FASHION | CELEBRITIES / INFLUENCERS | DIARY INFLUENCERS
DIARY Influencer: Shaun Findlay from Finnerz321
Date Posted: Tuesday 22nd August 2017
DIARY directory recently caught up with upcoming male fashion, fitness and lifestyle blogger Shaun Findlay from Finnerz321. Shaun started blogging earlier this year and has already grown his following to over 16k followers on Instagram, posting weekly blog posts on a range of topics including fashion, male grooming, travel and new brands.
Male Fashion, Fitness & Lifestyle blogger
"It is really important to constantly engage with your followers"
| Date of birth: | 23/09/87 |
| Country of residence: | London, UK |
| Biggest Readership Locations: | London, Manchester, Brighton |
| 3 main areas of focus: | Fashion, Men's Grooming, Fitness |
| Skin type: | Medium |
| Hair colour: | Dark brown |
| Hair type: | Wavy |
| Dress size: | Medium |
| Shoe size: | UK 10 |
| Height: | 6ft 3 |
Listed in DIARY directory in the digital influencers subsection, along with 1500+ categorised influencers for PRs to work with, Shaun talks about the growing male blogging industry, why he thinks traditional blogging will fade out in favour of YouTube and how keeping it consistent has grown his Instagram following.
What got you into blogging, how long ago did you start?
I have always loved taking pictures, when I bought something I would take a picture before wearing it. If I see something in the shops that I like, I would take a picture and send it to friends to see what they think. I started to follow more male influencers and enjoyed seeing what they had to share. I thought to myself why not start posting my outfits and street style. I started in blogging in February 2017 so I haven't been doing this for long but I am quickly learning how to engage with my followers and I am really enjoying it.
I have always loved taking pictures, when I bought something I would take a picture before wearing it. If I see something in the shops that I like, I would take a picture and send it to friends to see what they think. I started to follow more male influencers and enjoyed seeing what they had to share. I thought to myself why not start posting my outfits and street style. I started in blogging in February 2017 so I haven't been doing this for long but I am quickly learning how to engage with my followers and I am really enjoying it.
Are you a full-time influencer?
Unfortunately, I am not a full-time influencer, to me this is just my hobby but as my following grows it is becoming my second job. It would be my dream to become a full-time influencer although I still have so much to learn. It is hard to balance blogging with my full-time job. I work Monday-Friday and also play football mid week and on Saturdays. I try to use all of Sunday and some evenings to concentrate on my blog. I think brands assume you are a full-time blogger so as soon as they send you a product they want instant posts. For me, I like to take my time and get the right shot for each brand I work with and produce high-quality content.
Unfortunately, I am not a full-time influencer, to me this is just my hobby but as my following grows it is becoming my second job. It would be my dream to become a full-time influencer although I still have so much to learn. It is hard to balance blogging with my full-time job. I work Monday-Friday and also play football mid week and on Saturdays. I try to use all of Sunday and some evenings to concentrate on my blog. I think brands assume you are a full-time blogger so as soon as they send you a product they want instant posts. For me, I like to take my time and get the right shot for each brand I work with and produce high-quality content.
Who are your core readers?
My core readers are men aged between 18-24 and 25-34.
How do you make your content different to others?
Now I take my blogging seriously I like to keep my blog consistent. My editing is the same for each post and my followers can expect to see something new for each post. I find a lot of bloggers may post the same outfit in different locations consecutively. I also think I am real, I engage with all my followers no matter how busy I am. I think more and more bloggers are distancing themselves from their followers. I just see myself as a normal guy sharing what he likes.
"When brands contact me for collaborations I like it when they have actually taken the time to look at my profile and have not just sent a generic email."
Now I take my blogging seriously I like to keep my blog consistent. My editing is the same for each post and my followers can expect to see something new for each post. I find a lot of bloggers may post the same outfit in different locations consecutively. I also think I am real, I engage with all my followers no matter how busy I am. I think more and more bloggers are distancing themselves from their followers. I just see myself as a normal guy sharing what he likes.
Male blogging is on the rise, how has the industry changed since you began?
More and more men are mixing it up and including more lifestyle and grooming. It's now more socially acceptable for men to openly post about their beauty regime. I think the beauty industry for men will continue to grow and the market is huge right now. Men are now taking more pride in their appearance and why not!
"When brands contact me for collaborations I like it when they have actually taken the time to look at my profile and have not just sent a generic email."
What advice would you give to any budding male influencers?
Just be yourself and post what you're passionate about. Don't worry about any negativity, just do you. Be prepared to put in the hard work! It's not as simple as taking a quick photo there's a lot more that goes on behind the scenes.
Just be yourself and post what you're passionate about. Don't worry about any negativity, just do you. Be prepared to put in the hard work! It's not as simple as taking a quick photo there's a lot more that goes on behind the scenes.
Blogging can - to an extent - be seen as a numbers game, however, we know that numbers don't always measure up to engagement. What does success mean to you and how do you measure it?
Even if I inspire one person for me that is success. Obviously, I want to reach out to more and more people and that is why I put the hard work into my social sites. I have set myself goals to work towards and I will not stop until I have reached them.
Even if I inspire one person for me that is success. Obviously, I want to reach out to more and more people and that is why I put the hard work into my social sites. I have set myself goals to work towards and I will not stop until I have reached them.
What catches your eye in a press release/brand collaboration e-mail?
I am always open to trying new things so if it's a new product or brand launching it will catch my eye. When brands contact me for collaborations I like it when they have actually taken the time to look at my profile and have not just sent a generic email.
I am always open to trying new things so if it's a new product or brand launching it will catch my eye. When brands contact me for collaborations I like it when they have actually taken the time to look at my profile and have not just sent a generic email.
How do you think PRs can work better with influencers? What are your pet PR peeves?
I have only recently started working with PR agencies and I have to say so far everyone has been great. The one thing I would say is it would be nice to meet the PR teams to help build the relationship.
I have only recently started working with PR agencies and I have to say so far everyone has been great. The one thing I would say is it would be nice to meet the PR teams to help build the relationship.
What are your thoughts on influencers buying followers? Is it getting harder and harder to establish whose following is genuine?
I disagree with people buying followers as the whole point of blogging is to engage with your audience. I think Instagram is really cutting down on fake followers which is good. You can usually tell a genuine following by the quality of someone's profile.
I disagree with people buying followers as the whole point of blogging is to engage with your audience. I think Instagram is really cutting down on fake followers which is good. You can usually tell a genuine following by the quality of someone's profile.
What are your top social media tips for growing a following?
Firstly you need to decide what your main areas of focus are and then you need to ensure you keep your posts consistent. Me personally I try to post everyday and I'm always posting on my Instagram stories. I feel it is really important to constantly engage with your followers; if they leave a like or a comment on your post then recognise it. I am always browsing and interacting with my followers and other bloggers.
Firstly you need to decide what your main areas of focus are and then you need to ensure you keep your posts consistent. Me personally I try to post everyday and I'm always posting on my Instagram stories. I feel it is really important to constantly engage with your followers; if they leave a like or a comment on your post then recognise it. I am always browsing and interacting with my followers and other bloggers.
What has been a career highlight?
Getting re-posted by some of my favourite brands such as MYPROTEIN. I have always followed them so seeing myself on their Instagram page was really cool.
Getting re-posted by some of my favourite brands such as MYPROTEIN. I have always followed them so seeing myself on their Instagram page was really cool.
Who would a dream brand collaboration be with?
It would be a dream to collaborate with a huge brand like Nike who has worked with superstars.
It would be a dream to collaborate with a huge brand like Nike who has worked with superstars.
Do you think traditional blogging will fade out in favour of YouTube and social channels like Instagram? Do you see yourself branching into YouTube?
I already feel like that is happening, more and more influencers are branching into Youtube. Being on camera brings you closer to your followers and they can get a real insight into your day-to-day life. Youtube is definitely something I am considering. Instagram for me is convenient and I believe it's quicker to engage with your followers and a lot easier for people to access.
I already feel like that is happening, more and more influencers are branching into Youtube. Being on camera brings you closer to your followers and they can get a real insight into your day-to-day life. Youtube is definitely something I am considering. Instagram for me is convenient and I believe it's quicker to engage with your followers and a lot easier for people to access.
What other bloggers/influencers do you follow and why?
Ali Gordon - I really like his blog and social sites, he is really inspirational. His fashion sense is really cool as well and I can relate to him.
Rowan Row - He always produces high-quality content and his fitness regime is incredible.
Carl Cunard - His Youtube is really good and he seems really genuine. He tries to interact with his followers on a regular basis which is great to see.
Massiii_22 - He has great street style and loves tattoos like myself.