Be yourself. Stop trying to do what everyone else is doing. Stay authentic to you, people love to see the realness.
We often use the term “Influencers” to describe people with significant social media followings on platforms like Instagram, Twitter TikTok, Youtube, Linkedin and Facebook. Influencers have become today’s media titans, sought after for everything from product placements to timely trends. What’s the difference between influence and impact? Fans and followers? Sizzle versus staying power?
In this interview series, called, “How To Cultivate Community In A Click to Connect World” we are talking to influencers about how they define success and what we all need to discover about the true nature of influence. As a part of this series I had the pleasure of interviewing Emma Nacewicz.
Emma Nacewicz (previously known as Nutritional Blonde) is a plus sized dietitian and body positive influencer who is on a mission to end weight stigma and help women find the courage to love themselves at any size.
Thank you for making time to visit with us! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. How did you discover your career path and what got you to where you are today?
While in college, I struggled with my own body image. I felt torn between wanting to fit the societal norm of what a “nutrition professional” or just a woman in general should look like, while also knowing that I was worthy in the current body I was in. I started sharing my journey authentically on social media which resulted in me realizing so many women feel the same way! I knew that my mission had to be to help inspire others and make waves in the social media space to show what real bodies look like.
What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned along the way that influences how you operate now?
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. That you never know what is going to happen in the future. Unfortunately, we don’t own Instagram or Facebook and one day you could wake up and your account can be disabled. If you’re looking to create a community on social media, it’s important to build on all platforms and create an email list!
We’re all searching for some good news. How are you using your platform to make a positive social impact?
I use my platform to connect with women and spread the message that you are worthy in your here and now body. You don’t need to change your body to be successful, find love, or be happy. All bodies are good bodies and body diversity is a beautiful thing! I guide women down the path of self-love and body appreciation so they can have a strong foundation to build up their confidence.
Many of our readers are influencers as well. Others have tried and have yet to succeed. What words of advice would you offer to aspiring influencers, knowing what you know now?
Don’t give up and stop comparing yourself to others. Everyone is going to grow at different paces and get different opportunities. We all start at zero. Keep plugging along creating quality content. Find what makes you, YOU and show that to the world.
Success is often a matter of perspective. I’ve always resonated with Henry David Thoreau’s quote, “It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.” How do you see success — or define success — for yourself now?
Success to me is measured by happiness. If you’re success but not happy with what you’re doing, how successful are you really?
How do you reduce or mitigate stress?
I am a big self-care enthusiast. I love to pamper myself with a face mask or a long night time skin care routine.
I’m going to try a few of your tips, and I’m hopeful our readers will, too. Now it’s time for the big reveal — the moment our readers have been anticipating. What are your “five strategies to cultivate a large & engaged social media community?’ Please share a story or example for each.
- Be yourself. Stop trying to do what everyone else is doing. Stay authentic to you, people love to see the realness.
- Quality over Quantity. While being consistent is important, focus on creating quality content and not just slapping something together to get a post live.
- Show your life. People want to see the real you. They want to see the messy in your life and be able to relate to that.
- Take time to engage. Answering DM’s and comments is so important when creating a community. Remember there are real people behind these accounts, talk to them!
- Ask your community what they are looking for! There is so much power in providing exactly what your followers need and sometimes it might be something you didn’t even have it on your radar.
What do you do to create a greater sense of connection and community among your fans?
I like to host live events! Meeting my community IRL is so amazing. But I know I can’t meet everyone that way so I like go LIVE on my social media platforms so I can talk with them in real time. Also, I created a free Facebook group where my community can not only ask me questions, but where they can connect as well!
As an influencer, you are, by definition, a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.
I will be continuing to make waves in the body positive community so that the next generation of girls don’t feel the struggle to diet and shrink their bodies.
We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world with whom you’d like to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He, she or they might just see this. 🙂
LIZZO! She is a pure queen and such an inspiration to myself and so many other women.
What is the best way for our readers to further follow your work online?
Connect with me on Facebook (Emma Nacewicz) or Instagram and Tiktok @EmmaNacewicz. You can also head to my website, www.nutritionalblonde.com
Thank you for these thought provoking insights. Here’s to your continued success!