Under the Influence

The New World of Content Creators

It’s no secret that social media has been woven into almost every aspect of our lives. With over 1.3 billion Instagram users, digital communication is at the forefront of interaction and inspiration. Over the past ten years, career paths in social media management and content creation emerged, leaving us with thousands of accounts to turn to for guidance, laughter, and virtual immersion into others’ vast life experiences. With so many accounts to choose from, it can be overwhelming to navigate your digital landscape. That’s why the VIE team has cultivated a list of our favorite content creators to enhance your feed and add more high-vibe, educational, and inspirational posts to your life. Scroll on!

Hailey Bethke, Marketing Intern

Instagram: @thesunshinesignal

As a podcast host and influencer, I have been able to experience firsthand the effects of social media from a consumer and creator perspective—everything from comparison-itis to the blessing of having a globally connected network at my fingertips. Perhaps most significantly, I’ve witnessed the shift in myself and others from following mass numbers of accounts to newfound intentionality with the platform. For me, using social media consciously has resulted in only following creators who authentically show up as themselves, express their passions wholeheartedly, and share their wisdom in a soul-expansive way. Think of who you follow on social media as your vision board: is there something in each account that excites you to show up as the best version of yourself?

Asking myself this pivotal question has cleaned up my feed (and that nagging feeling of comparison!), shaped how I produce content, and left me to connect with creators I adore. Haley Hoffman Smith (@haleyhoffmansmith), Kathrin Zenkina (@manifestationbabe), and Krista Williams and Lindsey Simcik (@almost30podcast) are my go-tos for all things self-improvement, spirituality, and motivation. Not only do they guide personal growth through short-format content on Instagram, but they also foster meaningful conversations on their respective podcasts, which I tune in to weekly. Lucy Valnicek (@purelybeingmeditations) inspires through her beautiful guided meditations and moments exploring nature, and 30-A local Haileigh Grinkmeyer (@byhaileigh) brings all the fashion inspo while sharing sweet snapshots of sunrises and her pup, Ozzie. All of these women deeply inspire me. I’ve even been fortunate enough to interview my favorite Aussie creators, Emma M. (@emmas_power) and Lily Turton (@lilyturtoncoaching), on my podcast, The Sunshine Signal (@thesunshinesignal), to discuss holistic health and living your purpose.

Kelly Curry, Marketing Director

Instagram: @kdb17

The world of Instagram is vast, wide, and deep. You can find videos, posts, and life hacks on just about anything these days. So why would you loyally follow select influencers? Before Instagram exploded, there was a much smaller number of “influencers,” and they didn’t even know they were influencers; they were just bloggers. I have followed a handful of them for several years, and now I am invested in their lives and even those of their kids. I have watched them grow as young adults, find love, get married, start families, move, and buy their first houses, and they have been kind enough to share everything they have learned through all of these milestones with the world. Most of these things I was doing alongside them, and following these women has always provided me with a friend when I needed life advice. Not only do they share about their lives, but they share about beauty, fashion, home finds, and so much more. They have kept me stylish and current in this fast-paced world, and I can trust that what they share is something they have tried and genuinely love.

Kelly’s Feed
@KATEYMCFARLAN
@BRIGHTONBUTLER
@COLLINSTUOGHYSMITH
@LONESTARSOUTHERN

Jordan Staggs, Editor

Instagram: @jordanlstaggs

Because I read, edit, and research so much about a myriad of topics at the office, I want the content I consume at home to be fun, colorful, and a dream-like escape from reality. I follow a lot of artists, especially those who create nerdy, pop culture-inspired fan art and reinterpretations of classic media. I also think I may have been an architect or decorator in a past life. I love looking at vintage furnishings and art, mid-century modern homes that have been preserved or renovated, and beautiful, dreamy spaces that would be perfect for snuggling up with a book or my favorite TV series. These creators deliver geeky news, good vibes, and retro style, and I’m here for it!

Jordan’s Feed
@SARTORIALGEEK
@1957HOUSEDOWNSOUTH
@COLORMECOURTNEY
@MASTERMINDSCONNECT
@DC_HILLIER

 

Sally Neal, Senior Graphic Designer

Instagram: @sallyneal_

Whether it is fashion, beauty, comedy, or life hacks, I follow my favorite influencers for many things—the most obvious being for inspiration. These influencers fill my feed with unlimited out

fit ideas, comedic relief, and beauty routines. But they also fill my feed with potential. Following other, more romanticized lives gives me an escape from the hustle and bustle of the world and shows me where I am versus where I want to be. Do I want to be the girl with all the killer outfits and a hilarious sense of humor? Or the one with a perfectly glazed skincare routine and slicked-back bun? Or maybe I want to be the one who has it all. In the wide world of social media, these influencers allow me to believe I can be.

Sally’s Feed
@WEWOREWHAT
@MARYRALPH
@GIRLWITHNOJOB
@HEATHERKMCMAHAN
@ARIELLECHARNAS
@MELISSAWOODHEALTH

Emme Martin, Assistant Editor

Instagram: @EMMEMARTIN

I know I am not alone when I say I have a love-hate relationship with social media. My job requires some participation, and I also indulge personally. However, I have found that it’s much more tolerable when I mute certain accounts and embrace the others that don’t leave me feeling drained. My Instagram feed is mainly meme accounts, which is how I like it. But I have also discovered some intellectual influencers I enjoy following for health advice, motivation, and other random facts I would otherwise never know. I even found a newfound interest in critical analysis of The Kardashians thanks to @kardashian_kolloquium, which is the perfect antidote to my heavy pop culture consumption. When my feed consists of content that inspires me, makes me laugh, or makes me think, that’s my ideal algorithm!

Emme’s Feed
@KARDASHIAN_KOLLOQUIUM
@LEXFRIDMAN
@HUBERMANLAB
@BEIGECARDIGAN
@DIET_PRADA

Tracey Thomas, Creative Director

Instagram: @traceyleighthomas

When I’m searching for inspiration for my personal or home style, or if I’m just in need of some positive words to fuel my soul, social media has always been a great resource. I enjoy learning from life curators who spark creativity or provide a new point of view and watching the influencers who immediately captivate my mind with the most beautiful content. Social media is a wonderful and curious place, constantly moving and changing in real time, whether it be an unexpected image or a few words that catch my attention. So I invite you to enjoy my go-to influencers; they are people with fabulous taste, a great sense of humor, and beautiful minds that lead with love.

Tracey’s Feed
@BLAIREADIEBEE
@STEFANASILBER
@CAMILACOELHO
@GABBYBERNSTEIN
@JAYSHETTY
@CHRISSYTEIGEN
@CELLAJANEBLOG

Addie Strickland, Ad Manager

Instagram: @adelle.strickland

In the world of Instagram and TikTok, you can find influencers in every area and stage of life! After choosing my favorite influencers, I realized they all had something in common—they were all strong women in their own right. Some are about being physically fit and confident in their skin, while others have a master’s degree in engineering, but these women are inspiring to say the least. Most importantly, though, they’re real. I appreciate an influencer who shows their “bad” days too. Social media paints a picture that, most of the time, isn’t real life. But maybe even more important is the comedy. Everyone needs a good laugh, so here are my favorite influencers.

Addie’s Feed
@AILEENCHRISTINEEE
@SYDNEYMADAMS_
@ILONAMAHER
@ANNAXSITAR

Jordan Harmon, Graphic Design Intern

Instagram: @jordanharmon_

I follow influencers to stay inspired and stay creative. Ever-changing and evolving fashion trends are hard to keep track of, so following influencers helps me to stay informed in the fashion world. I can then develop my sense of style because I can visualize an aesthetic by scrolling through their pages. This enables me to know what to look for when I shop—and where to shop! I enjoy the simplicity and class of the Swedish style, which is something I learned from exploring profiles like @matildadjerf. The follow button allows you to stay updated with the creatives who inspire you. As they stay inspired, so do you.

Jordan’s Feed
@BETTINALOONEY
@ELENATABER
@EMILISINDLEV
@EMITAZ
@MIMIMOOCHER
@MATILDADJERF

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