Crystal Rodriguez
My name is Crystal Rodriguez, aka @crystal.rodriguezzzz . I am a model, influencer, actor and former athlete. I have been in the industry for years doing print, commercials, music videos, runway, film & more. My true passion is acting and I look forward to continue filling up my IMDBpro card once the SAG/AFTRA strike is resolved. Stay tuned!
How did you start your journey as an influencer, and what inspired you?
After the quarantine, I picked back up modeling full-time. As my following grew, so did my offers from brands & sponsors. This is when I learned the power of being an influencer & choosing the brands I feel comfortable endorsing. I feel inspired by the feedback & growth from some of the original content that I create.
Can you share the story behind choosing your specific niche or focus for your content?
The focus for my content has evolved over time. I started out by posting & promoting myself and the photographers I worked with. As my opportunities to work with brands has grown, I have geared my focus to promoting the brand itself, while keeping it sexy. Let’s be real guys, sex sells! I just make sure to always keep it 100 and be myself. I think being genuine is transparent & people appreciate that.
What platforms do you find most effective for connecting with your audience, and why?
I have found that Fanzvu is one of the most effective platforms out there. They make it effortless to connect with your audience by providing everything necessary to produce quality content. They provide studio space, photographers, networking, marketing & more.
Can you tell us about a memorable experience or achievement in your influencer career so far?
Recently, a brand that I’ve admired & been following for years noticed my content and reached out to me. They want to sponsor me to create content with their products… paid content. This is an honor and an achievement. It feels good to have big brands reaching out to me, instead of the other way around. It’s also important to have the opportunity to earn on your posts, in addition to sponsorship.
Are there any misconceptions about being an influencer that you’d like to address?
A misconception about being an influencer is that it’s a need for attention or popularity. To me, it’s more of a paid job where I get to let my creative juices flow & be myself. You can’t say that about all jobs!
How do you handle negative feedback or criticism that you may receive online?
To be honest, I’ve been really blessed with not having too much negative criticism online. I think the energy you give off is what you receive back. I’ve always been big on spreading love & kindness and I think my following feels that.
What strategies do you use to engage and grow your audience on social media?
I like to engage with my audience on social media by being interactive. This can be anything from asking a question with my posts to mentioning a current relevant event. A strategy I use to grow is always tagging and/or mentioning everyone involved in the project or post. Not only is it respectful, but it expands your reach.
What are your goals and aspirations for your influencer career in the coming years?
My goals are to continue on my path & grow from the projects I work on. Being an influencer helps open more doors & opportunities then you would have working at your craft alone. I really enjoy modeling and look forward to more acting roles in the future.
Can you share tips for aspiring influencers looking to establish themselves in the industry?
My advice for aspiring influencers in the industry is to realize that you don’t have to do it alone. You have the option of having a supportive team, like Fanzvu, which can help you to create professional content without the hassle of reaching out to multiple sources.
What does a typical day in your life as an influencer look like?
A typical day in my life consists of me checking all my messages, responding & engaging, and preparing for my next plan of action. I aim to post daily, even if that means I’m recording myself from home. I like to make sure to thank my following for taking the time to respond & comment on my content.
Could you tell us about a time when you had to overcome a challenge in your influencer journey?
My biggest challenge in my journey as an influencer has been with trying to create content with brand apparel during paid photoshoots as a model. In doing this, it left me at the mercy of the photographers, who technically own the rights to the photos. This means that you cannot necessarily control the turn-around time for getting copies of your work back, if they are gracious enough to return them at all. The last thing you want to do is accept sponsorship & keep the brand waiting on content.