becoming "@natwazowski"
Striving to become an "influencer" wasn't my ultimate goal but it was without a doubt a passion I was determined to excel in.
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I remember looking at my roommates in 2019 and saying “I’m going to have 10K followers on Instagram by the end of the year” and they looked at me like my head had just spun around 360 degrees (I think I'd have fainted if I knew that I'd have a combined following over 60K across TikTok & Instagram in the following year).
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I am incredibly humbled and amazed by the opportunities and experiences that unfolded for me on this journey. Attending events, walking red carpets and connecting with fellow creators was an absolute honor. Additionally, the experience provided me with invaluable insights into running one's own business.
the truth about "Influencing"
Before we delve into my personal background, it's essential to shed light on the influencer industry. Unfortunately, there is an negative stigma surrounding “influencers”, often portrayed as individuals who gain fame without reason, merely sharing Instagram photos and avoiding conventional "9 to 5 jobs”. I can confidently say from first hand experience that this couldn't be further from the truth.
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While it's accurate that content creators don't follow a 9-5 schedule...the reality is that they are engaged in their work around the clock, 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
Content creators are running and managing their own business all while learning the intricacies of marketing and discovering what it takes to thrive on social media.
Below, I've provided a glimpse of the stepping stones and daily responsibilities involved in self-managing oneself as an influencer.
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The first step often involves unpaid partnerships where creators promote products in exchange for exposure. It can be frustrating, but it's an important tactic to attract the attention of larger brands.
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Once securing paid partnerships - independent creators must manage the collaboration from start to finish which involves constant communication, reviewing contracts and handling negotiations.
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Influencers are paid a fixed rate per project - not by the hour. The time invested can range from 3 to 27 hours or more depending on the project.
Additionally, brands often request multiple rounds of edits.
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Influencers must make sure to engage with other creators, building friendships and alliances through mutual support.
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Building trust with your community is paramount. Influencers must establish a connection that makes their audience trust their product recommendations.
This endeavor involves continuously responding to hundreds, sometimes thousands of comments, engaging with direct messages and creating interactive content for them.
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Attending events is a common practice, especially in places like NYC where there are sometimes 1-3 events nightly for products, brands and store promotions.
These events typically involve networking while simultaneously creating content to share from the event itself.
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Staying true to your identity is vital. When an influencer's page is overwhelmed with collaborations they risk losing their community's interest and trust. It's essential to consistently create personal content that reflects your daily life, including activities, relationships, experiences, and more.
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This means carving out and devoting time to creating this content on your own time and dime.
Becoming an "influencer" is NOT for the faint of heart. It's disheartening that these individuals are often misconstrued, as influencer marketing is undeniably the driving force in today's marketing landscape.
a dream come true
After dedicating a year and a half to crafting engaging content without many paid partnerships, my breakthrough arrived with my first time surpassing 1 million views with two different TikTok videos - HERE and HERE. The success of these videos not only greatly impacted my follower count but became a driving force in my motivation.
It was at this point that the paid partnerships I had been striving for started pouring in and I was able to settle into content creation as a full time job. Examples of these partnerships can be viewed on my Social Media Milestones page as well as below where I have a list of notable brand partnerships with clickable brand logos to sample our collaborative work with ease.
I had an Instagram Reel go viral not 6 months after my success started to flourish on TikTok which brought a plethora of new followers to my Instagram account and in turn, additional paid partnerships. I had the distinct pleasure of attending PR events, walking my first red carpet with a creator friend of mine for the premiere of Amazon Prime’s “Modern Love” and attending events in the company of celebrities such as Julia Fox, Emily Ratajkowski and Minnie Driver.
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Embarking on a full-time content creation journey was an unforgettable chapter in my life—one I reflect upon with immense pride and without a single regret. With that being said, after nearly two years I found myself longing for a role that offered more stability in both schedule and income. This led me to take a substantial step back from the world of influencing and redirect my focus toward working with Alexandra Beth Fine Jewelry.
It's important to acknowledge another significant factor in this career shift. I am a firm believer in open communication and conversation about mental health. During my time as an influencer, the constant intertwining of my self-worth with daily social media engagement took a toll on my mental health and overall sense of value. This realization played a pivotal role in my decision to distance myself from the industry.
The pressure to be constantly "on" is undeniably taxing, and I stand both amazed and empathetic towards creators who choose it as their full-time career. It demands resilience, and I share this aspect of my journey with the hope that it fosters understanding and compassion within the industry.
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