#Girlcrush - Ashley Diana
I am very excited about this #girlcrush interview because it is with my good friend Ashley Diana! Ashley has played such an important role in my personal life and business. I have learned so much from her, not only from her influencer course and amazing blog posts but also from long talks at happy hour and from running events about entrepreneurship and social media with her!
After reading this interview, I know you'll love her as much as I do!
Tell us about yourself and your blog!
I am a wellness, beauty blogger, and business mentor located in Las Vegas. My blog shares stories, recipes, & lifestyle hacks on how to live a happier and more successful life. I help other women who want to build a brand around their passion and teach how to skip the stumbling blocks. Empowering women is my mantra for sure. :)
What inspired you to start your own blog?
My blog has REALLY evolved since I first started. I actually started as a food blog as I shared my plant based heath journey. I wanted to share with others how they could heal their body and be fit for life with a healthy diet, and to be honest, I wanted a blog so that I could have a business from anywhere in the world. Location freedom & financial freedom were super important to me, and I knew I could make it happen through my blog.
How would you describe your blogging style?
I’m pretty damn real. I’ve shared everything from my divorce, to my surprise pregnancy, and my breakup with my child’s father shortly after her birth (with lot’s of beauty, recipes, and wellness in between). I think it’s crucial to share realness online because so many people get caught up in the “perfect lives” of social media stars, and it’s just not how it actually is! The truth is that everyone has a story, and everyone has fucked up parts of their story. Through my blog, I want women to know that they are supported, they are worthy, they are not alone, and they don’t need to think small!
Can you tell us about your ideal reader?
Hip mom with a entrepreneurial mindset who loves taking care of her body, mind, and family.
How do you structure your days?
Theming. We would get nothing accomplished if our days weren’t themed. Here is a breakdown of how we schedule our days. Basically I work 4 & 1/2 full days and the rest are family / self-care days. MON: Coaching Calls TUES: blog photos WED: relationship THURS: blog content FRI: Coaching Calls Sat: planning / self care SUN: family day
Is blogging your profession or hobby?
Both! :)
What has been your most successful blog post?
The Break Up Post. It’s very powerful and thought provoking, and it helped lots of women!
Describe your writing process from start to finish.
I actually have a really hard time getting started writing (and working in general lol!). I have to really get into my “zen” - candles, essential oils diffusing, buddha bar music playing. Alex makes fun of me bc he says I can’t work unless the environment is perfect, but whatever, I do what I want.
Where and how do you work best?
I work best at home in my bed lol! I actually do have a huge office, but when I’m writing for a long period of time, I like to get snuggly in my bed!
What were the first few steps you took to get your blog up and running?
Oh Lordy, it took me YEARS to figure out what the heck to do. I messed up so much in the beginning. I would have no idea where to start bc it would be a novel! That’s actually why I created my Infinite Influence program - I wanted to give people a clear path to blog success and be sure they didn’t make the time consuming and expensive mistakes I did.
In a nutshell, to get started I had a girlfriend help me create my first free Wordpress site, and she taught me how to put affiliate links in my blog posts. I also took a photography class so I could learn how to use my Canon camera. I had a professional photo shoot before launching my blog so that I had nice photos of myself on the site too.
What has been the most effective way of raising awareness of your blog and attracting an audience?
Cross promotion and diversifying my following. For example, on our podcast we ask people to leave a comment on a certain Instagram post, or in our newsletter, we announce a giveaway but it leads to growth on another platform. It’s just guides people from one place to another, and I think that’s important.
What have been your biggest challenges so far?
My biggest challenge was that I completely changed directions and rebranded from a vegan food blog to a lifestyle blog and it wasn’t easy to say the least. I don’t recommend it haha.
How did you overcome these challenges?
Day to day it’s about the progress not perfection. I don’t get caught up in comparing myself to other influencers and bloggers. To be honest, I really don’t give AF, and comparing yourself only holds you back. I just do my thang and move forward. Best advice I could give anyone is to have laser focus and just do it.
How do you keep motivated through difficult times?
I REEEEALLY like champagne.
How do you distinguish yourself from your competitors?
Tha’ts a good question because I don’t think I fit in with a lot of other influencers. I think that’s good and bad! I’m not one of those “my life is perfect” influencers, I’m not a health-only blogger, and I’m not a foodie blogger anymore. It’s interesting because I share natural beauty and wellness advice, yet I’m pretty glam, so people think I should be hippie style, but that’s just not me. I guess I would say what sets me apart is that I’m a pink haired, business boss with a #Lilygoat who comes from a place of massively supporting other women to live their passion.
What do you wish you knew when you started your blog?
Oh girlfriend, where do I even begin?! I think the thing I wish I had known the most, was to have found a successful mentor. Guidance is key - and not just from anyone. You need coaching and mentorship from someone who knows how to build brands and has been successful in modern online world.
What blogging tools/resources could you not work without?
I can’t live without Darkroom editing app. That’s it.
Who are your biggest influences? Who do you admire most? Who or what inspired you to do what you’re doing now?
My biggest influence is my daughter. I push myself because I want to give her an incredible life, and when she’s older I want to be able to have the flexibility to spend as much time with her as possible. Time is our most valuable asset, and I work hard now in order to to buy back my time.
What advice would you give to other bloggers?
Don’t play a guessing game, and don’t rely on Instagram alone to be everything for you. Take Infinite Influence (shameless plug lol), have a badass mentor (Katie and/or myself hehe), and start building your online presence as a business. Find ways to authentically monetize immediately, and ALWAYS provide MASSIVE value. People will never care about you or what you do if you aren’t providing them value. If someone takes the time to visit your Instagram or blog, make it worth their time!!!
What surprising lessons have you learned along the way?
People don’t buy WHAT you do, they buy WHY you do it.
Think about that, and let that sink in. :) Some of you will “get it.” That’s the most valuable business advice I’ve ever been given.
For tactical advice: DIVERSIFY your following. Build your email list form DAY ONE.
Where would you like your blog to be 1 year from now?
Who cares, I’ll be on a 1000 ft yacht in the Mediterranean with no Wifi. LOL LOL
Where can we find you?
Facebook Group: Infinite Infuence
Website: www.ashleydiana.com
Email: ashley@ashleydiana.com