XOXO: Trendsettrs – Spilling the Tea on Influence
In a realm often steeped in drama, Trendsettrs emerges as a beacon of balance, navigating industry news while upholding the privacy and integrity of its subjects. In our interview, we delve into its ethos, exploring how it diverges from sensationalism, opting instead for relevance and respect.
Offering guidance to aspiring influencers, Trendsettrs emphasizes professionalism and proactive engagement with brands. They position themselves as observers and commentators, fostering meaningful connections in the influencer world with a nod to the allure of Gossip Girl, but with a more constructive agenda.
As the conversation unfolds, we uncover unexpected insights into our interviewee’s role as an industry insider, revealing Trendsettrs as not just a platform, but a force for empowerment and authenticity in the digital landscape. Join us as we explore where insight meets integrity in the world of Trendsettrs.
Can you share a bit about the origins of Trendsettrs and how it came to be the go-to industry watch page for influencers and creators?
I’ve always felt… at home shall we say (in more ways than one), when it comes to the influencer scene and with the ongoing rise in popularity of a certain type of commentary & forum style… I thought it was time to create a space that would do the exact opposite, and celebrate all of the inspiring business women and unreal opportunities that take place everyday as a result of this unparalleled industry.
From September 2023 I began to work on what I wanted that to look like and on November 7th 2023, Trendsettrs debut news stories, were officially spilled.
The anonymity factor adds a mysterious allure to Trendsettrs. How do you maintain secrecy while still delivering accurate and engaging content?
When it comes to keeping my biggest secret of them all, I follow the original Gossip Girl blueprint to a tee… you have to make the news come to you.
Sometimes stories make their way into my inbox, at times they’re spotted with my own watchful eyes and the rest of the time?
A small selection of news worthy stories are delivered to me once a week, by one of my most reliable sources… otherwise known as the Trendsettrs freelance researcher who has no idea of who they’re actually working for… and I intend to keep it that way.
Much like Gossip Girl, Trendsettrs has a knack for uncovering secrets and highlighting the latest trends. How do you stay ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving world of influencers and creators?
Much like my predecessor, I’ve found that you have to identify the key players and work your way through from there…
Your email newsletters are not only informative but also beautifully crafted. What’s the secret behind creating such captivating content?
When it comes to the way that I like to share content, I think of who I’m sharing it with, and if there’s one thing I know about the social media scene, it’s that like it or not, aesthetic is just as important as the content itself and engagement rates tend to affirm that point, every time.
There are days when an interesting story may come my way, but if for some reason it’s not possible to secure the visuals to match, I’ve learnt that it’s best to leave said story untold.
With the success of your London Fashion Week event, can you tease any upcoming projects or collaborations we can expect from Trendsettrs?
This year’s Trendsettrs social diary, is very much a shape-shifting work in progress.
But I must say… I do have my eye on a certain upcoming annual New York soirée.
And while an invitation to that gala at The Met hasn’t graced my Ikea desk just yet…
I have a feeling… Trendsettrs presence will be felt. One way or another.
In the spirit of Gossip Girl, can you share a memorable story or moment where Trendsettrs made a significant impact in the industry without revealing too much, of course?
A certain revelation is set to make its way to your inbox come dusk, and with that… I’ll let you be the one to decide.
The sign-off “you know you love me” is iconic. What inspired this signature phrase, and how does it encapsulate the essence of your brand?
While that signature phrase may have once been used by another, as a conceding reminder, that despite Gossip Girl’s scathing style – even her targets couldn’t live without her, and the power that the secrets she spilled, would often bring… I thought it was time to redefine the phrase, and give my readers a reason to ‘love me’, for the ‘secrets’ that I choose to share, and the feeling of empowerment that Trendsettr–worthy secrets often bring.
Gossip Girl thrived on drama and intrigue. How does Trendsettrs balance shedding light on industry news while respecting the privacy and integrity of individuals and businesses?
There’s no doubt that drama sells and I’m certain Trendsettrs would have garnered twice the following, had I succumbed to GG’s questionable ways… but really?
What good can possibly come from bringing other people down.
So while I try to keep things as informative and light hearted as possible, I also like to consider whether the details I’m including are actually relevant and add to the reader’s knowledge, or whether it could be edging too close to the type of speculation that only serves for shock value. I also prefer to write in a way that I’d be comfortable to say out loud to the person I’m writing about, if they were stood in front of me.
If I wouldn’t feel comfortable saying it in their presence then I won’t say it at all.
Your platform has become synonymous with influence and trendsetting. What advice would you give to aspiring influencers and creators looking to make their mark in the industry?
Standing out in such an ever-changing and constantly evolving industry isn’t easy and it takes a lot more work than ever to get noticed. Word to the wise?
Be that person that pays close attention to all the finer details and refine your influencer etiquette:
- Make it easy for brands to reach out to you. Speaking from experience, if one creator has their email set up as a clickable button on Instagram and the other simply has it included somewhere in their bio, the brand’s going to go for the easy ‘click-of-a-button’ option
- Make it easy for brands to see the value you bring. While it may tempting, don’t hide your likes or any other visible forms of engagement. Brands are less likely to approach you if they can’t see the full picture of what you can offer them at first sight
- This is your job, you have to be professional. There’s nothing wrong with being friendly and a little informal when appropriate, however one line responses, uninformative DMs and taking a week or more to respond to one email, will only ever leave a lasting, negative impression
- Don’t just wait for opportunities to come your way. Time & money wait for no one. Set an hour aside in your schedule, to send those brand outreach emails once a day and snag yourself the work you deserve. And once you do get that work? Make sure you go above and beyond to fulfil your client’s expectations and ensure that it’s always a pleasure to work with you. It will make them remember you, value you and make you their go-to. It’s the only real way to maintain long-lasting partnerships and relationships in this industry
- Embrace the term social media influencer and make it unique to you. If a brand only wanted content, they’d simply hire a photographer and a model
If Trendsettrs were a character on Gossip Girl, how would you describe its role in the unfolding drama of the influencer world?
An observer, a commentator and sometimes even facilitator.
In short?
A real life Gossip Girl… but better 😉
What would we be surprised to learn about you…?!
I’m the ultimate insider – for a reason…