Today we’d like to introduce you to Erin Ates.
Hi Erin, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I had always loved content creation and social media as a young girl and after going to college for two years, dropping out, and not really knowing what to do, I decided to get a license in Esthetics.
After getting my Esthetician license and working as a Licensed Beauty Advisor at SEPHORA, I decided to take the plunge to become a full-time beauty influencer and content creator.
The journey to becoming a full-time influencer started in 2022. At the beginning of my journey, I didn’t know much about the business side of influence, so I decided to invest in an Influencer Coach- Nina Zedah, from Sidewalker Daily. After working with her for about three months, I landed my first paid brand deal of $6K and even landed a coveted spot on the Sephora Squad with under 10K followers on my platforms!
At the end of 2022, I made $50K in brand partnerships alone. In 2023, I was selected as one of the Sephora Squad Mentors for the 2023 Sephora Squad. By the end of 2023, I had accomplished so many things, from being the face of a Sephora campaign with my photo in all of the front windows of Sephora stores in the US and Canada, being a member of the Neutrogena Network and going to Coachella, and I made over 150K in brand partnerships with under 20K followers on my platforms!
It’s now year three, and I am more dedicated to helping other micro-creators and influencers in the beauty space through mentorship and talent management!
Alright, 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?
It has not been a smooth road at all! My biggest challenges were:
– My peers/family thinking that I’m dreaming too big, that I’ll never make it, or that what I am doing is cringey.
– My parents wanting me to get a college degree and not open to any career path that didn’t involve a college degree
– The financial struggle to be able to invest in my business and help my business (social media strategist, influencer assistant, influencer coach, etc.)
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in creating short-form social media content for makeup and skincare brands! I’m known for creating educational content that is engaging, fun, and filled with personality! I am also known for my transparency about my experiences as an influencer, sharing my advice and my wins and struggles.
What sets me apart from most influencers and creators is that I consistently break all the rules for what it means to be a “small influencer.” I made six figures as a small influencer; I get invited to brand events, go on brand trips, work with some of the biggest beauty brands in the game, and get amazing opportunities like being on a billboard in Times Square, New York, and more!
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
Helping other creators and influencers with the business side of their business matters to me the most because I know that this career can change lives, and I want to help people change their lives by doing something that they love!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.themelanin-method.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/themelanin.method
- Other: www.tiktok.com/@themelanin.method.com
Image Credits
Destinee Paige
