EPISODE 062
Lessons from a Lifestyle Influencer
With Alexandra Nicole Nolan
Alexandra Nicole Nolan didn’t mean to become an influencer. But she created a six-figure brand from thin air with sheer determination, creative thinking and resilience.
Now on The Business of You, Alexandra shares some of her hard-earned lessons on the power of influencer marketing and unconventional entrepreneurship!
Alexandra, featured on Yahoo’s Most Inspiring Influencers list, is a self-made digital entrepreneur, Founder of City Chic Living Blog and The UE Academy, and mother of three boys. She obtained her MBA from the University of Memphis, studied International Business Studies at Bournemouth University in England, is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Marketing, and has appeared in Forbes, as well as many other notable national publications.
Through her passion as a women empowerment speaker and mentor to many small business owners, Alexandra is paving the way for aspiring entrepreneurs all over the world.
Today, Alexandra shares some of the funniest, wildest and most fascinating stories behind her brand.
Surprise, you’re on the Superbowl!
When Alexandra was asked to make a video review for Everlywell, she was on board. She used the at-home testing kits for gut health, hormone testing and more. A while after submitting her video, she received a littany of texts from her friends – “Hey, do you know you’re on the Superbowl?!”
She was surprised and amused to see that she was front and center in an Everlywell ad during the Superbowl, giving them a rave review. Many people would be annoyed that their video rights were open for use at any time – but Alexandra took this as an important lesson. Now, she laughs about it as she tells the story. She reads her contracts thoroughly or consults her husband, who is a Contract Attorney. Through lessons like these, she learns the ins and outs of her chosen business and how to successfully partner with big brands.
Personal branding wins and knee-scrapes
When it comes to her brands, Alexandra has had some big wins. She has also experienced what she calls knee-scrapes…things that serve as lessons for later.
Now pursuing her Ph.D. in Marketing, Alexandra jokes about her crash-course in business as she launched, grew and sold multiple highly successful brands in fashion and beauty. From what to name your business to understanding your competition, Alexandra gets real about what worked and what didn’t.
How do Influencers get paid?
Alexandra breaks down some of the most common ways Influencers make their money – helping us understand why Influencer marketing is so powerful.
Thinking of leveraging your audience and growing your brand? You can make money through paid posts, paid Instastories, blog and newsletter promos, making video recommendations, affiliate links, hosting events, and ads…the list goes on! During this episode, Alexandra shares her main sources of income and how she balances paid posts with her own personal content.
Quotes
“I didn’t aspire to be an influencer. I just had no money to market my store! I started a blog taking selfie pictures in my clothes. I shared makeup looks. Brands started noticing and reaching out.”
“You have family on one side of the scale, and work on the other, and it has to be balanced. And if it’s not, it has to be more family than anything. It’s an exciting thing to live in your work-life passion. But it can overtake you, as an entrepreneur. I would be up at the store until three in the morning, unboxing stuff and listening to music. But family time was suffering.”
“The world has changed so much. Everything’s digital. You have to jump on that train, pivot and be flexible.”
“Pinterest is a bomb waiting to explode. That’s where it’s at. It’s so affordable to run ads on Pinterest. The number one driver to my blog is Pinterest, over Instagram.”
“It’s 100% branding. I have to be very protective. Not only of my brand and keeping the image that I have and promoting things my audience will like…but I don’t want them to think I’m just selling. I find balance. The way influencers get paid is based on engagements and insights. They want to see your audience. I’m very particular and strategic.”
Links mentioned in this episode:
Podcast Resources
Visit Alexandra Nicole Nolan’s website at https://www.alexandranicolenolan.com/
Get DIY tips, lifestyle advice and shop clothing and beauty on the City Chic Living website at https://citychicliving.com/
Buy Alexandra’s book, The Unconventional Entrepreneur: Your Blueprint to Becoming Your Own Boss at https://main-hill-630.myflodesk.com/
Follow Alexandra on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/alexandra.nicole/
Follow Alexandra’s Facebook at Https://www.facebook.com/alexandranicolenolan
Connect with Alexandra Nicole Nolan on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra-nolan-601755b1
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