Instagram Influencer Spotlight On: Jillian Bacarisas @jillianlaagan

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

I’m Jillian and I’m a writer. Three months ago I quit my job as a creative director and writer in a local lifestyle magazine because my heart wanted me to be out of my comfort zone and travel. With only $100 in my pocket, I took a leap of faith to jump into the unknown, and now I am currently in one of the Philippines remote province, chasing waterfalls, charting undiscovered spots, meeting weird people ,knowing their culture, and discovering odd things about a particular place. I am also doing a side job as a tour guide, and I travel with my musician boyfriend. I am also a skimmer, and I dreamed to be a surfer someday.

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

I am interested in travelling undiscovered beautiful spot, bikinis, spirituality, and the little things that makes this world beautiful.
I usually post my travel photos in my bikinis.

3) How did your Instagram name come about?

My instagram name is jillianlaagan, Jillian is me, and “Laagan” is a vernacular term, specifically a Bisayan term in the Philippines that means someone who can’t stay in one place, or someone who is always on the go.

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

I use VSCO Cam and Instagram to edit my photos. I use C1 +10, and I play around on Instagram with brightness, contrast, and warmth. For my blog photos, I use a portable adobe photoshop.

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

I usually follow local Instagrammers like @leagoeson, @mikkomahinay, @kimcamjones, @elaineabonal, and the traveling couple @foxandbunny. It’s @elaineabonal who inspires me the most because she’s also a dreamer, and her posts are with great passion and story.

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

They should visit Siargao Island in the Philippines! They will not only going to make the most of their time surfing, swimming, and discovering places, but they will also learn a lot of life-changing, mind altering stories, especially if they make friends with the locals.

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

Well, it always makes me feel so alive when I receive messages from people who are inspired with my stories, and the kind of life I chose. There’s something in messages like “Because of you, I didn’t gave up” that somehow enriched my soul, and it’s kind of telling me that I’m in the right track. It’s making everything, even past mistakes, ALL WORTH IT. Freebies are just a bonus!

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

Well, they should target the right influencers and love them. Always value their creativity and effort. Because by that, you can let them work from the heart, and give you the most creative campaign. We all know that everything that comes from the heart is beautiful. Always know that followers, especially this generation are wiser, they will always know if the brand is presented honestly or not.

I maintain authenticity by educating myself with what is up with my fellow influencers, and strive to do the other way around. Most of the time, I just follow my heart.

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

When you know that it’s original and is really from your creativity, you will take pride of it, even if it will only reach a few people. You will genuinely benefit from it, it will boost you as a person, a creative, and influencer, and it will make you generate more creative and original content. Stealing is addictive, don’t get trapped.

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

One of probably the best thing about partnering with brands is being able to reach new followers and readers. Because this would mean, new people who I will inspire. It will also let my then follower to strengthen their trust with my stories.

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