Paige Spiranac left her career as a professional golfer in the rearview and turned to the realm of social media. Since taking the leap, the 30-year old has surpassed 11 million followers across her social media channels, boasting sponsorships and brand deals with a number of big names.
Spiranac joined TheStreet to share tips for other social media influencers looking to partner with brand all while crafting their own unique voice. “Stick to what is authentic to you…your personality is everything,” Spiranac said.
Full Video Transcript Below:
ROBIN LUNDBERG: Now you give advice and tips and the like of course. What would be your advice to -- considering, you know, the way you come up from playing to, you know, Swimsuit with SI to being an influencer now to those who are trying to make a name for themselves.
PAIGE SPIRANAC: So I had a very unconventional path to everything that I've done in life. And I think that's my advice is stick to what is authentic to you. And when I was trying to play golf professionally, it didn't feel right to me. And so I pivoted, wanted to stay in an industry that I loved so much. And when I started social media, no one was doing this. There was no Instagram golf girls, like I paved this path for so many. And it just came out of place of passion for this game that I love so much. And also just being authentic and being myself online. And so if you want to try to go the professional route, know that it's going to be a grind and invest wisely with your money because it is very, very expensive. And then just keep going after it if that's what you want to do and you love it.
And then when it goes to social media, I would say my advice is just be yourself. Like your personality is everything when it comes to connecting with so many people. And if you're trying to put on a facade, people are going to see right through that. And so always try to be yourself, because I think sometimes we're looking at other people who are successful on social media and you're like, if I do it this way or if I do it this way, then I'll have the same success. And it's very much the opposite. And showing your personality is what makes people popular online now.
ROBIN LUNDBERG: Same thing go for like brand partnerships and NIL deals? You know, obviously that's an emerging thing for college athletes.
PAIGE SPIRANAC: 100% You have to find the right brands that understand your own personal brand. I think sometimes companies, when they work with influencers, they want their platform, yet they want to control everything that they do say and post. And then it doesn't work because their followers can see right through this act. And so my advice to companies wanting to work with influencers is find someone that aligns perfectly with your brand. And then it's really fun because you can be creative, and you can create all these really exciting new ads. And it's not just, you know, someone standing in front being like, buy this now, I love this. You know, it's things that you actually love. And that's what I always try to do with companies that I work with. I love all of the products and I would use it, and most of them I use before. And that was kind of my introduction to it. And I always decided that I would never take money if it was a product that I didn't fully love because my trust with my followers is the most important thing. And if I lose that, then it's over.
