Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Nicoletta.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Emily. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
For as long as I can remember, I have been an avid fan of fashion. There was something always very gravitational to me about being well-dressed. It has always fueled my confidence and sense of self-worth. In my mind, a flowy dress or simple pair of well-tailored pants truly has the power to make somebody feel unstoppable.
I styled myself in silence for years and like many other women, I followed several fashion bloggers and stylish influencers on social media. I also work full-time in Marketing/Advertising here in Dallas and have had the unique opportunity to work with brands and influencers on the business side of things, getting to know both ends of the blogger industry very intimately.
But after some time, I began to notice that many of the accounts I followed and worked with inevitably began displaying similar patterns – they began prioritizing sponsorships over substance and started losing their sense of authenticity online. Styles began to evolve to blend in with the brands they were working with and their focus shifted towards posting what was popular, rather than what made them unique in the first place. This resulted in cookie-cutter appearances and the same posts over and over on my feed.
But most importantly, one day I sat down and looked through these influencer’s accounts and realized one thing… I had absolutely no idea who these impeccably dressed women were. Aside from fashion, I didn’t know their hobbies, their passions, their strengths, their weaknesses, or their emotions. Here they were trying to convince me to take their recommendations and opinions to heart when I clearly didn’t know a thing about them.
That is when I made the decision to start my blog Gamer In A Gown. The name of the blog was inspired by my connection with fashion as well as my deep personal love for video games, something many people may not assume about me upon the first encounter. And that fact actually fueled the purpose of this blog – to help readers understand that fashion in only skin deep. There should be so much more to you than just the clothes on your back. Dress well, look great, and be confident, but also be proud of the quirky and interesting little things and thoughts that make you who you are. Never be afraid to proudly display them, even if they may seem uncool, different or odd to others.
Today, my blog brings the term micro-influencer to a new level. I am as small as can be, and I absolutely love it. Would brands, businesses, or other bloggers see me as successful? Probably not. But today, I am able to share who I am authentically and unapologetically to a close-knit group of individuals who truly value what I have to say, and to me, starting Gamer In A Gown has been the most rewarding thing I have ever done.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
For me, comparison has been my biggest struggle and it is something I am still dealing with to this day. I found it to be impossibly disheartening working on crafting the perfect post, spending hours upon hours editing photos and writing from the heart, only to see another new blogger completely outperform you in every single way. But I noticed that if you give in to comparison and envy, you will sabotage yourself.
I made the mistake of coming into the blogging game thinking this industry was a competition, not a culture. When I first started writing, I turned my nose up at other bloggers who reached out to me early on, judged other’s posts and captions profusely, and excluded a “holier than thou” attitude. Want to know the difference between myself and those other bloggers who reached out today? They are much more successful than me.
Blogging is a community that requires mutual support and friendships in order to survive. You can’t come in with an attitude of arrogance or suspicion – trust in others, provide support whenever and however you can (even if there is nothing in it for you), and just really have fun with it.
But in this saturated market, I have found the entire blogging process to have its frustrating and exhausting moments. I have had so many days where I wanted to give up, and sometimes I actually did. This summer I found myself taking a full hiatus from Gamer In A Gown to focus on my health and iron out some life changes. While I don’t recommend taking as much time as I did off, always put your mental health first. Putting yourself out there is exhausting, and if you need a moment to breathe always make sure you give yourself that. I like to say run your accounts for yourself first, and your followers second.
The final piece of advice I have is that no matter what you are trying to start – whether it be a blog, a career path, or a business – the road will absolutely never smooth. In fact, buckle up because it is going to be a bumpy ride from beginning to end. But that should never deter you from exploring your passions and getting started because those bumps consist of some of the most rewarding life lessons you will ever experience. Just start… do it right now! Good things don’t come to those who wait – in fact, you know what comes to those who wait? Nothing.
What should we know about Gamer In A Gown? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I currently work full-time at a Dallas marketing agency as a Strategist and Digital Buyer, but when I am not working 9-5, I am working on bettering Gamer In A Gown.
Gamer In A Gown can’t necessarily be categorized as a fashion blog – in fact, I can’t quite quantify exactly what it is. I like to think of it as a “whatever I feel like today” blog. I like to write about fashion, video games, career tips, self-awareness/mental health and so much more.
Regardless of the topic, what makes my blog special is the amount of real, raw authenticity I put into it. On Gamer In A Gown, you can expect much more than a perfectly posed picture and simplistic caption. I have shared my personal stories, thoughts, fears, and struggles for the world to see. I have written about my favorite fashion trends and video games, but have also publically posted about deeply personal things, including my battles with feeling inadequate and my life-altering experience buying my Instagram followers to name a few.
To some, pulling the curtain back this far may feel intrusive, and I completely understand that. But for me, the level of dedication and vulnerability I put into everything I write has truly made an impact in two ways.
First, hearing the effect this type of realness has on my followers and friends is truly rewarding. I feel extremely honored to hear that my posts make an impact, make somebody think, or even help them realize they are not alone in their thoughts and feelings.
Second, I am proud of the impact this silly little blog has had on me. The level of introspection that I have gone through to develop and write my blog has resulted in a much deeper bond with myself and a better understanding of who I want to become. I have never felt more in tune with who I am, and I only have Gamer In A Gown to thank for that.
Who do you look up to? How have they inspired you?
I wish I could narrow it down to specific names – but I have to say the entire community of female micro-bloggers, micro-influencers, and small business entrepreneurs across the internet inspire me.
These women may not be famous or rolling in cash and they may not have brand deals with Revolve. In fact, they may not even have more than 100 followers, but it never stops them. Every single day I see other micro-bloggers and female small business owners support one another with enthusiasm and pure positivity. They still post, share, and create with as much passion as they did when they first started, and they don’t let the lack of immediate growth deter them from continuing to follow their dreams.
I think that amount of drive and dedication is something we should all aspire to have. It is so easy to give up nowadays (trust me, I’ve done it once), but having the bravery and faith to keep pushing and working towards your goal is the most inspiring thing I can imagine.
Contact Info:
- Website: gamerinagown.com
- Email: gamerinagown@gmail.com
- Instagram: @gamerinagown
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/gamerinagown
Image Credit:
Paper Ban Photography
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