Name: Samantha Ann
YouTube Channel: Samantha Ann
Twitter: @samanthann92
Instagram: @samanthann92
How long have you been using MagicLinks? About 2 years or so
What does authentic communication with your subscribers mean to you? Authentic communication with my subscribers is always being 100% honest with them. I will always tell me subscribers my true opinions of a product whether good or bad. I also always tell them if a video is sponsored or I received a product for free. I believe being honest and genuine is so important when you’re sharing so much of yourself and your opinions online. If you’re not telling the truth what is the point?
Have you ever struggled to stay authentic on a particular topic, or with a particular promotional or vlogging partner? I pride myself on always being authentic no matter the topic. I’ve talked about everything from brands and products to personal stuff and more and wouldn’t share so much if I wasn’t being authentic to myself. I have received products for free that really didn’t work out for me. I’ve first reached out to the brand to tell them my experience and usually I just wouldn’t talk about it, but in some cases when I found a product to be potentially harmful I hesitated to do a video slamming a brand, but felt as a vlogger I felt it was my responsibility to my viewers as well as potential customers of the brand to inform them. Its not easy to hate something publicly because of the backlash from supporters or the brand itself, but people deserve to know.
How and why did you decide to start your channel? I first started my channel when I was a sophomore in college and had mono and couldn’t do much out of the house. I was watching a lot of fashion videos, makeup tutorials, and product reviews in my free time and thought Wow, I could do this. I noticed there were things in other people’s videos that I’d like to see and instead of searching for it – I did it myself.
I filmed my first video with my laptop camera, then my mom’s handheld camera, then bought a camcorder and have moved up to a DSLR since then. It was a slow process and I struggled with my budget to get to the quality others were at, but I learned that the best viewers care about what you say not how good your lighting is. I also struggled with acne for ages and wanted to help others by sharing my skin story and process as best as I could. Every time I get a comment from a viewer thanking me for helping them I know it was worth the hard work.
What is the most difficult challenge you’ve faced as you’ve grown your audience? I’m terrible at self promotion. I find it so fake. It may sound rude, but I won’t do “sub for sub” or spam someone else’s video. I want to grow my audience organically with my content and personality, not spam or empty promises. Not to say people who do that are wrong to, but if someone likes my videos they’ll subscribe and keep watching, if not thats fine. Even at times when I felt like giving up because my audience wasn’t growing I kept true to myself. I’d rather have a small loyal audience than a large one that don’t watch or leave rude comments.
What inspires you? At first the youtubers I looked up to inspired me (and they still do), but as I worked to grow my channel for the last 4+ years my viewers have become my inspiration. Every time I get a sweet comment or a message from a viewer saying my videos gave them hope or helped them I know the struggles are worth it.
What are your favorite topics to vlog about? I love to do reviews on foundations and mascaras and putting together outfits is always a blast and fashion videos always turn out so fun, but my personal videos are probably my favorite. Sharing my story and helping others to feel related to, have hope or just know they’re not alone makes me feel so great.
What causes do you care most about, and how are you involved in them? I really care about animals in need whether do to cruelty or neglect. Its so awful that anyone could treat animals is such an awful way when they’re so innocent and loyal. I donate to ASPCA and shop through Amazon Smile so that a percentage of my orders go to help that cause. I’ve also volunteered monthly for the last 9 years to Young Lives, an organization that helps teen moms with mentoring and guidance. They meet once a month and I run the infant care room so their children can have fun while they’re meeting. Its been so rewarding and I love that by simply spending time with children I can help, even in a small way.
Do you have any pets? We love pets at MagicLinks! YES! I have 3 cats! The oldest is Gabby, then Maggie, and the baby is Jasmine (although we call her Nunni – don’t ask haha)
What is your favorite MagicLinks feature? I really love that when I talk about products I love I can share them with my viewers super easily with the Link Wand. Making money from sponsors and Youtube ads can be really difficult and limiting, but having that extra income from commission is really helpful.
What is one of the best comments you’ve ever received on one of your videos? “I feel like you’re the only one who actually understands! I relate to exactly everything you said.” – This, like many of the comments on My Acne Story video are so touching. Acne is such a horrible and life-changing experience that really effected my confidence. I went through much of my youth struggling alone and feeling like no one understood how I felt and like I was the only one, but knowing my video could help these boys and girls feel like they’re not alone is amazing.
What is your favorite place to shop? That’s a hard one! I love so many stores like H&M, Forever 21 & Nordstrom, but Target has to be the best. You can just get anything there!
Is there anything you’d like to share with others in the community about your experience with MagicLinks? MagicLinks is such a lovely community. There are a lot of sites that claim to be dedicated to you and want to help you with your channel, but they don’t. Many of them don’t respond to your questions and don’t really help you at all, but MagicLinks really cares. They help you add to your income, but also are available to answer any questions you have and help you in anyway they can. Out of all the websites and networks I’ve talked to they are the most genuine and caring which is so important to me as a vlogger who isn’t always taken seriously and is commonly mistreated by those trying to take advantage of my hard work.
P.S. Interested in being a Featured User on the MagicLinks blog? Contact janet@magiclinks.org!
