With almost 20k followers on Instagram, well-being and a fashion blogger, Niamh De Brún launched her website in September 2018 expanding, into an audience beyond the world of Social Media.

A HR professional with an Engineering Consultancy by trade, Niamh was crowned Miss Kilkenny in 2017, and has always had a passion for all things fashion and beauty related. Describing her blog as a creative outlet where she can share her thoughts and experiences, Niamh has gained a great fanbase who tune in daily to see the latest updates.

Her style, writing and photos have attracted work partnerships with Littlewoods Ireland, Freddy Jeans and Great Lengths Ireland, enabling her to sign with a leading Influencer Management Agency in Dublin.

How did you first get into blogging, and how would you describe your blogging style?

There was always an interest and questions about where I purchased my outfits or what kind of gym workouts I did. My Instagram had a following before I launched my website last September, so it felt like a natural progression. My blog is very much so a lifestyle blog with a focus on fitness and fashion. I would like to think my blogging style is very honest and relatable.

What inspired you to start your blog?

I wanted a creative outlet to share my interests and offer my opinion and advice to others if asked. Working in HR and helping people is a huge part of my life and I get satisfaction from it. It is very gratifying.

How active are you on a weekly basis? How often do you communicate with your followers?

I am active on social media every day. I may only post 2-3 times a week depending on what I have on but I share stories each day on my Instagram @niamhdebrun (shameless plug!). I work full time so I plan my content and schedule it through a scheduling app so it does not interfere with my career. I work as a HR Specialist in an Engineering Consultancy and my job is my number 1 priority. I get a lot of messages and I try my hardest to get back to everyone but sometimes it is difficult when I have so many other commitments.

What is your biggest challenge?

The biggest challenge for me is getting noticed by brands / companies in such a noisy blogging world. In the past there were only a select few bloggers, it is now such a saturated market and it is a lot harder to get your name out there.

What’s your best advice for handling criticism on social media?

It is very easy to say ‘don’t let that get to you’, but that doesn’t work for me. I can tend to be over sensitive at times and let negativity affect me a lot more than I should but that is just my personality. How I deal with it is to accept that I am hurt by it (even if there is no substance in it) and allow myself be frustrated by it for a short time, but then make the conscious effort to move on from it. (It does get easier to take but it can still hurt). This works 9/10 times for me and usually the following day I have forgotten about the criticism and I am back on track doing my own thing. I have real faith in the goodness of people and in my experience, there are far more positive comments than negative ones.

There is a quote I love by Roy T. Bennett ― Author of “The Light in the Heart”, “Do not let arrogance go to your head and despair to your heart; do not let compliments go to your head and criticisms to your heart; do not let success go to your head and failure to your heart.”

Have you ever worked with any brands/businesses through your blog?

I have been fortunate to work with some big brands such as Tan Organic, Littlewoods Ireland, Freddy Jeans, Great Lengths Ireland to name a few. I have recently signed with Andrea Roche agency on the Influencer side so hopefully I will be adding to this list in the near future.

What is important to you when working with brands?

For me, the brand has to be one I use / one I believe in. I am not going to work with a brand if it would damage my own brand / put my reputation for being honest and upfront in jeopardy.

What advice would you give to a brand/business who wants to work with an influencer?

Be sure to get their social media insights (number of ‘hits’ and views on a page) as so many people buy their followers and likes on social media to look ‘attractive’ or ‘popular. Insights cannot be bought so this is a true reflection of an influencer’s hits. Also making sure the influencers brand is in line with yours as it ensures a good partnership.

What social media site do you feel is best for you to reach your target audience?

I have to say Instagram for my particular audience, although I do use Facebook and Twitter a lot too!

You can keep up to date with Niamh on Instagram @niamhdebrun or by checking out her website www.niamhdebrun.com