Influencer Sessions: Get To Know @leslielatrice

We caught up with veteran-turned-influencer @leslielatrice to talk social media features, supporting the online BIPOC community, and standing firm in your beliefs. Read on to discover more about Leslie’s aspirations for her future in the influencer marketing industry!

When did your love for creating lifestyle content begin?

My love for creating formally started when I was about 10 years old, but informally since before I could recall. As a young girl, I loved to perform! My mom started my sister and I in ballet and tap dancing while enrolling us in Kid’s Talent Searches when I was ten! From there, I grew a profound love and passion for modeling, acting, videography, and photography, and in some way, shape, or form, creating was always incorporated into my life! After my first deployment in 2016, I started creating content and in 2019 I became a beauty influencer while serving in the army! Since then, I’ve evolved with this influencer marketing industry and loved it sooo much that I just recently decided (Mar 24’) to create content full-time! I am now a full-time, seasoned veteran and lifestyle creator, who passionately champions convenience and excellent service in all aspects of life. Committed to supporting and celebrating others, I encourage my audience to embrace life’s best experiences with ease and enthusiasm, fostering a community built on empowerment and shared joy!

How has the rise in influencer marketing in recent years impacted your content?

I started creating YouTube content in 2016 (yes, I am a true long form content girlie!). On the tech side, I started with a regular old point-and-shoot camera and used the daylight for “good lighting”! Now, have three high-quality cameras, two iPhones, 2 tripods, a ring light, and so much more I can barely fit it all in my closet (lol). On the operations side, I struggled to capture shots in the bathroom/small spaces and even felt self-conscious about vlogging in public! To now live in a world where having a phone or camera out in public is normal is such a relief but I am still working on coming out of my shell. Oh, and I can’t forget the financial side of influencer marketing, a now billion-dollar industry! When I started, I had to earn 4000 hours and 1000 subscribers on YouTube just to make money from creating as an influencer! Now, we have soooo many ways to make money; affiliate marketing, brand partnerships, speaking engagements, and social platform integrations! I am excited to witness how this industry evolves and how I aid in its evolution and enhancement!

What is your main goal for creating content?

My main goal for creating content is to foster a community of authentic individuals who expect excellence from every experience they encounter while partnering with diverse brands that share my personal and professional values. By doing these things, I intend to use my means to elevate black  creators and business owners as much as I possibly can!

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

I typically use YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Threads, and Pinterest. For posting, I like Instagram because of the posting features like Stories, Highlights, posts, and Reels that make it convenient to engage with my local audience and connect with new supporters as well! For the community, I like YouTube and TikTok! I can express more of my personality raw and unfiltered on these platforms because I have a longer time to show off and show out! With the playlist features, I can also make it convenient for my supporters to find exactly what they are looking for and binge-watch my content! LOVE THAT! But as a creator, I also want to maintain autonomy, so I leverage my email newsletter to share what I want with a group of loyal and dedicated followers who are interested in my POV in all facets!

@leslielatrice

Who can relate? I gotta know…what is that one dish that has to made or Thanksgiving is incomplete. It’s banana pudding & mac & cheese for me. Just send me home if it aint there!! #Leslielatrice #Thanksgiving2023 #TurkeyDay2023 #BananaPuddingRecipe

♬ original sound – BIGVETLES

How does community engagement vary on your chosen platforms?

Honestly, short-term video content is where most of my loyal and new supporters are connecting with me. Whether it’s YT Shorts, IG/FB Reels, or TT videos, my community loves relatable and educational content that tells a story and adds value or insight to their current situations or life in general! However, Instagram, with the Broadcast Channel feature, Subscriptions (paid), and other Story features, offers dope options for creating fun and engaging content that I admire! All super helpful not just so my supporters can get to know me, but so I can get to know them as well!

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

I love creating content when I’m participating in a fun & holistic experience or sharing life lessons such as attending a festival, hosting an event, sharing my experience via a podcast, enjoying great food/beverages at a new restaurant, and any self-care activities that make me happy! Why? Because most times, it’s a first for me and I love that my audience and I can do these things together! My supporters and I also love to celebrate so events such as birthdays, ceremonies, etc. are also super fun to create because the content doubles as a memory! Whenever I can get a 2-for-1, I will most likely always take advantage of it!

@leslielatrice

OMG! Not me HOSTING an EXPERIENCE & a BOXING one at that CAUSE…who wanna TUSSLE? 😭 Meet me @gritboxsouthend on March 16th at Noon! We will get a good & I mean GOODT workout in, drink some mimosas, network & socialize with ALL the VIBES! I need you to come out & show me what you got! + I am super excited to MEET my fam here in 📍CHARLOTTE, NC! Can you make it? Get your tickets now, link in bio! #LESGETIT #leshosting #boxingincharlotte #hostingcharlotteevent #boxingworkoutforwomen #boxingworkoutwomen #boxingforbeginners #Gritboxsouthend #Workoitsforwomen #Womenshistorymonth #womenshistorymonth2024 #blackwomen #workoutwomen #leslielatrice #leslielatriceexperience

♬ Like What (Freestyle) – Cardi B

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

I would define influencer marketing as an evolving industry for diverse people/creatives who can choose to authentically express their experiences with products/services with an audience that trusts their judgment and recommendations!

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

The people! Creatives and influencers were an untapped resource for the marketing industry before now! As it turns out, we do not need a degree or certification to excel in this space! Some of us just have a God-given talent or knack for it! I am happy to be one of those people!

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

I have worked with over 50 lifestyle, beauty, and other relative brands in my career, possibly more, and every experience was different! As the influencer marketing industry evolved, brands were catching up when I started becoming profitable from creating! I choose to work with brands that align with my values and who I could see visibly support and impact the Black and people of color (POC) community, not just when it’s beneficial, but always! Aligning my work with my values ensures I stay connected with who I am, my culture, and where I want to go!

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

Much like with life, and any other industry, the influencer marketing space will change over the next year, and beyond! Whatever the changes, I pray these changes make our lives more efficient and aim to appropriately compensate us for our work, from the jump!! We all create and produce differently, so we know the prices will not be the same but the more we understand about the influencer and consumer, the better this space will be!

Based on your experience, what is one thing you would advocate to change about the way veterans-turned-influencers are perceived online?

If I could change one thing about how veterans-turned-influencers are perceived online it would be that we are human, in and outside of the service uniform. We receive so much negative backlash because of our opinions, just like everyone else! But because we have our uniforms, we may not only receive it online but from within the workplace as well. And know that anything, especially negatively portrayed or poorly perceived views of service members can negatively impact our careers. So, I commend military influencers everywhere who choose to post on socials! With every push of the button, I am sure they have weighed the risk associated with exposing themselves to the world! I encourage all military influencers to continue to share their stories and to stand firm in whatever they choose to post. If you believe it, stand by it!

@leslielatrice

GIZARMY!!! THIS IS FOR YOU! 🌻🫶🏽 One of my proudest moments as a creator is connecting with you; my community of nonjudgmental, reliable, and loyal supporters! Our formation has grown from 0 to over 161K members and I am damn proud to call each and everyone of you MINE! Now, les do our thing! Tag them in the comments! Go find & show love to our active & veteran creator community! There are plenty more streets to tear up 😜! #leslielatrice #activemilitarycontentcreator #armyveterans #miltok #militarycontentcreators #armylife #leslielatricemilitary #gizarmy #appreciationpost

♬ original sound – BIGVETLES

How do you balance your online and offline lives?

I have yet to master this balance! Life changes so much! I want to develop a way to integrate changes into my work and home life so I can mitigate the turbulence that might counteract my work/life balance. But I do have a few methods I use to help! 1. If it’s not on the calendar, it better be or it will not get done! 2. A to-do list is paramount! Making one daily (before and after work) helps me prioritize my tasks and ensure I make plans to get everything done! 3. Strategic Planning has to occur to make sure my current commitments align with my business goals and work well with my personal life plans! I have many more tips but these are major key.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

In 5 years, I see myself as an author, speaker, founder, and CEO of a business that aids in the success of military veterans and Black creatives! I am unsure about what those businesses will look like but I look forward to reflecting on this question in 2029! What I know is, that I will still be creating authentic and resourceful content and connecting with amazing people and cultures from all over the world!

@leslielatrice

Allow me to INTRODUCE myself! BIG LES not the lul one! For those of you who are new here or those who may not know what to expect as it relates to who I am the type of content I produce & share, please watch this video in its entirety! My name is Leslie Latrice & I am a retired Army Officer, UGC/Digital Content creator, and SO. MUCH. MORE! I reside in the Charlotte, NC area and currently work full time as a CI Specialist. But when I am not working, I am creating, eating, working out, conducting self care, and spending time with loved ones! If you made it this far, lmk in the comments below why you decided to follow me & join this amazing community of loyal and supportive men & women who I refer to as GIZARMY or NATURALESTAS (if you’re into that)! I also so applied for the SephoraSquad2023, so do me a favor & click the link in bio to leave a testimonial for the kid! I’d really appreciate it & WELCOME TO THE FAMILY 🫶🏽! #Sephora #SephoraSquad2023 #WhoAmI #LeslieLatrice #Ugccreator #UGC #UGCCommunity #multifauceted #BlackGirlMagic2023 #bgmworld #blackbeautymatters #Blackbeautycreators #Authenticcreators #Realcreators

♬ original sound – BIGVETLES

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

I would tell my younger self to never let the desire for perfection, fear of failing, or others’ opinions stop you from sharing your message, or honing your creative talent! Lessons are meant to teach you something that will help you grow into a better person! Be a sponge and remember your morals and values! You being yourself and living in your truth will ensure you are rooted in your purpose! Your name will echo in rooms you haven’t walked in, and when they do, hold your head up and walk in like you belong…because you do!

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