SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCERS
When Being a Follower is a Good Thing
By Paris Wolfe
In the old days — like 15 years ago — mainstream celebrities appeared in television commercials endorsing beer and insurance. They used their fame to “influence” viewers to buy these brands.
Today, social media celebrities do the same thing on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, blogs and more. They develop followings from hundreds to millions. They share information about food, travel, fashion, arts, crafts, product trials, opinions and outright product endorsements. These folks are called “influencers” because their followers are “influenced” by what they’re reading or viewing.
We’ve compiled a list of influencers — local and national — to check out for ideas, inspiration or just plain fun. Or maybe you want to start your own list of relevant, social media influencers on your life. Who’s your favorite influencer? Email me at [email protected]. We’ll compile them for future publication.
FOOD & WINE
NEO Foodies FACEBOOK
Founded by Kay Ryan-Dale and a friend, Northeast Ohio Food Lovers or NEO Foodies is a private, moderated group for people with a serious appreciation and enjoyment of fine cuisine, the culinary arts, artisan-made foods, coffees, wines, brews, spirits and cocktails. The conversation among 13,100 members, including a few food celebrities, is often about local farmers, artisans, makers and purveyors of fine foods, as well as independent markets and restaurants. It is not about chains and junk food. “Our mission from the start has been to build a thriving, vibrant community of genuine foodies in Northeast Ohio,” says Ryan-Dale.
Ohio Wine Producers YOUTUBE (youtube.com/user/ohiowineproducers/playlists)
Explore Ohio wines with expert Lauren Fiala who holds the esteemed Level 4 certification from the Wine & Spirits Education Trust. In a series of 11 videos — and counting — she takes just four to eight minutes to explain how to taste like a pro, plus wine and cheese pairings, varietal nuances and more.
FASHION
BADDIEWINKLE INSTAGRAM (instagram.com/baddiewinkle)
If you’re a Boomer or older you must join the almost four million people who follow Helen Ruth “Baddiewinkle” Van Winkle. A cultural icon at 92, she combines fashion and aging in performance art. She’s both outrageous and inspiring.
Style at a Certain Age YOUTUBE – (youtube.com/c/BethDjalali)
Beth Djalali started her multiplatform social media presence with WHEN. Today she has 125,000 followers on her YouTube Channel. Djalali says, “Once we hit the age of 50, things begin to change with our hair, skin and bodies. So, it’s up to us to keep fit, both mentally and physically. Aging gracefully isn’t about looking younger; it’s about looking our best.” She has 270 videos on her YouTube channel including the recent “Shopping on a Budget” and “Style Rules Over-50 Women Should Break.”
INTERIORS
Reflections Interior Design INSTAGRAM (instagram.com/reflectionsinteriordesign)
Reflections is an NEO interior design firm with more than 11,000 people following thrice-weekly posts. Principal Marissa Matiyasic and her all-woman team share their design work to inspire IG followers to see possibilities outside the box and, perhaps, use materials in non-traditional ways.
Corey Damen Jenkins INSTAGRAM instagram.com/coreydamenjenkins)
A native of Detroit, now a citizen of the world, Jenkins integrates drama and tradition in his international design work. If his 63,500 followers don’t get enough of him on IG, they can pick up his first coffee table book, ”Design Remix: A New Spin on Traditional Rooms” that was released in March 2021.
TRAVEL
Backroad Planet BLOG (backroadplanet.com)
Howard Blount of Central Florida launched Backroad Planet social media platforms as a hobby in October 2013 so he could combine his loves of travel and writing. He has more than 100,000 followers. When the teacher retired in 2015, the blog became a vocation. In it, he details scenic routes, historical sites, and local flavor as the best ways to take road trips across America.
Travel Inspired Living INSTAGRAM/BLOG -(instagram.com/TravelInspiredLiving)
An Ohio-based travel influencer with 16,100 IG followers, Tonya Prater has been sharing her adventures for several years. Her frequent Instagram posts link to her blog for more travel details. While the blog is a bit cluttered with advertising, those who persist will gain information about Ohio’s plentiful adventure opportunities. That’s especially welcome in pandemic times when travel can be so limited.
CLEVELAND
Destination Cleveland TWITTER (@theCle)
This official tourism Twitter feed of Cleveland is a great source for information about events, activities and happenings in and around the city. The feed, which reaches 90,100 followers, is updated daily bringing NE Ohio Boomers and others information on things to do when hosting family and friends from out of town.
Black Girl in the CLE BLOG (.blackgirlincle.com)
Begun in 2016 to help African-American women rediscover Cleveland by informing them of events that were happening locally but not marketed to Black people, the blog is joined by other social media, including a podcast. The goal is to show off things that make Cleveland a beautiful place.
Paris Wolfe blogs about food and travel at pariswolfe1.com/paris-wolfe-on-travel-and-food/ .
