The Importance of Writing | My Opinion on Instagrammers Taking the Easy Way Out to "Influence"

Soooo I have a mini little rant. And tell me if you feel the same.

With Instagram and all those other instantly gratifying apps, I have found that over the years I see less and less people, especially “bloggers” writing. Isn’t that what the word technically means? Blogging is writing in addition to pictures and all the other aesthetically pleasing things you see on social media. Yet, a lot of instagrammers are considering themselves bloggers without putting in that extra work.

I feel like SO many people have transitioned their sites into just their Instagram platform. I mean… I get it. I get that EVERYONE has an Instagram and that it’s way easier to reach people that way because most people are too lazy to click a link that leads to a blog post. Which - PS, if you’re THAT lazy to take one millisecond to click on a link, I think there needs to be some life reevaluation there. For me, writing has always been important. From a young age I found that writing not only came natural to me, but I took a lot of pride in it because I feel like I had some sort of talent. Sure, writing isn't affecting people’s lives like maybe an actor on the big screen does but it does make you think. Hearing someone else’s explanation or opinion on certain things can influence you to consider a new idea too.

Think about this - when you see something on Instagram, it’s instant. You like it and it’s cool but a picture is a picture. You can write a caption but it only goes so far. Personally, I feel like there should be a home base for anything you put up on social media, especially if your career is in this digital world because these apps will not last forever… but a website does. Writing does and it lives on just like music does too. Think about your all time favorite musician, or even a legend like Elton John. His music surpasses time because it lives somewhere. It’s not just on a platform that will likely disappear one day and be replaced with something way more advanced. As decades changed, he adapted and put his music on records to cassette tapes and then to CDs and now to easily downloadable mp3s. But the foundation of the music was always the same. You can see that records were never going to be the end all be all, and neither will Instagram.

I feel like nowadays people are falling into the social media trap and are considering themselves “influencers” and “influencing people” without fully doing so. Anyone can put up a cool photo and start a conversation or fish their way for compliments. It’s become extremely superficial and it’s so plain to see when someone is in it for the wrong reasons. But what about the in depth details? Your opinion and the way you perceive what you’re posting is yours and only yours. Anyone can replicate a photo. I feel like its about the whole package: it’s the photo, it’s the writing, it’s the opinion, it’s the perception and story behind it.

As someone who knows first hand what it is like to have to sit down every week and rack my brain a little bit to come up with several posts that will get people’s minds interested and going is a whole other job in itself. Why are so many people not writing? It’s actually insulting to have people consider themselves “influencers” when what they’re doing is not even effecting lives positively, but it’s just keeping up with everyone else. And you don’t have to be a good writer to have an opinion or start a conversation. As long as you’re doing it in a somewhat innovative and completely authentic way, you’ll reach people.

I know that the appeal of going on a website to read something has completely taken a turn for the worse but I feel like at the end of the day it’s all we have. When you pick up a book - realize that someone took the time to write that! And it’ll stay a book forever. So if you can pick up a book or a magazine and read it, why can’t you do the same for a website? And if you are a content creator and you find yourself doing that, why aren’t you writing? Is it because it’s easier to just post a photo and take the easy way out? If someone can take the time to write a book or a column in a magazine or write a 3 paragraph blog post, why can’t you put in a bit more effort to your own stuff? Take an extra 5 minutes, and even if your sole platform IS Instagram, figure out a way you can captivate your audience with your own words and just write!

Whether you’re a natural born writer or not, I highly encourage writing. Writing is something that is vulnerable and really something that you can consider yours forever. And whether you’re a consumer or a creator, consider this and maybe make a concerted effort to make a change. If you’re the reader, make the effort to click the link, read more and honor the writing that the person put in time to do for YOU. If you’re the creator, make the effort to write more and give your audience something to think about and feel. They're looking to you for inspiration, so give it to them in the most creative way possible.

END RANT!

5 Reasons Why You Should Invest in Regularly Reading a Blog

Let’s get real for a second - in general, most people make excuses about things. I’ll admit, I am one of them at times! Too lazy, too tired, or not enough time. I may be biased, but I am a firm believer that people, especially non-bloggers should invest in actually following and reading up on a site that actually interests them. Not only do bloggers write in depth about topics they care about for their audience, but they offer a space, often that is a niche to discuss things that perhaps no one else is talking about at the moment. Blogs are meant to serve as a place where the reader can escape a bit and be a place where relatable conversations can happen.

I follow quite a few that I regularly go on their websites, YES their websites and read their posts. I love that they are relatable, honest and inspiring. Maybe I’m more open to reading them and actually make the time to read them because I know firsthand how much work goes into creating a website, writing frequent posts and creating content non-stop. I just want people who are not so immersed in this digital space to give blogs a chance because you never know what you might discover that you love! Here are 5 reasons you should invest in regular reading a blog.

It can be an easy escape

Stressed at work? Need a few seconds to yourself? Maybe you’re having an off day and you need to just take a couple minutes for yourself and take your mind off of whatever is controlling it at the moment. Whether you want to read something personal, perhaps a recipe or even about where someone got an outfit from, it can be a healthy distraction for a few minutes to regroup and get your head back into the game.

You can learn something new and develop a different opinion on a certain subject

Maybe it’s about going vegan or struggling with anxiety. Maybe it’s about a certain lifestyle or how life is in another state or part of the world. Maybe it’s on how to do something you’ve always wanted to learn. By reading someone else’s opinion or getting someone’s expertise on something can definitely alter your opinion a bit in a positive way.

You can find someone you can relate to

A lot of comfort can be found in keeping up with someone else who you feel you can relate to. The good news is, most people who have blogs are extremely receptive to people reaching out, asking for advice, or even just wanting to say hello. It’s nice knowing that no matter the distance, you can reach out to someone who may have a similar life situation and connect.

Someone else’s story can be a way to inspire a change in your own life

Reading up on someone’s blog post can often at times be like a diary entry. Bloggers invite readers into their lives and show people the inside scoop of things they are going through, things they like, things they want to change or want you to know about. It can spark some inspiration inside you.

You can develop an appreciation and acknowledgement for someone else’s honesty, vulnerability, and open creativity

Step away from your own life for a few minutes and really take in what the blogger of your choice to follow along is saying and offering to you. A well-written blog post most of the time takes a lot of time and effort to write articulately and clearly to get a message or story across. It often requires a lot of courage to be so open and honest and tap into a super creative mindset. Not a lot of people can do that, or even want to do that out of fear of being judged. Acknowledging this is important and incredibly appreciated.

Photography by: Rebecca Gnasso

Talking Starting A Blog, Entrepreneurship & All Things TGB on DIY Hustle Podcast

I’m featured on a new episode of DIY Hustle with Oscar and Taylor!

I would love if you guys could check it out - I got the chance to speak about personal branding, starting a business/blog, how it all began, Instagram vs. actual blogging, answered a ton of unconventional questions and more.

Click the link below to listen!

We have Brielle Galekovic on the show today! Check out her blog here: http://www.thegildedbellini.com/

Why Your Perception of a Career in the Blogging and Digital World is Twisted

"What do you do?" is a question I get asked frequently, as I am sure a lot of people do. To put it simply, I am a creative professional in this new-age social and digital space. Still don't get it? I am a writer, creative director, blogger, host, producer, event producer, branding expert, and entrepreneur. 

Wait... what? No, I do not have a typical 9-5. I have about a 6 am to midnight, 7 days a week career. As someone in the creative industry, content producing doesn't have a time that you throw in the towel for the night. As the days change, so does what needs to be created. Think about it this way - in the entertainment industry, it's very similar. It falls under the creative career umbrella. Content creation is made for entertainment and that's what I do. 

There's a misconception that blogging is just taking pretty photos and posting them on social media and waiting on bated breath for likes. Sure, maybe that's what it is for some people who have a lot of time on their hands or consider it a hobby. But blogging for me surpasses that and has turned into a business venture. While quality imagery and video content is something I take seriously, it's important to know that one must blend creativity and business cohesively to create a brand with a well-known reputation, aesthetic, and one that can connect with an audience. I will say this plain and clear: not everyone has this ability. You need to have a business side and a creative side to your mind. 

I feel lucky that I am only 25 and have both corporate experience and creative, freelance experience under my belt because it is these experiences that have given me everything I need to know to start an entrepreneurial business venture on my own. When I began blogging, I knew that I didn't want it to stop at a website. As someone who has been kind of a psychotic perfectionist my whole life (which has its pros and cons) I knew I wanted to take The Gilded Bellini to multiple levels. As I mentioned before, everything that is done with this blog I do myself, with the help of some very talented digital professionals that help bring my vision to life (that I would be nowhere without... you know who you are!). I have complete control over the content I create, whether it's writing my script for my brunch videos, covering a restaurant, reviewing a product, doing a social media campaign, collaborating on a video with another influencer and so much more. 

On top of The Gilded Bellini side of my life, I have a career in celebrity charity event production. If you have any idea about the extensive work that goes into event production, then you know it takes up a LOT of time. To be honest, I don't really go out that much with friends and leave very little time for a social life. I haven't even been home in almost 2 years. It's because I put my work first. When I am not working at my office, I'm working on all things The Gilded Bellini - writing, filming, networking, meetings with publicists and brands... even simply brainstorming. It is a constant around the clock job. I'm working before work and after work. Well, I have three jobs you could say: event production, The Gilded Bellini and hosting. My life is a constant hustle. While you can probably rely on your cushy 9-5 job (which I used to do too, so I am speaking from experience!) the work I do won't produce a profit or results if I do not put in the CONSTANT WORK. 

I've been put down by "friends" and family members saying that I don't have a "real career" countless times. I laugh more often than not because they don't even have the slightest CLUE about what goes into brand building and being a professional in this new-age social and digital world. I am not always public about what goes on behind the scenes in my career. But, everything you see is a DIRECT reflection of the work I have put in to make a vision come to life. The only way it has been happening is through non-stop effort, work and persistence. You need a certain type of work ethic to do anything that involves pushing boundaries and limitations. You also need PATIENCE. This stuff does NOT happen overnight. 

If you come from a traditional background, the idea of not having a traditional, society-approved career may baffle you and you probably look down upon it. That's fine. But you should not criticize those who are taking career risks that you probably haven't had the opportunity to attain. And it's totally ok - some people are more business oriented. Some people are more laid-back. Some people are strictly creative with no real sense of how to turn a vision into business. As a professional in the digital space, I put myself out there at face value and subject myself to judgement. But I also subject myself to creating a positive and reassuring entertainment space for my audience. 

My whole life I have dreamed about a career in the the entertainment industry. One where I had creative freedom and could put the things I loved out into the world and connect with other people who felt the same. And that's exactly what I'm doing now, in a very non-conventional way. It started from when I was young, too. My mom was an actress when she was younger and she's always encouraged me to be brave, be persistent and be different. An opportunity might not be there again if you wait 5 minutes. Just like an actress that is constantly working to perfect her skills, go on auditions, land jobs and make a name for herself in her field, it really translates to my own career and my long-term goals.

People think that your job is your identity. While it does make up a large portion of who you are as a character, it's not YOU. I can't stand when people define you and THINK they know who you are based on your career. You are so much more than what you do. You're more than the surface level stuff, and you're for sure more than what you put out on social media. 

For a traditional entrepreneur, you must have the skills and persistence to create an original product and market it as a business venture. As an entrepreneur in 2017, you must do exactly that, but on a much larger scale because of how easily accessible your work is to be recognized. That's why it is so important to maintain branding. Some people don't know the first thing about how to properly brand something, or publicize it or market it or even be proud of it because they're embarrassed. It is difficult to explain to someone who does not fully understand this facet of someone who runs a non-traditional business, but I know that every entrepreneur would for sure appreciate if you tried and weren't so quick to judge.

Let's face it: the digital world is not going anywhere. It's the future. We are SO lucky to be living in a world, and even in a country where being able to express ourselves through content creation is ACCEPTED for the most part and not looked down upon. What I've learned is to never dim your light just because someone else looks down upon who you are or what you're doing for whatever personal reason because they've got nothing of their own to be proud of. I encourage EVERYONE to take risks, be brave and put yourself out there. Don't make excuses. Anything that's worth it to you takes work, and I know you know that. It takes sacrifice, and sometimes pursuing what you want means giving up quite a few things. But if it's for what you love, it won't feel like a chore. Maybe working 7 days a week or writing or being in front of the camera isn't for you. That's totally fine! But please... do your best to not be so judgmental and pigeonhole or limit someone of their capabilities and intelligence just because they are not doing what YOU do. I am speaking for a lot of people who I know have seen backlash or can't put in words how they really feel. 

To sum it up, I never thought that I would be working as hard as I do, ever in my life. I thought when I worked in public relations I was working hard... and I was. 14-hour days in Manhattan are no joke. But I wasn't living up to my capabilities or trying to be my best self. I was hindering my own creative abilities by doing everything that was expected of me and I wasn't breaking out of this glass box I was put in by society, friends and family members. I have a huge respect for people who are immersed in this digital age or on a creative career path with me, and even more of a respect for people that aren't, but are open to understanding and appreciating differences. Just because someone isn't working the job that you do, doesn't mean they're not working hard to pursue what they are passionate about.

Let's respect, collaborate, understand and listen... we will learn so much more from one another, and you may realize you want to explore a new side of you that you didn't know you wanted to before.

On that note, I'm off to work! Catch ya later Bellinis, and thanks for reading and for your support. Xoxo

Photography by Emma Lynn Cinema