Name: Courtney McCarthy
YouTube Channel: youtube.com/courtneymcc (CourtneysVlog)
Twitter: @Courtneysvlog
Instagram: @Courtneysvlog
How long have you been using MagicLinks? I think about 2 years now.
What does authentic communication with your subscribers mean to you? Being honest, when it is good or bad. It means showing them the highs and lows in my life, letting them in to see the real side of me. Creating trust so they know that I there is truth and honesty behind what I say and what I show on my channel.
Have you ever struggled to stay authentic on a particular topic, or with a particular promotional or vlogging partner? Yes – absolutely. Whenever I do a review of a product that is sent to me by a company, there is always some pressure to give them a “good” review. But, I know that my viewers always mean more to me than any brand ever will! I also can find it difficult, like any vlogger, to show the real vulnerable parts of my life. The parts that aren’t as happy, or that highlight my failures or mistakes. I always remind myself though, that I may be able to help someone by being honest and by showing that side of me. Again – it makes the struggle worth it in the end.
How and why did you decide to start your channel? It started as a way to stay in touch with long-distance friends and family after finishing graduate school. Then, I made the decision to transition to using only green and natural products. When people started asking a lot of questions about what I was learning and why I was making the switch, I decided to share my journey and transition online as well.
What is the most difficult challenge you’ve faced as you’ve grown your audience? Negative comments and comparing myself to others! Hate is inevitable. There is always going to be someone who doesn’t like you or what you do. It took me a while to build up a thick skin. There are so many amazing people in the Youtube and Green Beauty community. It is hard to not compare the videos you create with those who have more subscribers than you and think “why not me?”. I try to always stay positive and use those moments to remind myself that I have an amazing group of followers that show me so much love and support. I am very lucky and it motivates me to keep going!
What inspires you? Humanity. I want more than anything to help others and try to make someone’s life a little bit easier. We all have such amazing power, as people, to show love, kindness, and empathy. Those things can change the world. My vision for how the world could be, with a little more of those 3 things, inspires me every day.
What are your favorite topics to vlog about? Health, Wellness, Natural Beauty and Green Living! Plus – it is always fun to vlog and share more of my life with my viewers.
What causes do you care most about, and how are you involved in them? I care a lot about the environment and women’s rights. I dedicate a lot of videos to these topics, and I support many different advocacy organizations like the Environmental Working Group, Equal Voice Canada, and the David Suzuki Foundation – just to name a few!
Do you have any pets? We love pets at MagicLinks! Yes – I have a cute little cat furbaby named Munchkin. 🙂
What is your favorite MagicLinks feature? I love the Link Wand. Having a little button on my browser allows me to create links as I am doing research for my reviews or browsing my favourite online stores. So easy and quick to use!
What is one of the best comments you’ve ever received on one of your videos? When people reach out to let me know that I have inspired them in some way, it is the best feeling. To know that I have made an impact on someone’s life is incredible and such an honour. It is a huge reason that I love Youtube! It is such an amazing way to connect with people and learn from one another.
What is your favorite place to shop? I love iHerb.com! I am also a big fan of shopping at local consignment and thrift stores.
Is there anything you’d like to share with others in the community about your experience with MagicLinks? Using MagicLinks has made the process of linking to the products I feature in my videos so much easier! I think it adds credibility and a sense of professionalism and predictability to my channel since my viewers know that they will always be able to quickly find a link to anything that I talk about without having to search or do the hard work on their own.
P.S. Interested in being a Featured User on the MagicLinks blog? Contact janet@magiclinks.org
