Influencer Spotlight: JeeYoung from Simply & Every

The Motherhood is excited to kick off this new year by recognizing one of our many hardworking, smart and creative influencer partners; meet JeeYoung from Simply & Every! Each time we work with JeeYoung, we’re always amazed at the quality of content that she produces! JeeYoung is a mom of three boys, living with her husband in the Detroit area. Her blog covers a multitude of parenting and motherhood topics, including food/drink and style trends.

Enough from us though, let’s hear what JeeYoung has to say about the evolution of her blog, her opinion of the state of influencer marketing and advice for new influencers:

What do you feel is the #1 trend in influencer marketing in 2019?
I think video content and long form content are (back) on the rise and taking over content creation for influencer marketing.

What content do you feel your readers find most valuable?
I think my readers find the most value in my motherhood stories and “How-To” guides of how we cook/run/play/learn/wear/travel/etc. in our household. I think we also enjoy the sense of community that we all might not find elsewhere.

How has your blog changed since you first got started?
At the center, the focus of my blog remains constant: motherhood/lifestyle and every day tips and guides of how to survive and thrive in the chaos that is parenting. The changes have been very intentional as I grow as a content creator. My changes are focused on bringing better content and posts that bring value to my readers and followers. My passion for writing and photography grows and evolves constantly and I hope that translates well in the ongoing changes in my blog since I first started and into the future as the blog’s dynamic evolves.

What advice would you give to someone thinking of who wants to be an online influencer?
Research, go for it, & Stay true to who you are! I’m a firm believer that the only dreams that don’t come to fruition are the ones not chased after. But, knowing that this industry is full of an enormous amount of information, my first piece of advice to someone considering it, would be to research the heck out of influencer marketing, social media, and blogging. Lastly and most importantly, stay true to you who are. A genuine connection is the best part of influencer marketing!

What trend is on its way out?
“One and done” brand shout outs. I think influencer marketing is shifting towards meaningful, ongoing partnerships between brands and influencers. In my opinion, authentic stories are at the heart of influencer marketing. To create genuine brand awareness and long-term ROI, ongoing partnerships are so important to tell an honest and valuable review.

What’s your greatest challenge when working with brands?
I think it’s probably two things on opposite ends of a spectrum. The most difficult challenge I’ve faced is lack of communication. On the flip side, another difficult situation to work through is when there is too much engagement/guidelines on the brand side as it deters the creative process.

What’s your best blogging or social media tip?
Pinterest is your best friend – for both the info to research and for utilizing as a traffic driver if you choose to run a blog.

Favorite program you’ve done with The Motherhood?
Mouse + Magpie! It was such a fun experience to re-do my two older boys’ shared room. And we love the line! The products are of amazing quality and we’ll be setting up their new rooms with all their fun room décor!

Thank you, JeeYoung from Simply & Every blog!

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More about The Motherhood’s Spotlight Blogger Series
Each month, our internal team convenes and discusses our latest programs, stellar partnerships and top influencers. It’s not about numbers, but rather, the quality, authentic content they’re delivering consistently. It’s about reliability, professionalism and partnership. We discuss our nominations for the month and ultimately decide on just one blogger to feature.

Take a look at our other featured influencers here, and come back next month for the next Influencer Spotlight!

Matt of Plating Pixels has a passion for food and photography, which the name of his blog may give away! He started his top food blog in 2014 and has developed hundreds of recipes from easy weeknight meals to healthy comfort food to decadent desserts, all usually with 10 ingredients or less! We love working with Matt, which is why he’s our Influencer Spotlight this December. We asked him some questions about the influencer marketing and social media industry. Take a look at his thoughts here!

Tell us why you blog.
Cooking has always been a passion of mine. I’ve also dabbled around with photography, but had a hard time figuring out what I wanted to do with it. Naturally combining these two creative outlets into one led me to starting Plating Pixels. It’s also rewarding to share my recipes with readers and help them learn about cooking in the process.

What content do you feel your readers find most valuable?
I think simple recipes like easy weeknight meals, and appetizers are always popular. Whether you’re a beginner or pro in the kitchen, these type of recipes do well. I’m still surprised that this simple how to bake moist chicken breasts post resonated so well with my audience.

Where do you see the most engagement with your content?
Pinterest does well and is one of my best social media channels. Instagram is also an important outlet for any blogger, and I’m looking to grow that this year.

What’s the #1 question you’re asked by your readers, and what’s your answer?
Can I substitute _____ with _____? Not all readers have the same tastes, access to ingredients, or dietary lifestyle. Providing suggestions, alternatives and tips to readers helps makes your recipes more accessible.

What’s the #1 question you’re asked by your brands, and what’s your answer?
How would you use our product in a recipe? Sounds simple, but any time you mention a brand or product, it should be authentic and original. Brands are looking for unique ways to introduce their products to new audiences.

2018 is the year of: _____.
Instant Pot. Currently I don’t own one, but after seeing so many Instant Pot recipes this year, I feel like I’m missing out.

What are brands doing right when working with bloggers?
Letting bloggers take creative freedom with their recipes and messaging around the product. The more organic a post can feel, the more likely a reader will value that recommendation. Too many key messages or product links can come across as insincere.

Favorite program you’ve done with The Motherhood?
The program with Morinaga Nutritional Foods, Inc./Mori-Nu® Silken Tofu, featuring these Vegan Vietnamese Tofu Spring Rolls. It’s a simple recipe that’s fun to make, and tasty. I’ve been wanting to do more video, and this was part of the campaign. It was a great way to practice recipe videos and provide more valuable content to readers.

Who is your mentor?
Honestly, I don’t have one at the moment. I’m working toward growing my blog in a big way for 2019. Along with creating amazing content, mentors, mastermind groups and support in general is a valuable part of this.

How do you organize your day?
This is an ever-evolving process. Currently I use a lot of Google spreadsheets, reminders on my phone and calendar events. I plan to move everything into Asana to get a bigger overall picture and better manage everything that goes with growing a food blog.

Thank you to Matt of Plating Pixels!

Cristina of Una Colombiana en California is a foodie, mama of two and a top lifestyle blogger! Take one look at her Instagram feed and you’ll want to be friends with her in real life because of her fun and colorful approach to life. That’s why we selected her to be our Spotlight Influencer this November! Read our Q&A with her and learn more about her blog, thoughts on the influencer marketing industry, her proudest personal achievement and much more.

1) What do you feel is the #1 trend in influencer marketing in 2018?
Videos, definitely. Especially when we want to share a recipe. Every day there are more brands that ask me to create a short recipe video. I am also sharing videos day-to-day, especially recipes on Instagram Stories.

2) What content do you feel your readers find most valuable?
There are two kinds of topics that my readers follow with greater enthusiasm: the daily activities that I do with my children, and recipes. The number of interactions with fans is much greater when I share a little something that we are enjoying, as well as the adventures that I invent for my children to get to know California.

3) How has your blog changed since you first got started?
The changes have been made in the aesthetics: better photos and a template that is more pleasant for the reader. The content of the blog remains the same, though: I show the daily life of a Colombian woman in California, an adventure that my two children have joined.

4) What advice would you give to someone thinking of starting a blog?
Recently, a young woman who was just beginning to build her blog asked me the same question, and my answer was to write about the topic about which you are most passionate. This way, you will always be authentic and writing on your blog will not feel like an obligation, ever.

5) What trend or platform is on its way out?
It is a reality that Google + said goodbye to us, and I think the next platform in saying goodbye can be Snapchat. Instagram has taken a lot of advantage with its Instagram Stories; even teenagers are switching to this social network.

6) What’s your greatest challenge when working with brands?
I always try to promote the products that I recommend on the blog in a natural and organic way. I believe that a real-life story is the best way to sell. For that reason, I only work with brands of which I am a customer in everyday life, and that I would recommend to my friends from personal experience. I think that brands understand it perfectly and prefer a real story to “propaganda,” but some agencies do not consider it that way.

7) What’s your best blogging tip?
Always be yourself. Authenticity above all. Adjust yourself to the influencer marketing trends, but stay true to that idea that you had when you wrote the first article of your blog.

8) Favorite program you’ve done with The Motherhood?
If I had to choose only one, I would go to the Guitar Center campaign! It is as if a dream had come true with this project. I saw how my daughter’s interest in learning violin grew and one day, I received the opportunity to take private classes at Guitar Center. It came at the perfect time and with great benefits. I will always be grateful to The Motherhood for such an amazing experience! I also want to emphasize that The Motherhood has always given me total freedom in the way of expressing my ideas to the readers. Without conditions or restrictions. Working with them is a privilege.

9) What is your proudest achievement?
As a blogger, becoming an ambassador of brands to which I have been faithful all my life has been a great achievement for me. Being able to recommend your trusted products and also be paid for it is a success. As a person, my proudest achievement has been to form a great team with my family. My children enjoy so much with all these experiences, that for them it is natural to see their mother chasing them with a camera all the time. They even ask me to take photos and videos!

10) What are your three most-used emojis?
I just checked my phone and the most used emojis are:

 because I’m always laughing!

 because I love what people post on their social networks.

️   because I give thanks with a smile to the messages that leave me in my publications.