DIARY directory recently caught up with vlogger and beauty, lifestyle and travel blogger Brogan Tate, who is especially known and loved for her weekly vlogs on YouTube - uploaded every Monday. Brogan's blog, Brogan Tate xo, has been established since May 2011 and is a platform for Brogan to share a variety of topics, ranging from beauty reviews to personal life updates. 

Cosmo Ambassador

Winner of ‘The Influencer’s Choice Award’ at the 2016 Cosmopolitan Influencer Awards

"My heart is mostly in my weekly vlogs"
 

Listed in DIARY directory in the digital influencers subsection, along with 1000+ categorised influencers for PRs to work with, Brogan talks about the point she realised she could go full time, how winning at the Cosmo Influencer Awards paved the way for her to become a Cosmo Ambassador, and how she splits the work load with her management. 

When and why did you decide to start a blog and YouTube channel?

Back in 2011 when I was just 17, I was procrastinating during my A Levels and came across this incredible beauty community on YouTube, where I started to teach myself how to apply my make-up. I had a Tumblr where I shared my thoughts, feelings and favourite things, and decided to expand and transition into the wonderful world of blogging and YouTube at the same time. I was eager to be a part of something so close-knit, thought-provoking and exciting! 

When did you go full time and how have you found the transition?

Beginning of this year! It’s my sixth year blogging and creating videos, and so I found the transition to self-employment really smooth. I had recently won Cosmopolitan’s Influencer’s Choice Award in December and felt this was the opportunity I needed to take the leap, alongside signing to a Management Agency called Optimus Talent. 

What's an average day for you? 

I wake up at 8 am, check my calendar, spend a few hours filming and editing, reply to emails, Instagram (I post 1-3 times a day), reply to comments and messages and finally, spend the evening at some sort of launch/press event! Sometimes in Bournemouth, where I live, and sometimes up in London. No two days are the same, I’m always working on something new and it’s always really exciting.

"It’s really important to me that we work as a team and so far, it’s going great. My manager Paul picks up all the e-mails, negotiates with brands and arranges travel and events for me, along with being there any time of day, any day of the week for support and guidance. I do the fun stuff, the content creation!"

 
How do you think brands/PRs can work better with influencers? Any pet peeves?

I sometimes wish they provided clearer briefs. I do really appreciate when a brand gives me the flexibility to create content in my own style, which I’m finding happens a lot more now, but understanding exactly what their vision is would be really helpful. Luckily, my manager and I ask a lot of questions and all the brands and PR’s we’ve worked with recently have been nothing but successful, easy and good fun!

What do you handle yourself and what does your management handle?

It’s really important to me that we work as a team and so far, it’s going great. My manager Paul picks up all the e-mails, negotiates with brands and arranges travel and events for me, along with being there any time of day, any day of the week for support and guidance. I do the fun stuff, the content creation! I have a say in everything we do and feel really lucky to have a team around me now. My mum plays a huge role in supporting me too, we joke that she’s my ‘momager’ too!

What are your thoughts on influencers buying followers? Is it getting harder and harder to establish whose following is genuine? 

It feels like a great shame that people buy followers and yes, it does make it more difficult. Hitting subscriber or follower milestones is a huge part of growing online; I can’t imagine celebrating my hard work and not being able to measure my success if I’d bought my followers. It shouldn’t be allowed in my opinion. 

What have been your favourite sponsored collaborations to date?  

Ooh, good question! There’s been so many but I’m currently working with IKEA, which is a brand I’ve adored for years. My flat is basically an IKEA showroom, so I was very excited when they got in touch!

What has been a career highlight? 

Winning ‘The Influencer’s Choice Award’ at the Cosmopolitan Influencer Awards - the only category with a public vote. Meeting the editor Farrah after collecting my award, she said: “you’ve built a really loyal, wonderful online community, you should be so proud”. That was a very special moment for me. Following this, I was offered to become an Ambassador for Cosmo, and we’re now working on a few features and projects in the pipeline. Cosmopolitan is a magazine I’ve genuinely bought for years (you should see my collection!), so I’m honoured to be working with them.

… and biggest struggle? 

Learning to let go of negativity. It’s all part of putting yourself online, and over the years, I’ve established the fine line between accepting constructive criticism and ignoring someone who’s just being mean.

If you had to pick one, what would it be - blog or YouTube? 

YouTube. My heart is mostly in my weekly vlogs.

Is there something else you’d like to branch into?

I’d love to try my hand at presenting!

What are your top social media tips for growing a following?

Post regularly (but don’t spam people with your posts every 5 minutes!), engage with everyone (not just people who message you), and try and put some of your personality into every platform you use.

Contact

Brogan Tate in 'digital influencers'