Start us off with a little background on you! How did you come up with the name The Balanced Blonde?
My original blog was called “The Blonde Vegan,” which I came up with on a whim when I decided to start a vegan food blog as a hobby way back in the day. About a year later, the blog had become my full-time job (to my surprise) and I was transitioning away from being vegan for personal reasons. At that point, it was time to come up with a new name that really characterized who I had become and the trajectory in which my blog was moving. I was no longer vegan, but I was balanced – or at least striving for balance! So, voila, “The Balanced Blonde” was born. The fun thing is, so many people suggested that name to me that I have at least two dozen people in my life who feel like they came up with the name! It makes me happy that people were so invested in my transition, and now I feel more like “The Balanced Blonde” than Jordan most days… haha, #entrepeneurlife.
You manage your blog, social media, and podcast just to name a few! How do you stay organized in managing all of them while keeping a consistent brand voice across your platforms?
Yes, very true! Luckily, my brand voice is totally my voice. I made the decision when I began blogging and podcasting that I wasn’t going to try to be anything but myself. That makes it easy to stay consistent because I write how I talk, and I talk how I write… wordy, from the heart, and usually very introspective. As far as staying organized, I keep my podcast on a strict schedule to keep the episodes streamlined. Blogging is more of my creative outlet so I am less structured there, which mostly has seemed to work with my audience over the years.
You are your brand so to speak – what has been the hardest part of building your brand?
Since I am my brand, I have to make the decision in a lot of areas of my life whether to share or keep something private. That has been a learning curve. To this day, I still overshare when I get excited and then I have to reel it back in because… of course, things change, and some people in my life don’t like their personal business on blast! The hardest part of building my brand has probably been just choosing what to focus on. I am a very right-brained person, and I can get carried away with ideas. Let’s just say I’ve started a lot of projects and wild ideas that have not been finished. That is the beauty of being an entrepreneur, but learning to hone in and use my energy for what matters most to be in my brand has been a learning experience.
Social media has played a huge role in your life; it’s been a business platform as well as a way for you to educate others and explore healthy lifestyle options. You’ve also seen firsthand some of the not as glamorous sides – like how some people aren’t afraid to hold back with their opinions. How do you maintain the positive attitude on your platform while combating the more negative side?
I had to develop quite the thick skin to be in this industry. There is always something people aren’t going to like. The most important thing I’ve learned is that no matter how authentic you are to your content, you are not going to be for everyone. Especially putting myself out there on my podcast — I share so much, I am bound to say something every so often that offends someone or rubs someone the wrong way (try as I might not to!). I have come to terms with it and I don’t take it personally. I know that there are so many people on the Internet, the audience that comes to me resonates with my content and makes it easy for me to stay positive and inspired!
You’ve mentioned you’re a Snapchat addict… what’s your favorite social media platform to use?
I was a Snapchat addict, but now I am an Insta story addict! I love stories and Snaps because I love the realness, authenticity, and un-curated aspects of behind the scenes life. I think it really helps people get to know you as an influencer / blogger / podcaster / what have you. I also love podcasting for that reason because you get to share a full, mostly un-edited story that really gives people a glimpse into who you are versus what you may want to portray.
Can you share a social media hack with our readers?
Be honest and authentic to who you are. I get so bored following people who never dive deep with their readers and/or are trying to conceal who they are behind a perfectly curated aesthetic only… I don’t think that’s a very sustainable life. Not hating on those who have built a brand around beautiful content and minimal writing, because everyone’s brand is different of course and unique to who they are, but I think on some level and on some platform going deeper is very engaging for audience members.
Leave us off on a positive #SomethingSocial note – if you could Instagram anything from anywhere, what would it be?
Oh my goodness, I would Instagram a yoga flow from the blue watered decks of Bora Bora! Calli, I KNOW you feel me on this! Bora Bora is my happy place, and damn did my photos from that trip get a lot of likes. 😉
Quick Rounds:
Coffee or tea?
COFFEE! (Cold brew baybay.)
Favorite yoga studio?
CorePower and Tantris in LA, Katonah and Sky Ting in NYC.
Best recipe you’ve ever made?
Raw Vegan PB Cups. To this day, the most searched recipe on my blog!
Follow along with Jordan Younger on her WEBSITE, INSTAGRAM, PODCAST, FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE, TWITTER, AND PINTEREST.
Know someone you’d like to nominate as our next #SomeoneSocial? Tweet us @somethingsocial or tag us on Instagram- @somethingsocial.
Related Reads
Our hearts are broken for all of those affected by Hurricane Harvey. We encourage you to join Cycle House for a Relief Ride this week, with proceeds benefiting the