Hey What’s your blog name?
Hi I’m Alexandra and I write the blog, City Chic Living.
Where do you live?
I’m in Memphis, TN.
Tell us more about you and your blog?
I fill my days pursuing the dream of being my own boss as a full time digital entrepreneur, author, business consultant, and brand developer; while spending my evenings playing superheroes, bathing kiddos, making dinner, and tucking in my littles. I am also currently in the Business Ph.D. Program at the University of Memphis! As a mom entrepreneur and blogger, I love to cover relatable topics such as beauty hacks for the boss mom, business tips, home and garden décor, lessons on staying healthy when there is no time, unconventional parenting, and my travel diaries (with and without the kiddos).
How long have you been blogging for?
10 years!
What people don’t realize about blogging is…?
There are many components and moving parts to this business. You have to be able to manage social sites, email lists, websites, and constant self-branding if you want to be successful.
Give us your best tip for maintaining a blog work/life balance?
Do not compare yourself to others! Everyone is successful in this business for different reasons. You have qualities that are unique to you and that is why your audience loves you!
What are 3 things you wish you knew about blogging before you started?
1. I wish I took a course on social media advertising and algorithms. I have since completed several courses on these topics but it would have helped to have done it on the front end.
2. Consistency is key. You have to be able to post consistently to keep your audience engaged. While it seems easy, sometimes it is hard to come up with content on the fly. That’s why I find it best to plan my content calendar a month in advance so I can search for trending topics that my audience will enjoy reading. Be proactive!
3. This job is more than 40 hours a week but I truly love it!
What does a typical work day look like for you?
On days that I do not have school, I get up around 7 A.M. I get up and get the kiddos ready and off to school. Then, I start on my emails for the day. Around 10 A.M., after I finish my coffee, I get out of my P.J.’s start getting ready to shoot content. I will usually shoot until around 2 P.M. Then grab a late lunch and check emails again. Then, I get to editing and writing content until my kids get off the bus! Then, it’s back to “momming”; dinner, bathes, homework, the works!
We love a good plugin, what’s your favorite one and how has it helped your business?
I love Yoast. It has really helped me to move up in the pages of Google Search. It helps me write content that is super SEO friendly.
What skills and qualities do you think are necessary for a successful and professional influencer?
Creativity! The theme of the blogging business is creativity! Have fun with it and get a little wild with what you are putting out there.
What has blogging given you that no other career or job has before?
I love that I don’t have a boss and I am no one’s boss. It is so freeing!
If there’s one piece of advice you would give to someone just starting out, what would it be?
Be kind to yourself. In this business, we have the tendency to always be “ON.” As bloggers, we give so much of ourselves to our audience, and while it is mostly fun, on days that you are just not feeling it. Take a break. Mental health is a real thing. If I am in a funk, I will shut off for a day or so and come back to it. Your audience will understand. I promise.
Give us the inside scoop, is there an app or tool that you swear by?
I love Loomly for planning my content and also helping me with relevant hashtags. I also swear by FloDesk! Ever since learning about this email newsletter service at TBScon, I have been obsessed. FloDesk has really taken my blog to the next level.
While you cover a few topics on your blog, which do you enjoy the most to write about and why?
Every now and then I write what I call “exclusives.” They are usually heartfelt stories that have to do with a current situation in my life. I don’t write these often because I have to be in the right mind state for these pieces, but when I do write these posts, I find that so many are able to relate.
Let’s daydream. What would your ultimate DREAM partnership look like?
I enjoy long-term, fully integrated partnerships when I get to create branded, white-listed content on my blog, Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, in my email newsletter, and even on Amazon Live! I would love to work with Amazon! Another one of my dream partnerships would be with an airline!
We love to speak our goals into existence. What’s a current goal you’re working on?
To strengthen my affiliate business. I have been focusing on including links in past posts and all posts moving forward. I have seen an incline in affiliate income since doing so!
Celebrating the wins, even if they’re little ones, is important. What’s your most recent win with your blog?
I wrote a book, The Unconventional Entrepreneur, to share my experiences in the business. I would have never had the opportunity to write this book had I not ventured out into the blogging world!
What’s one thing in the industry that frustrates you that you wish you could change?
Sometimes this industry can be a bit closed off. As influencers and business owners, we should work together to build our industry standards and share best practices instead of being in a competitive mindset against other creators.
How has your content evolved since you first started out? What would we see if we went back into the archives?
We can’t work without a little background nose. What’s your go to?
I love classical music. For some reason it gets my creative juices going!
Okay, we’re grabbing a Starbucks for a coffee date, what are you ordering?
Nitro Cold Brew with Sweet Cream!
