What does it take to build a career in the unpredictable world of social media? Allison Skiff, a corporate partnerships professional, and Melissa Ashley Meares, a music studio owner, discuss their unexpected paths to becoming home decor and DIY influencers and the lessons they’ve learned along the way.
Melissa Ashley Meares, who began her career in music education, never expected to become a home decor influencer. “I started my channel because I wanted to run a music studio,” she explains. “But about a month in, I realized I didn’t want to post about music. I wanted my creative outlet to be something different.” That “something different” turned into a massive following, with over 155,000 Instagram followers and 71,000 on TikTok.
Allison Skiff, on the other hand, found her way to DIY home decor through a love of photography and a desire to document the renovation of her 1988 colonial brick house. “I’m just learning as I go,” she says. “But sharing that journey has connected me with an amazing community.”
Both emphasize the importance of diversifying income streams in the unpredictable world of social media. “There are so many ways to make money from content,” Meares notes. “You can do it through affiliates, brand partnerships, or even just the platforms paying you. But it can be terrifying to think, ‘What if I don’t make anything next month?’”
Skiff adds that owning your platform is crucial. “We’re renters on social media,” she says. “We don’t own those channels. So it’s important to have something that’s yours, whether it’s a newsletter, a website, or both.”
Adapting to platform changes has been key to their success. Both Skiff and Meares have embraced new features like Instagram’s “trial reels,” which allow creators to test content without committing to a full post. “Sometimes the content you think will flop ends up going viral,” Meares says. “It’s all about experimenting and staying nimble.”
Beyond brand deals, they’ve also found success through affiliate marketing and are exploring new revenue streams. Meares, for example, has seen significant income from affiliate links on Facebook, where she often shares home decor finds. “I’ve had days where a single reel made $900 in affiliate income,” she shares. “It’s wild how much potential there is outside of traditional brand partnerships.”
Looking ahead, both creators are focused on building passive income streams. Meares and her husband are developing plans to sell digital products, like woodworking blueprints, while Skiff is exploring ways to monetize her website through ads and exclusive content. “The goal is to create something sustainable,” Skiff says. “You don’t want to be tied to posting every single day to make ends meet.”
From navigating brand deals to balancing creativity with business, both Skiff and Meares offer a wealth of insights for aspiring content creators. They also share the challenges of growing an audience, the importance of staying nimble, and the unexpected moments that can lead to viral success.
Whether you’re a budding influencer, a DIY enthusiast, or just curious about the behind-the-scenes of content creation, this episode is packed with inspiration and practical tips.
Tune in now to hear more from Allison Skiff and Melissa Ashley Meares on building a career in the digital space, the power of community, and how they’ve turned their passions into sustainable careers.
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