow on Instagram. 

Taylor is the brilliant mind behind @reelstips, which she organically grew to 230k+ followers in just a few months, and she also has a Reels course that’s helped hundreds of Instagram users expand their reach. In our conversation, Taylor gives us a peek into what we can expect from the course and shares sage advice for anyone who’s self-employed. 

IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT:

- The most effective way to reach new people on Instagram 

- The not-so-secret formula for Reels 

- Taylor’s hot take on the future of IG Stories 

- Reels and main feed strategies for aesthetic creators 

- The ups and downs of leaving corporate and starting your own business

- How to practice an abundant mindset, even when the deals start slowing down 

RESOURCES

- The Reels Course

- Scarcity by Sendhil Mullainathan and Eldar Shafir 

- Learn more about Be Social Group

CONNECT WITH TAYLOR 

Follow Taylor on Instagram: @taylor.loren

Follow Taylor on TikTok: @taylor_loren_ 

Follow Taylor’s Reels Tips, Trends & Tutorials: @reelstips 

Learn more on Taylor’s website: taylorloren.co 

CONNECT WITH ALI

Follow me on Instagram: @aligrant

Follow me on TikTok: @aligrnt 

CONNECT WITH JESS

Follow me on Instagram: @jessyoowould

Follow me on TikTok: @jessyoowould

There are three main ways to monetize your social media following: in-app, external apps, and brand collaborations. In this episode, I touch on how to flex into each area and diversify your revenue as a content creator. Some of these approaches are more lucrative than others, but the idea is to be in the driver’s seat of your personal brand and maximize what each platform has to offer. 

IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT:

- The first step to making money on social media

- Different features of TikTok’s Creator Fund program 

- What to do if your application wasn’t accepted on LTK 

- The benefits of being a user-generated content (UGC) creator 

RESOURCES

- Learn more about Be Social Group

CONNECT WITH ALI

Follow me on Instagram: @aligrant

Follow me on TikTok: @aligrnt 

CONNECT WITH JESS

Follow me on Instagram: @jessyoowould

Follow me on TikTok: @jessyoowould

Kinya Clairborne is an award-winning content creator and the founder and editor-in-chief of STYLE & SOCIETY Magazine. Not only is she an amazing example of how to transition from corporate girlie to full-time influencer, but she’s also managed to heavily diversify her brand and work with big names like Honda, Macy’s, and L’Oreal. 

In our conversation, we talk about how to translate your social following into something more concrete that you own, like an email list or a product line. Kinya also turns the mic back to us and asks about our perspective on outbound versus incoming deals and what we think about influencers working with both agents and managers. 

IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT:

• Why jumping around to different agencies can hurt you as a content creator 

• The turning point for Kinya that inspired her to go all-in on being a content creator 

• Examples of what it looks like to diversify your skillset as an influencer 

• Why we’re sick of exclusivity clauses 

• Questions to ask yourself before partnering with a manger 

• Our #1 piece of advice for all content creators

  
  

RESOURCES

• Learn more about Be Social Group

  
  

CONNECT WITH KINYA 

Follow Kinya on Instagram: @kinyaclaiborne

Follow Kinya on TikTok: @kinyaclaiborne 

Follow STYLE & SOCIETY on Instagram: @styleandsociety 

Become a STYLE & SOCIETY Insider: styleandsociety.com

CONNECT WITH ALI

Follow me on Instagram: @aligrant

Follow me on TikTok: @aligrnt 

CONNECT WITH JESS

Follow me on Instagram: @jessyoowould

Follow me on TikTok: @jessyoowould