Instagram Influencer Spotlight On: Erika Crowl @live_read_write

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

There’s constant in the past and the now.

A common thread, which despite the many addresses on my driver’s license (or school papers before I was of driving age and possessed that rectangular card with an awkward photo), has never NOT been a part of my mutt-of-an-accent self.

That constant? Books and reading. Words.

If you took a map and drew a dotted line that traced moves across the United States and across the Pond, I’d likely be able to share a book from each pinned place that impacted me in some way.

So, when something becomes akin to the very air you breathe, you can’t help but share it with the world. This love for books, specifically children’s literature and language, blossomed into a career in education and basically a vehicle to share the beauty and transforming power of words and stories with children and their adults.

Currently, I curate children’s books and educational resources at my online home, Live.Read.Write. (livereadwrite.com). I also teach middle school French and have (too) many things on my "someday" list, not limited to crafting stories of my own.

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

Books. Reading. The Book. Languages. Books. Scripture. Marriage. Motherhood. Education. In no particular order. Did I mention books?

3) How did your Instagram name come about?

Since the first grade I’ve loved to read and write. Yet as I got older I realized in order to write a good story you need to not only read but get out and live. So my mission is to encourage kids to love books but not to miss out on the LIFE we’ve been given.

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

What a great question. Can I show you my phone? I’ll do my best to describe the process. First, after taking about 10 photos (on average), I narrow down the contenders to one or two. The chosen photo then heads over to Afterlight, where it gets the crop, sharpening, and light edits, and occasionally a light filter. Then the photo typically moves to ColorStory where it might receive additional sharpening or occasional flare. Then, shhh, here’s a little secret. If I need to cut out a line or blemish, Retouch does the trick. Finally, the photo visits the "stamp" shop in A Beautiful Mess, where it receives the official Live.Read.Write. watermark. This sounds complicated, but it’s routine now like my morning coffee!

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

Where do I start? The best thing about Instagram is connecting with people in different niches. To name a few: I love Emily Freeman for her calming "space for your soul to breathe" photos, former Influence group leader Jadyn Senior for her eye for design and intentionality, Avery and Augustine for her crisp book photos and shared love of reading, Ann Swindell for her bright and cheery feed which matches her sweet and giving spirit, Aimee Bourque for her family friendly food photos because books and Instagram are great, but we need to feed our families!

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

Okay, I’ll give one + a bonus. First thing is not a technical tip. It’s a connection tip. Pick 5 feeds you love and comment on their posts. Not just "like" or a fun emoji (although those are great, too) but really take time to encourage that person and share how their post/photo/feed INFLUENCES your life. Bonus: the Retouch app.

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

I’m playing a broken record. But connection. It brings me great joy to connect with others with both similar and different stories. Because that’s what life is about. Story and Relationship.

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

It kind of all goes back to parts of the body. No, before your mind goes south, I mean the 1 Corinthians 12 Body. If you’re a mouth, speak. If you’re an eye, watch. If you’re a hand, help. We all have a role to play. " For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, ‘Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,’ that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, ‘Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,’ that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body." (vv.14-19 ESV).

Putting this into kid lit story language, if you’re a roaring front-and-center lion, don’t compare yourself to the behind the scenes mouse. Or rather, the other way around. I am quiet leader, and I’ve learned to embrace that and admire the strengths in the cast of characters, not envy them.

Another tip: try everything. Especially at the beginning. Try different types of posts, marketing, and social media fields. I once heard that picking a social media platform, say Instagram, but I would add: don’t assume everyone else is in your head and is on #teaminsta. Make it your main focus, but don’t forget to share on the other platforms as well in some fashion. Even if you just hit the SHARE button to Twitter and Facebook. You don’t want your #teamtwitter and #teamFB people to miss out!

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

Do not forsake quality and originality! My heart skips a few beats sometimes when I fear I am not posting enough. Again, back to the Lion-Mouse syndrome. Don’t compare. If so and so has a plate with less on it and she’s able to post once, even twice a day, DO.NOT.PANIC! Look at your plate and do what God has made room for on your plate. And with excellence. If there’s a space for the chickpea salad, by all means, go all out garbanzo!

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

Connection. It’s a beautiful thing to 1) connect with people who share common (and different interests!) and connect others by way of a product or service. And, when a brand aligns with what you are beaming with passion about (oh, let’s just say books or ethics or crocheting or Jesus) it’s a small bit of paradise this side of heaven.

Topics:

• Design
• DIY & Crafts
• Education
• Film, Music & Books
• Kids & Parenting
• Travel

Country:

United States of America