Did you guys know that this blog is what started it all for me? Sometimes I have to stop myself and think about how far it’s come. My favorite part about the blogging world is getting to connect with YOU - my loyal readers that I'm forever grateful for.
A big part of my life that you don't always get to see is the 'behind the scenes' stuff. You know, the part where I mention there's a team of people who keep this thing alive with me! I've received so many emails and messages from you guys wondering how this all works. I love that you're fascinated! I was too when I dipped into this space. I had a lot of questions and I'm sure you're wondering the same. I decided I want to start doing more FAQ's (frequently asked questions*) blog posts because they're fun! lol! If you'd like, leave a question or two below in the comments and I'll be sure to answer them in future FAQS! This first one is going to be about my company's infrastructure. Did she say company? Keep reading...Q: Would you consider what you do a business? Please explain.For the longest time, I didn't know what to call all of this. It was all fun and games until the IRS came after me. I'M TOTALLY JOKING I SWEAR. In all seriousness, my blog is in a position I've always dreamed of. I took a chance with this 'hobby' and today it's my full-time gig. It's more than a job - it's my life. I've always been fascinated by the digital space and how the internet connects us to the entire world. For me, it was an opportunity to be open and honest with little to no censorship. I fell into it at the perfect time and I truly am grateful for that. This is a new wave of advertising with the term 'digital influencer' being a new job title. Being myself and sharing things I'm passionate about for a living is pretty cool. And to answer your question, I can only speak for my own blog when I say it is a full-time running business. Sazan LLC - what, what.Q: Do you have a team? If so, can you explain how it works?In the 4 years since I started doing this - I did it all on my own for 2.5 years of it. Prior to bringing Stevie on board in 2014, we hired another full-time employee last year who happens to be my sister-in-law Brittany! Brittany filters through all of the emails in my inbox (we receive like a 100 a day), she communicates back and forth with clients and brands, organizes company meetings, forwards contracts, and organizes my entire schedule. I remember doing all of this on my own and I do not miss it one bit. ha! Having Britt and Stevie has really helped me focus on YOU and has allowed me to expand in new areas.Q: Are you signed with an agency?I'm not exclusive to any agencies. I've been approached by many but I've purposely kept everything in-house because that's how I like it. ;) About 6 months ago, Stevie and I were really lucky to meet Barrett Wissman through a mutual friend. He is my current manager and business partner. The first time I met him I compared him to a shark from my fave show Shark Tank! He really gets this world in a way that I don't - and has a resume to prove it. I've always dreamed of having someone like Barrett to help me accomplish new and exciting things. I'm very happy with the decision I made and you'll know why in a few months. :)Q: Does your blog have tech support and do you recommend it?Chloe Digital (based in London) handles the tech-side and backend of my blog. They are AWESOME. Before them, my website crashed A LOT, my widgets were all out of whack and things were a sloppy mess (basically). Thanks to them, my blog's reach has totally increased a ton. Not only do they make sure my blog is running 27/4 (fast and smooth for you guys!) but they also help me dive into analytics every month to see what blog posts you guys loved the most. I jump on calls with them often to stay informed which helps me come up with better blog posts for my audience. In case you're wondering...relationships and personal posts are #1 right now. :)Q: Do bloggers really have lawyers?Not all, but some. I sure do! I AIN'T TRYING TO GO TO JAIL. lol jk. Many bloggers don't have lawyers because hiring the right one is hard to find! It was challenging when it came time to find one that understood this space and all the terminology that comes with it. By the grace of God (and thanks to my awesome friend RayeRaye!) we found Ashley Villa. She is the best! Before I can agree to anything, a contract has to go through her for review. She understands the digital space and what I stand for so it's a perfect situation. She is our little bull-dog (seriously she's like 5 foot but hella fierce). We love you Ash. hahaQ: How do you decide whether to take paid opportunities and sponsored ads? How often do you decline?For me, being a "Digital Influencer" means so much more than just painting a pretty picture and making loads of money. We're living in a hashtag #Ad obsessed world right now and I get why so many people are annoyed by it. To be completely honest, I have declined more paid opportunities than I've accepted in the past year alone. If you really want to know - I've declined single deals that could pay a year's rent in LA. Why? If I'm not a fan of the product - I'm not doing it. Period. Never compromise who you are for what you want to achieve. My relationship with my audience is far more rich than any deal that comes through my inbox. I love being a part of opportunities that I'm excited about and can actually recommend to my friends (a.k.a. you!) If you ever see a #ad on my social media posts or a "This was sponsored by..." disclaimer, you can trust that yes I'm getting paid to provide a service - but I'm proud of the partnership and very much into it. That's a promise! I learned this 2 years ago when I thought being a blogger meant doing anything and everything. No thank ya! I'm telling you this why? In today's internet-obsessed world - authenticity is hard to find. If you're an aspiring blogger reading this, I hope this encourages you to say "NO" sometimes. Success comes from doing things you're passionate about it. You guys are key players in my journey and the reason I stay motivated.Q: When is your next public speaking engagement or meet-up?Not gonna lie, I totally threw this question in here. ha! BUT I'M EXCITED because I'm going to be on the next BWBLA panel on July 31st! I hope you guys can make it out if you live in the LA area - more info here. It's going to be a lot of fun!!! :)K. That’s the gist of how everything works over here at Sazan.me. I hope you enjoyed this FAQS insight into what makes this operation tick :) It’s amazing how when you let go of something, it can flourish. This blog has always been my baby, but it's been incredible bringing on a team of people who have made it even better. Thank you to them and to all of you for your continued support. I am very aware that none of this would be possible without you guys. Love you more than you will ever know!!! *Don't forget to leave any questions you have for me in the comments box below!
