Free Download: Designsake Studio x Create & Cultivate
You loved our first free download with our stock photo series, so we're treating you to even more free downloads!
This week, we've got 8 amazing wallpapers and patterns from the one and only Danielle McWaters of Designsake Studio. Feel free to use to spruce up your desktop background, or even add some colors to your phone's background! Use them at your heart's content! Download the pack here now, and show us how you're using them by tagging @designsakestudio on Instagram and using #createcultivate!
DOWNLOAD: Designsake Studio x Create & Cultivate
Danielle McWaters is the creative behind Designsake Studio, a boutique studio specializing in design, direction, and branding. Danielle is a believer of design and it’s ability to create new connections and lasting impressions. It drives her to create things that are not only authentic, but that matter. Working alongside her clients, she develops strategies and solutions to transform big ideas into stand out design.
Tomboy KC's Guide to Living It Up In Dallas
Lynsey Eaton traded a life of practicing law in Los Angeles for one of blogging in Dallas, where she's the executive editor of Tomboy KC, a fashion and lifestyle site she co-runs with actress Katie Cassidy. You can catch Lynsey at #CreateCultivateDALLAS, speaking on our panel The Art of the Pitch: How to Present, Sell and Negotiate your Big Idea. In the meantime, we caught up with her and got her to give us some of her favorite places in her adopted city—because we know that if she loves them, we'll love them too (and so will you, obvi.)
Lynsey Eaton traded a life of practicing law in Los Angeles for one of blogging in Dallas, where she's the executive editor of Tomboy KC, a fashion and lifestyle site she co-runs with actress Katie Cassidy. You can catch Lynsey at #CreateCultivateDALLAS, speaking on our panel The Art of the Pitch: How to Present, Sell and Negotiate your Big Idea. In the meantime, we caught up with her and got her to give us some of her favorite places in her adopted city—because we know that if she loves them, we'll love them too (and so will you, obvi.)
"Both my husband and I were working as attorneys full time in Los Angeles and we were looking to make a transition. Because Katie and I had plans for Tomboy KC and I could work from anywhere, we made the decision to move to any major metropolitan city that had the right job for my husband. Dallas just happened to be it. When I first moved to Dallas, I wasn’t sure what the culture would be like. With so much going on, moving from Los Angeles to Dallas didn’t automatically resonate as the right move for someone working on a lifestyle/fashion site. But over the last two years, so much has changed in Dallas. It is growing in ways I never could have imagined and gaining a lot of national attention from the fashion industry—and for good reason.
Dallas style is evolving. There is still a very classic preppiness and Southern femininity that permeates the City. That said, there is this strong undercurrent of a cool, self-expressionist vibe that has really started to take hold. I’m excited about that. The work culture is supportive and Forbes recently put it on its list of “Best Places for Business and Careers.” And aside from having some of the best food in the country (you don’t know BBQ until you’ve stepped foot in Texas), Dallas has some amazing transitional neighborhoods (like Lower Greenville and Bishop Arts) that are really giving the city a new cool culture."—Lynsey
On date nights, hit Gemma.
Best coffee shop: Magnolias Sous Le Pont
Best brunch spot: Henry’s Majestic
Best romantic restaurant: Gemma
Best clothing store: Forty Five Ten
Best neighborhood for strolling around on a Saturday afternoon: Bishop Arts
Best neighborhood for bar hopping on a Saturday night: Lower Greenville
Favorite place to pamper yourself: ESPA
Best place to go for an iconic ‘Texas’ experience: The Rustic
The first place you take an out-of-town visitor: The rooftop at HG SPLY CO
A Berry Bramble at HG SPLY CO
Meet the Speaker: Katherine Power & Hillary Kerr, Co-Founders of Clique Media Group
Major news today: At #CreateCultivateDallas, our featured keynote speakers will be Katherine Power and Hillary Kerr, the fashion and business powerhouses behind Clique Media Group. Katherine and Hillary founded their first media outlet, Who What Wear (yeah, we think you've probably heard of that one ;) almost 10 years ago and have since grown their company into a full-on empire that includes the websites MyDomaine and Byrdie, as well as talent management. We caught up with them to get a mere sliver of all the wisdom they're sure to drop on January 30th.
Major news today: At #CreateCultivateDallas, our featured keynote speakers will be Katherine Power and Hillary Kerr, the fashion and business powerhouses behind Clique Media Group. Katherine and Hillary founded their first media outlet, Who What Wear (yeah, we think you've probably heard of that one ;) almost 10 years ago and have since grown their company into a full-on empire that includes the websites MyDomaine and Byrdie, as well as talent management. We caught up with them to get a mere sliver of all the wisdom they're sure to drop on January 30th.
With almost a decade of running Clique under your belt, what do you think is the biggest lesson you’ve learned?
Never underestimate the importance of hiring correctly, delegating appropriately, and communicating effectively and clearly. It’s a big lesson—okay, lessons—that we continue to work on every single day.
What do you wish you had known in the beginning?
I wouldn’t trade our experience for the world. Sure, it might be nice to have some foresight into industry trends, but truthfully, hands-on experience is the best way to learn anything.
Los Angeles isn’t known as a powerhouse of fashion media. How do you think that has benefited Clique?
There’s a benefit to being an outsider, in the sense that when you’re operating outside the industry, you get to make more independent decisions and not worry about what everyone else is doing. I think that certainly benefited Clique, especially in the early days.
How have you seen the L.A. fashion landscape change since you started?
The L.A. fashion landscape has changed tremendously since we started. In 2006, the industry didn’t pay much attention to Los Angeles; now the world recognizes our incredible homegrown talent, and designers are embracing the city in a whole new way. It’s no longer seen as simply the land of denim and red carpets, but rather a place of inspiration and artistry, and an essential piece of the fashion world. We’re thrilled about it!
What has been your proudest moment with the business?
We’ve had so many milestone moments over the past nine years, but getting to announce our debut Who What Wear collection, which will be available at Target stores and Target.com starting in February 2016, certainly is at the top of the list.
Knowing grammar is like having good manners; it makes you feel more confident and at ease in any situation.
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As writers, what books (business or other) are in your forever library?
KP: Venture Deals by Jason Mendelson and Brad Feld. I listened to this audiobook before doing our Series A fundraise. I recommend it to any entrepreneur; it’s a quick way to learn the language and basic principles of the venture capital world. Also, Scaling Up Excellence is a must-read for anyone building a team or expanding a business.
HK: The Elements of Style by E.B. White and William Strunk Jr. Everyone needs to be able to write well, even if it’s just emails, which is why this classic guide is a must-read book! After all, knowing grammar is like having good manners; it makes you feel more confident and at ease in any situation.
What is the biggest lesson you have learned about being a boss and leader?
The importance of being organized, both in the short and long term. On a day-to-day basis, organization is important because it helps you manage your time and delegate effectively, both of which are key when leading a team. It’s equally important in the grand scheme of things, because if you’re organized, you’ll have enough breathing room to be able to think about the future of your industry and company, which is a big part of leading a company effectively.
What qualities do you look for in the people you hire?
People with an entrepreneurial spirit are really important to us, because we value resourceful problem-solvers who aren’t afraid to tackle projects outside the scope of their day-to-day work.
Three essential characteristics of successful brands:
• They always have a strong identity and point of view.
• They’re always evolving in an organic way.
• They’re not afraid to embrace technology.
What is next for Clique?
We are expanding internationally, launching products lines based on our core brands, and tackling mobile commerce.
Snap To It: Using Snapchat to Build Your Brand
How's this for a snappy statistic (pun totally intended): 41 percent of teens use Snapchat, and it's the third most popular social network (after behemoths Facebook and Instagram). In the 18-29 demo—the ultra-coveted millennial age group— 26 percent cop to using Snapchat, and a remarkable 70 percent of those users are women. There are about 26 million Snapchat users in the U.S. alone, and they send a whopping 400 million snaps a day. So if your brand isn't already on Snapchat, now would be a good time to start! Here, we've got you covered with a few tips and tactics to for making the most out of it, whether you're jumping in for the first time or just want to grow your audience. Now, snap to it!
How's this for a snappy statistic (pun totally intended): 41 percent of teens use Snapchat, and it's the third most popular social network (after behemoths Facebook and Instagram). In the 18-29 demo—the ultra-coveted millennial age group— 26 percent cop to using Snapchat, and a remarkable 70 percent of those users are women. There are about 26 million Snapchat users in the U.S. alone, and they send a whopping 400 million snaps a day. So if your brand isn't already on Snapchat, now would be a good time to start! Here, we've got you covered with a few tips and tactics to for making the most out of it, whether you're jumping in for the first time or just want to grow your audience. Now, snap to it!
Geofilters
For whatever city you’re in, there is for sure to a filter to match your location. Think of it as Snapchat’s digital postcard that uses a cool filter to let all of your followers know where you are. Not only can Snapchat’s geofilter feature show artwork to match the city you’re in, but if you’re hosting a large event (concert, party, festival, conference, etc.), you can also add a geofilter for your event! With a geotag filter, its a sure ticket to have tons of people share about your event to all their followers on Snapchat.
Snapchat stories
The next level to Snapchat geofilter feature is having your own Snapchat story for your occasion. Just like every city has a Snapchat story, so can your event! Give everyone who is coming to your event a chance to add your snaps to the curated Snapchat story for a chance to be featured! Not only does this give a chance for your attendees to engage more in Snapchat, but it also allows people who were not able to come to your event see it on their Snapchat feed worldwide.
When your brand has exciting news, head to Snapchat and build up anticipation by announcing it in a series of snaps.
Story lines
Do you have something exciting to announce or want to start a recurring series that lives on your Snapchat? Build up the anticipation by planning out a storyboard of how you want to announce your news in a series a snaps, and then put it into action. Not only will a story line project your message better than just a snap that lasts 10 seconds, but it will also increase your views after people see that a long series of snaps means there’s something exciting to announce.
Snapchat exclusives
When you give your followers on other platforms exclusives if they follow you on Snapchat, get ready for the views to come flooding in. Exclusivity always wins, so use Snapchat as a tool for that if you have some behind the scenes action going on, or create a promo code that's just for your followers.
If you’re already experienced with Snapchat, what are some of the tactics that have worked best for you? Let us know below!
Priscilla Castro is Create & Cultivate's Director of Social Media and Community in Los Angeles. She also does social media client work at (No Subject), and was previously Editorial Director at BeautyCon. Follow her @kodeofkondukt.
Meet the Speaker: Jenna and Lisa of Lunchpails & Lipstick
We're not ones to pat ourselves on the back, but sometimes we can't help it—and this is one of those! Our lineup for #CreateCultivateDALLAS is already killer and is only going to get better. To get you all worked up and as excited as we are, we're going to start introducing some of the awesome women who'll be there. First up: Lunchpails & Lipstick founders Jenna Crandall and Lisa Allen, who'll be speaking on our panel $$$: Monetizing across different channels and strategically growing your following. Get to know them here, and see them IRL in January!
We're not ones to pat ourselves on the back, but sometimes we can't help it—and this is one of those! Our lineup for #CreateCultivateDALLAS is already killer and is only going to get better. To get you all worked up and as excited as we are, we're going to start introducing some of the awesome women who'll be there. First up: Lunchpails & Lipstick founders Jenna Crandall and Lisa Allen, who'll be speaking on our panel $$$: Monetizing across different channels and strategically growing your following. Get to know them here, and see them IRL in January!
Your first job:
Lisa: Abercrombie and Fitch
Jenna: Really? I'm so embarrassed to say, but for two months in the summer I worked the drive-thru at Boston Market when I was 15 . I wanted a job sooooo bad, and my mom finally agreed. All my friends from school drove-thru all day long. Let's just say I increased sales for those two months.
Your first girl crush:
Lisa: I wanted to be Blair from Facts of Life. She wore nude pumps and I thought it was just so cool.
Jenna: I never had a girl crush until I started Soul Cycle last year. I've been pushed and inspired which I think is a pretty amazing quality. Not to mention my instructor's eight-pack of abs. I love her!
Favorite form of exercise:
Lisa: Orange Theory. A mix of cardio and weights.
Jenna: Soul Cycle. Pilates with the reformer. Walks with my family.
In high school, you were voted “Most likely to ________________.”
Lisa: Haha, I lost 'Best Dressed' by four votes my senior year and I’ve always wondered what happened to the girl who beat me...
Jenna: My cheer squad said Jenna is .... "the biggest health nut and most likely to own a gym."
Last thing you do at night before you go to bed:
Lisa: Kiss my husband.
Jenna: Pray for my kids
Thing you can’t resist buying in the checkout line:
Lisa: A Red Bull
Jenna: Cherry Chapstick and Mentos gum
Your local coffee spot:
Lisa: n/a
Jenna: I don't drink coffee but I drink the Strawberry Acai refresher from Starbucks almost every day.
Go-to cocktail:
Lisa: n/a
Jenna: I get a virgin coconut mojito at a local Mexican restaurant that I can't resist.
Favorite time of year:
Lisa: Spring. Everything is in bloom. The days are warm and the nights are cool. It’s my favorite.
Jenna: Spring
Best gift you’ve ever received:
Lisa: Ever? Last year Jeff made me a table and benches out of 200 year old wood from an abandoned ship. He’s really talented.
Jenna: On my 35th birthday (last year) my husband arranged a hotel for four nights with my best girlfriends in NYC and arranged activities for the entire trip. He sent me the biggest bouquet of flowers I had ever received. I felt so much love that week. It made me cry with how much he loves me.
Next thing on your to-do list:
Lisa: Today? Get my oldest ready to leave for Science Camp.
Jenna: Order Halloween costumes!
Proudest moment:
Lisa: First thing that comes to mind is my wedding day this past September. Surrounded by family, my three daughters and my husband in a place I took a big risk on moving to. Seeing all my blessings together in one spot made me very proud.
Jenna : Becoming a mother. I've never felt more proud of a decision I've made, or felt more proud of my body.
Favorite quote:
Lisa: What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say.—Ralph Waldo Emerson
Jenna:
I have two: "Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others"—Booker T. Washington, and "Good timber does not grow with ease. The stronger the wind the stronger the trees"—Thomas S. Monson
This or that:
Your wallet: Totally organized, or packed with ATM receipts?
Lisa: Totally organized, I’m OCD about clutter. It makes me crazy.
Jenna: Ha! Packed with receipts. Oops!! I can't throw things away. I have issues with keeping everything.
Chocolate or Vanilla?
Lisa: Both. Side by side.
Jenna: Chocolate anything.
Saturday morning or Sunday night?
Lisa: Saturday morning. I love sleeping in after a week of getting kids up and off to school.
Jenna: Saturday mornings are my favorite. Sleeping in never felt so good. My husband gets up and makes breakfast. It's the best day!
Dinnertime responsibilities: Cooking or doing the dishes?
Lisa: Cooking, I LOVE to cook.
Jenna: Neither. I like to bake and eat out. :)
Karaoke: In the crowd or on the stage? If on the stage, what song?
Lisa: Crowd. I have a fear of being in front of people with all eyes on me.
Jenna: On stage. Anything Madonna or Salt and Pepa
Shopping: In store or online?
Lisa: Both. I prefer in-store but sometimes the best deals are online!
Jenna: In store if I have a friend with me. Online if I'm alone.
In flight: work, nap or movie?
Lisa: Work. Always working. I take breaks to people watch. I love to observe others.
Jenna: Work & a movie
At parties: On the dance floor, deep in conversation, by the snacks?
Lisa: A healthy mix of all three. I like to make my rounds.
Jenna: On the dance floor laughing my head off.
TCB: Side Hustle Queens
All hail the side-hustle—the art of pursuing a passion project even when it's not the only thing on your plate. Here, four talented woman who are getting it done, even when there's a lot to do.
All hail the side-hustle—the art of pursuing a passion project even when it's not the only thing on your plate. Here, four talented woman who are getting it done, even when there's a lot to do.
Name: Brandy Pham
Full Time Gig: Wife, Mommy, Brandy Pham Jewelry
Current Side Hustle: Planogr.am has been a side hustle for a year now, but turned into full time along side @brandypham
Elevator Pitch:
I dreamt up Planogr.am because Instagram was such a vital part of our Brandy Pham jewelry business. If I didn't post, I didn't get a sell, and my husband quickly called that out. Being a new parent was a full time job in itself and I would have to plan out my Instagram content and draft my captions ahead of time (nap times and late at night). I would take photos and edit on my iPhone, e-mail to myself, visually plan my feed on photoshop, draft my captions in Evernote, set alarms for when to post, then copy and paste to Instagram. My husband thought I was insane, so he set out to make Planogr.am come to life for me. Now you can plan your Instagram content, draft captions, schedule each post all on one platform via mobile or web dashboard seamlessly. It's beautifully designed, simple to use, and will make your life easier whether you're a brand, business, agency, or power Instagrammer. This was truly a labor love!
How you balance the two:
Some days are better than others, but having a schedule and routine has been the key to our sanity and happiness. I love knowing exactly what's going to happen each day and it keeps my boys happy as well. Even though I have two businesses, I always make sure I take care of my family first.
My husband and I both take care of our toddler at home, and since we are business owners as well as partners in work and life, we never really stop working. We had to set boundaries, so everyday, after dinner, we take Theo out for a nice long walk and we always leave our phones at home. That's our time to really talk and have personal engagement.
We don't sleep as much as we want to, but you have to do what you have to do for the life you want. At night, we usually work until midnight or if we're on a tight deadline, we try our best to be in bed by 2-3am since our son wakes up at 6:30am on the dot. We usually put in some work on the weekends as well... it never really stops, but that's the life of entrepreneurs, right? We make sure we take some days off and some nights we just put on a movie and decompress. We try to stop and remind ourselves to enjoy the journey and have fun in the process!
We don't sleep as much as we want to, but you do what you have to do for the life you want.
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Name: Eva Goicochea
Full Time Gig: Founder/Web Designer/Brand strategist at eg° studio
Current Side Hustle: I co-founded Tinker Watches and Hush Supply Co.
Elevator Pitch:
Tinker: Build-your-own, minimalist watches
Hush Supply: Well-designed, get-lucky essentials
How you balance the two: I used a LOT of tools to stay organized and make sure to organize my in-box every.single.day. I recommend: assistant.to, Sunrise, Wave Apps, and Proposify. Also, if you work in a team, get on Trello.
Name: Monica Wang
Full Time Gig: Director of Finance at Saucey
Current Side Hustle: Photographer
Elevator Pitch:
I am a big believer in life is what you make out of it. I actively seek out opportunities and work incredibly hard to make things happen. I am constantly learning, exploring, and practicing my craft, whatever it may be, because it really does take that extra amount of effort to be great at it. My philosophy is if you want something you have to go after it with everything you got and put your words into action.
How you balance the two:
For me, I am always juggling between time and my innate desire to do everything (I get major FOMO), but I have accepted that I cannot physically nor mentally handle it all. That was a hard lesson for me to learn. I realized that I had to choose my opportunities strategically and map out a business plan for photography just the way I created business plans for Saucey. That helped me to weed out gigs that don't contribute to my overall life goals. I try to use every opportunity as a stepping stone to learn and connect with others and that has helped me to get my name out there quickly within the industry.
Weed out gigs that don't contribute to your overall life goals.
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Name: Meghan Donovan
Full Time Gig: Vice President, MSLGROUP
Current Side Hustle: Blogger behind wit & whimsy
Elevator Pitch:
I currently oversee a team working on one of the world's most recognized Silicon Valley brands as a VP in PR & marketing. When I'm not developing integrated plans or strategy, playing manager or providing client counsel, I pen my fashion and lifestyle blog, wit & whimsy which I created in 2006! See also: Brunch fiend. Soulcycle addict. Ice coffee enthusiast. Fan of wit.
How you balance the two:
After over eight years of balancing both I can say that what I've learned is that you'll never actually achieve perfection when it comes to the art of balance. But you can employ tactics for running your side hustle like you do your career to make the two manageable. These include scheduling in-person meetings to foster key relationships, finding mentors that will help inspire and motivate you and limiting your "office hours" to help diminish burnout. I've certainly had those days and weeks where I feel like I'm spinning but when I do feel that way, I know it's time to hit the pause button. I unplug, do something for myself that's unrelated to either my job or my blog and I spend time with friends that help rejuvenate me! Remember that you are not alone and can't do it all but you are powerful, capable and determined and those are all to be respected and celebrated!
Dress for Success: In the creative world, what does that even mean?
For our parents’ generation, dress for success meant somber, conservative clothes that made the wearer blend in and look responsible. For our generation, especially those of us who aspired to creative careers, the rules for dressing for success were much more vague and open to interpretation. And in a sense, also much harder to follow.
My mom thought I was sartorially unprepared for my entré into the professional world—and her doubts were well-founded. Three weeks after graduating from college in Kansas, I’d managed to land a job as a magazine editor in New York. I celebrated this feat like any reasonable 22-year-old would, and got matching tattoos with my best friend.
I’d kept the tattoo on my left foot carefully hidden, but mom was on high-alert after she found my “To-Do Before New York” list, on which I’d written “get tattoo” because that was just the kind of responsible person that I was. One morning, mom’s suspicions proved true, when I got out of bed and sleepily forgot to put socks on. She was irate, and I got a strong lecture about living and working in the real world—aka, being an adult—and also a new wardrobe, which was a strange punishment. But the new wardrobe was dressy officewear—black, boot-cut dress pants (this was the early ‘00s), stretch cotton button down shirts, and pointy black kitten heels—all the kind of clothing that I would never buy for my self, and all the kind of stuff that my mom was convinced I’d need in my newfound life as a fledgling career woman. I packed it all into my suitcase, got myself a one-way plane ticket, and once in New York, never wore a single piece of it.
My mom was far from the only parent I knew who tried to equip their offspring’s closet for grown-up cubicle life. My roommate’s dad insisted she get a suit custom-made. “You’ll need it for interviews!” he said, even though she had just spent four years studying sculpture and had no intention of going on interviews, much less any that required a suit. Her dad was involved enough to take her to the tailor, but not involved enough to stick around for the process. With no parental supervision, she designed and had made the suit of her dreams: billowing, wide-legged pants, topped off with a sleeveless button down suit vest that came complete with a detachable hood and had a bright pink lining. The result—though made with care and by no means cheap—was too hideous, even for an art major.
For our parents’ generation, dress for success meant somber, conservative clothes that made the wearer blend in and look responsible. For our generation, especially those of us who aspired to creative careers, the rules for dressing for success were much more vague and open to interpretation. And in a sense, also much harder to follow.
When I got to New York, I wasn’t rebelling against anything by not donning a button-down and dress pants that my mom had bought me. I would have worn them had they seemed appropriate, but they actually didn't. No one I worked with dressed like that, at all. I worked with beauty and fashion editors, who wore distressed jeans and platform heels, vintage dresses, boutique bags and handmade jewelry. They didn’t dress like they were trying to look responsible, they dressed like they were cool. If that was success, then dressing for it was as hard to grab onto as a chiffon scarf billowing in the breeze of a passing L train. The other adage we always hear is 'dress for the job you want, not the job you have.' That's a good point, but when the job you want seems to involve a Céline bag and a Saint Laurent jacket, that's hard to accomplish on a Forever 21 budget.
Fortunately, I had a savoir: fast fashion. I couldn’t afford what my coworkers were wearing (and in retrospect, I’m pretty sure a lot of them couldn’t afford it either), but I could at least keep up with the trends. Every paycheck, I'd treat myself to a high-street shopping trip, where I'd scrutinize the sale rack at Zara as if it were the new arrivals at Barneys. I still remember one of the best, possibly back-handed, compliments I’ve ever received, from a senior beauty editor I worked with. “I don’t know how you always look so cute,” she said to me one day as we were walking out of the building, “When I know you don’t make any money.”
As my career progressed, my jobs got more ‘creative’ and my outfits followed suit. Since I now had the job I wanted and no longer had to just dress for it, the lines blurred between what I'd wear out on a Saturday night and what I'd wear to work on a Tuesday morning. Was it always appropriate? Probably not. I once showed up to work a holey T-shirt that I’d bought off eBay (I was in a vintage Americana phase), which said ‘Maui High Life’ and was illustrated with weed leafs arranged to look like a beer can logo. “Nice shirt,” my boss said. “Thanks!” I said, “It only cost $4.” Once again, hindsight is 20/20, and he was probably being a bit sarcastic.
It wasn’t until I quit my full-time job to go freelance that I really started to think about how I dressed again.
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It wasn’t until I quit my full-time job to go freelance that I really started to think about how I dressed again. When I was working for a brand or a company, I had that pedigree behind me. I could go to meetings in a weird hat and astrological nail, and know that the business card I threw down on the table was my calling card of professionalism and know-how. But representing myself, I didn’t have that luxury. Instead, everything about me had to look professional and like I knew what I was doing. When I'd quit my full-time job, I’d initially told myself that things like shopping and manicures were luxuries that would stop when my steady paycheck stopped. Instead I came to see them as, if not actual business expenses, at least justified purchases. I had to dress for the jobs I hoped people would hire me to do. Since I work from home, I still don’t get dressed every day (and I’m actually sitting here in leggings as I type), but you can bet that when I have a meeting, I put on something appropriate, wear a little makeup (to show that I didn’t just roll out of bed), and leave the weed T-shirt at home.
How to dress for your own version of success:
1. Know what looks good on you. Even if everyone around you looks killer in a trend, skip it if it doesn’t work on you. I love the look of a sophisticated one-piece jumpsuit, but since I’m short, I just look like I’m the janitor who’s come to take out the trash.
2. If you don’t know what to wear, ask. Every place I’ve ever worked has been non-traditional, and it was always painful to see people show up to interviews in a suit (le sigh, they probably listened to their parents or a well-meaning career counselor). You can always ask the person setting up your interview if there’s a dress code, and they’ll probably give you some hints.
3. If you’re going to a meeting, think about your potential client. You wouldn’t show up to a meeting with Coke drinking Pepsi, would you? If you’re meeting with a fashion company, you don’t have to wear their brand, but dress on a level that’s on par with their products, and be aware of obvious brand conflicts. People want to know that you can understand their brand and think like they do, and what you wear is just one way you demonstrate this.
4. It really is all about the investment pieces. I still shop high-street brands like Zara and Topshop for most of my clothes, but have learned to splurge on shoes and bags. A nice bag will make the most casual outfit look more polished. Have your eye on a few investment pieces, and set up sale alerts (ShopStyle is great for this) so that you can snag them as soon as the price drops.
5. Avoid impulse buys. Give yourself a monetary limit, and if something costs more than that, impose a waiting period where you have to think about it. Usually, practicality will win out, but if you really did fall in love, and can’t stop thinking about those red patent leather pants, then by all means. Eventually, by buying thoughtfully, you’ll end up with a wardrobe as opposed to a closet crammed full of things that don’t go together. That's the kind of closet that induces those "I have nothing to wear!" mornings.
6. When in doubt, keep it simple. Your outfit doesn’t always have to make a statement, especially when it comes to job interviews or meeting new contacts. Coco Chanel herself is quoted as saying it is always better to be slightly underdressed, and when you leave, you want people to be talking about you, not what you were wearing.
Kate Williams is a freelance writer and editor in Los Angeles. Previously, she was editorial director at Nasty Gal and at Urban Outfitters, and a senior editor at NYLON magazine. Her work is a mix of editorial, ghostwriting, branded content and fiction.
Blawnde Ambition: Annie Lawless's Guide to Healthy Living
We dare you to get to know Annie Lawless and not be inspired to take your health into your own hands—it'd be impossible. After being diagnosed with Celiac's disease at age 12, Annie learned first hand how much what you put in your body affects how you look and feel. Now, she blogs at Blawnde.com (where she's refreshingly honest and doesn't try to be perfect), is a certified health coach and also a co-founder of Suja Juice (which recently sold a stake in the business to Coca-Cola for a whopping $90 million) and co-author of the New York Times Bestselling book The Suja Juice Solution. In spite of all of this, Annie still took time out of her schedule to tell us how she gets that glow. Read on, and sign us up.
We dare you to get to know Annie Lawless and not be inspired to take your health into your own hands—it'd be impossible. After being diagnosed with Celiac's disease at age 12, Annie learned first hand how much what you put in your body affects how you look and feel. Now, she blogs at Blawnde.com (where she's refreshingly honest and doesn't try to be perfect), is a certified health coach and also a co-founder of Suja Juice (which recently sold a stake in the business to Coca-Cola for a whopping $90 million) and co-author of the New York Times Bestselling book The Suja Juice Solution. In spite of all of this, Annie still took time out of her schedule to answer our burning health-and-wellness related questions. Read on, and sign us up.
What is your go-to tip for dealing with anxiety?
BREATHE + MEDITATE. Anxiety has a funny way of creeping up, taking hold of your mind, and running with it. Before you know it, you’ve traveled miles and miles with this thing in control of the direction of your thoughts. Meditating and breathing deeply into those thoughts and releasing them while clearing the mind of all judgment and thinking really helps me reset the station and come back to a neutral place. When I finish meditating, I usually feel so much less attached to the thing I was worried about and sometimes not worried the slightest bit about it anymore because I’ve stepped out and can see things more clearly from a totally different perspective.
What supplements do you take and why?
PRENATAL VITAMINS: It can’t hurt any girl to take a prenatal vitamin! They are packed with higher values of important vitamins and minerals for reproductive health and it’s not a bad idea to nourish our reproductive organs as long as we have them (even if we don’t plan on having kids).
PROBIOTICS: I’ve taken prescription-grade probiotics for years because I had some Celiac’s related damage to my intestinal lining. Apart from removing gluten from my diet, I credit juicing and probiotics as the two most important things in getting my digestive health back in a good place. The digestive system is really the key to overall health and responsible for so many bodily functions. It is responsible for absorbing nutrients, removing toxins, allergens, and microbes, immunity, metabolism, and mood. If you don’t have a healthy balance of good bacteria in your gut, your health will suffer and you will have all kinds of symptoms that may not seem related like skin rashes or depression, but they are.
FISH OIL: Omega-3 fats have soooo many health benefits! They help your body produce hormones that stop inflammation. They also help produce chemicals that keep us in a good mood and regulate sleep. The American diet is too high in pro-inflammatory omega-6 fats found in vegetable oils like peanut, sunflower, soy, and corn and too low in anti-inflammatory omega-3 fats found in salmon, flax seeds, omega-3 enriched eggs, and walnuts. A good ratio of omega 6 to omega 3 is 2:1, but most of us have a much much higher omega-6 intake than omega-3 thanks to all of the packaged, processed foods prevalent in our markets, restaurants, and fast food. A fish oil supplement can help bring the ratio to a better place by providing a steady source of omega-3’s.
MAGNESIUM: Magnesium is an amazing nighttime mineral because it has a relaxing and calming effect on the muscles and nervous system. 80% of Americans are deficient so taking a supplement is a great idea.
DIGESTIVE ENZYMES: Poor digestion can throw off healthy gut flora, and enzymes are key substances of the digestive process that help break down our food for proper absorption. Without enough enzymatic power, food can’t be digested correctly and that can cause all sorts of digestive abnormalities. Enzymes are responsible for every chemical reaction in the body, so it’s important to have enough to digest and absorb the nutrients in food that are necessary for life. Supplementing can really help you feel better after meals and digest more easily.
BIOTIN: This one is more for vanity because it’s great for hair, skin, and nails! Biotin is a B vitamin that helps thicken nails and support hair growth. I bleach my hair which is about the worst thing you can do to it, so I’m always super conscious of supporting it any way I can. Even better, biotin plays a key role in nervous system and hormone function, which helps the skin look clear and prevents rashes and acne.
What is your go-to lunch when you’re on the go but still want to eat healthy?
Whole Foods salad bar! I just Google the nearest Whole Foods wherever I am and make a big green salad with romaine or arugula, loads of veggies that I’m feeling that day, a protein like egg, tuna, or chickpeas, and I always steer clear of the bottled dressings and just go for olive oil, sea salt, and pepper. Then I run to the produce section and buy an avocado to put on myself because they don’t have it at the salad bar and avocado is my life.
Always play in the game of life—don’t just hang on the sidelines.
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What’s your favorite place to go to recharge for the weekend?
Rancho Valencia Resort in my own city, San Diego! It has the most unbelievable spa and yoga pavilion, and a great bar/restaurant called the Pony Room that becomes such a hot spot at night. Whenever I’m with a group of girls, we can stay on the property completely contained for a couple days with zero need or desire to go anywhere and we feel like we’ve completely disconnected from life on the outside. The perfect girls day is starting with yoga in the morning, brunch by the pool, massages, a light later lunch with rose, a mani/pedi, drinks and dinner at the Pony Room, and late night dessert and coffee in the Hacienda. It is perfection.
Your favorite form of exercise and why?
Yoga, walking, and occasional running! Most often, I wake up and do yoga every day first thing for an hour. I do power, vinyasa flow, yin, and hatha, depending on my mood. I barely consider this a workout because I love it so much and it sets me up for a relaxed, calm, centered mind the rest of the day. On the days I wake up feeling like getting outside, I opt for long walks. I never go inside on a treadmill because it makes me feel like a hamster. I like to be outside and get inspired by nature, the sunrise, the ocean, the trees, or whatever it is that my surroundings provide that day. By the time I’m done, I’ve had a total mood and mind transformation and it feels really awesome. I like to walk for an hour or two and I almost always go to the beach or a hiking trail. Then, there are the random days that happen as often as once or twice a week or as little as once a month, when I wake up craving some miles. When this happens, I don’t have any distance goals or rules in mind whatsoever, I just run as long as it feels good and stop when I’ve gotten what I need. This can be as little as three miles or as many as eight miles. On these run days I tend to wake up more ansty, restless, and carrying nervous energy. Running really helps me release that and leave it behind so I can enter the day fresh and clean slated.
Your skincare routine or a quick tip that gets you glowing?
I am such a freak about skincare! I ALWAYS stick to a good skincare routine no matter what. I have very dry skin, so the main focus for me is hydration. If I’m wearing makeup, I massage my face with coconut, almond, or olive oil all over to cut through it and help it wash off easily. Then, I wash my face with Eminence Coconut Milk cleanser, which is a creamy nourishing formula that doesn’t strip moisture from my skin and removes all of the makeup. Then I tone with Sanitas Hydrating Toner to exfoliate my skin without irritating or drying it out. Next, I warm a few drops of a beauty oil with my fingers (right now I’m loving the Sunday Riley oils) and press it into my skin, focusing on my cheeks and chin. Finally, I smooth on a super hydrating face cream, and this is the most important step for my skin! I switch it up a lot, but right now I’m using the Fresh Crème Ancienne and it’s amazing!
What has been the most exciting thing for you with Suja?
With our new 12oz Essentials line at a lower price point, we have been able to reach a broader consumer market and expand our distribution from the natural space to conventional retailers like Costco, Target, Vons, Publix, Safeway, Kroger, and Wal-Mart. This is an exciting shift in the availability of organic products at an approachable price point for the mainstream shopper and is a huge step in our mission to democratize organic, non-GMO juice.
What’s in your makeup bag?
Ooohh I love my makeup! I am a full face of makeup kind of girl so I like to “get ready” every single morning. For an everyday look, I always use Hourglass Mineral Veil Primer, Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder, Nars Bronzer in Laguna, Nars Blush in Angelika, the Urban Decay Naked2 Basics Eye Palette, Christian Dior Waterproof Eyeliner in Trinidad Black, Maybelline Great Lash Mascara in Blackest Black, and Smashbox Be Legendary Lip Gloss in Pout. Those items are my makeup ride or dies.
What’s your mantra or life philosophy?
Always play in the game of life—don’t just hang on the sidelines. If you don’t play, you don’t have the opportunity to win. Even if you lose, you’ll have fun and learn valuable lessons and skills for getting back out there and trying again for a win.
Catch Annie in person at #CreateCultivateDALLAS when she speaks on our panel From Start up to Success Story: Meet the ladies killing the game.
Ask: Jessy Fofana of LaRue PR answers your public relations questions
Last week, we asked what you wanted to know from PR maven Jessy Fofana. Jessy founded her agency, LaRue PR, more than seven years ago after previously working in magazine publishing and founding (and later selling) her own cosmetics company. She knows her stuff, and will soon be covering everything PR for the Create & Cultivate blog. To kick it off, she picked a few questions to answer here, and warned us she wanted to answer them all.
Last week, we asked what you wanted to know from PR maven Jessy Fofana. Jessy founded her agency, LaRue PR, more than seven years ago after previously working in magazine publishing and founding (and later selling) her own cosmetics company. She knows her stuff, and will soon be covering everything PR for the Create & Cultivate blog. To kick it off, she picked a few questions to answer here, and warned us she wanted to answer them all.
cassandramonroe What are qualities that PR agencies or personnel look for in a blogger/creative person that determines whether or not they feel like a collaboration is a good fit?
It’s always great to collaborate with a partner or influencer that approaches what they do with a creative spirit, but also like a brand/business owner. Being responsive and having a media kit and rate card ready with available stats and numbers is always appealing. Partnering with a blogger that is truly interested in the product/service they are going to collaborate on is best. It’s wonderful to team up with someone who has done their own research and is bringing creative ideas to the table that tie in what works best with their audience. Of course design, layout, image quality and general aesthetic sensibility are important, but if a PR person has reached out to you with interest they have decided you are “on brand” and the right fit. If you are an emerging blogger trying to work with a company for a collab, it’s important to know what you are about and why you feel the partnership would be beneficial. I also suggest starting with smaller businesses that might be more accessible and approachable. Finally, it’s important to have a nice working relationship, to meet deadlines, to be responsive and to share post partnership results.
mommynotes What are some good tips for negotiating with PR companies as a brand, particularly when your budget is small?
This is a great question and one that I’m sure a lot of small biz owners new to working with agencies and consultants might have. If you are interested in working with a PR firm, it’s important to find a boutique agency that has experience working with small businesses or startups. PR firms usually create their pricing structure based on time, so you want to make sure that you whittle down what your goals are and where you would like the focus to be. A good PR team will offer input and advice on this as well and can advise on where your business will see the most benefit and how to streamline efforts and costs. Some agencies will create a retainer agreement that is tiered or that increases over time to accommodate a new business. Approaching PR on a project basis (ex: product launch, around an event, or seasonally) is another way to limit the expense and create specificity for the campaign. Finally, if you find an agency or freelancer that you feel is a great fit, talk to them. While there are industry standards, there is no hard and fast rule and if someone sees the potential, they may be willing to negotiate. I’ve tried to move mountains for brands that I really believe in.
miss.collective I would love to know what approach you recommend to targeting publications after hosting an event to have the greatest success rate of getting published. Thanks!
With events there are a few different strategies to consider. We typically look at any event and consider a three-pronged approach to press coverage that includes pre-event press, “live” event press, and post event press. Depending on what your event goals are, maybe only one of these applies, but it’s important to consider all angles. If you are looking for press coverage to drive attendance and foot traffic, pre-event coverage and “live” coverage are a necessity. If your goal is to showcase a private event, the focus is typically post event outreach. For this there are a few things you need to have at the ready. Event PR usually has the best return on a local or regional level, so putting together a hit list with the best area print, digital and broadcast media is essential. Do your research and make sure you find the right contacts at each outlet. Look at who has covered similar events in the past, check titles and beats and reach out. Have all of necessary info ready, in either a press release or an event one-sheet and share a few low-res images to help create interest and excitement. If media didn’t attend the event, it’s important to have a photographer on site who can share event images for press inclusion. Timing is important. You can pitch for post-event coverage before the function happens to try and secure an exclusive story. If you have trouble getting interest in advance, then immediately following the event—ideally the next day—work on pitching it with all the juicy images and info.
mirabellamarket What is the best way for a handmade business on Etsy to gain traction and increase sales? How can we bring our products to the masses?
Fifteen years ago I would have said that traditional PR is really the only cost-effective way to bring visibility to any small business. It still is a great tool, but over the years, the scope of what PR includes has broadened and now there are so many more resources available. Social media has created entirely new outlets for visibility. Now influencer relations and strategic marketing are an important part of any PR strategy. When you have a handmade business, it’s important to get creative and to have a plan of attack. When I was in my 20s I started a “handmade small business” with a friend. Over the course of a number of years we grew our sales, and ended up selling our start-up to a multi-million dollar fashion label. One of the key factors that helped that sale along was the buzz we had created for ourselves via PR. In addition to creating exposure and sales it lent our fledgling business credibility. Don’t be afraid to pursue media coverage. I went out guerilla-style and just pitched our product and story to a ton of editors and we ended up getting featured in some of the most popular fashion and lifestyle magazines (Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle etc.). At the time I was just starting out and didn’t have a ton of PR experience, but I just pounded the pavement and believed in the product. I think that same strategy is still worthwhile and now that are a multitude of mediums to go after.
Try an organized “spaghetti-at-the-wall” approach and see where you get interest and where you get return. Make a hit list of media outlets where you would like to land your product, research contacts and try reaching out (it’s often better to start with a more junior assistant, writer or editor). Figure out a few brands that are similar in size, or slightly larger, that have a complimentary rather than competitive identity and reach out about a co-branded social media collaboration to grow awareness among your respective customer base. If the collaboration is cool, look to get a bit of press coverage on it. Incentivize your existing customers and market directly to them with original (and hopefully not annoying) promotions. Social media is a way you can share your brand identity and connect with your end consumer on a daily basis. Try to be sincere, create worthwhile content and don't be too focused on sales. Keep at it. Don’t give up. All of this takes time and keep in mind with PR specifically, you are bound to get a bunch of “NOs” before you get that “YES,” but usually that “YES” is really worthwhile.
Jessy Fofana founded La Rue PR over ten years ago after successfully directing public relations and marketing initiatives for an impressive list of well-known fashion, home décor, lifestyle and cosmetics brands and retailers. Having worked in both digital and print magazine publishing as well as co-founding a fashion and lifestyle brand that she later sold, Jessy and her team at LaRue PR understand exactly what it takes to create the kind of take-notice, multi-faceted campaign that delivers brand-changing buzz. With an experienced team of professionals, LaRue PR covers all the bases including print and digital media coverage, influencer relations, synergistic brand partnerships and more. LaRue PR provides the skill and experience of a large agency with the creativity, dedication and affordability that can only be offered by a boutique firm.
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Copyright Law 101
If you're a creative working in the digital space, it's highly likely that at some point in your career, you'll find yourself on at least one side of copyright law questions. Situation one: You regram a photo and tag the source, yet suddenly the owner is claiming copyright infringement and asking you to remove the post (or worse). Situation two: You spend hours/days/weeks working on something, only to see it pop up in other places without credit, or even credited to someone else. To find out what to do in these situations—and how to avoid them in the first place—we got Annette Stepanian, an attorney with a focus on helping creative entrepreneurs set a legal foundation for their business, to answer our copyright law questions.
If you're a creative working in the digital space, it's highly likely that at some point in your career, you'll find yourself on at least one side of copyright law questions. Situation one: You regram a photo and tag the source, yet suddenly the owner is claiming copyright infringement and asking you to remove the post (or worse). Situation two: You spend hours/days/weeks working on something, only to see it pop up in other places without credit, or even credited to someone else. To find out what to do in these situations—and how to avoid them in the first place—we got Annette Stepanian, an attorney with a focus on helping creative entrepreneurs set a legal foundation for their business, to answer our copyright law questions.
Q: Is a regram on Instagram considered copyright infringement?
The short answer to a very long explanation is “yes- a regram on Instagram could be considered copyright infringement.” But you might think, “I’m sharing someone’s photo as a compliment. I’m giving them more traffic and exposing them to my audience. Surely they won’t mind.” Sorry, but the law doesn’t care if you’re being nice. Under U.S. copyright laws, a copyright is a form of protection given to the author of published or unpublished “original works of authorship” which prevent the unauthorized use of another’s work. When you regram another’s copyrighted work without permission, you’re infringing on his/her copyright.
In fact, Instagram’s Community Guidelines caution: “[r]emember to post authentic content, and don’t post anything you’ve copied or collected from the Internet that you don’t have the right to post.” See Instagram’s . By using Instagram, you agree to its Terms of Use which specifically state that by using Instagram you are representing that the content you’re posting does not infringe on the copyright and other intellectual property rights of third party’s.
It’s a common misconception that linking to the source is enough to protect you from claims of copyright infringement.
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Q: Is a photo credit with a link to the source enough?
It’s a common misconception that linking to the source is enough to protect you from claims of copyright infringement. Giving credit and getting permission are two different things. Linking to the source is not enough because 1) the source you’re linking to may not be the one who owns the copyright and 2) linking does not mean that they have given you permission to use the photo.
Q: What do you do if you don't know the original source of a photograph?
For images, I recommend doing a reverse image search using Google Images or Tin Eye. With these online services, after you upload an image into their search bar, you’ll receive results of similar images available on the Internet. With a little investigation, you can probably locate a copyright notice on or near the image to identify the name of the copyright holder. You can also conduct a search of the Copyright Office catalogs or for a fee, have the Copyright Office conduct a search for you. Once you know who the copyright owner is, you can locate them and ask permission to use the image. Be prepared to let them know how you intend to use the image. Get their permission in writing and save it for your records.
Because copyrights are a bundle of rights that can be transferred or licensed to others for various uses, don’t assume that the photographer of the image is necessarily the copyright owner. For example, let’s say you’re writing an e-book and you want to use a specific photograph for the cover of your book. You may contact the photographer to find out that she sold her rights to the photo to someone else, who has the exclusive right to publish her photography.
If you can’t determine the copyright owner, cannot get permission, or don’t want to pay for a license to use the photograph, then it might be best to use a free image under a Creative Commons license or purchase stock photography. You may also want to limit your use to works that are in the public domain. The public domain consists of works that are not protected under copyright laws, meaning that anyone can use the work without obtaining permission from the author or their heirs.
Q: What is the potential recourse for posting an image that didn't belong to you?
If an owner of a copyrighted work learns that you are using their protected work without permission, the copyright owner has the right to take you to court and seek monetary damages as well as injunctive relief (i.e. get a court order preventing you from using the work). Whether someone will actually do so, is a different issue. However, it is always best to get permission from the copyright owner before using the work .
Q: How do you file for copyright on a blog, specifically? Do you have to file each post separately?
According to my conversations with representatives at the Copyright Office, you can register your blog as part of a compilation. That means that you don’t have to register each and every blog post separately. You can compile a series of blog posts together and register them as a group. Online content is still a rather new medium and the copyright laws haven’t caught up to reflect the world of online publishing. Before registering your blog posts, inquire about the registration requirements with the U.S. Copyright Office.
Fortunately, registering your copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office is rather simple and can be done online or with a paper application. You need to complete an application form, pay a filing fee, and submit a nonreturnable copy of the work being registered with the Copyright Office.
Note, however, that publishing a work, including a copyright notice such as (© 2015 Jane Doe) or registering a work with the Copyright Office are technically not required in order for your copyright to be valid. This is because copyright laws protect your work the moment it is created and fixed to a tangible form. Although the use of a copyright notice is no longer required, it is beneficial and easy enough to include one. A copyright notice informs others that the work is protected under copyright law and indicates the copyright owner and the year of first publication, thereby preventing an infringer from claiming that they didn’t know the work was copyrighted.
Registration is also not required, but recommended for a number of reasons. First, it creates a public record of your copyright. In the event there is ever a dispute about who owns the copyright, the registration can support your case. Second, U.S. copyrights must be registered before filing a case in court. If you register your copyright within five years of publication, the fact of registration establishes a presumption that the copyright is valid. Also if you want to claim statutory damages or you want a shot at attorney fees, registering the work prior to infringement is essential.
© 2015 Annette Stepanian
Annette Stepanian is an attorney and creative business owner who helps creative professionals and entrepreneurs lay a legal foundation for their business. To learn more, visit her website.
Disclaimer: This information is for educational and informational purposes only; it is not intended as and does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and the author. You should not act, or refrain from acting, on the basis of information provided here without first consulting legal counsel in your jurisdiction.
Smash Past The Noise: How to kill it in a crowded Instagram space
My head is still reeling from the wealth of useful insight & information I learned at the most recent Create & Cultivate event in Chicago. Most notable were those addressing what it takes to stand out in today’s crowded social media space. Whether you chooseone platform or a few in particular, the tip to stand out from the masses, is by just that. Standing out!
My head is still reeling from the wealth of useful insight & information I learned at the most recent Create & Cultivate event in Chicago. Most notable were those addressing what it takes to stand out in today’s crowded social media space. Whether you chooseone platform or a few in particular, the tip to stand out from the masses, is by just that. Standing out!
Case in point. #tbt to a hip crowded NYC rooftop bar. Around 60 social mavens stilettoed their way to a balconies edge, held their Rose wine up to the sunset sky, and proudly Instagrammed their dime-a-dozen Picasso. #nofilter. Perfect picture? Sure. Easy photo? Why not. Predictable? Absolutely!
Now to be perfectly clear, there is nothing wrong with posting images that are popular and trending. But if you want to stand out, or get featured by a hot digital publication you might want to rethink a couple of strategies, starting with these 5 easy tips.
I was voted 'best use' of Paul Smith's pink wall.
1. Just Because Everyone's Doing It, Doesn't Mean You Have To. This is a hard one as we see that great engagement comes with great composition. If you copycat trends you will always be a step behind. The goal is to put YOUR signature on a style, not follow behind one.
Actionable tip: Try a new angle on a common theme e.g. Ice cream cone from a dog or ant’s eye view, as opposed to a bird's-eye view.
2. Put Down The Phone. Hey I get it, it’s easy to follow what other people do when we have our heads buried in our social feed & it’s on constant repeat! There’s new inspiration everywhere that’s just begging to be found. I promise you, all you have to do is say YES!
Actionable tip: Go to a magazine stand or bookstore and browse magazines or art books you might not have seen before. Be inspired by a different genre.
3. Time To Engage. What I love about Instagram is the sense of community that has been built, especially when you don’t even know most of your audience. But it feels like you do right? Comment back, like people's photos, even if you don’t follow them. By engaging with your audience and being social with them, it lets them know you value them.
Actionable tip: Reply to most of your comments, for you will create raving fans that value the time you took to answer a question, or just a simple emoji back. Engagement will let you skyrocket!
4. Story Time. Sometimes it’s the who, what, and why of a shot that draws people in. A good story can be just as compelling as the image itself. It helps explain it, entice it, and adds value to your feed.
Actionable tip: Perhaps talk about the behind the scenes reasons for the shot. What it meant to you, or how it makes you feel. Your audience wants to connect with you on many levels.
5. Staying True To Your Brand. A savvy audience can see a lie a mile away. The more transparent, and the more you have FUN, the more your brand and personality will shine through.
Actionable tip: Write down who you are and who aren’t. Create a rule book for your brand based on these brand guidelines to help keep you on track.
6. Stats. By using simple tools like Iconosquare to measure engagement and look at the best posting times, you will find out what your audience likes. This will allow you to know which content performs better, hence what to showcase more of.
Actionable tip: In order to stand out from the noise you have to a/b test which images work for your audience. Find your style, test the waters, watch your stats—cause your audience will tell you what they like and what they don’t.
For this post, I used Madewell's #totewell hashtag to be featured in their campaign.
7. Tool Kit. Here’s a simple yet effective arsenal of what I use and how it works. For photo editing I use Snapseed, and then Instagram's own editing tools. Both are simple and effective. For framing I use Diptic, where you can customize borders, add text, and color correct as well. For hashtag strategies, use different ones depending on what the content is. Flowers are different to outfits and food. Be strategic, and put them in the comments. Try new hashtags as what's trending also changes. A lot of brands will have their own campaigns. It's a great way to hashtag the campaign brand to get noticed.
Actionable tip: Watch what your peers are doing. If you know someone doing extremely well, what is it that they are doing? Look at their hashtags, and photo tags. You have up to 20 photo tags, so use them! Tag brands, style groups and IG accounts that promote you on their page.
For more tips & tricks on standing out in a crowd, join us in Dallas for the next Create + Cultivate for our Style Vibes panel on how to define your personal brand!
Melinda Fleming is the founder of Curated Cool, an online destination where the world of fashion, travel and art come together. Curated Cool offers tips & advice on standing out from the masses, & finding those cool one-of-a-kind pieces. Wanderlust has Melinda flying around the world over 100,000 miles a year. Follow the adventures @curatedcool
Style Guide: Night+Market's Sarah St. Lifer, the fashionable foodie
Food and fashion are a match made in well-dressed, tasty heaven, and no one we know embodies that more than Sarah St. Lifer, a former fashion editor who now runs Los Angeles's insanely popular Night+ Market Song with her boyfriend, chef Kris Yenbamroong. Whenever we stop in Night + Market, Sarah's running around like a boss—bussing tables, pouring drinks, answering the phone, basically doing whatever needs to be done. And what really blows our minds—she looks good doing it. We caught up with Sarah to talk about the intersection of food and fashion, whether or not comfortable shoes really exist, and to get her list of food Instagrams you should definitely follow.
Sarah and Kris. Photo by Emily Knecht
Food and fashion are a match made in well-dressed, tasty heaven, and no one we know embodies that more than Sarah St. Lifer, a former fashion editor who now runs Los Angeles's insanely popular Night+ Market Song with her boyfriend, chef Kris Yenbamroong. Whenever we stop in Night + Market, Sarah's running around like a boss—bussing tables, pouring drinks, answering the phone, basically doing whatever needs to be done. And what really blows our minds—she looks good doing it. We caught up with Sarah to talk about the intersection of food and fashion, whether or not comfortable shoes really exist, and to get her list of food Instagrams you should definitely follow.
How did you make the transition from fashion to food?
I have always had a life in fashion. My mother and father owned different retail operations growing up, and some of my earliest memories include hanging out with them at work after school. Before Style.com existed (now Vogue Runway, right!?) my mom and I would sit in bed and watch The Style Channel during Fashion Week. I went to college to try my hand at being an artist, but when I graduated, I found myself at Stylelist, AOL’s fashion site. When AOL and Huffington Post merged, I would contribute at both pages. When I moved to LA, I worked at the Huffington Post LA offices until Refinery29 was hiring an LA Editorial Assistant, so I dropped everything. Refinery29, at that time, was my True North, and working under someone so sartorially-sharp was the icing on the cake. I adored every minute of my time spent at Refinery29. No job is perfect, but it was tres fun having dinners at Chateau Marmont and writing about it the next day. Luckily, I was in my mid-twenties and I could manage a late-night-to-early-morning schedule. After work, I’d cruise over to Kris’ restaurant. It was the only way I could spend time with him! Being there, I eventually evolved into the host. As the restaurant became more and more popular, I made the incredibly tough decision to put my writing career on hold to work at the restaurant.
Food unites people the same way fashion unites people. A lot of foodies appreciate good style, and those with good style appreciate good food.
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The fashion cliche is that no one eats, which is so not true. Why do you think the fashion crowd has embraced the foodie lifestyle?
I went to countless NYFW events where I’d drink free champagne and avoid the passed hor d'oeuvres. Why? the food was always mediocre back then! Now, I go to events because of the food. I truly believe that fashion has the ability to unite all walks of life. Food unites people the same way fashion unites people. A lot of foodies appreciate good style, and those with good style appreciate good food. There are some restaurants that are timeless, while others are reactions to a trend. Whatever it may be, more people are participating, and I love it.
Night + Market's colorful dining room. Photo by Emily Knecht
What is the hardest thing about working/running a restaurant?
Being able to operate at 100% after a three-hour night’s rest. Luckily, an Alfred Coffee opened across the street from our Silver Lake restaurant
What is one thing you've learned from the restaurant business that you could apply anywhere? Be passionate: it will show, and your boss will notice!
How do you keep yourself focused and going on those long-double shift days?
By prioritizing. I write down everything that needs to be accomplished and decide which items are big picture, and which are small. Big picture stuff is always in the back of my mind. If the small-picture task don’t help the big-picture, then that takes a back seat.
What's your work uniform?
I’ve become a denim nerd because of work and living in LA. It’s important for me to have my iPhone, wine key, notepad, business cards, and pens on me at all times. If a customer flags me down, I want to be prepared. I have a closet full of dresses that collect dust because none of them have pockets! I love wearing overalls — they’re practical and a great conversation starter. I have a vintage pair from Foxhole and simple black set from Citizens of Humanity. I also have a pair of white Levi’s I can’t take off. It’s awful, because working in a restaurant is not a clean job — and I’m convinced these white jeans are a magnet for curry sauces! I wear a lot of solid tees for this reason. One day it will be a Hanes, the next it will be an Acne tee — I’m all about the high-low.
Often, when you're on your feet all day, it seems like there's no such thing as a comfortable shoe. What are your go-tos that don't kill your feet?
Dansko clogs are the best, but not the most stylish. I wear my Stan Smiths mostly. I also wear Vans and Nike Air Max. I bought a pair of Nike Flyknits when we first opened Song. They were bright pink and matched the walls of the restaurant.
What do you wear/add to an outfit when you want to be comfortable but still look polished?
If I know Kris and I have somewhere to be after work, I’ll wear my rag & bone jeans. They’re jet-black and are perfect for any situation. I’ll toss on my 3.1 Phillip Lim leather vest over any tee and instantly look more put-together. I owe a lot to that vest!
Who are three rad female chefs/restauranteurs who we should all be familiar with?
• Kerry Diamond is the co-founder and editorial director of Cherry Bombe Magazine, runs three successful restaurants with her boyfriend in Brooklyn (Nightingale 9, Wilma Jean, and Smith Canteen), and is the editor-in-chief at Yahoo! Food — and she does this all while wearing Marc Jacobs and Maria Cornejo.
• There’s a neon sign at the back of Jon & Vinny’s restaurant that’s pink and says “helen’s”. Helen Johannesen runs a boutique wine store back there — but she’s also a partner in the restaurant and is the director of operations for a number of the restaurants owned by chefs Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo. She knows her stuff, but isn’t super serious about it. I like that I can talk shop with her and not feel intimidated by all of her knowledge!
• Grand Central Market is overwhelming, which is why I head straight for Madcapra. It’s an oasis, and you can bet either of the two chefs (Sara Kramer or Sarah Hymanson) is behind the stoves at any given moment. They’re such workhorses, and they make the most crave-able falafel sandwiches under the sun.
• Natasha Phan is queen bee. People have dubbed her “Roy Choi’s Right Hand (Wo)man” but I think she’s way more than just that. She’s a problem-solver, a gracious host, and total ball-buster. If she’d let me, I’d pick her brain for hours.
• Jessica Koslow. I take every LA newbie to Sqirl — it is such a uniquely LA experience. The food is phenomenal. And, even after a long day, she’s warm and welcoming.
What are three food Instagrams that you love to follow?
I have to shout out Cherry Bombe, obviously! I also love Alison Roman’s sense of humor — she’s the new Senior editor at Buzzfeed Food. Nina Clemente, Nicole Rucker, and Claire Thomas (aka Kitchykitchen) make me want to learn how to cook, but I’m actually miserable at it!
What advice would you have for someone who wants to build a career in the food industry?
I think it’s really important for those who wish to make a career in the food world to really get their hands dirty. If you want to work for a restaurant, start on the ground floor — aka start serving/bar-tending. You’ll learn how to problem-solve on the fly, and really build the muscles that those in corporate positions don’t have. You’ll be able to talk about the food in a much more passionate way, and that will show in your work. We don’t have bussers or a somm at our restaurants because we expect every server to know every corner of the restaurant. We want them to be experts on everything: why we have a poster of Cindy Crawford on the wall, how Chicken Larb is made, where Chiang Rai is… basically, always ask questions so you have all the answers.
There's long been the stereotype that women DON'T belong in the kitchen in restaurants. What do you have to say about this?
It makes my heart sink to hear these things. Yes, working in a kitchen is hard, manual labor. But, that doesn’t make it manly. Our kitchen is all women — I kid you not! We have a team of women who work harder than any of the other men who have tried. I think this happened because Kris’ food is Thai soul food, and who better to make soul food than a bunch of moms?
Photo courtesy of KCRW
Do you have any advice for dealing with machismo from coworkers or customers?
I’m the boss. When a customer or a coworker is acting out-of-line, I have to remind myself that they are in my house. I built this restaurant — when it was a pile of garbage, I was there cleaning up the mess. But, as soon as I remind myself that this is my blood, sweat, and tears, I’m instantly 1 million times more confident. Trust, I don’t act rude, I’m just filled with pride (while being poised). Basically, I remind myself that I’m in charge here — and I’ve dealt with much more difficult scenarios. Telling some cocky customer to calm down doesn’t even crack the Top 10 for “Most Challenging Moments.”
See You Soon: #CreateCultivateDallas on January 30th, 2016!
We're beyond excited to announce #CreateCultivateDallas takes place on January 30th, 2016! We'll be setting up shop in Texas with some of your favorite entrepreneurial badasses, thought leaders, influencers and industry insiders. Emily Schuman of Cupcakes and Cashmere will be one of our keynote speakers, and that is just the beginning!
We're beyond excited to announce #CreateCultivateDallas takes place on January 30th, 2016!
"We consistently poll our audience to find out where they want us to go next and Texas was the overwhelming winner," Jaclyn says, "Plus Dallas is a thriving town, home to so many amazing start ups, companies and burgeoning bloggers! We are beyond thrilled to head south!"
We'll be setting up shop in Texas with some of your favorite entrepreneurial badasses, thought leaders, influencers and industry insiders. Emily Schuman of Cupcakes and Cashmere will be one of our keynote speakers, and that is just the beginning!
Stay tuned this week (and follow us on Instagram and Twitter if you're not already) as we announce more speakers and panel discussions, bring you our favorite places in Dallas and give you an amazing sneak peek of all the inspiration that's heading your way.
And mark your calendars now: Tickets go on sale October 15. This is one conference you won't want to miss.
Link Up: What we're reading, watching & lovin' for Sept 25
Your weekend reading material right here: Finding love and ditching friends at work, deep thoughts about Kanye, a round of applause for Viola Davis and our founder makes the #Levo100.
Your weekend reading material right here: Finding love and ditching friends at work; deep thoughts about Kanye; a round of emotional applause for Viola Davis, and our founder Jaclyn makes the #Levo100.
Create + Cultivate founder Jaclyn Johnson made the #Levo100 list of trailblazing millennials.
If you’re looking to meet the love of your life at work, try one of these jobs.
But maybe think twice before finding your BFF at the office.
Tiger Beat earns its stripes in a digital age.
A New York Times must-read on America’s toxic work culture and why we need to redefine our ideas of success.
We’re reading up in anticipation of Kanye’s show at the Hollywood Bowl this weekend.
Our Social Media Director Priscilla’s new favorite photo app (and this girl knows apps): Fyuse.
True story: Use your social media followers to pay for clothes at onepiece.com.
Warning: Feels ahead—Viola Davis’s emotional speech after becoming the first woman of color to win Best actress at the Emmys.
And the prettiest toilet paper we've ever seen.
T.G.I.Fall: The perfect seasonal cocktail
The minute Labor Day is over, I can’t wait to start playing with fall flavors. It’s my favorite time of the year to make seasonal cocktails, as apples, pears and figs pair perfectly with booze and get me excited for the holidays ahead. In the spirit of “back to school,” here’s a little lesson. Consider me your teacher of leisure class, and today we’re going to learn a killer recipe that can be your go-to for entertaining this fall. Fancy enough to impress, but easy enough to mix up for any occasion.
The minute Labor Day is over, I can’t wait to start playing with fall flavors. It’s my favorite time of the year to make seasonal cocktails, as apples, pears and figs pair perfectly with booze and get me excited for the holidays ahead. In the spirit of “back to school,” here’s a little lesson. Consider me your teacher of leisure class, and today we’re going to learn a killer recipe that can be your go-to for entertaining this fall. Fancy enough to impress, but easy enough to mix up for any occasion.
Fancy enough to impress, but easy enough to mix up for any occasion.
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Autumn Gimlet
2 oz Gin
.5 oz Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice
.5 oz Brown Sugar Simple Syrup (1:1 ratio sugar + water, diluted)
1 Pear
3 Sage Leaves
Club Soda
Dollop of Butter
In a pan, melt a dollop of butter. Cut pear in half and place each half face down in the pan. As pear starts to brown, add a splash of the brown sugar syrup. Cook pear until it starts to caramelize. Remove from pan and slice each half into quarters.
In a Mason jar or cocktail mixer, muddle 1/4 of the pear, 2 sage leaves and the gin, lime juice and simple syrup. Add ice, shake vigorously.
In a glass, add ice. (I like the square Tivoli ice trays for a perfect cube.) Strain the cocktail over the new ice in the glass.
Top with a splash of club soda, and for garnish, add a slice of the caramelized pear and a sage leaf.
Put on your favorite fall sweater, sip, and savor a perfect fall moment!
Cheers,
Rachel Mae
Rachel Mae Furman is a self-proclaimed “Leisure Expert" on a quest to elevate moments, create occasions and curate experiences at any given moment. She has spent the last decade traveling the country scouring the back roads and small towns of America for inspiration, then jet-setting from city to city on the corporate dime, building booze brands in the liquor business. Inspired by her Grandmom Doris to be the perfect little hostess, Rachel is known for whipping out a mason jar Old Fashioned from her purse just when you need it. Her blog Smoke & Honey celebrates the art of leisure, from cocktails to entertaining, style to homemaking. Follow her @rachelmaefurman.
Bike Life: Whether to work or for play, it's time to #rideon
Two years ago, preschool teacher Chelsea Petrozzo turned her love of spin class into a business idea, and CitySeat was born. CitySeat makes bright colored and portable bike seat covers that can be used on stationary spin bikes and shareable bicycles, like Citibike in New York. We caught up with Chelsea to have her tell us why she loves biking and so should you.
Two years ago, preschool teacher Chelsea Petrozzo turned her love of spin class into a business idea, and CitySeat was born. CitySeat makes bright colored and portable bike seat covers that can be used on stationary spin bikes and shareable bicycles, like CitiBike in New York. We caught up with Chelsea to have her tell us why she loves biking, and why you should, too.
A shareable bike can change your life.
I started using CitiBike about two years ago when I was running late to dinner. I had only ever biked in the country so I was a little apprehensive, plus I had heels on and the traffic by my apartment is fairly crazy. I had just started prototyping CitySeat, so I figured now was the time to test the product! After I took my first ride I was hooked. There is never traffic, I get exercise while doing things I would normally be doing, and I get everywhere in the same time or less than it takes me in a cab.
Riding a bike is a new way to see the city.
I live in the middle of New York City so in a car, the scenery doesn't move so much because of traffic. It can take up to 20 minutes to get 10 city blocks. The subway is not the cleanest and always crowded. The reason I love biking is the freedom you get from being on an open road with no one near you. It's hard to have personal space in New York and riding a bike is about the only time you get that. There are so many bike lanes and the West Side Highway allows you to be outside and explore, something you don't get from alternate transportation. At CitySeat, we also really want to promote lowering our carbon footprint, so the more I can get out on the bike the better.
I love the freedom you get on an open road with no one near you.
Biking is exercise you can fit in even without going to the gym.
I tend to bike to and from spin class three to four times a week and I try to take a long bike ride every weekend. On an average week, I log about 10 miles on a CitiBike and about 60 miles at SoulCycle. Biking is really the only exercise I enjoy, so I try to get it in when I can.
Biking is good for you and the environment.
Bicycling significantly reduces transportation emissions and reduces traffic congestion and the need for petroleum. According to Transportation Alternatives, "If 5% of New Yorkers commuting by private car or taxi switched to biking to work, they could save 150 million pounds of CO2 emissions per year, equivalent to the amount reduced by planting a forest 1.3 times the size of Manhattan."
It's so easy to make the switch once you see statistics like this and know you could easily help our earth. It doesn't hurt that you burn a TON of calories, it tones your body, boosts your energy through the output of dopamine in the brain, and it lowers your blood pressure and cholesterol.
Riding in a city doesn't have to be scary.
I was very afraid at first. I stuck to streets with bike lanes and would walk the extra way to avoid cross streets. One day pretty early on, I left a really invigorating spin class and told myself I was going to do it. I picked up a bike in Union Square and walked it across the big intersection. I still stayed on one street all the way down, and then turned on a street with a bike lane but slowly, I began to take more risks. It's very important to be aware and ride to the side of traffic. Cars are just as scared of you as you are of them so as long as they see you and you make yourself known, you're going to be ok! Once you get the courage the first time, you'll be able to #RideOn.
Stay safe!
Always, always, always wear a helmet! When I first started riding I was embarrassed to carry a goofy helmet around, but safety comes first. You're not that well protected out there in the open so make sure you're safe. You always need a CitySeat to separate you from the elements and other people who have ridden before you ;). Also, as a biker, know the rules of the road and follow them. Don't try to blow through lights or go the wrong way because it's convenient. The safest and easiest way to ride is by following the rules.
And helmet hair is avoidable.
I carry a comb with me so I can quickly brush through my hair. I also often have some dry shampoo to give myself a little volume. I also keep makeup removing wipes (I love the Simple ones that don't leave any oil behind), to just refresh myself after a ride. One thing I have learned, especially on a CitiBike, is to use a purse that zips on the top so you don't lose anything along the way!
CitySeat was a no-brainer. It combined something I loved with an obvious need.
About two years ago, I was hooked on SoulCycle and became a spin fanatic. At the same time, CitiBike was coming out in New York. I was on a vacation with my family in Europe sitting at a coffee shop, watching all of these men and women riding bikes to work, dressed beautifully but with plastic bags covering their bike seats. After a few people rode by I thought, I don't get it, is there not something out there for a bike seat cover? I figured if these people were spending time getting ready and worrying about their appearance, why not take it all the way and get a waterproof, comfortable bike seat cover to go with their look?
We believe everyone should have access to a bike.
When I first started CitySeat, I knew I wanted to give back in some way and wanted to have it correspond to something with children. I'm a preschool teacher so the idea of biking and kids was on the forefront of my mind. My product designers work in Dumbo and constantly passed Recycle-A-Bicycle. We met with Karen Overton who is the director and she really captivated us. Hearing about the growth of Recycle-A-Bicycle over time and all the work they do with educating children about safe biking was really inspiring. RAB have the kids work, crafting the bikes from start to finish to get that opportunity to go on an amazing bike ride all over New York just spoke to me. When we asked what she needed, she said helmets and that was that!
Chelsea Petrozzo is a native New York preschool teacher by day and entrepreneur by night. Chelsea has always had a passion for fitness and fashion and like many, loves a good tap back during cycling class.
Read Up: The Crossroads of Should & Must, Part 2
Two weeks ago, we started reading Elle Luna's The Crossroads of Should and Must. This book appealed to us because a) it's beautiful, and b) the author's story really resonated.
Two weeks ago, we started reading Elle Luna's The Crossroads of Should and Must. This book appealed to us because a) it's beautiful, and b) the author's story really resonated.
A little over a year ago, I left my full-time job to become a freelance writer. I'd worked full-time for 12 years at five different jobs, and while I loved what I did, I couldn't ever shake the feeling that I was copping out. What I really wanted to do was write, but every time I'd start to talk about this, everyone wanted to talk me out of it. "But you have such a good job... It is so hard to get paid as a freelancer...there's no money in writing." I'd walk away from these conversations shaken and feeling like I should just be happier with what I had.
However, this resolve would inevitably fade, and I'd again start to feel like I was faking it. I did have an amazing job and I was grateful for that, but I also knew that as long as I was too scared to give full-time writing a go, I wasn't given my job the attention and enthusiasm it deserved either. I had one foot in and one foot out, and it's hard to be passionate about a half-assed life.
Finally, one abandoned cart of groceries at Whole Foods later (I panicked in the check out line—what if quitting my job meant I could no longer afford food?), and a teary conversation with my boss, where I explained it's not you, it's me (and she totally got it), at 34 I became what I'd wanted to be since I was 15: a freelance writer.
I wish I'd had this book then to walk me through it (I probably would have bought the groceries), because Elle's advice is practical yet encouraging. There are lots of inspiring stories and quotes in the book, but she pairs them with straight-talk exercises that make you examine your own truths that might actually be anything but.
Since I knew what my must was, the parts of the book that were most helpful for me were the ones that dealt with should. Exercises in the book helped me identify beliefs that I had that weren't based on experience, just things that I'd been told as a child and never examined—that I should not rock the boat, that I should never expect that things will work out, and that I should always take what I could get.
But for those who don't yet know what their must is, Elle has tons of exercises to help you figure out what it is. This part comes with a warning though: once you identify your must, it is hard to go back and be satisfied, and that your brain will rebel, because choosing must raises real and scary questions.
Now that you know what your must is, and the ideas that are holding you back, the second half of the book deals with all the practicalities of making it happen: money, time, space and vulnerability.
If you're reading along, let us know your thoughts in the comment section below or @ us with #ccreadup. What kinds of 'shoulds' do you have to stop listening to? What's your must?
Kate Williams is a freelance writer and editor in Los Angeles. Previously, she was editorial director at Nasty Gal and at Urban Outfitters, and a senior editor at NYLON magazine. Her work is a mix of editorial, ghostwriting, branded content and fiction.
Link Up: What we're reading, watching & lovin' for Sept 18
Your weekend reading material right here: Lauren Conrad, total boss; the anti-it bag it-bag; an eight-year-old journalist, tech bubbles, an elegant way to schedule Instagram (finally!) and more.
Your weekend reading material right here: Lauren Conrad, total boss; the anti-it bag it-bag; an eight-year-old journalist, tech bubbles, an elegant way to schedule Instagram (finally!) and more.
Is this 8-year-old's newspaper better than yours?: Talk about a girlboss.
Is Silicon Valley in another tech bubble?: From unicorns to unicorpse...
Mansur Gavriel's first NYFW presentation rolls out more covetable goodies.
The world through rose colored filters: How Lauren Conrad went from MTV reality princess to social style queen.
Mindy Kaling has a perfectly reasonable request.
Ryan Adam's covers Taylor Swift's "Bad Blood" with a full album of 1989 covers on the way.
Meet the Magic Castle's only female magician. Aka, your new favorite badass.
An elegant way to schedule Instagram. #GENIUS
An artist, some muppets, an astronaut and a foodie: Meet the newest Livestreaming stars every brand should know about.
And it even rained in LA.
Let's Talk Livestreaming: Periscope, Fashion & the Social Content Shift
Spring of 2015 now goes down in tech history as the advent of “lifestreaming,” or livestreaming daily activity through mobile devices. Meerkat launched in February, and as the official app of SXSW Interactive, quickly became the new social magnet, attracting brands, digital strategists, and early adopters alike. A few weeks later, in March, new-to-market Periscope was dominating downloads. The one-year-old startup which was purchased in January by Twitter in an effort to fight its decline in user acquisition, became the biggest competitor to Meerkat overnight.
Marc Jacobs on Periscope for Resort 2016 (Via Forbes.)
Spring of 2015 now goes down in tech history as the advent of “lifestreaming,” or livestreaming daily activity through mobile devices. Meerkat launched in February, and as the official app of SXSW Interactive, quickly became the new social magnet, attracting brands, digital strategists, and early adopters alike. A few weeks later, in March, new-to-market Periscope was dominating downloads. The one-year-old startup, which was purchased in January by Twitter in an effort to fight its decline in user acquisition, became the biggest competitor to Meerkat overnight.
Lifestreaming: engaging, honest, weird and the future of fashion.
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Since then, the two live streaming apps have been competing for a very similar user base. Product nuances aside, the rise of live streaming apps like Periscope and Meerkat present unique opportunities for brand integration, influencer access, and social media campaigns. Each platform allows users to create a profile and livestream whatever they want—whether it’s a monologue, a brainstorm, a band practice, or a cultural outing. Pardon the pun, but the possibilities are virtually endless. People watching the broadcast with the app are able to engage in real time: commenting on live broadcasts, asking questions, and liking the content itself. You can replay broadcasts for up to 24-hours and you can see how many people watched your “lifestream.” It’s engaging and honest and weird—all of the things you’d expect from an app that promotes such an intimate user experience.
With help from Twitter, it would appear Periscope is leading the app pack in both downloads and usage. According to Forbes, Periscope currently sees 40 years of content viewed on it everyday, with fashion reportedly one of the most popular subjects. While consumer fashion brands like Target have used Persicope to educate shoppers about its collaboration with Lilly Pulitzer, all eyes are currently on the access livestreaming provides to fashion’s most elite events. Enter NYFW.
As the fashion world and street style aficionados sprawled across the city this past week, the rest of world enjoyed unprecedented access to the bi-annual event that used to be exclusive to the fashion hierarchy. Editors and bloggers are streaming their experiences from various runway shows, while Twitter refers to the Periscope Fashion Week Phenomenon as #FashionUnfiltered. Marc Jacobs famously used the app to showcase his resort 2016 collection complete with a live Q+A post-show in June, and now, for the first time ever, the platform is partnering with Ralph Lauren to livestream the show to the platform’s 10 million users. This is a shameless (and unsolicited plug!) to tune in for the Ralph Lauren show on September 17th at 10am EDT. This is a fashion first, and will surely prompt more creative hacks for the fashion industry to provide consumer access.
Carly Rae Jepsen In Bed With Refinery 29
Livestreaming isn’t a new concept, but making it mobile-friendly provides an unprecedented and global accessibility to major events. NYFW is only one example of how livestreaming apps, and the “lifestreaming” social trend, will shape the future of social sharing and the definition of “behind the scenes.” Editorial platforms like Refinery29 have launched dedicated Periscope shows (“In Bed with R29!”), while prominent food bloggers like @MyHealthyDish_ are leading cooking tutorials. It’s the wild west of video, and anyone with a smartphone can saddle up.
Dana Kelly is a content strategist by trade and subscribes to the notion that life, lifestyle, and the left coast are what matter most. The California native spends most of her days at Mistress, and has a deep love for words, wine, and great in-flight entertainment.
Show How You #TestTheWater + Win!
We've teamed up with our friends at Simple Skincare and GoLiveHQ to bring you the ultimate business kick-start by reflecting on what has motivated you to getting any new business venture, side hustle or project going!
Start off fall right by entering to win a set of Simple Skincare Micellar cleansing products to put your best face forward, a $350 GoLiveHQ website template, and a tote-ally rad Create & Cultivate tote, notebook, and tee!
HOW TO ENTER:
On Instagram, all you have to do is share a photo showcasing how you are testing the waters with a new venture. Make sure to tag + follow @createcultivate, @simpleskincare, @goliveHQ, and #TestTheWater, and you're in!
On Facebook, tell us in the comments on this post how you are testing the waters with a new venture and tag it #TestTheWater. Make sure to follow us, Simple Skincare, + Go Live HQ, and you're in!
GOOD LUCK!
Giveaway ends 9/22/2015, 11:59PM PST. No purchase necessary. Open to US legal residents who are at least 18 (eighteen) years old at the time of entry. Winner will be contacted by 9/24/2015. Must have a ProPhoto account for Wordpress, a Squarespace account, or Showit account for GoLiveHQ templates to work. Submissions must not contain material that violates or infringes another’s rights, including but not limited to privacy, publicity or intellectual property rights, or that constitutes copyright infringement. One (1) prize per person. Prize is nontransferable. No cash alternative or prize substitutions allowed. Prizes may not be sold, bartered, or exchanged by the winners.