Today we’d like to introduce you to Carol Tune.
Carol, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started my blog in July 2016, it first started on my Instagram page and then grew into an actual website when I saw I needed more space to write than the small amount that you can do on Instagram. I guess you can say that it started on Instagram and grew to more as more was asked. When I first was posting a blog post to Instagram, it was always about something I was currently going through in my life. Nowadays, I tend to write more about how to walk through the trials that I have faced and the experiences and lessons I learned from them. Along with talking about my life, my blog grew to show other girls and ladies about the products I use and the brands I shop. So, I went from Insta-blogger to full-time blogger, to lifestyle blogger/fashion, and now, I have added travel. Now, I share my life journey and the things I have learned and continue to learn, as well as the things I buy/places I shop, and the places I have traveled to. To think that all of this started because I love to write and I was constantly giving people advice, and then one day, my friend said I should start a blog because I have so much to share. I have loved every minute of growing my blog and becoming an influencer, especially, when I get to meet all the wonderful people along the way.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Blogging has never been a smooth road, this industry can be tough and overwhelming if you let it. When I first started out, I was not getting any responses to anything I was posting, all the while other people I knew that were just starting out as well were getting lots of responses. Man, did that discourage me for a while, for about almost a full year I just gave up my blog and then July of 2017, I made up my mind that I was just going to go all in or nothing. So, that summer, I started learning more about blogging and social media, I took online courses whenever I could and I asked people to start taking pictures of me. Being a social media influencer and blogger will always have it’s pro’s and con’s but what keeps me going is that I can express myself in the most creative ways possible. When I write, it’s not just to share my story or thoughts; it’s releasing my imperfections to the world showing them that not everyone is perfect like in all the magazines they see. That there are normal people out there that struggle with things too, and that have good and bad days. I tell new bloggers all the time, if you are doing this for the fame and fortune, you won’t last long but if you are doing this to truly help others by either a means of encouraging them or helping them to better yourself then you will go far. People don’t want more fake people, they want real people; that can share real trials they have gone through and overcome. When you first start out and along the way, you will hit bumps in the road and have trails, but if being a social influencer and blogger was easy then everyone would be doing it and wouldn’t be so genuine or real for that matter. Don’t do it to make yourself rich, do it to help and better others who need to know that they aren’t going through things alone.
what should we know about your business? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I am a Lifestyle Blogger/Social Media Influencer. Basically, meaning that I create content/ blog posts that either talks about my personal life, fashion, make-up, and travel. Also, I have styled photo-shoots where I get to pick out the locations, props, outfits, photographer, and sometimes models. I am most proud of the mark that I get to leave on my followers; I always want to leave them encouraged, and knowing they are not alone in the trials they walk through in life. I believe that what sets me apart from others is that I show both the good and bad sides of what my life looks like so that it doesn’t look like my life is perfect all the time. I like to keep it real and relatable.
What do you feel are the biggest barriers today to female leadership, in your industry or generally?
Comparison, fear, and unrealistic expectations. Comparing how you look compared to the lady with more followers is a big thing, I see so many girls that are constantly comparing themselves and how their lives should look based on what they see on the internet but most people are just sharing the great things in there life. These girls are comparing themselves to perfection that isn’t even real most of the time. That then plays into the fear of never getting to where they want to be, or that if they help someone else that they will no longer be relevant; which then leads to some woman to not want to help the girls that are just starting out because they fear that they will be replaced. When in reality, each blogger/influencer has a different perspective and makes them unique to all the rest. We should really be helping one another grow instead of being in fear of being replaced. Then, you have the unrealistic expectation, where these girls who are just starting out think that they can make it big overnight without having to put in much effort or work when in reality it takes lots of hard work and effort over a couple of years to get where you want to be; it’s not horrible but you definitely have to make time for blogging/ influencing.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.caroltune.com
- Email: carolatune@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caroltune/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caroltuneblog
Image Credit:
Beautiful Exchange Photography
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