“It’s important to experiment with different templates and styles until you grow your voice.” – Kassandra Vargas
Gem story was written by: BOBO Marketing Services
Kassandra “Kassay” Vargas got her start in front of the camera at a very early age. She had decided that she wanted to become an actress—she even ended up getting her own agent! She quickly learned what it takes to make it in that industry. Many successful actresses wouldn’t get their big break unless they were considered to be a “triple threat”. That’s when YouTube videos really started to get her attention. Kassay began seriously looking into this platform, and she realized that people were actually making money off of it! Thus, she kickstarted her extensive research into the influencer industry.
Finding Her Footing
As if it was fate, Kassay’s research lined up with real-life events, for her peers were asking where she would get her wardrobe or certain items of clothing she owned and wore. She quickly learned that she could turn those questions into answers and then link those items into a blogging niche online for everyone to see! Today, she finds it amazing that a brand that she created back in high school is now something she is focusing on more seriously in her first semester of college.
Kassay’s mother has always been her greatest supporter and role model. In fact, all of her family members are subscribers to her blog, and they always share her content on their own social media to further show support.
Every blogger knows that to have amazing photos you need someone amazing behind the camera, and for Kassay, that’s definitely her brother! Always standing behind her even when she first started out, Kassay’s family never questioned if she’d be successful or not. They were simply happy she was doing something she loves to do—and they certainly weren’t going to complain about scoring some free clothes along the way!
Setting Up Shop
So, what exactly goes into blogging, equipment-wise? Kassay had to make use of her own resources, especially in the beginning. She used her iPhone, MacBook, and Blogger.com, which she actually still uses today (she only pays for the domain yearly). Now that she has expanded her audience, she’s invested in a ring light to give her videos enhanced lighting, bought a professional camera, and upgraded her iPhone.
Her technology isn’t the only thing that’s evolved since starting out. Kassay’s photo editing and writing skills have matured as well. In the early stages, she admits that her grammar needed some improvement. Her photos have also taken an impressive turn as well. With the otherwise saturated market of the influencer industry, it is essential to stand out from other bloggers—that’s where having graphic design skills has tremendously helped her stand out.
“It’s important to be ahead of schedule and create a schedule for yourself.”
Kassay organizes her content calendar in an Excel spreadsheet, where she jots down big-name events. Planning content a month in advance helps her to avoid lulls between when she posts content. For example, September is known in the blogging community for the heavily media-influenced New York Fashion Week, so her posts during this time of the year are centered around that event, or any major upcoming holidays and new seasons. This includes topics such as winter beauty trends or Autum fashion; posting about these topics at the right time results in higher engagement. She also links coupons or any cashback deals when referencing certain beauty items or pieces of clothing, making it very resourceful for her followers.
Finding Your Voice
Kassay did not always know the path and direction she wanted to take. As she says,
“it’s important to experiment with different templates and styles until you grow your voice.”
She wants her peers to know how important it is to stay true to yourself. Sometimes, when first starting out in anything, you try so hard to please everyone around you. Instead, Kassay urges you to focus on finding your own writer’s voice. You’ll see that your style will gradually change over time instead of every day.
In fact, some bigger companies have discovered her blog, and she hopes she can one day share what she knows with other fellow bloggers. Many first-time bloggers have the preconceived notion that you need a huge following before you can work with other brands or influencers, but Kassay assures that’s not the case. She encourages anyone considering breaking out into the blogging business to just try it. You’ll never know if you don’t try!
Finding Inspiration
Coinciding with her passion for blogging, Kassay also loves shopping! The two go hand-in-hand, and it’s no secret that the two have contributed to her current success as a blogger. Her favorite stores to shop at are Macy’s and Forever 21. Kassay also loves shopping at Marshalls and Target. She’s always looking out for the hottest new items at affordable prices.
As a current full-time student, Kassay hopes that blogging will become more lucrative for her in the long term. In fact, she aspires to work at a magazine upon graduating college until her blogging pays off.
This Gem is bound to reach great heights with her blogs. She’s very passionate about what she writes about, and you’ll love the content she puts out!
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