Instagram Influencer Spotlight On: Sheri McDonald @familyenroute

1) Tell us a little about yourself. What are you doing now and where do you come from?

I’m a 40-something married Mom of 4, who loves exploring and traveling. I have been blogging for six years, with a strong focus on travel for four of those years. I am a family travel expert for Sunwing.ca and have been involved in many travel campaigns with companies such as Disney, Beaches, Visit California, Visit Florida, Visit Albuquerque and Rocky Mountaineer. My upcoming trips include Niagara Falls, Mont Tremblant and a Western Caribbean Cruise. I Instagram all of our adventures.

2) What are your topics of interest? What do you post on Instagram the most?

I post about travel, including local exploring, culinary experiences and modes of transportation. I focus strongly on family travel, and will occasionally share a family or kid related image on Instagram.

3) How did your Instagram name come about?

I have a small travel blog called FamilyEnroute, and felt that it was a good name for Instagram as well, since my focus is primarily on family travel.

4) What are some apps you use to edit your photos? Share with us your photo-editing routine!

I mainly just use Instagram, but if I am posting images from my DSLR, I will use photoshop to crop the image and sometimes colour correct.

5) Any Instagrammers whom you really like? Which Instagrammer inspires you the most?

I love following a number of travel Instagrammers. I can experience the world through their eyes and add to my own bucket list. I also enjoy following some fashion Instagrammers and lifestyle IGers, to see suggestions for outfits, meals and more. I don’t think I could select just one person to center out.

6) If there’s one thing your fellow Instagrammers just gotta try now, what’s it gonna be?

Interaction! Liking and commenting on other IGers not only helps you to explore their images, but also to get to know others and have them come and see your page too. I have many followers who came to me because I liked their photos.

7) What’s your favorite part about being an influencer?

I have met some of the most interesting, fun and intelligent people from all over the world because of my position. I believe the relationships are the most valuable part of being an influencer, and the experiences are a close second.

8) What are some of your top tips to brands for running campaigns? How do you maintain authenticity?

Don’t put words in the influencer’s mouth. I am happy to hear what the goals of the brand are, and work with them to achieve those goals, but I am not willing to give up my voice or truth in the process. Work out those details prior to starting the campaign and it should be a win-win for everyone.

9) What would your advice be on the importance of quality and original content?

Followers are less likely to engage on a photo of something they see every day, and even less likely to acknowledge a poor quality image. We’ve all done it…I’ve put up some iffy pictures in the past, and they just don’t hit the mark. Most cases where I’ve shared images like this, I’ve been instructed that I must share a certain image. The best images are the ones that come to you, not that you are instructed to take.

10) What do you like best about partnering with brands?

I like learning about new products and places and being able to share my experiences with friends, family and followers. I have become a die-hard customer after trying some products, and I have places that I continue to visit and recommend over and over again. I enjoy being the person that my friends come to for travel advice too!