Instagram Influencer Spotlight On: Tracy Wong @gilmangirl

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

My name is Tracy Wong and I’m a Beauty and Lifestyle Blogger from Singapore. I blog at gilmangirl.livejournal.com under my blog name ‘Dainty Diva’ and I’ve been a public blogger for the past 7 years. I then started using Instagram few years back under Instagram handle @gilmangirl.

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

I like to post pictures on the events that I’ve attended; food; dance and fitness activities and the places I’ve been to. My Instagram is connected to my blog such that whenever I publish a blog post, I will follow up by doing an Instagram posting on it.

3) How did your Instagram name come about?

This is quite embarrassing because many people have asked me why I named myself ‘gilmangirl’. It was actually a username that I created back when I was 12 years old and have been using it till now. Back then, I idolized a country singer named Billy Gilman as he was the same age as me but he was so successful in his music career at such a young age. I listened to all his songs and my friends knew that I admired him greatly (I even wrote him a fan letter which I never mailed out!). When I started using the Internet, I decided to name myself after him, i.e. Billy Gilman’s Girl or rather Billy Gilman’s Fangirl. I got used to my username after a while.

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

I actually don’t edit my photos much except to change the lighting if the photo looks dull and grey. I use Aviary to crop photos and change the lighting and Photo Grid if I want to do a collage.

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

I really like @michellephan and @itsbubz. They’re my favourite social media personalities and both of them inspire me A LOT. I always felt that both ladies have it all and I turned to both of them for inspiration on beauty, fashion as well as advice about family and life.

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

I’m into fitness so I’ll definitely recommend fellow Instagrammers to explore different fitness activities such as pole dancing, aerial arts, trampoline rebounding, fly yoga, etc.

Fitness used to be boring as hell but there’s so many fun fitness activities lately that you will not only enjoy yourself; your body will also thank you.

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

I love to feel like I’ve done my part in influencing others just like how others have influenced me. Along the way as a blogger, instagrammer or influencer, I’ve received some letters from readers and sponsors about how they’ve enjoyed reading my blog and their compliments about my writing style. It’s very reinforcing to know that whenever you write something, you have a group of readers who will appreciate and support your work. For them to even take time to write to me means a lot and it motivates me to create even better content for them.

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

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

My advice is to develop your own style of writing and DO NOT COPY PRESS RELEASES. Many influencers can also have the same sponsorship as you and may publish content on it at the same time. You don’t want to feel like you are producing the exact same content with your fellow influencer friends. So what makes you different? The photos you take and the way you write on the topic. You need a style that defines you so that it will make you different without trying too hard.

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

It’s cool to get to know what goes on behind the brand. Often, you see the brand from a consumer’s point of view but this time, you’re going behind the scenes to know the people behind it and the kind of work that they do. I’ve gotten to know a lot of people and made a lot of friends in the process of collaboration and I’m really treasuring every moment of it (and I thought I wouldn’t be able to expand my social circle once I’ve stepped into the workforce!). I also appreciate the opportunities and eye-opening insights that came along with these collaborations so I’m truly thankful for it.