Geelong’s favourite influencers reveal what lies ahead in the New Year

Geelong’s favourite Instagram stars have detailed their big plans to leap into 2022 and revealed their tips to budding influencers hoping to tap into the lucrative social media scene.

As we come to the end of 2021, here’s what some of Geelong’s biggest Instagram stars have achieved and what’s next for them in the new year.

Taylor Henderson – 249k @taylorhenderson

The Geelong singer songwriter rose to fame after placing runner up on X-Factor in 2013.

Now, Taylor Henderson uses his Instagram as a way to connect with his 249,000 fans as well as share his music and upcoming gigs.

“This year I have been spending a lot of time recording, I noticed after having all this time off it was really important to get new music going,” he said.

“We are so close to getting new tracks out, I want to get a little EP out by March, that is my goal.”

Mr Henderson said he has also booked a record number of gigs coming into the new year, with 2022 set to be one of his biggest yet.

He also teased a new national tour, with the dates and venues still being finalised.

For musicians who are starting out, Mr Henderson recommended using social media to help reach as many people as possible.

“If you’re staring out just be consistent, quality is important but sometimes you can get caught up trying to make something sound perfect and spend so much time on it to the point you start doubting yourself,” he said.

“When you want to finish something finish it, then post it, the world is filled with incredibly talented people that aren’t doing something about it.

“When it comes to focus and discipline, they are two things that will set you apart.”

George Georgievski — 183k @schoollunchbox

George Georgievski Picture: Peter Ristevski

Despite being a best selling author, the Belmont dad said he is still blown away by his success aided by his enormous social media following.

Mr Georgievski rose to fame for his simple lunch box hacks for time-poor parents, which has since expanded into television appearances, cooking segments and multiple book deals.

“I released by second book at the start of the year called air fryer express, it was the number one cookbook in Australia,” he said.

“I also wrote and completed a third book which is called Dinner Express For Time Poor Parents that is ready to be released in February.

“It is something unique even though it's a dinner cookbook it deals with leftovers and converting them into healthy lunches for kids and a few cool hacks in there too.”

The full-time project manager and part-time Instagram star said more exciting things are on the way including television appearances, travel opportunities and a fourth book.

“Don’t be another Instagram star, be you,” he advised.

“Stay true to your beliefs, your product and what you have to offer.”

Emma Hawkins- 128k @emmahawkins_

Geelong businesswoman, Emma Hawkins has attracted a large following as a leader in lifestyle and fashion.

Ms Hawkins is the founder and creative director of her own clothing brand Homegrown Kids while also working with Ceres Life and a range of clients through her Instagram.

“The influencer space was very strong beforehand, but it has almost become stronger because of the pandemic,” she said.

Emma Hawkins.

“Over the last two years branding and communication has been more important than ever.”

Among her achievements in 2021, Ms Hawkins said her recent capsule with Ceres Life exceeded all expectations, while her own brand was able to surpass all of its key performance indicators.

She also worked with Dan Murphy’s, Myer and Toyota through her social media.

“My target audience is women aged 25 to 50, so I am always thinking about what interests them,” she said.

Tom and Emma Hawkins Picture: Nicki Connolly

On tips to growing a following Ms Hawkins said it was important to decide on the type of content you want to put out and what your point of difference is.

“My biggest tip is always show the audience the person behind the phone whether that be listening to them or asking them what they want to see,” she said.

As for 2022, Ms Hawkins is in the process of getting her Homegrown Kids clothing line into a number of stores, but from a personal level she will be focusing on returning to normality.

“It is amazing what we have all been able to do no matter what industry or if you have children or not, it has been a challenging time for everyone.”

Sandi Zaljevic – 103k @sandi.bella.gigi

Sandi Zaljevic was ahead of her time when she started her family fashion blog in 2013 via Instagram.

“We were probably lucky to start during the young stages of Instagram, back then it was when people started putting up photos of things they liked and there was not many influencers on the scene,” she said.

“The last 4-5 years have been a little harder because everything has changed with algorithms and influencers have a massive presence but we have been lucky to hold our own.”

Sandi Zaljevic and daughters Bella and Gigi.

While admitting the pandemic slowed things down for the trio, she said 2021 brought them new management and new branding ahead of 2022, as well as a trip to Daylesford with Kmart shooting autumn and winter collections.

Previously titled, @kidsfashionblog, Sandi said changing their Instagram name has expanded their reach to different markets including women's, teens and children's fashion.

“We have a few things coming up next year that we can’t discuss yet because they are still getting tied up,” she said.

“Events are coming up and we will be back out in force.”

On tips to grow a following, Ms Zaljevic said being authentic is crucial.

“You don’t have to get a photographer, you don’t have to have perfect photos, just keep it real, engage with your followers, use your hashtags and love what you do,” she said.

Nadia Stamp- 69.9k@nadiastamp

Despite only moving to Geelong two years ago, Nadia Stamp has already cemented herself among the region’s biggest Instagram stars.

“What I love the most about the Geelong community is the dynamic women who are successful in their own right and in their own space,” she said.

GT COVER - Nadia Stamp

Ms Stamp has amassed a large following from her appearance on Married At First Sight as well as living across the country taking on modelling, presenting and marketing positions.

During the pandemic Ms Stamp launched her own business called Dipd Nails, offering time poor people salon style nails from the comfort of their own home.

“We have focused on growing the business which has gone from strength to strength and has allowed us to create more opportunities as well,” she said.

In her personal life Ms Stamp is focused on her pregnancy as she prepares to welcome her first child in 2022.

Ms Stamp said she plans to advocate for women who are starting their families later in life after first pursuing a career.

“I am 42 years-old and people think you can’t have healthy natural birth,” she said.

“Everyone was telling me I can’t do this naturally … and I know how many people struggle.”

Along with preparing for motherhood, Ms Stamp will be launching The Daily Brush, which is a hairbrush designed for everyday use, blow drying and detangling.

“For me it is really important to remain authentic, I don’t care how many people want to follow me or don’t, it is such a personal thing and such a subjective thing,” she said.

Originally published as Geelong’s favourite influencers reveal what lies ahead in the New Year