Instagram Influencer Spotlight On: Amanda Upadhyaya @amanda_u_blog

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

I have been operating my blog for 2 1/2 years. I live in Orange County, CA, and am a fashion loving first time mom with a passion for living life to the fullest. I write from the heart and stay true to who I am and share life experiences with my readers in hopes of inspiring them. I have a love for fashion, travel, and anything involving creative outlets.

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

I love to do style and fashion posts sharing some of my day to day looks or outfits from events I attend, mommy and me style, health and beauty, mom advice and personal experience, events – including local events I attend or events I plan, and travel.

3) How did your Instagram name come about?

The name of my blog is The South Coast Movement but since it is a little long I wanted to use my first and last name in a simple way: ‘amanda’ is my first name, last name is Upadhyaya but I simplified it so it is easy for readers to find using just the letter ‘u’ and I post mainly blog information so I added ‘blog’ at the end.

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

The main app I use is Looksee, occasionally I use VSPO. I take photos professionally on my DSLR, email them to myself and edit them in Looksee so that they maintain the same visual color tone and flow.

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

Something Navy is my favorite blogger to follow on Instagram, I love Happily Grey’s photo flow, and Hubble and Duke is my favorite for children’s fashion and style.

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

Boomerang!!! SO much fun to make with friends!

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

I love the engagement that my readers and followers share. There is nothing better than sharing a personal post from the heart and getting messages and emails from readers and moms who said my message personally ‘spoke’ to them and brought them comfort in their own struggles, just to knowing they aren’t alone.

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

Work with influencers who already regularly share similar style products to your brand, or when you work with an influencer have her share a story on how your product or brand is incorporated into her daily lifestyle. It feels more authentic this way and little less out of left field to their readers.

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

This is of the upmost importance for bloggers and influencers. Blogging was started as a platform for people to express their creativity in a safe place and to have an outlet to do so. This meant posting original work and ideas that you have so that you could share and ‘influence’ others who may have the same interest. It is so important for influencers to keep that nature of the business up, otherwise blogging is no longer seen as a creative outlet and loses its authentication.

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

I love trying out new products, seeing what works for myself and my family and then getting to share those products with my readers. There have been products I would have never known about that I have worked with in the past that I am now a regular customer for because that is how much I love it, and I am sure to share that with my readers and followers! There are also times when I have shared about a product and I have readers messaging me saying they have been looking for something similar and were happy I shared because now they love and use the product all of the time.