Influencer Session with Bella Merlot

Socially Powerful interviewed Miami-based content creator Bella Merlot (@bellamerlot_) who carved her own space in fashion content creation. Bella draws inspiration from fellow creators and experiments with styles to find what fits her personality. She values authenticity and strives to inspire others to explore their true selves. Bella Merlot uses Instagram for engagement and TikTok for showcasing her personality. She loves creating vlogs and lifestyle content, and her travel and “what I did this week” vlogs are performing well. Bella defines influencer marketing as leveraging engagement to benefit brands and audiences. She advises her younger self to embrace grace and trust the process.

Bella Merlot @bellamerlot_

We caught up with Miami-based content creator, Kenia, or as she’s better known online @bellamerlot_, to talk all things fashion, fave platforms, and finding her feet. Read on to discover how she’s managed to carve out her own space in the creator community!

Where does your love for creating fashion content come from?

I’ve always wanted to be a “fashion girl” I just could never really afford to. I get a lot of inspo from my fellow content creators on Instagram and kind of just found what I liked and what I didn’t like by trying different things. I created my own lane and found clothing styles and colors that looked best on me and that match my personality, then boom!

How has the saturation of the fashion industry online impacted your content as a UGC creator?

Honestly, I don’t think it’s impacted me at all. I think that a lot of people think that if you wear this brand or that then you have “fashion sense”. I believe that if you have an eye for translating who you are into an outfit, you’re the real fashionista.

What is your main goal for creating content?

To inspire people to explore who they really are on the inside really. When I started my journey, I didn’t really have many people to look up to or people who were willing to spill the tea on who to contact/ what to say/ and in essence, how to get started in this industry. But now… omg! Everyone is so open and helpful and I wanted to find myself on that side too.

Which platforms do you predominantly use? Which do you prefer for posting, and for community building?

I use Instagram the most. I’m trying to post more on TikTok too, like my business stuff, but I find that I can really post my personality on TikTok and not so much on IG. But Instagram gives me the most engagement if that makes sense. I’m sort of building a little community on IG because I’ve started posting more of the BTS videos and really answering peoples questions when they ask. I don’t gate-keep, I’m still trying to find my way too. TikTok is more fun though, for sure.

@bellamerlot_

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How does community engagement vary on your chosen platforms?

On Instagram, when I post my “how to do what I do” that gets lots of engagement. On TikTok, when I post travel stuff, the engagement is really high there but not on Instagram — it’s strange. I just keep trying both types of content on both so see what sticks.

What is your favorite type of content to create, and which works best for your audience? Is there a juxtaposition?

I like posting vlogs. Like “what i did this week” or “come with me to _____” People love to hear your voice and hear you explain things in your own words. That always does well.

In your own words and experience, how would you define “influencer marketing”?

Companies use “influencers” with good engagement and social media presence that represent their brand well, to bring them more money. Good engagement meaning, when you post something, how many people are interacting with that post? Who are they sharing this with? Who are they sending this to? Are they saving it for later? Are they commenting asking questions about the product etc. This “engagement” then makes the brand more popular on social media and just in general, which in the long run creates future customers. That’s the short explanation.

@bellamerlot_

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Why do you think influencer marketing is so powerful in today’s society?

Social media runs the world now. Like in a good way and in a bad way. For example, if a brand reached out to me (and I don’t know who they are) I immediately go to their Instagram to see what they’re about. I may take it a step further to go to the website but, if done correctly, a brand’s social media will tell you everything you need to know about them.

Do you have experience working with brands? How do you decide which brands you would like to work with?

Yes! So many actually! I think my situation is kind of interesting because most brands who reach out to me, I’m already familiar with or like I’m already a consumer of those products so it’s like a full circle/no- brainer. If working with a brand doesn’t benefit me in any way, it’s a no. For me it’s not always about the money, it’s about, “Does this brand align with mine and am I benefiting from this?” If the answer is yes, we collab, if not, we don’t. Simple.

@bellamerlot_

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How do you foresee the influencer marketing space changing within your niche in the next 12 months?

I don’t actually think it will change much. I sort of post about my entire life on my page. I post lifestyle vlogs, travel vlogs, my life here in Miami, things I eat, things I wear, my skincare products, I do it all! I don’t think you can ever go wrong with doing this because everyone always wants to know how other people are living their lives. Especially if you make it look fun!

Based on your experience, what would you advocate to change about the UGC community online?

I think being genuine about something without being so salesy. Like a lot of these brands are like “don’t make it sound like an ad” but give us mandatory speaking points. Like, I don’t speak like that so it’s GONNA sound like an AD. I think you can sell someone on something without doing all of that.

How do you balance your online and offline lives?

Oh, that’s easy! I just turn it off. That sounds a bit crazy, I know. I try to find a balance between posting business and things I actually do in real life online but I think the key is just to keep a little piece to myself. Like not posting absolutely every aspect of yourself online. That way, you have time to recharge and get it together before it’s time to start posting again. I do a lot of meditating and I absolutely love being outside. So when I’m doing that self work, I don’t have a phone anywhere near. I’m completely just in that moment. It helps a lot.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

Wow, I want to just be so at peace. Whether that’s continuing this content creator journey and finding continued success with this, or maybe I find myself walking a new path, you never know. I just crave peace in my life and a stress free lifestyle.

What is a piece of advice you would give to your younger self when starting out in content creation?

Girl, give yourself grace. You are doing so amazing and all of this work you’re putting in will pay off. Stop worrying about what people are saying about you or thinking about your career. No one wants your dreams as hard as you do so please don’t give up. You are brilliant, and so creative. You will see, some pretty amazing things are coming your way. People change everyday, and you’ll never stop finding yourself. Listen to your heart, it literally will give you the best advice. That’s the key.