How to Be an Influencer in 2018 with Krista Williams of The Almost 30 Podcast

Krista Williams of The Hundred Blog + The Almost 30 Podcast spills her secrets on what it takes to become an influencer, blogger and podcast host in 2018.

Let me just start by saying Krista is one of the most genuine, honest and authentic people I have EVER talked to. She puts so much emphasis on her readers & listeners and really cares about what they have to say. Interviewing Krista was a breath of fresh air. There are SO many influencers today that think of their readers as fans or consider themselves celebrities when — NEWS FLASH — they’re not.

To put this into perspective, I reached out Krista with this interview and TWO DAYS LATER she had it in my inbox. She’s simply one of the coolest humans ever and I’m mentally planning a trip to go hang with her & her friends in LA.

Krista is also HILARIOUS. I laughed out loud so many times reading her answers and even read the interview aloud to my husband in the car because she’s just so freaking funny.

In todays interview, she shares her blogging tips, influencer tricks, life advice & health inspo.

SO LET’S GET TO IT:

Introduce yourself to the Hello Spoonful Community!

HI FAM! I’m Krista Williams, blogger at The Hundred Blog, and Podcast Host of The Almost 30 Podcast. Hundred Blog stands for ‘keeping it one hundred’ because I keep every post related to wellness, travel and fashion super authentic, real and honest.  The podcast I host, The Almost 30 Podcast is about the transition from your twenties to your thirties, which can be a crazy time. We talk about career, health, spirituality, and wellness. It’s weekly, and it’s hilarious.

I am a Pisces sun sign and Scorpio moon sign which means I am creative, introspective, but also driven to a fault and really impatient at times, ha. I live and love in Venice Beach, California with my gorgeous BF who acts as my UPS man and sounding board. I’m into travel, personal growth, working out and trying anything new. Happy to be here J.

How do you manage running a blog, THE ALMOST 30 podcast, SOCIAL MEDIA business and having a social life!?

Sometimes I wonder, too, ha.

I sometimes find myself fantasizing about just like ‘hanging out’ one night or weekend because I never have the time…but a lot of it, is that here in L.A. my friends are all interested in the same things as me. We multi-task. We workout, we shoot, we work together, we grab healthy food together, we go on walks. It’s seriously the freaking best. They also get it when you have something going on, we’re all hustling really hard. I also really make the time I’m awake really valuable. I don’t procrastinate, I don’t watch tv, and I cut out a lot of bullshit activities so that I can be as productive as possible always!

Why did you create your blog? Why did you create your podcast?

I created The Hundred Blog when I was living in New York City and working half of the time in London at this start up. I was traveling so much that people kept asking for more travel information. People just kept nudging me in the direction to do a blog. I’ve always been pretty creative, but more so restless I would say. Each job that I had was always missing something. I wasn’t happy just with the status quo, clocking in and clocking out, so I needed to create something that was completely my own.

I felt like none of the blogs I was reading were for girls like me. Meaning, each of them was perfectly curated, edited, and just sort of boring. I wanted Hundred Blog to be for funny, fun, dynamic, authentic babes that went deeper than just pictures.

For Almost 30 Podcast, I don’t even know. I feel like we were dreaming, HA! But Lindsey and I were just like, should we do this? So we did. That’s the thing, we are do-ers. If we want something we do it, so, over the course of 7 months we recorded some terrible mess audio on the ground of her apartment, and really it started from there. Again, I wanted to really just speak to those people that are really into personal growth and development, and love learning as much as they love laughing.

Tell us about your health philosophy.

When you’re healthy and good to yourself, every single thing in your life gets better. I cannot express how much happier, more content, more connected and more WHOLE being healthy has made me feel. It’s so much more than just being thin or being pretty, it’s being the best you can be in all aspects. Since becoming vegetarian 10 years ago and vegan 2 years ago, I’ve realized that food is truly energy that is transmuted into your body – each time you put something in your mouth you’re telling your body and your cells something. It’s listening! So when you’re eating stressed, or eating emotionally, your body feels that and responds.

Previously I had a tendency to binge, like eat an entire bag of granola, or two, or 6 protein bars at a time, HA, it’s pretty messed up. But, I started to just say to myself after I eat something or did something that wasn’t perfect, “I still love you” and it’s really helped to shift my thinking. I am not defined by one meal, or binge, or the way I eat. It also is a reminder that if I get super stressed or depressed after I eat, my body can tell too. I am just so freaking grateful man, I am so healthy and I’ve found this way of eating and moving that makes me feel really good.

Favorite way to sweat?

I am really trend based when it comes to workouts, HA. I will do anything that is in a group setting and is fun. I don’t discriminate! But lately, I have been really loving barre. I know that some people hate it, and some love it, but it really works for me, and you can just wear socks on the carpet. I mean how fun? But, I make it a point to workout 6 days a week or so. If I have a day off great, I don’t plan them though because I am so in love with working out. It’s my time away from the computer and from work. If I didn’t have workouts scheduled I would literally work every hour of the day I wasn’t sleeping.

When you were first starting out, what did you do wrong?

Omg I should show you my first posts. They were like haikus I swear they didn’t make sense. I would say, that I wish I started to focus more on the photography earlier. Honestly I wish it weren’t the case but photos are everything. I should have gotten a photographer or trained Justin earlier (ha). But not having good quality photos until maybe a year ago, really delayed my success.

What do you think about the blogging industry and what is your advice for those who are interested?

First if you want to start a blog – please do!! It’s an amazing thing, the community is rad, and it may help to fulfill something in your life that you feel is missing! Plus, it’s so normal right now there’s nothing to be afraid of.

Regarding the blogging industry, I think it’s like any other in the sense you have some gems and then there are some not so great parts. Yes I think it’s a bit saturated, but I think it’s amazing because we’re all helping each other to legitimize the game. I am really happy that video is starting to become popular because now people can’t hide.

The thing is, I feel like if you’re a blogger, you need to be cool as hell and you need to be kind among other things. So anyone that’s just pretty, is amazing, but I want to see more really cool, smart people rise to the top not just the pretty ones. Video will help to showcase those people more so than just photos on Instagram do.

What are some mistakes you see other influencers making?

I don’t want to sound like a Grinch but so much. First, when influencers don’t respond to DM’s or messages, or like just be grateful that people follow them or listen to them, etc. It’s SUCH a privileged position to be in, and I am so mindful of my community, I respect and love them so much because they are my friends, we talk on a consistent basis and they mean something to me. Why are you doing it if you don’t want to connect with people?

Second when bloggers or influencers do just SO MANY sponsored posts it’s like offensive. Like who are you? Are you even a person or are you just an IG account with flatlays of the latest beauty products you got sent? You need to actually be a human being that is interesting and dynamic to be worth a follow. SORRY THAT’S MY RANT.

But to be positive, small things to elevate your game: hire a photographer, be yourself, be kind, and don’t be afraid to put it out there.

Were there any key moments or things you did that were pivotal?

I remember when I was living in Chicago, there was a series of moments that really changed my life. I was gifted The Secret, which I know is controversial, but it really works. From then, I started to get clear and ask for ways to help me become more close to the person that I was meant to be.

I asked for an out for my job, was given the chance to live in Patagonia for a month, quit, fell in love with Justin, and moved to New York City. During this time, I really just trusted, and although it was scary as hell, I kept making little decisions that eventually became big decisions! Like moving in to Justin’s’ apartment in New York City after we’d only been dating a few months J.

Favorite piece of advice you’ve ever gotten?

To meditate! Truly. I think that it’s been the biggest game changer in my life. It doesn’t even need to be crazy or intimidating, but it can just be a time where you sit with yourself and have a conversation about how you’re feeling, how’s life…maybe  it’s a pep talk. Sometimes when I cannot get deep into meditation I will give myself a pep talk and tell myself I’m amazing.

When you meditate you really give yourself space between your emotions and your reactions. Now I know that I am not my feelings. They are fleeting and passing, and will not define me or last forever. So, highly recommend starting to meditate or start a quiet practice! I use Tara Brach to mediate, she has free sessions on Apple Podcasts.

Favorite healthy snack?

Lately I have been obsessed with Moon Juice Crisps from their pantry line. I love the rainbow ones, and the green ones. They are SUPER low in calories, low carb, all natural, probiotic, raw and just crunchy salty goodness. I spend at least $150 a month on them, it’s really bad!

Otherwise I am a huge fan of green apples. They are portable, crisp, tart, and filling with fiber! They are such a classic.

Cocktail of choice?

I don’t drink really, but if I do I love a Moscow mule. So freaking GOOD! I love me some ginger, and the fizz. Plus it’s not too sweet!

What can we expect from you in 2018?

I am speaking at a lot of events, which is really exciting! Almost 30 Podcast is going on a tour to a few cities, which really means we are just hanging out with some of our listeners, HA. For Hundred Blog I want to build out the travel section of the website, and really just do more with other bloggers and creatives. I am so happy with the direction of my life right now (yes I definitely still have my days) but I really just want to continue the momentum and make sure that I am always incorporating some sort of ‘giving back’ element. Of course if you have ideas, let me know! I am always open to suggestions  and feedback, others really help me to see things I may miss J.

Connect with me at @hundredblog www.hundredblog.com @almost30podcast and Almost 30 Podcast on iTunes