This month marks six whole years since I started blogging! Last year for my blogiversary I shared five things I’ve learned from blogging. This year, I decided to share some easy ways that you guys can support me and your other favorite creators. Being able to share my thoughts, adventures, outfits, and advice with you guys is truly what makes me happy. I don’t make a lot of money from blogging and I don’t have a massive following, but the reason I keep doing it is very simple: I love it!
Every single person that follows me, sends me messages, emails me, comments on my pictures, etc. truly means a lot to me. Just knowing that someone out there is reading what I have to say or seeing my images and feeling inspired because of them is what motivates me. I truly feel that God put me on this earth to create and inspire. So if I’m doing that for even one person a day, that’s all that matters.
I wanted to put this post together for all of my friends, family members, fellow creators, and strangers who are new to the Kayla’s Chaos family or have been following along for years, but don’t quite understand how to help me grow. That way, if my content ever makes you smile or inspires you to try something new (which I hope it does!) you’ll be aware of all the little things you can do to help me keep growing. Because at the end of the day, all I really want is to be able to touch as many lives as possible with positive vibes, colorful photos, and encouraging words.
Here’s eight easy things you can do — and how it helps:
1. Read my blog posts
Obviously the point of writing things is usually to have people read it lol. I know reading articles and blog posts isn’t everyone’s jam, but if you are someone who likes to read — or at least look at my photos — then that alone means a lot to me. I work really hard on developing content ideas, taking photos, outlining and planning posts, and then writing them and putting them all together. A quick post can take me a few hours, but I actually spend a few DAYS on most of my posts. I do look at my analytics often, so seeing what you guys view the most and spend the most time on helps me do more of what’s working!
2. Shop from the links in my blog posts
I don’t include product links in a post unless it makes sense, but if you are ever interested in an outfit I’m wearing or a beauty product I’m testing you can help me earn money by buying directly from my links. Affiliate links often only lead to a couple dollars per purchase, so I personally don’t see a huge amount of revenue from them, BUT if more people made purchases from my links more often, then it could really help me make a few extra bucks! And I also just want to mention that I would never ever recommend a product that I didn’t think was good! I only link to retailers I trust and personally shop at. Plus, shopping from affiliate links does NOT cost you any extra money. The company is the one who will pay out the percentage of the sale.
Also, check out what I have listed on my Poshmark! You can shop tons of things I either only wore a couple times or never wore at all.
3. Subscribe to my newsletter
In case you didn’t know, I have a monthly newsletter! It usually comes out the first Sunday of every month (once in a while it may be a day or two late if I’m swamped). My newsletter is a recap of my blog posts and YouTube videos from the previous month with added details about my upcoming plans. I also add in some cute GIFs, an inspirational quote, and any other relevant info, such as giveaway details or seasonal projects.
4. Subscribe to my YouTube channel
In addition to writing and taking pictures, I’ve also ventured into the video world. I was a little late to the YouTube game — I started my channel in September 2018. Although I only have a couple hundred subscribers, I have a lot of fun making videos! I’d really love to grow my channel, so subscribing to it, watching my videos (even if you have them playing in the background while you do something else), liking them, and commenting on them all helps me grow. Once I increase my following and views then I’ll eventually be eligible for ad revenue! So just by playing my videos, engaging with them, and sharing them you’re getting me closer to making some extra money for the work I’m already doing!
5. Like, comment, save, & share my Instagram posts
Oh, Instagram. Although one of the most important social media platforms for most content creators, it can be very difficult to conquer. The algorithm changes frequently and most strategies (using hashtags, following strangers, getting shoutouts) only do so much. It’s been very hard for me to grow my Instagram, despite frequently posting quality images and truly putting thought into my captions. However, I try not to let my number of followers or likes discourage me! At the end of the day, I love taking pictures and sharing my outfits, travels, etc. So, as long as I’m having fun and inspiring a couple of people with my posts then it’s worth it.
Every time someone follows me, likes my pictures, comments on it, saves or shares my post, it helps tremendously! I often feel like people don’t take me seriously because I have less than 10k followers, so the reason I am still striving for that magical number is straight up so I can have more opportunities. Sure, clout is cool and all, but once I can prove to brands and fellow influencers that I actually have influence, I’ll be eligible for more deals and partnerships. And that’s just how it is.
And one more note: If you see the #ad on a post, show it even more love! That means that a brand is already paying for that content, but if it performs well (which brands do check), then that can lead to longterm contracts, ambassadorships, more money, etc.
6. Follow me on TikTok, Twitter, & Pinterest
Follow me: TikTok, Pinterest, & Twitter!
In addition to Instagram, I also frequently use other social media platforms. I’ve been loving TikTok lately — so far my best video has received 90k+ views! I also use Pinterest and Twitter almost daily and I’m always using those to share my own content, as well as a very wide range of other things I find interesting: celebs, music, interiors, food, and more. Following creators on multiple platforms is always helpful. And you get to see more cool content! Yay!
7. Like the Kayla’s Chaos Facebook page
If you’re more of a Facebook person, then you might enjoy my Kayla’s Chaos page. I use it to share all of my new blog posts and Instagram posts. So, even if you don’t use Instagram often, you can still see everything I’m up to on Facebook. And I’m guessing that most of your other fave bloggers probably have Facebook pages as well!
8. Check out my work at other publications
View my BuzzFeed articles here!
This one is not totally related to my blog, but I still wanted to point it out. A lot of content creators have a “day job.” Mine just so happens to be one that I really, truly love! I get to write about shopping at BuzzFeed… how cool is that?! And like at any job, I have goals there as well. So every time you read one of my shopping articles, share them, or buy something from the links, it helps me reach those goals.
In addition to that, if you ever see me or another creator being featured in an article or podcast (like my NYFW feature for Refinery29), then give it a read, share it, and tag us! We LOVE to see it!
If you’ve read this far, then I just want you to know how much I appreciate you! From the bottom of my heart, I thank you. The reason I fall asleep on my laptop, pack my schedule full, and keep trying no matter how big my audience is, isn’t for the money (because honey, I’ve put years into this without pay). I do this so I can make an impact. So I can contribute some positivity to the world. And so I can genuinely help people feel more confident and happy — whatever that means for them.
Thank you again for rocking with me!
