Featured User: Samantha March

Name: Samantha March

YouTube Channel: Samantha March

How long have you been using MagicLinks? 1 year

What does authentic communication with your subscribers mean to you? Authentic communication with subscribers means making friendships with those who find me via my social media channels, and is the most important aspect to me. I take time every single day to answer all my comments and messages that come in – from Instagram to Youtube to Snapchat. Social media is a way to expand friendships and meet like-minded people who have the same interests, and often – ambitions – like me. My virtual friendships are very real to me.

Have you ever struggled to stay authentic on a particular topic, or with a particular promotional or vlogging partner? The only times I get uncomfortable is during my anti haul videos or Will I Buy It videos when I have to discuss people versus a brand, such a brand collaborations. I don’t like to be negative and it makes me uncomfortable, but I do my best to stay true to myself, my feelings and beliefs, without being a bully.

How and why did you decide to start your channel? I decided to start my channel as an extension of my blog. I started a women’s lifestyle blog in 2009 to cover an array of topics – books, fitness, and beauty, but over the years it slowly became majority book blog. Youtube let me finally expand on the beauty content I always wanted to produce.

What is the most difficult challenge you’ve faced as you’ve grown your audience? Balancing everything. I’m a full time published author and book blogger, and work in several areas in the book industry, such as marketing and editing. I released my fifth novel in March and my sixth is due out September 2017. On the other hand, I’m a full time beauty influencer and content creator, keeping to a consistent schedule of 3 Instagram posts per day and 4 Youtube videos a week. My days are jam packed and I’m constantly switching between books and beauty. But I’m doing everything I love to do, so I really can’t complain!

What inspires you? Everything. A snippet of conversation from random strangers in a mall turns into a conversation in my manuscript. A nail polish color can inspire a full makeup look. Inspiration is always all around us, we just have to be open to it and use our creativity.

What are your favorite topics to vlog about? I love to talk about makeup and beauty products – my Will I Buy It series has become very popular on my channel, where I discuss new makeup launches and if I will buy them and why or why not. Other popular videos include Makeup I DON’T Regret NOT Buying, Makeup I Regret Not Buying & Makeup I Don’t Regret Buying. I don’t often share makeup tutorials, I prefer to chat instead!

What causes do you care most about, and how are you involved in them? Women’s health, especially breast and cervical cancer. I have written about these topics in several of my novels, and done public speaking on the importance of self-testing and getting regular physicals. I also am very public about being a sexual abuse survivor, again having written on the topic in my books and doing public speaking on the matter, including at elementary. junior high schools and high schools.

Do you have any pets? We love pets at MagicLinks! I have a Vizsla named Aries! She is a joy to have around the house, and definitely lives up the “Velcro Vizsla” nickname. She is in the majority of my snaps, sharing a chair with me!

What is your favorite MagicLinks feature? I love being able to refer fellow friends! MagicLinks has become a site I utilize daily and is a big part of my channel, so I love telling fellow influencer friends!

What is one of the best comments you’ve ever received on one of your videos? My favorite comments are when people tell me I’ve inspired them in any way. To starting their own Youtube channel to writing a novel to starting their fitness plan, those are hands down the best comments I can receive.

What is your favorite place to shop? Sephora, Ulta & Toploft Clothing!

Is there anything you’d like to share with others in the community about your experience with MagicLinks? I’ve been incredibly impressed with the community feel from MagicLinks. From the newsletters that feature users to the milestone emails I’ve received, MagicLinks appears to really care about their users and I find that fantastic!

P.S. Interested in being a Featured User on the MagicLinks blog? Contact janet@magiclinks.org