Hi everyone! I just joined Steemit today, really excited but also kind of nervous.
I came over from Medium (a writing platform). Actually, I read quite a few Medium articles written by former avid Steemit users jumping ship. The main reason was the influx of vote bots combined with content being irrelevant after seven days. Steemit is also modeled after Reddit. The Reddit community is kind of toxic, I'm hoping it's not like that here also.
But I always like to try new things, so I'm here! This is my story and what I do for a living:
Five years ago I had a wild idea to make my munchkin cat Albert famous and turn it into a full-time career. Today, albertbabycat has amassed over 550,000 Instagram followers, been featured on BuzzFeed, and done ad campaigns for companies like Google, Amazon, Coca-Cola, and 20th Century FOX, Walgreens, TD Ameritrade, etc. This is how it began.
Despite the snickers and disbelief of friends and family when I announced my new venture, I forged ahead. It was too good of an opportunity to pass up, living my days making money by spending time with my cat. Every crazy cat mom’s dream.
Besides, there were news articles out there that said Grumpy Cat was worth $100 million. The calculator on my laptop showed me that if I can make even 1% of that, it would net me $1 million.
I submitted him for casting calls on different networks for cats or pets and Animal Planet put him on TV on two of their shows:
My Cat From Hell w/ Jackson Galaxy — The show covered Albert’s bad habit of licking and spun it into being singlehandedly the reason for destroying my badminton training for the Olympics and my already toxic relationship with my older Indian boyfriend at the time. Reality television at its finest!
America’s Next Cat Star — An American Idol style competition show for cats. He got runner-up, losing to an all white cat named Brimley that looked like an old man smiling whenever its eyes were closed.
I thought that would be Albert’s big break into Hollywood after those two television shows and that he would get cast into blockbuster films with Daniel Craig and Brad Pitt. But unfortunately none of the acting agencies would pick him up.
I focused on growing his Instagram account instead since his film career was non-existent. Using my sales and marketing background from when I used to own an outdoor advertising company, I quickly learned how to create content that people would enjoy to grow his following.
**
Pet Influencer
Albert then became a “pet influencer.” I had to really think outside of the box to get brand deals for Albert because there were only a few pet food/product companies and most of them had small budgets.
I reached out to countless companies for collaborations and got a lot of rejections and laughs because at that time influencers didn’t really exist yet, let alone a cat influencer.
But I persisted and as Instagram grew so did the influencer trend and companies began to see the value of our brand. We got less “Are you out of your mind??” responses and more offers. Albert started landing campaigns for bigger and bigger companies like Google, Amazon, Coca-Cola, and 20th Century FOX. He promoted all sorts of things; movies, soda, yogurt, music turntables, handbags, luxury hotels, vacuum cleaners. You name it, Albert has most likely done an ad for it. Depending on the brand’s budget and deliverables, I make anywhere between $1,800 to $7,000 per campaign.
As a side hustle we do affiliate links like this one for $55 of 🏠 Airbnb credit towards your first trip. I usually plug the affiliate link in the caption when I can’t think of anything clever to write when making a post.
🚗 Albert even has his own Lyft code: albertbabycat
But it's not as lucrative anymore since almost everyone has already signed up for Lyft already.
My husband and I were ecstatic when our honeymoon to New York City was sponsored by a boutique travel agency who wanted to promote pet-friendly luxury hotels. Our wedding rings were also sponsored by an Austrian jewelry company.
Albert started to get listless and bored so we got him a new brother. His name is Goyanggy and they are getting along splendidly.
Nowadays the influencer market is getting more saturated and has become a lot harder to compete but we are hanging in there!
Awesome share!! 🙌🔥 Thanks for giving steemit a shot! The STEEM blockchain is amazing and you may find a unique edge if you start influencing the general population to crypto. Creativity and technology equal great opportunities!! ✨🚀 All the best to you!!🙏😁 Have a great day!! 🤘😉
Wow! What an incredibly interesting story both you and your cat have @christinelook!
Welcome (the both of you!) to SteemIt! :D
I am Greg at @bluefinstudios, with the @welcomewagon Found your content and blog thru our mutual friend @thekittygirl
Hi! I am a robot. I just upvoted you! I found similar content that readers might be interested in:
https://medium.com/swlh/how-i-made-a-living-with-an-instagram-famous-cat-2f463106578f
Hi @christinelook
This message above is automated as 'we' try to ensure that people are who they say they are.
If you could add a picture on your instagram and here with your cat and Steem username in a photo (or something like that!) then it would be clear that you are the Christine Look.
Thanks for your understanding, and welcome to Steem!
@asher she is real and in Our ST Discord too
YAYYYY :D
The auto replies are a bit abrupt, so i was trying to give a bit more information. Christine has joined the EL too.
Which discord? I'm lost!
ST and in the waiting room with PHC SB
Hi,
This is a lovely introductory post, Thank you for taking the time to write the post and say hello to the community!
I am here to help!
I would encourage you to keep posting and comment on others users content to help make a name for yourself and to get the most out of the platform!
Feel free to comment on my content and I'll up vote your comments! Drop me a follow so you can comment a lot and get a lot of my upvotes!
I have upvoted your post!
Luppers :)
Hello!
I am glad to see you introducing yourself on Steemit! It can be complicated, but let me suggest some helpful tips! It is important to post quality content and to comment on other user's content so people can get to know you, and you can start earning STEEM!
Feel free to comment, upvote & resteem our content so that you can start to earn Steem!
We hope that helps!
Best,
@charitycurator
Welcome christinelook!
eSteem is the application that improves your experience on Steem. You have full control over your data and content, unlike some apps we don't use our users to promote our application or services.
We have Mobile application for Android and iOS users. We also have developed Surfer Desktop application that helps you to gain new followers and stay connected with your friends, unique features - notifications, bookmarks, favorites, drafts, and more.
We reward our users with encouragement upvotes as well as monthly giveaways rewarding Spotlight top users and active Discord users.
Learn more: https://esteem.app Join our discord: https://discord.gg/8eHupPq
Welcome to the steemit community, @christinelook!
Thanks James!
Congratulations @christinelook! You have completed the following achievement on the Steem blockchain and have been rewarded with new badge(s) :
Click here to view your Board
If you no longer want to receive notifications, reply to this comment with the word
STOPWelcome to the steemit community, @christinelook!
Hey @christinelook seems you have a few pretty interesting tales to share with us! Yeah steemit has its kinks but so does every site I guess you kinda choose the problems you willing to live with so glad to have you aboard!
I wish you all the success with your blog and look foreword to following your adventures as you share them with us
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Welcome! Cool cat! Steemit is a relaxed place. Give it a year and it will be booming again! Glad you’re here
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Welcome to steemit @christinelook.
Welcome the new steemians. Have a great day!
Welcome @christinelook
Your cat is going to be a hit on steemit.
Your post was mentioned in the Steem Hit Parade for newcomers in the following category:Congratulations @christinelook!
I also upvoted your post to increase its reward
If you like my work to promote newcomers and give them more visibility on the Steem blockchain, consider to vote for my witness!
The only thing better than cats is your smile. Wow, I didn't realize that some cats have that many fans. Amazing and beautiful like you. I love cats. I'm Oatmeal.
Albert is a cutie :) welcome to Steemit!
Welcome to STEEM!
You and Albert are going to love it here.
It’s a genuine community full of creatives. Dive in and enjoy:)
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welcome on board 😊
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Welcome! ... and J want buy a cat now 😅
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Hi @christinelook. Welcome to SteemIt and nice to meet you.
I'm running an event in which I help newcomers to get their SP up to 100, so they can post and commented without being restricted.
(Vist my blog and read '[DELEGATION GIVEAWAY] Are There Still Motivated Newcomers To Support?'to get more info.)
Your post caught my eye, and if you're still interested in using SteemIt and become a part of this amazing community, just let me know and I'll make sure you get 100sp, so you will be able to post and comment as much as you like.
I'm also willing to answer any questions you have and give you some tips on how to get started.
If you ran out of RC and are not able to reply on SteemIt, you can do so via Discord, a chatting app.
I have a channel there for my delegatees.
Just click the link below and if you don't have a Discord account yet create one with ghe sme username you use here on Steemit. Once your account is set up, visit the link again and accemt the invitation.
You can leaveme a message in one of the rooms in the channel, or send me a directmessage at @simplymike#5057 (from within Discord)
Here is the link:
https://discord.gg/EB6QyfS
I hope to hear from you soon :0)
Welcome! And Albert is a beautiful cat.
If you have any desire to maintain your blog on Medium, there is a cross-posting tool that will allow you to post the same thing to the Steem blockchain and to Medium at the same time. Send me a DM on Discord if you want the link. And if you don't, that's okay, too! We are glad you are here with us now! 😃
P.S.: You have a fabulous, adorable smile! Love it!
Blogging, building and uplifting eachother is what steemit needs and what its all about on this blockchain. The best part is that you could earn money too.💴💸💰
I never blogged before I started but I just do. But always be carefull with all your passwords, Never give those up !!
I wish you good luck with steeming and I Will See you around🍀
Your value and input is appreciated!
Good luck with your journey and may you find what you are looking for.
Just remember that all good things come in good time and never giving up is they key to big succes on Steemit.
Please vote for a witness to. Also you could join the SteemTerminal Discord.
Let me know if this was helpfull or you need more help.
Greetings from Brittandjosie from the NetherlandsHello Christine Welcome to the great community of Steemit, YESS You are a new Steemian now! I saw your #introduceyourself and its nice to meet you. We havent met before but that changes now. For safety tips visit https://steemit.com/steem/@verhp11/safety-first-first-aid-kit-for-steemians-who-are-just-beginning-this-great-journey from Our fellow steemy @verhp11. The Steemify App I use is great, it is available in the Appstore and free, go cheque it out. Or read this blog https://steemit.com/busy/@exyle/using-steemify-to-stay-up-to-date-about-the-blockchain-like-project-destiny-please-consider-blockbrothers-for-your-witness-vote Or visit @heyhaveyamet #HHYA and My friend @xcountytravelers for more newbies exposure.
Welcoooooooooooooooome ! ♥♩♬
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