10,000 Followers and What It Means

Hello!!!  There a lot of new faces around the blog and social media today, 10,000 to be exact!  So I thought it would be a real good time to reintroduce myself and share my thoughts on what 10K Instagram followers really means. (And you too can follow me here!)

10,000 Followers and What It Means

Why I Started Later Ever After

I started Later Ever After 3.5 years ago.  My main reason for starting the blog was the fact that there was no one like me on the internet.  I was a true late bloomer in life.  Traditional timelines created by society didn’t excite me, I wanted to move at my own pace.  I bought a condo at 25, got married at 35 and had my first baby, by choice, at 38!  And at the time all my friends and pretty much everyone on the internet wasn’t doing things like me.  But I knew there had to be people out there like me so I set out to find them.

The secondary reason for starting all this was to create and own something of my own.  I didn’t have traditional hobbies. However, I love following fashion trends, shopping and figuring out fun things to do around town.  And what a great world we live in that I can take that hobby and share it with thousands of people on the internet.  

And finally there is the money and products.  You all know that bloggers have access to new products, gifted products and also generate a commission on all online sales through affiliate marketing or receive a flat rate for their work.  So yes, I was motivated at the potential to turn my hobby into something that generates revenue!

10,000 Instagram Followers 

Wow, it’s crazy to think that there are 10,000 people that enjoy coming to see what I am sharing on social media.  Having 10,000 Instagram followers does open some doors when it comes to working with brands, but it doesn’t open the flood gates.  As sad as it is in the blogging/social media world numbers matter and that’s how you build relationships.

With 10,000 followers on Instagram you receive the coveted swipe up.  Having the swipe up allows your followers to get direct access to anything you share, from product links to your blog posts.  Do I think it’s ridiculous that you need a certain number to get a tool to grow your brand?  YES.  I don’t understand why everyone can’t have access to it if they have a business account.  Do I think it’s ridiculous that the number of followers you have means that brands will or won’t work with you?  YES, but I understand it to a point.  

So I have mixed emotions about achieving 10,000 followers.  I’m so excited for the community I have created with you on the blog and social media and so thankful for each and everyone of you.  But I am sad that society and even myself has placed such a strong emphasis on a number.  When I think about it I feel like I’m stuck in a vicious circle.  In a world that craves inclusion we are all tied to an app that breeds exclusivity and I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around that.  It’s safe to say I have a love hate relationship with Instagram.

At the end of the day having this number on my profile doesn’t make the content I’m sharing any more or less valuable.  I still love creating it and sharing my life and personal experiences with you.  And I hope you have enjoyed it too!  Above all I am so thankful for each and everyone of you.  For every like, every share, every comment and every message I am so grateful.  From the bottom of my heart THANK YOU!