Today we’d like to introduce you to Cami Fannin.
Cami, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Last year, I graduated college (TCU, Go Frogs!), got engaged, moved to Chicago, and started a full-time position in PR all before I turned 21. To stay sane, I decided to start blogging about my experiences and share advice with others who may be going through some of the same life changes as I. It was also a chance to be creative, have fun and develop new skills, like web design and Google Analytics.
When I first started last July, it was just a fun hobby. I didn’t post very much and didn’t have much of a direction. Around the New Year, I decided to give my blog a real shot and dedicate myself to it. I updated the site design, planned out content, sought out collaborations and spent hours building my social media presence. It’s been a lot of work, but it’s also been fun and rewarding to directly see how your hard work can create impact.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I’m not going to lie; I was not anticipating how much work a blog is. It seems like everyone is getting a blog these days, which makes it seem easy, but it definitely is not. It takes a lot of work to stand out, create content and build a following. It took me hours a day to build up from 50 followers to where I am now (which I still have a long way to go) and it took me lots of tears to make the web design I love now. It also takes time to plan outfits, shoot and edit photos for blog posts and Instagrams. There’s no how-to blogging guide; a lot of it you have to learn as you go. It’s been challenging but I love learning. I’m so thankful for the opportunities presented to me thus far and I look forward to continuing to work and improve on my little corner of the internet.
Balancing a blog with a full-time job has also been a challenge. There are some days, I can’t spend two hours engaging on Instagram, but I just have to keep in mind that this is becoming a side hustle and I consider my blog a brand. I try and treat it like any of my other clients and find time to dedicate to it.
My advice is to make sure you’re ready for the time demands a blog takes, especially if you want it to be more than a hobby. I also suggest finding a mentor. I have a few great mentors now because I admired their blog and literally DM’d them for advice. It works! Don’t be afraid to be a little creepy and ask someone who’s been there before. With that, make sure you know exactly what you want to ask them. As mentioned above, they can’t give you a cheat sheet or a how-to guide, but they can provide a few suggestions and a sounding board if you need.
Last but not least, remember who you are, have fun and don’t compare yourself. That’s harder to do than say, but I love the fact that bloggers are so supportive of each other and really respect each other’s content for what it is. The comparison will drive you crazy and take the fun out of your blog.
We’d love to hear more about Cami Like a Tank Top.
I run the lifestyle blog Cami Like a Tank Top (www.camilikeatanktop.com). I consider it the intersection of style, wellness, and attempts at adulting. I have so many interests that I wanted a blog that had a central focus (adulting) but covered many aspects, from fashion to fitness to food + drink, etc. What most people resonate with is my “Adulting: How To Get Your Ish Together” series. I cover topics like finances and balancing a healthy lifestyle with a 9-5 job — topics that many 20-somethings are going through. I love hearing everyone’s comments on those posts and suggestions for others, like how to make friends in a new city (coming soon!).
I think what makes Cami Like a Tank Top different from other blogs is the perspective. It’s written for young women, who are post-grad and are ready for adulthood but are still learning who they are and what they like (there’s a reason I cover so many topics on my blog!). While I cover post-grad topics, I also share wedding posts and dating advice as a bride-to-be. Because of who I am (a 21-year old, post-grad, bride-to-be) my blog has a wide audience, with readers from ages 18 to 34 (according to my Google Analytics).
There’s so much I want to improve on and so much work to be done, but I’m most proud of the blogging community I’m a part of. There are so many inspiring women out there who truly want to lift each other up. Whether it’s reaching out via messages or a positive comment on a post, the blogging community is thriving and supportive. It’s a great community to be a part of and I’m proud of the friendships I’ve made through it.
Do you recommend any apps, books or podcasts that have been helpful to you?
I’m all about finding inspiration and learning through apps, books, websites and more. I actually love Instagram as a way to discover new passions (like bullet journaling) and as inspiration for new workouts or new outfits. I also love Netflix documentaries as a way to learn about the world and crucial issues, like the documentary “One Dollar a Day” which explores extreme poverty.
In terms of websites, I love The Everygirl and I find so much career advice and inspiration within it.
I’m not a big podcast person, but I enjoy reading. I try and read before bed every night. I just finished Love Does by Bob Goff. Girl Boss by Sophia Amoruso is a great read, as well as Creative Confidence by Tom and David Kelley.
As for other resources, I love SkillShare and Duolingo to continually learn and develop skills. I also love online workshops, like Jaci Marie’s iPhone Workshop, to continually learn and improve in terms of blogging.
I also love the Couch 2 5K and Fitbit app for keeping track of my fitness goals. When I’m at my healthiest, I’m at my happiest and all areas of my life are improved.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.camilikeatanktop.com
- Instagram: @camilikeatanktop
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/camilikeatanktop/
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGrxKwisLrRwYrLxmlkIixg
Image Credit:
Ashlee O’Niel Photography
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