Miranda Woodruff
Miranda Woodruff
Social Media Strategist / Micro-Influencer
Midland, MI
www.themavenlifewithmw.com
facebook
instagram @themavenlifewithmw
pinterest
youtube
twitter @TheMavenLife1
snapchat @mwmakeupmaven
WHAT DO YOU DO?
“I am a wife, soon to be mother, marketing student, social media strategist, and I run a lifestyle page doing reviews/vlogs/ and pretty much sharing everything in my life with my following.”
WHAT STEPS DID YOU TAKE TO GET TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW?
I started where I was with what I had. I really just jumped in and conquered my fears of making videos and what others would think of me. I have worked hard to stay authentic with my audience and not focus so much on being "instagram perfect". I have opened up about my depression and anxiety disorder as well. I know my audience appreciates the vlogs and coupon codes and reviews...but they really love when I open up and I am real with them about every day struggles. Maintaining that open honesty and vulnerability has allowed me to grow and gain the trust of my audience. I work hard to maintain those relationships by also participating in celebrating their milestones and being a supporter during their struggles. As I grow sometimes it is difficult to keep track of everyone, but I always do my best to make each interaction meaningful and from the heart. I love fostering personal connections on my page, making people laugh, and bringing positivity into the lives of others.
How do you stand out in your field?
As stated above I have never been the one who is "instagram perfect". I am not a size 0, a model, rich, or going on lavish vacations all the time. Im a real woman just trying to navigate life. I started this in 2015 and my following has watching me get engaged, plan a wedding, buy our first home, and now they are joining me in my journey on becoming a mother for the first time. I feel our connection is so much more than a surface level/ pretty picture. It has meaning. It is genuine. I want others to know that they have someone they can look to for inspiration who isn't perfect and has struggles just like they do. I'm not trying to show off perfect life, but an imperfect life that has so many beautiful moments to cherish.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?
Right now I am working on trying to balance work life, family, and still growing my social media influence. It gets hard trying to show up for everyone all the time. I feel that I have been able to grow very well on my own just "winging it" and learning as I go. I feel if I had the right company guiding me and helping me become more efficient with my practices it would take me to the next level.
WHAT'S YOUR STYLE/PERSPECTIVE/TASTE? DO YOU HAVE A PROJECT THAT REPRESENTS THIS?
I am kind of a mix. Some days I'm put together and others I'm a sloppy mess. I try to showcase real life posts vs. posed professional photos. I follow quite a few bloggers/influencers. A few that I look up to and that inspire the style I would love to showcase would be: http://instagram.com/mykastauffer
http://instagram.com/_meg_leigh
WE ARE ALL SLASHIES WITH MULTIPLE SKILLS, WHICH ONE DO YOU WISH YOU COULD DO MORE OFTEN?
Definitely my Lifestyle page. I would love to get to a point where I am making my main income through influencer work.
WHAT IS FRUSTRATING YOU RIGHT NOW?
Coming up with content to post, consistency, and video editing.
IF YOU COULD HIRE SOMEONE FOR $20/HR, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE THEM DO TO MAKE YOUR DAY EASIER?
Video editing, consistent engagement with new people on IG to help me grow, brand outreach.
LET'S BRING OUT THE TIME MACHINE. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU COULD HAVE TOLD YOURSELF, WHEN, AND WHY?
I wish I could go back and tell my 20 year old self to just start with my beauty blog/youtube channel. At the time I had a boyfriend and friends who thought it was weird. This was back when youtube was just becoming a thing for influencers. Had I let go of that fear and started I know I would be so much farther by now.
IF YOU COULD TALK TO AN EXPERT TO GAIN MORE INSIGHT ON SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?
Making a more cohesive and branded IG feed, how to grow on IG, helpful organization/scheduling apps, pricing collab opportunities, content ideas, brand outreach, how to create a kick ass media kit.
WHAT KIND OF OPPORTUNITIES/PROJECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
I would love to be connected with brands for collabs / review videos/blog posts. The chance to showcase amazing brands to my following!
DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL JOB/CLIENT/COLLABORATION.
So I am 100% a Target addict. Now that I am a first time expecting mama I have this dream of collabing with Target. They have it all. I legit shop there at least 2-3 times a week. They are my dream collab. They did feature me on their website once for an outfit post I made in the summer! I pretty much shit myself with excitement.
Here are some examples of collabs I have done in the past!
Boudoir Photoshoot Collab:
Lip Injections Collab:
Waxing Soul Medical Spa:
The H Hotel Staycation Collab:
Surprising my colorblind husband with Enchroma Glasses Collab: Y
WHAT IS YOUR HOURLY RATE, RETAINER, OR SALARY RANGE?
This is something I need help with. I am unsure of my value to be honest. I don't want to sell myself short but I also do not want to over charge.
HOW SHOULD SOMEONE APPROACH YOU ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER?
Please be hilarious. Maybe throw a meme in the mix (I am known as the meme queen from my group of friends...if you look at my Facebook page you'll see why). I mean I guess if its Target they can be whatever they want because I'm and addict. I prefer to work with people/brands that I feel comfortable talking with. Professional but also not so stuck up that we don't vibe.
HOW DO YOU STAY CREATIVE?
Podcasts, Youtube, walking my dogs, coffee shops.
This member profile was originally published in February 2020.