Hi Kara! What’s the name of your blog.
Where are you from?
Columbia, Maryland.
Tell us a little bit more about you and your blog, The Beauty Minimalist.
I work full-time as a digital marketer and I’m also a part-time beauty blogger. I write about everyday makeup and skincare primarily for beauty beginners and makeup minimalists.
Give us your best tip for staying on top of the blog/work/life balance?
Have dedicated “off hours” and “off days.” Otherwise, you’ll always be working and it will lead to burnout. Look for ways to automate your content as much as possible – plan out your social posts, your blog content, etc.
Fill in the blank. What people don’t realize about blogging is…
It’s time-consuming. Blog readers only see the final product (beautiful images, video, and well-written copy). What they don’t see is the first and second drafts of the post, unedited images, the planning and props, the photography equipment, the creativity that went into the concept, etc.
What are three things you wish you knew about blogging before you started?
I wish I understood all the expenses associated with having a blog. The initial expense for a domain is like $10 or $15 but what I wasn’t prepared for was the web hosting, security essentials, etc. Then, it only takes one instance for your website to get hacked and then you end up spending another $85 on website security to prevent it from happening again. I started blogging back in 2012 and it was way less competitive back then but now the market is oversaturated and so I think it’s good for any new blogger to study the current landscape and see if the topic may be too competitive. Having a unique selling proposition (USP) is crucial if you want your blog/brand to have longevity.
What skills and qualities do you think are necessary for a successful and professional blogger?
I think being a self-starter is key to being a successful blogger. In theory, being your own boss is great but you have to set your own goals, deadlines, office hours, etc.
What has blogging taught you/given you that no other career or job has before?
Blogging taught me so much about self-worth and the value I bring as a marketer and individual. As someone who works full-time, the corporate world can make you feel replaceable. I’ve had many jobs in my career and the one consistent job has always been blogging. Blogging has taught me about building relationships, time management, meeting deadlines, and creating something that I can call my own.
What’s one piece of advice you would give to someone just starting out in the blog world?
Take the time to figure out what your goal is and what you want out of blogging. Will the endeavor be a hobby? Do you want to generate income from blogging? Do you want this to be a full-time gig or a side hustle? I think it’s important to figure out your intentions because it will help you figure out your next steps and ultimately, shape your future.
What is one thing in the blogging industry that frustrates you that you wish you could change?
Seeing micro and nano bloggers get taken advantage of by brands, whether it’s brands using unauthorized content for marketing purposes or sending free products in exchange for unreasonable deliverables.
How has your content changed since you first started blogging?
When I first started blogging in 2012, my blog was titled Politics of Pretty and it was focused on covering beauty and lifestyle on a local level (and a play on D.C.). In 2020 I rebranded to The Beauty Minimalist after realizing that the content I created most often was centered around minimalist makeup looks, easy skincare routines, and reviewing well-edited beauty essentials.
What’s your most recent WIN with your blog?
My most recent win was securing another paid campaign with a skincare brand I worked with in 2021. I feel like recurring partnerships come few and far between and it felt really good to get positive feedback from the brand and say they wanted to work with me again because they enjoyed working with me and found my content effective really meant a lot to me.
