Exploring New York City can be a thrilling experience, but it can also be expensive. Fortunately, there are affordable ways to navigate the city without breaking the bank. In this article, we’ll explore the various options for traveling around NYC on a budget, including bike rideshare, bike rentals, and public transportation.
Pt 46/50 things to do in New York City under $20 – Rent a Citi Bike for a day. Price: $19. Bike must be docked every 30 minutes #nyctop3#thingstodony#funinnyc#bikenyc
Bike Rideshare One of the most affordable and eco-friendly ways to travel through New York City is by using bike rideshare services like Citi Bike or Jump. Citi Bike is available in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Jersey City, and offers a variety of pricing plans to suit your needs. For example, you can purchase a 24-hour pass for just $12 or a 3-day pass for $24. This gives you unlimited 30-minute rides during that period, making it easy to hop on and off as you explore the city.
Jump, on the other hand, is an electric bike-sharing service that operates in the Bronx and Staten Island. The cost is $0.30 per minute, making it a great option for short trips around the city.
Bike Rentals If you’re planning to spend a day or two exploring New York City, renting a bike might be a good option for you. Bike rental companies like Central Park Bike Rental, Blazing Saddles, and Unlimited Biking offer affordable rates starting at around $10 per hour or $35 for a full day rental. This is a great way to see the city at your own pace, and you can cover more ground than you would on foot.
Public Transportation If you’re not keen on biking, New York City’s public transportation system is an affordable way to get around. The subway and bus system covers all five boroughs and is accessible with a MetroCard. A single ride on the subway or bus costs $2.75, but you can save money by purchasing an unlimited ride MetroCard. For example, a 7-day unlimited MetroCard costs $33, while a 30-day unlimited MetroCard costs $127. This is an excellent option if you plan to use public transportation frequently during your stay.
Whether you prefer to bike, rent a bike, or take public transportation, there are plenty of affordable ways to explore New York City. Consider using bike rideshare services like Citi Bike or Jump for short trips, or rent a bike for a day or two to cover more ground. If biking isn’t your thing, the city’s public transportation system is a reliable and cost-effective way to get around. By choosing one of these options, you can save money while still experiencing everything the city has to offer.
Armand Lucas
Journalist and editor for NY Style and several other magazines and websites. Currently working on a book about the Quebecois in Canada and how the culture is related to Cajun Louisiana.
While living in the city can be expensive, there are affordable housing options available in outer boroughs and living with roommates.
Prioritizing spending and taking advantage of free or low-cost activities can also help make living in New York City more manageable on an entry-level income
New York City is one of the most vibrant and exciting cities in the world, but it can also be one of the most expensive places to live. If you’re just starting out in your career, it can be tough to find a job that pays well enough to support your lifestyle in the city. But fear not, there are plenty of entry-level jobs in New York City that pay well and offer opportunities for growth.
Software Developer If you have a background in computer science or programming, software development can be a lucrative career path. Entry-level software developers in New York City can expect to make an average salary of around $75,000 per year. With experience and expertise, that salary can easily climb to six figures. Software developers can find jobs in a variety of industries, from finance to healthcare to entertainment.
Registered Nurse If you’re interested in the healthcare field, becoming a registered nurse is a great option. Entry-level registered nurses in New York City can make an average salary of around $80,000 per year, and the demand for nurses is expected to continue growing in the coming years. There are many hospitals and healthcare facilities in the city, so finding a job as a registered nurse shouldn’t be too difficult.
Financial Analyst For those with a strong background in finance or accounting, becoming a financial analyst can be a great entry-level job option in New York City. Financial analysts are in high demand in the city’s financial sector, and can expect to make an average salary of around $70,000 per year. With experience and a solid track record, financial analysts can easily earn six-figure salaries.
Public Relations Specialist If you have strong communication skills and are interested in marketing and branding, becoming a public relations specialist can be a great entry-level job option. Public relations specialists in New York City can expect to make an average salary of around $60,000 per year, with opportunities for growth and advancement in the industry.
Once you’ve landed one of these entry-level jobs, the next step is figuring out where and how you can live in the city on that type of income. While it’s true that New York City can be expensive, there are plenty of affordable housing options available if you’re willing to do some research.
One option is to look for apartments in the outer boroughs of the city, such as Queens or Brooklyn. These neighborhoods offer a more affordable cost of living than Manhattan, while still providing easy access to the city’s many amenities.
Another option is to consider living with roommates to split the cost of rent and other expenses. There are many online resources, such as Craigslist or Roomi, that can help you find roommates and apartments in your price range.
Lastly, it’s important to be mindful of your budget and prioritize your spending. New York City offers a wide range of free and low-cost activities, from museums to parks to cultural events. By taking advantage of these options, you can enjoy all the city has to offer without breaking the bank.
When you look into it, you’ll find that there are many well-paying entry-level jobs available in New York City, and with a little bit of planning and budgeting, it’s possible to live comfortably in the city on that type of income. Whether you’re interested in software development, nursing, finance, or public relations, there’s a job out there for you in the city that never sleeps.
Armand Lucas
Journalist and editor for NY Style and several other magazines and websites. Currently working on a book about the Quebecois in Canada and how the culture is related to Cajun Louisiana.
Not too many of us will take the gamble of quitting a comfortable advertising career and drive across the country to follow our dreams like Liz Teich. Especially, if those dreams have you starting from the bottom all over again to make it to the top of the fashion world in one of the greatest and most competitive cities in the world, New York City. We’ve caught up with Liz to ask about her journey to become one of the most sought-after fashion stylists in NYC and we are so glad she decided to be as candid as she is motivational.
What motivated you tobecome a fashion stylist? I’ve been entrepreneurial since a young age and was enlisting my friends to let me dress them, I’d hire them to sell my jewelry designs at garage sales, and I also made handbags and sold them to friends and teachers. Then after college, I’d have women lining up at my cubicle to purchase my jewelry designs after they’d see them on me. I quit my 9–5 (or really 9–9) job in advertising to become a commercial stylist on photoshoots, working for brands. I’ve worked on some incredible projects and even got to sell my jewelry designs on set to colleagues, but my favorite part of the job was connecting with real women and making them look and feel their best. As a blogger and creator, I often had people reach out to me to ask for my help with their own wardrobes, so that led me to expand my business into personal styling. Now I help women all over the country, that are often going through major life changes, shop their closets first, and shop more consciously, through my Closet Refresh™️ service.
What did you find difficult about getting started? When I quit my job in advertising, I took a month off, and drove across the country with my then-boyfriend, now husband, to regroup and figure out my next steps. I emailed and called anyone I could get in contact with to intern/assist/apprentice—even offered to work for free—just to get my foot in the door in the styling world. It was humbling to go from being an art director and creating ads that were published in magazines and on taxi cabs, to starting from square one with zero income or clout. I freelanced at a fashion brand I interned for under the condition that if I got an assistant styling gig, I’d have to take that. I hustled by making my jewelry designs at night, selling them at NYC markets and to boutiques on the weekends, and basically working 24/7, but it all led me to where I am now!
Was there anything in your childhood that motivated you to do what you are doing now? I lost my mother to cancer at a young age so she’s very much my motivation in everything I do. She was always impeccably dressed, though we didn’t have much money! You’d never know that because she was so creative and resourceful. She took pride in finding our clothing secondhand and often sewed garments to revive them in new ways. She’s the reason I’m so passionate about sustainability, as it was ingrained in my childhood. She was also a jeweler and silversmith, so it led to my passion for accessories as well!
There are 3 main stumbling blocks for entrepreneurs: funding, partnerships and motivation. Which one was lacking or the most challenging for you? Motivation has never been an issue! It’s really the funding to get started, especially when you’re taking in zero income, so I had to hustle!
Looking back, how much do you believe your success is owed to luck and how much is due to hard work, percentage-wise? 10% luck and 90% hard work for sure — there’s a lot of who you know and meet to propel your career but most of that comes with hard work.
Aren’t you afraid of the competition in your field? No— there are a gazillion people that call themselves “stylists” and so many are great at what they do, but I have a niche of teaching women how to dress for their new life/body and be more mindful of what they add/keep in their closet sets me apart. Anyone can pick out beautiful clothes, but my 20 years of experience in the fashion and advertising world, learning from some of the top stylists and tailors, and working for a clothing brand have given me so much expertise in what I do.
Who did you idol growing up? It can be an artist, sportsperson, or someone in the business. My mom was and is very much my idol, from her style and her activism (she was an early adopter of sustainable living and was on the cover of our local paper for it!). Her style influences were Brigitte Bardot and Jane Birkin, so I’m quite influenced by the 60s and 70s fashions as well.
When did you realize you hit your stride? In other words, when did you become comfortable with what you were doing? I don’t think I’m ever going to be satisfied with where I am—I always want to accomplish more! Though I think the moment that clicked for me was when I styled a segment for a brand for Good Morning America’s Ambush Makeover and the woman I got to makeover was in tears because she hadn’t felt this good about herself in so long. The power of clothing can make a difference in how one feels and I knew I wanted to make that my mission, whether it was through my personal styling clients or even connecting and teaching women around the world via Instagram and TikTok.
How long do you think you have in this business? Until people stop caring about how they look, though I was quite busy with virtual clients who wanted to even feel better in sweats during the pandemic!
What differences are you making in the business? Affordability, streamlining or legacy? I’d like to leave a legacy of showing women how to spend less, appreciate what they have, learn how to feel and look their best and be more sustainable in how they approach their wardrobes.
If you don’t mind saying, who’s your main competition and what can you offer that they can’t? I suppose my main competition is fast fashion stores! They entice with their prices but often I have to teach my clients that they’re ending up with things that don’t make them feel great and ultimately their clothes end up in landfills. You don’t have to spend a lot, but quality well-made garments really make a difference.
Everyone feels like giving up at some point to find a “regular job”. What kept you going when you hit that wall and what did the wall look like? I’ve worked in an office and would never go back to not working for myself!
If you can do anything else in business, what would it be? I love connecting with as many people as possible, so being a style expert on TV is one of my favorite things to do. I’m hoping to do more of that again as my business and social media expand. I also would love to design again, but I don’t have the time so my dream is to collaborate with brands to do exclusive collections for them!
What’s your favorite organizing app? Does an old-fashioned written planner count?? I use HoneyBook for my business too and that’s helped me grow exponentially!
Armand Lucas
Journalist and editor for NY Style and several other magazines and websites. Currently working on a book about the Quebecois in Canada and how the culture is related to Cajun Louisiana.
One reason why some people never make it as a social media influencer is that they lack the ability to consistently produce high-quality content. In order to be successful as an influencer, one must be able to consistently create content that is engaging, visually appealing, and relevant to their target audience. If an influencer is unable to produce this type of content, they will struggle to grow their audience and attract brands that are looking to collaborate with them as an influencer.
Another reason why some people never make it as a social media influencer is that they lack the ability to effectively market themselves. Simply having a large following does not guarantee success as an influencer. In order to be successful, an influencer must be able to effectively market themselves and their content to their target audience. This includes not only promoting their content on their own social media channels, but also reaching out to other influencers and brands to collaborate and cross-promote. Without the ability to effectively market themselves, an influencer will struggle to grow their audience and monetize their platform.
Kanchana has risen to the challenge of being a top social media influencer
Kanchana has worked with multiple fashion brands such as Farfetch, Princess Polly, Gshock, MOTF, Guess, Revolve, Cash-By Cash app, David’s Bridal, Polene Paris, Cosette, and many more. Her unstoppable passion for what she has created for these brands makes her stand out amongst so many others in social media marketing. We’ve caught up with Kanchana to ask her about what she is doing presently and how she became an influencer.
I started creating random videos for fun and QUICKY learned trends and skills to create better content
Have you worked with another social influencer on a campaign before? If so, what factors led to your decision to work together?
I am launching my social media agency on 2.3.23 with another influencer friend of mine. As creators, we work well as a team therefore this project of mine going to be very exciting.
If it’s not aligned with my brand and when a brand is demanding so many deliverables for so little money. I believe it takes time to create better content, and I love working with brands who trust my work and allow me to create something that my audience would love to see.
What would you do if your uploads were unfairly deleted?
This has never happened to me before but I’d submit a petition or if it still didn’t work I’ll try to repost. Instagram, Facebook and other social media platforms have ways for you to have your content reviewed by a live person and in most cases I’ve heard where it was a mistake by the apps’ automated systems, the content was cleared as a post.
If you believe in your content, stand by it.
What is one tip you would give a new influencer starting their career?
Trust the process. I know there are so many social media gurus but what will help you be successful is the quality of your content. Keep learning new skills and improve your work because I am still learning and it’s very important to survive in this industry.
Most clothing designers can’t wait to break out on their own and conquer the world by becoming the next Jimmy Choo or Tom Ford. They spend an enormous amount of time cultivating social media followers and pray that their brand, will one day showcase in upscale department stores on Rodeo drive, Dubai or 5th Ave.
It takes hard work to receive recognition in the fashion world but sometimes a simple but impactful approach is what’s needed in a crowded haute couture market. To make a sizeable splash, you need 2 critical components that can excite potential clientele. Hyper-Localization and a good story.
A Brand Is Only As Good As Its Story
LVMH, the fashion conglomerate that buys and collects luxury brands such as Prada, Fendi, Moēt, and Tiffany among its other luxury holdings, understands what they really own, branded stories with a localized history. You see, no amount of social media advertising can give those brands as much prestige and desire as the stories and history they are built upon.
Designers can fake fashion prestige but without an original story or localized history, they will never reach anywhere near the level of success of an LVMH brand. A brand has to have a story of evolution with a starting point. Without them, you’re competing for price-conscious consumers instead of elevating your brand’s moment in time and localized space.
Hyper-Localize Where You Are
I know what you’re thinking. LVMH brands are mostly Italian and very much European. They’re perceived to be more opulent and fashionable around the world. And yes, European brands are a common denominator for LVMH but this is not why they are considered tremendously valuable. European brands have spent decades cultivating their mystique through storytelling and LVMH collects the best storytellers in the fashion gambit. With that said, other brands are starting to make major headway around the world with their brand story. Because of this, LVMH has bought into North American, Canadian, and African brands with rich storylines and may reach further into culture-rich Asian brands.
Wilglory Tanjong brand taps into her West African and American heritage
To further the point, let me mention Wilgory Tanjong’s story. She happens to be a full-time MBA student at Wharton School of Business who runs her own brand named Amina Iris, a luxury purse brand with pieces handcrafted by artisans from Dakar, Senegal. At 25 years old, her brand brings in over $100k per month through her own website. She has been approached by brand conglomerates as well as mainstream department stores but she’s been smart about keeping her purse’s build quality impeccably detailed by keeping inventory manageable with a small team which in turn, makes her handcrafted purses more valuable because of their scarcity. Her origin story and success were so compelling, that it became a featured video on CNBC.
NY Style Actor’s Edition featuring Kendrell Showers will be available in May 2022
Lewon’s House of Fashion
We’ve looked into some fashion designers here in the U.S. and we believe we may have found a few that may have the beginnings of Wilgory’s success. Kendrell Showers is one of those designers. His proud and unapologetic Southern African American fashion brand, Lewon’s House of Fashion has a great rooted story and a fiercely loyal customer base.
Kendrell’s story starts at Jackson University, where he made his first fashionable outfits by piecing together and refitting clothes from thrift stores. It was a success, Kendrell soon became a fashion guru within a group of admirers at Jackson University in Mississippi. He started styling fellow classmates and made quite a name for himself on campus. It was there that he notice that plus-size women, a lucrative demographic, were not being catered to. These women, with high purchasing power, were relegated to cheap department stores and were left out of the fashion conversation altogether. The few plus-size fashion pieces that were available to them, looked as if they were created only as an afterthought.
The Brands Origin Story
In fact, most of the fashion choices he found for voluptuous women were just stretched-out versions of fashion wear for thin body types. Kendrell wanted to change that and designed fashion wear that complemented full-sized curves. To his credit, Kendrell Showers went beyond complementing curves and created bombastic outfits that got plenty of attention in Jackson Mississippi, and his adopted Houston Texas. The styling I had a fresh take on local fashion with its unapologetic colors and patterns.
Lewon’s House of Style
In late summer, Kendrell Showers plans on introducing undergarments that better fit plus-size women as well. His designs will go beyond imitating underwear worn by thin models. It will bring a new sense of style with the same bold patterns of his clothing line and fabric cuts that show off the true sexiness of full-body curves.
Kendrell’s Lewon’s House of Style has an origin story that is hyper-localized from a Jackson Mississippi campus and has spread through word of mouth and small fashion shows. We feel that if you bought one of his creations today, they will probably become collector’s items in the near future as his localized fan base embraces his fashion. Other neighborhoods and cities are “discovering” his brand and naturally introducing it to a wider audience.
How Success Stories Begin
The third part of Kendrell’s brand “discovery” is that Lewon’s House of Style is in limited supply. Kendrell Showers measures and fits clients by himself. He does take on a limited amount of 3rd party measurements but it’s considered an honor to have Kendrell create or retrofit an outfit for you with his own measurements. This creates demand which in turn raises his profile. When someone asks, “Who are you wearing?” And you reply, Kendrell Showers, they are going to know that you can get what most others can’t get their hands on. Kendrell is just one person. Until he expands his fashion house, expect to hear about Lewon’s House of Style pieces going for outrageous prices soon and Kendrell Showers booking clients months, if not a year in advance.
Becoming a male model in NYC has to be crafted nowadays through various social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. By creating a strong online presence on these platforms, potential models can showcase their looks, personality, and lifestyle to attract attention from brands and agencies. A good strategy to attract followers is to post regularly and engage with your audience. This can be done by responding to comments, interacting with followers and creating interesting content that showcases your unique qualities.
Having a large and engaged following can be a great way to attract brands to use you as a male model. Brands are always looking for new and fresh faces to represent their products, and having a strong online presence can make you more visible to them. Patrick McClean showcases his talents and interests through his social media profiles, He demonstrates why he’s a great fit for particular brands and makes it easier for them to approach him for modeling opportunities.
It’s important to remember to present yourself professionally and maintain a positive image online, as your online presence will be the first impression that potential clients have of you.
If you were given $25,000 to spend on yourself or your brand, how would you spend it? Personal branding and marketing: I would spend money on things like website design and social media management to improve my online presence and make myself more marketable. I would also seek international opportunities, and consider traveling to other countries to attend castings and build my network.
Who or what is your career inspiration? I don’t really have one. I believe in myself. I set achievable goals. I seek constructive feedback, build a strong support network, surround myself with positive and encouraging people, develop a healthy self-image, and learn to love and accept myself as I am. I practice self-care, such as exercise and mindfulness. Confidence is not just about what you look like, but also about your inner strength, determination, and belief in yourself.
What social media platform do you use the most to promote your career? Instagram.
What is your experience using professional photographers? You have to be comfortable and trust that your photographer has your best interests at heart. Usually, when they are into making sure every shot represents them, they in turn will make every shot look good for you.
Whom did you idolize growing up? Athletes.
What would it take for you to consider yourself successful in this industry? Upcoming challenges. As I’ve said before, I’d love to work on runways in Europe and other places for my modeling career.
What is one story you MUST tell people about what happened to you during your journey? I had multiple bookings in one month to prepare for. That gave me the boost I needed to see myself continuing in my modeling.
Do you currently, or plan to, have a product line of your own? (ex. merchandise, make-up, clothing line) Not right now but again, maybe in the future.
What is one tip you would give a new model starting their career?Prepare for the ups and downs. It’s an emotional ride but it is so exhilarating when you see progress.
Anything you would like to add? What more can I say but to work hard and believe in yourself.
Successful street performers in NYC can average $800 to $4k a week Most of us see street performance as the lowest form of employment. Having to rely on donations from passing individuals who give up loose change out of pity. This is neither the reality nor the response that most New York City street performers are experiencing. Using a combination of performance and business management skills, street performers in just about any major city can make $800 to $2,000 a week, and in the city of New York, individual performers can make upwards of $4,000 USD.
Beginner’s Luck
There are some newbies whose performances make buckets of money on their first day of street performing. They are the exception and not the rule. For some, it’s beginner’s luck, For others, making $39 to $75 a day, in the beginning, is normal. Unfortunately, that amount of income is not sustainable, and many new performers quit after about a month or so of trying to attract donations from audiences that are more interested in their phone’s Tik Tok feed than their surroundings.
Another problem street performers experience in this modern age is the fact that we live in an almost cashless society in the US. Almost no one has loose change or dollars in their pockets for street performances these days.
This is how professional street performers make real money
It goes without saying that, as a musician, actor, juggler, or dancer, you need to practice your performance and people skills because you will have to interact with the public. Aside from the obvious, here are a few pointers that can help a street performer transition from a $39-a-day pauper to a $4k-a-week entrepreneur.
Use a Linking QR Code
Use a personal mini websites that can be created in minutes, like Linktree. Connect your social media pages, website, store, videos, music, podcast, events, and more. It all comes together in a link that becomes a landing page designed to convert. Connect your Cash app or Venmo link to Linktree. I guarantee you’ll make 5 times more money than cash donations going into a hat or bucket. Linktree and other similar sites, offer QR code generation. Use the QR code link within a large prominent sign to let people know that they can support you by taking a picture of the code that will take them to a link to view your Youtube videos, or Spotify or by giving a donation directly.
Sign up for Patreon to gain monthly subscribers.
Your performance is a gateway to a lucrative subscriber funnel. People love to support artists and Patreon is the perfect way to gain monthly subscribers. You may be familiar with Patreon through artists who funnel some of their viewers from their Youtube page but you do not need to have a YouTube channel to use Patreon. Your audience can subscribe to your Patreon account at a monthly level that you set. Some artists offer $1, $2 and $5 a month or more for a subscription to exclusive offers and access to videos and music through their Patreon page.
Advanced street performers use these upgraded moves
Offer Tik Tok and Instagram stitches that you’ll make prominent on your website or social media when they become a Patreon follower of yours to help promote their endeavors.
Hire a manager that is willing to organize your recordings, YouTube and Patreon pages. Along with creating great signs and posters. They should also be responsible for permits and all tax implications. This will free you up to concentrate on creating and developing your craft.
Armand Lucas
Journalist and editor for NY Style and several other magazines and websites. Currently working on a book about the Quebecois in Canada and how the culture is related to Cajun Louisiana.
Yes! It is the most romantic city in North America! Quebec City, located in the mostly French-speaking province of Quebec in Canada, is usually reserved for the seasoned North American traveler.
Once you reach Quebec City, you’ll see why it’s considered the most European city in North America. Direct flights are usually just $87 for round-trip airfare from NYC, but if you choose to drive, expect an 8-hour trip through some of the most beautiful country roads, with vineyards and sheep farms waiting for you.
Most of the inhabitants are bilingual and will greet you in the shops with a “Hello, Bonjour”, to let you know that they can converse with you in English or in French.
Quebec City is beautiful and chock full of events during winter and summer. Since most of the old part of the city hasn’t changed much in centuries, you’ll feel as if you were transported unto a movie set of the most romantic French movie in this 400-year-old city of love.
The impressive Château Frontenac is Québec City’s most famous landmark. The luxurious hotel perched atop Cape Diamond since the late 19th century was designed to convey prestige in keeping with its Old Québec surroundings. Historic events have taken place in the building, and famous heads of state, royalty, and famous Americans and international actors have stayed there.
Fairmont Le Château Frontenac can be seen in the background of this picture of one of the many streets of the old city of Quebec. The hotel overlooks most of the city and room prices start at $153 a night.
With its French and British-style architecture, fortifications, stone buildings, and narrow cobblestone streets, Old Québec is a historic area that’s been recognized by UNESCO since 1985. During the summer, some of its streets are closed to car traffic on weekends, allowing pedestrians to take up all the space and enjoy the festive atmosphere of the terrace restaurants.
Poutine is Quebec City’s most traditional dish.
Québec is a culinary treasure rich in history and flavor. Even though poutine is Québec’s most famous food, the success of Québécois cuisine stems from its heirloom recipes and regional specialties. Besides the authentic sugar shacks, try Buffet de l’Antiquaire, which is a staple of traditional French-Canadian cuisine in Québec City that sticks to traditions, one local ingredient at a time.
From romantic Quebec City to the street fashion of NYC.
Armand Lucas
Journalist and editor for NY Style and several other magazines and websites. Currently working on a book about the Quebecois in Canada and how the culture is related to Cajun Louisiana.
Advertising can be challenging for a small business trying to find a way to get attention for their product or service. You can spend hundreds, even thousands of dollars, and see only a paltry return on your investment. Social media influencers, on the other hand, make advertising a more personal experience for the consumer. They can make an emotional connection to a product, while regular ads must rely on the sheer number of ad views and an expensive advertising firm’s creativity.
An average salary of an influencer can range from $60k to $90k. With New York averaging $73k. These numbers vary depending on how long someone has been an influencer, their experience, and if they use an influencer agency or not.
I personally find that the more relatable an influencer is to me, the more willing I am to buy from their link without feeling that I was being manipulated into a purchase. This is why we interviewed Shubhi Prakash. A New York influencer who is so relatable, it’s hard to see the blurred lines between marketing and posting on social media for fun.
I always loved dressing up, and once I started college, I got to learn many tricks and fashion hacks myself and used to try some tricks from fashion magazines, as during that time, Instagram and TikTok weren’t used very often. Later, when I came to know about social media influencing, I was like, “Why not?” I dress up every day. Then why not influence people around me using this platform? It all began around 2017. It’s been 5 years now, and I totally enjoy it and I am proud of how far I have come.
Have you worked with another social influencer on a campaign before? If so, what factors led to your decision to work together?
I wanted to explore and try things, wanted to experience how it would be! I got many opportunities from different brands to come forward together with other influencers and it was fun, it is always been fun working with them and learning and sharing ideas with each other.
When would you decline a paid sponsorship?
If the time limit is less and content needs to be posted asap because it limits our creativity and ideas to represent that particular product and also if the product is something which would not be promoted without expert advice.
Which other social media influencers would you collaborate with?
I have a long list of this but I would love to work with komalpandeyoffical and Kylie Jenner
What would you do if your uploads were unfairly deleted?
I would request a review from Instagram and email them too.
What is one tip you would give a new influencer starting their career?
Be consistent in posting your ideas and have fun. Soon you will develop a style of posting that will stand out to advertisers. You can contact businesses directly or join an influencer marketing platform. Study other influencers in the market and incorporate what you find positive about their style and delivery.
Armand Lucas
Journalist and editor for NY Style and several other magazines and websites. Currently working on a book about the Quebecois in Canada and how the culture is related to Cajun Louisiana.
Music contracts are loans against what you produce as an artist
Believe it or not, record deals are not hard to come by. There are plenty of music recording labels looking to sign as many talented individuals and groups as possible, with or without legal representation. The problem is that these same labels provide a predatory avenue for artists without good representation.
Artists don’t realize that they are signing a promissory note that guarantees that the music label will get paid first and foremost for their investment before anyone else gets a share of the profits from the artist’s work.
POPLAW is a brand new podcast hosted by REVOLT’s VP of Legal Affairs, Desiree Talley. In this newest addition to REVOLT’s podcast family, Desiree intersects business, law and pop culture as she dissects the intricacies of courtroom drama, contract disputes and infringement claims between celebrities, laypeople and major corporations.
Music streaming CAN BE lucrative but music labels have the advantage
When it comes to streaming, the big three—Apple Music, Spotify, and Google Music—take their 30% fee upfront. The artist’s music label will take up to 50%. What’s left is the writer, producer, and performer sharing the remaining 20% or less. Most streaming platforms only pay, on the high-end, $0.005 per streamed song for label-signed artists.
If you’re positioned with a mid-range music label, that happens to invest in a decent marketing budget for you as a new talented artist, you can expect up to 100k streams per day of your song. That’s $300+ a day for the label and around $100 a day for you, assuming you are also the writer and the producer of the song being streamed.
There’s no such thing as a bad deal. A deal is as good or bad as you negotiate.
As an artist, you need to flip the script on unfair contracts and make them equitable for both you and the music label. and that’s where Desiree Talley comes in. She’s a down-to-earth but no-nonsense entertainment lawyer who scrutinizes and negotiates contracts for her client’s best interest when it comes to money and long-term goals. She realizes that music labels need to make a profit. So negotiations are tough but not one red cent is left on the table that should go into her client’s pocket.
Contracts are limited partnerships that can work for you or against your best interest
As an entertainment lawyer, Desiree represents musicians as well as actors, hair stylists, movie and television producers, and others in the entertainment world. One of her top priorities is to make sure artists, don’t fall into the trap of perpetuity. A music label or television production will own the rights to your work forever and never have to negotiate with you when they add your work to another production.
