Small Biz Spotlight: CT Bloggers & Influencers
Once upon a time, we asked our close circle for recommendations. With the advent of the internet, we started relying on online reviews. Now, we have influencer marketing – a conflation of the two.
If it feels like there’s a blogger for everything these days, it’s for good reason. Occupying a niche space results in a targeted audience. Once you find that audience, common ground quickly endows trust. Influencer-generated content is successful – resulting in 11x times higher ROI than traditional marketing measures – because it leverages that trust with content the audience inherently wants to consume.
When it comes to Quiet Corner Communications, we’re after content that helps us connect with the Connecticut community. Lucky for us, the Nutmeg State has plenty of excellent influencers willing to share the best scenic spots, tasty treats, can’t-miss activities, and small business recommendations.
In this Small Business Spotlight, we’re shouting out some of our favorite bloggers and influencers in the Connecticut lifestyle space – check out our list and comment your favorite follows below!
Connecticut Food and Farm
Food and farms are two critical components of the QCC culture, so you know we love Connecticut Food and Farm. Winter Caplanson originally founded Connecticut Food and Farm as a local food blog and podcast, but now it’s evolved into a digital magazine and a popular Instagram feed. A soapmaker by trade, Caplanson knows how to market small businesses and her photographs reflect the care and consideration it takes to thrive in the food industry. Caplanson also offers professional photography services to those in the food and agriculture sectors, so if you’re looking for next-level food pics you know where to go!
Photo by taken by Winter Caplason for Connecticut Food and Farm
Local Connecticut
Local Connecticut is your comprehensive guide to the latest CT happenings. Founded with “the goal of connecting local businesses and events with locals in the community,” Local Connecticut features everything from updates on outdoor dining in CT to quintessential Connecticut day trips, events, and activities. And if that wasn’t appealing enough, Local Connecticut offers three different ways to connect with their content – blog, social media, or podcast! (Podcasting for business, it’s a thing!)
Nonee’s World
I want to live in the cozy aesthetic of Nonee’s World. Lifestyle blogger Nonee Cunningham is not only a top-tier CT influencer, she’s the founder of the Connecticut Bloggers Collective (@ctbloggerbabes) and The Content Lab at West Hartford Coworking. She’s also a trained nurse practitioner – how does she find the time?! In addition to her professional photography skills and social media services, Nonee’s World includes a beautifully written blog and a gorgeous Instagram account.
Sonique Says
Sonique Says occupies a niche in the CT influencer space that combines drool-worthy food recommendations with lots of small business love. Her Instagram bio declares she’s “discovering the world one bite at the time” and if you follow her, you get to vicariously enjoy this culinary journey. From CT restaurant recommendations to recipes and fun food facts, @soniquesays is the simply best place on social media to work up an appetite.
StyleWise
The StyleWise blog was founded by Leah Wise “in an effort to build community support and foster education around supply chain ethics and conscious consumerism.” In addition to writing about sustainable style, ethical shopping, a zero-waste lifestyle, social justice campaigns, and industry insights, Leah is a divinity school student in New Haven where she explores “...the belief that hyper-local community care is where transformation happens.” No choice but to stan StyleWise!
Photo by Leah Wise for StyleWise
The Size of Connecticut
The Size of Connecticut is “written for day-trippers curious about what they might find in the next town over, explorers who want to feel far from home even when they’re just crossing a city or state line, and travelers from near and far who love discovering amazing and underappreciated destinations.” Creator Johnna Kaplan founded the blog as a way to rediscover her home state after moving back to it, and her content vividly captures the magic of Connecticut. Check out her blog, Twitter, and Instagram for more.
Unlocking Connecticut
I had the privilege of meeting the Unlocking Connecticut ladies once, and let me tell you, Bev and Lora are as fun IRL as they appear online. On the Unlocking Connecticut blog, they feature “the stories of local businesses and the people behind them” and share CT-centric adventures, stories, and experiences in a bright, bubbly banter that makes you want to take a day-trip with your bestie. They’ve also done some pretty iconic interviews with the likes of Clinton Kelly and John Oates (they’ve dressed up as Hall and Oates for the last 5 Halloweens if you weren’t convinced these ladies embody fun). For even more Unlocking Connecticut content, be sure to follow them on Instagram.
Lora and Bev of Unlocking Connecticut
