Kombucha is that fermented, bubbly tea-based drink with a range of flavoring recipes often brewed with black or green tea. You can buy kombucha commercially at your favorite local stores or even retail chains like Target and Walmart, but you can also make it home. It isn't new, in fact, it's quite old! 

* Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. It is no extra cost to you but helps maintain website fees and maintenance. Learn more on my disclaimer page.

Whether it's your first time drinking the refreshingly tart taste of kombucha with your classic kombucha starter kit or you've made it hundreds of times, the fizzy drink has so much opportunity. You can go for a very tart flavor or nice & sweet. Brew whatever flavor you want, that's the great part about this drink! What are the best kombucha flavors? Do you prefer to use juice or fresh fruit?

Shop for a kombucha starter kit - 1 Gallon Brewing Kit Includes Everything You Need To Brew Kombucha At Home. If you're wondering what is kombucha??? What brand of kombucha is best? Is Kombucha really good for you? then head over to my blog post: What is Kombucha? to give you a bit of background history.

Intro to Kombucha

In this blog post, I answer a couple bit questions: What are the flavors of kombucha? Is Kombucha supposed to taste bad? Whether you want to make homemade kombucha tea or you like adding ingredients to jazz up a bottle you've already got, there are tons of best kombucha flavor ideas. I included drink pairings but you could mix & match one or more ingredients, using fruit or juices such as apple apricot, mango carrot ginger, lemon and ginger kombucha, the list of kombucha flavor concepts goes on. 

One apple, one whole stick of cinnamon, or one cup of molasses will flavor an entire gallon of kombucha. You can opt for juice, fresh puree, fresh cut pieces of fruit, even chia seeds, herbs, and spices. Add the delicious flavors of your choice. This is just a list of the best flavoring options, so you'll have to consult a recipe for the best way to make it, flavoring kombucha & exact measurements. 

Scroll down for answers to your hottest questions: What are the best kombucha flavors? What does the second ferment/second fermentation do? Where can you buy it? Is there a kombucha kit to help make it?

List of Kombucha Flavor Ideas: What are the best kombucha flavors?

1. Acai
2. Acerola
3. Almond
4. Apple 
5. Apple Cinnamon
6. Apple Raspberry with apple juice & raspberries 
7. Apricot
8. Basil Lime
9. Berry Blend
10. Blackberry 
11. Blackberry Apple
12. Blackberry vanilla kombucha
13. Blueberry
14. Blueberry Basil
15. Blueberry Elderberry
16. Blueberry Peach
17. Blood Orange 
18. Blood Orange Mint
19. Cantaloupe
20. Chamomile 
21. Carrot
22. Cherimoya
23. Cherry
24. Cherry Orange
25. Chia Seed kombucha
26. Citrus Mint Blend - Orange juice with fresh mint leaves 
27. Clementine
28. Coconut
29. Coconut mango
30. Coffee
31. Cranberry
32. Cranberry Apple
33. Elderberry
34. Elderberry Lemonade
35. Elderflower
36. Fig
37. Ginger
38. Ginger Fig
39. Ginger Turmeric
40. Grapefruit
41. Grapefruit Rosemary
42. Rosemary grape kombucha
43. Guava
44. Hibiscus flowers
45. Hibiscus rose
46. Honey Basil Peach
47. Honeydew
48. Kiwi
49. Kiwi strawberry
50. Kumquat
51. Lavender
52. Lavender Lemongrass
53. Lavender Rose
54. Lemon
55. Lemongrass
56. Lemon Ginger kombucha
57. Lime Mint
58. Loquat
59. Lychee
60. Mandarin
61. Mango
62. Mango Pineapple - mango puree with pineapple juice
63. Maple Syrup
64. Mint
65. Mojito - ginger lime mint
66. Mulberry
67. Nectarine 
68. Orange
69. Orange Turmeric
70. Papaya
71. Papaya Pineapple
72. Passionfruit (lilikoi)
73. Passionfruit Tangerine
74. Peach
75. Pear
76. Pear Vanilla
77. Persimmon
78. Pineapple 
79. Pineapple Coconut
80. Pineapple basil kombucha
81. Pink lady apple
82. Pitaya (Dragonfruit)
83. Plum
84. Pumpkin Spice (cinnamon, clove, ginger, etc)
85. Pomegranate
86. Raspberry
87. Raspberry Lemonade
88. Raspberry Lime
89. Root beer
90. Rose
91. Vanilla 
92. Vanilla Rose
93. Spicy Jalapeno Ginger Mango
94. Spirulina
95. Starfruit
96. Strawberry kombucha
97. Strawberry Lemonade - strawberry lemon
98. Strawberry Basil
99. Watermelon
100. Watermelon Rose
101. Watermelon mint

Pick and choose a couple ingredients to create your own combination. 

Adding flavor to your kombucha drink & using your imagination is half the fun! Who doesn't love pure customization to create your own tasty blend? This list is great for kombucha lovers trying to come up with flavor blends. These are some of the best kombucha flavors to get you started! Browse this list of kombucha flavor ideas and maybe you'll invent a new flavor or add a little pizzazz to your own batch of kombucha. If you're making kombucha tea there are lots of fruit flavor kombucha options you can go for. 

Add herbs or seasonal spices to add flavor. You could utilize fresh fruit, fruit juice, frozen, berries, or dried fruit. Adding fruit can be great but it depends on the flavoring you're going for. Fresh fruit can have added nutritional value from the vitamins & micronutrients in the particular fruit. Do you want something sweet, sour, tangy? Find recipes online or in a cookbook that you love & then tweak ingredients. Find great flavor inspiration for your next batch of homemade kombucha! 

If you use rose water, make sure it's food-grade, not something you just spray on your face. Rose Flower Water, 10 OZ bottle, get it on Amazon - click here. Also, use it sparingly! 

Popular Kombucha Ingredients 

• Zesty raw fresh ginger 
• Fresh-squeezed lemon juice or lime juice
• Apple juice to give a sweet taste 
• Orange juice &/or orange zest 
• Fresh juices such as Cranberry juice, watermelon juice
• Pumpkin Spice like cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, cardamom 
• Honey, table sugar, Turbinado sugar, maple syrup, agave, cane sugar
• Juice, fresh puree, fresh cut pieces of fruit
• Vanilla, vanilla bean
• Chia seeds 
• Herbs and spices

Where to Buy Kombucha

If you want to buy kombucha in the store, it usually comes in one 16 oz. bottle. They usually come with added ingredients to give some extra flavor or else it'd be kind of bland or funky. Popular kombucha brands include Health-Ade Kombucha, GT's Organic (GT's Enlightened Synergy Trilogy), Brew Doctor, Humm Kombucha,  Wild Tonic Jun Kombucha, Kevita, & more. You can buy bottles of kombucha online too, such as Remedy Raw Organic Kombucha or Health-Ade Kombucha Tea Organic Probiotic Drink. Online doesn't have as much as say a health food store like Whole Foods or something that often has dozens of bottle choices. If you don't have much near you, online is still a great place to find kombucha.

Need to consult a recipe? The Little Book of Kombucha: Best Delicious Kombucha Recipes, Useful Tips & Tricks, Most Common Mistakes. Find it on Amazon - click here.

Drinking kombucha is a peaceful ritual for me. I crack open a bottle. I take great care as I open the bottle avoiding any carbonation explosion. The fizzy flavored kombucha tea smells fragrant as I inhale. Now for the first sip. I usually hiccup if something has a solid amount of carbonation. So sometimes I use the hiccup test if a kombucha or soda or carbonated beverage is carbonated enough for my personal taste.

Shop the Kombucha Crafter's Logbook: A Journal to Track and Record Your Kombucha Home Brews. Find it on Amazon - click here!

SCOBY

Brew kombucha with SCOBY, which is an acronym for "symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast." SCOBY forms after it goes through a fermentation process of lactic acid bacteria, acetic acid bacteria, & yeast. These mesh together to create a sour flavor that you can find in kombucha and kimchi. Click here to get SCOBY. If the recipe seems complex, take it one ingredient at a time.

Second Fermentation

Watch your SCOBY grow during the first fermentation. The second fermentation is essential to brewing kombucha. The second fermentation allows for the flavors, fermentation, & carbonation to really infuse. Second fermentation can usually be done in airtight bottles. But choosing the right bottles is almost like an art form. The second ferment allows the yeast to consume the sugar which is part of the carbonation process. 

The quality of the ingredients added can potentially impact your brew. The fermentation process takes a few days, depending on the recipe. The second ferment process builds that fun fizzy carbonation that kombucha is so known for. Do you have tips for the second fermentation process?

Sugar 

You could use honey, table sugar, Turbinado sugar, maple syrup, agave. Even some of the sugar from the fresh fruit can add to the flavor & taste profile. 2 tablespoons of honey, sugar, maple, etc. seems to be a good amount, kombucha is not a super sweet drink. Some of the sugar can get eaten awake during the fermentation process. Click here to get sugar such as organic cane sugar or organic honey.

Tea

Don't forget that there is tea in your drink; it's a fermented tea beverage & you might use different types of tea, green tea, you might even see rooibos tea.

Need recipe inspiration? Find a recipe online or in a book! The Big Book of Kombucha: Brewing, Flavoring, and Enjoying the Health Benefits of Fermented Tea. Find it on Amazon - click here.

Juice

People tend to sweeten their homemade kombucha using a variety of fruit to fruit juice options, depending on the recipe. You can use orange juice, grapefruit juice, freshly squeezed lime. Get creative & see what You have in your fridge or cabinet. Each recipe is unique, one can add anything they see fit or want to taste. Try different juice combinations to customize the perfect color.

Buying Stuff Online

I briefly talk about different flavor options, the second fermentation, but I'm not an expert at making kombucha. There are lots of great resources online if you want to make kombucha at home. There are recipe books & so many options out there to understand the kombucha brewing process. There's always a new flavor or combination or even limited edition bottles. An open bottle/bottles of kombucha can last 3-5 days in the fridge. Once opened, it starts to lose its carbonation.

100% Pomegranate Juice - USDA Organic Certified - Glass Bottle (2 Pack), click here to get it. This adds the perfect color too.

Get a starter kombucha making kit, including 1-gallon glass jar, SCOBY, Tea, Sugar and Guide to Brewing, Multicolor: Shop it on Amazon - click here. That way you can customize your own kombucha flavors!

Is Kombucha Supposed to Taste Bad?

If you think kombucha tastes bad, you're not alone. It's not for everyone. It's a good idea to try different kombucha flavours. It can certainly have funky flavoring for some people. My boyfriend isn't a particularly huge fan of kombucha. It likely has to do with the flavor & the fizzy aspect, some people just don't like those refreshing tart beverages. 

The best thing you can do is try it & that's about it if you don't like it, no worries. If you don't like the taste, try adding extra fruit to your drink! The flavorings are added for taste anyway, why not add chopped strawberries or fresh raw ginger or whatever you have on hand. 

Using different recipes, you can brew something that you truly love. It may take a few days time to ferment & bottle & make everything, but it'll be a great experiment. There are also a variety of delicious kombucha flavors, so you might find one that you love.

Shop the Kombucha Starter Kit (Deluxe with Heating Mat) SCOBY, Jar, PH Test Strips, Fermenting Ingredients & more - Get it on Amazon - click here.

What's your go-to recipe or the best flavor? Do you like fresh fruit or fruit juices in your kombucha? What recipes do you love using? Each person might have a different idea of the best kombucha flavors so it's really up to your taste buds!

The LAB Anti-Mall in Costa Mesa, California feels fresh. It's the cool spot I would like to have hung out at with friends every weekend if I were 12 again. An enormous fiddle leaf fig plant towers over the open space common area touching the wooden ceiling as it tries to makes its way through the skylight. Three neon signs that say Yes, No, Maybe hang on the wall. People sit at varying seats, stools, chairs, & tables sprawled out; typing on their laptops, nibbling on a bite to eat, chatting with a friend. Other patrons walk to & fro with their masks on as they shop. The world comes alive again as it adjusts itself in a world with COVID. From restaurants to small local businesses, The Lab Anti-Mall Costa Mesa isn't your average shopping mall experience.

The Lab Costa Mesa

I sit down at a tiny table with a pair of mismatched chairs at the LAB Anti Mall. I take off my mask to enjoy a bite of my mini donut haul from Good Town Doughnuts. I snagged the Raspberry Pistachio & Chocolate Strawberry doughnuts. Good Town Doughnuts offers vegan & non-vegan options. We accidentally picked both vegan versions since the flavours just appealed to us. I particularly loved the Chocolate Strawberry with the chocolate doughnut base & tart strawberry glaze. Take a look at the Good Town Doughnuts Instagram page for photos of their delightful doughnuts. This is the perfect destination to go shopping in Orange County.

The LAB Anti-Mall Costa Mesa, California Address: 2930 Bristol St, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 United States

Located at 2930 Bristol St, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 United States, the LAB Anti-Mall has food & drink options, clothing shops, thrift stores, barbershop, hair salon, record store, & some other bits & bobs. I've actually been here before, although it was quick, in & out. This time I was able to get a better feel of the  LAB Anti-Mall & What makes it so great, exciting. I'm glad to be back. Take a look at the LAB website!

Fred & I said what the hell, drove an hour away from our usual haunts to explore Costa Mesa, California. Located close to the 405 Freeway on Bristol Street, LAB Anti-Mall was a doughnut, vegan food whirlwind. 

Please check out my Instagram post about my Orange County day trip to the LAB Anti-Mall. There are plenty of online reviews so you can really get a feel of places nearby, what people think,  the type of art, the best restaurant to check out, & more.

Whether you're an Orange County local or came to Costa Mesa CA for a day trip, there's quite a lot to see at the LAB. If you're tired of the same old same old then you'll like the unique shops & restaurants that the LAB Anti-Mall provides. This place is different. There's music, art, & installations, an attention to detail in every corner. Address: 2930 Bristol St, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 United States.

Related reading: Things to Do in North County San Diego, California

Parking

There are parking options throughout the LAB. However, if you come on a busy day, it's likely that all the spaces in the parking lot will be full. We came on Sunday & it was busy. We drove around a couple of times & had to do a bit of walking from our parking space. I'm not sure if there's street parking, at least not very close by.

You could check out LAB Anti-Mall's other restaurants, eateries, & drinkeries Baba's Chicken, Bootleggers, Habana, Hana Re, Nook Coffee, Refresh Stream, Ruin Bar, Seabirds Kitchen, & The Den (formerly known as Gypsy Den).

Fun Fact: "LAB" stands for Little American Business. Their goal to combat retail monotony began in 2003. Now it's a relatively popular hotspot for pretty much any age group to shop, eat, & enjoy Costa Mesa.

Experience unique shopping opportunities at the LAB's stores. You'll find a great variety. We went to 2nd Street USA; Fred & I each scored something. This thrift store has a mix of funky vintage blouses to modern name brand sneakers, so men & women alike can get some shopping done. If you want to find a great place to shop local, LAB Anti-Mall is one of those one-stop shops.

Store hours may vary: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM, Friday & Saturday 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM. View the LAB store list website for links to each business & up-to-date hours.

Popular shops include Urban Outfitters and Buffalo Exchange. Find some music at a record shop or eat a doughnut in the sun at one of the outdoor seating areas. This eclectic destination area is a little bit more exciting than your average shopping mall experience. Bring a friend and make it a day.

Lab Anti Mall Store List

Shopping

Blends + Carve

Buffalo Exchange

Eco Now

Red + Blue Vintage

Sundressed Inc

Terra Nova Vintage

Urban Outfitters

Food & Drink

Baba's Chicken

Bootleggers

Good Town Doughnuts

Habana 

Hana Re

Nook Coffee

Refresh Stream

Ruin Bar

Seabirds Kitchen

The Den

Other Shops

Barber Shop

Crew Salon

Creme Tangerine Records

The Artery

We had dinner at Nice Guys Vegan, an all-vegan restaurant that ultimate vegan comfort foods such as burgers, fries, & desserts). Think vegan fast-casual restaurant. The BBQ Bacon Burger & Spicy Chicken Burger. Both were absolutely incredible & believe me because I’ve had a lot of crapy burgers in my 15+ years of being meat-free. 

Then there's the eco-friendly retail campus, The CAMP, that's dedicated to supporting the community through an active, healthy lifestyle mindful of environmentalism. View The CAMP website for more information.

Located at 2930 Bristol Street, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, you could spend the day at the LAB Anti-Mall shopping, exploring the place, taking cool photos of the art and culture. The indoor-outdoor aspect means you can have shelter on rainy days & still enjoy the sunshine on those beautiful California days. It really is the best of both worlds. Located in Costa Mesa, CA, this small anti-mall feels pumped with life & a thriving community. So yeah, that's my review of the place. Read the Yelp or TripAdvisor LAB Anti Mall reviews to see what places call to you.  Please leave a comment to share your thoughts - have you visited? It's like a South Coast Plaza alternative with more affordable and artsy vibes. From fun shopping to restaurants and coffee, there is a lot to do in this cool area. Search online to learn about updated hours and and Covid updates.

Related reading: Warner Brothers Studio Tour Gilmore Girls in Burbank, CA

Have you been to the LAB Anti Mall? What are your favorite shops?

Related reading: Searching for the Best Coffee in Carlsbad, California

Body scrub has been around for years but what does it do? Are there any benefits to using body scrub? How often should you use a gentle body scrub? Is it OK to scrub your body everyday? Do you use body scrub before or after soap/body wash? Learn the benefits of sugar scrubs and different types of scrubs. I also share some popular brands and products currently on the market.

* Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.

There are so many many skincare products out there that claim to make your skin look beautiful or healthy. There are actually quite a few kinds of body scrubs on the market. You can pick from coffee scrubs to sugar scrubs to a salt scrub to sensitive scrubs without any fragrance or essential oil. And yes there are plenty of body scrub benefits or sugar scrub benefits. There's always something new popping up too. 

Benefits of body scrub can include exfoliating dead skin cells can potentially unclog pores, make your natural skin look healthy, improve circulation, help with razor bumps, and more. You don't have to leave the product on your skin, just gently rub it on, then wash it off. You just have to find a product that works for you. There are natural, cruelty-free exfoliating body scrubs, hydrating vegan scrubs, it all depends on what you want for your soft skin!

Best body scrubs available online:

First Aid Beauty Body Scrub - KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub Exfoliant for Keratosis Pilaris with 10% AHA

OGX Coconut Coffee Body Wash

Botanic Hearth Himalayan Body Scrub - Natural Exfoliating Salt Scrub with Authentic Himalayan Salt

O Naturals Anti-Cellulite Exfoliating Organic Coffee Arabica + Dead Sea Salt Scrub

Popular body scrub brands include Tree Hut. You might have heard of them on TikTok!

How Often Should You Use a Body Scrub? Is it OK to Scrub Your Body Everyday?

It helps to read the directions on the body scrub you're using since the ingredients can range. Sometimes it tells you that you can use it for your every day routine, a couple times a week, once a week. Body scrub works best when you use it in the shower or bath. It might feel like a home spa day!

Be gentle. Don't forget that skin is your body's defense mechanism. Your skin keeps bacteria & other bad guys out. Exfoliate gently & with care, don't aggressively rub your skin so hard and be all rough. Keep in mind is that skin weakens as you get older. There isn't as much elasticity so it is the best way to take care of your skin, lips. & face. Apply a moisturizer after you get out of the shower. You can also find gentle lip scrubs for your lips.

Do You Use Body Scrub Before or After Body Wash?

To be honest, I've seen conflicting advice so my take is this: use what you got. Either way will work, especially if you don't have everything on hand. You can use your body wash or soap first to wash away any dirt or whatnot. Then you can apply the body scrub to really get rid of dead skin and exfoliate. Others suggest using body scrubs first to give the skin a good buffing prior to lathering up with soap. Just roll with it. After the shower, apply a moisturizer.

Related Reading: DIY Cinnamon Sugar Body Scrub Recipe

Remove Dead Skin & Exfoliation

Glow skin glow! First and foremost, the most common use of a body scrub is to remove dead skin cells by exfoliation. A good body scrub will give your skin a smoother surface, exfoliating dead or dry skin or lips. Depending on the ingredients, exfoliating can help smooth skin, from elbows and knees to just getting rid of those dead skin cells. The benefits of a body scrub can also exfoliating seasonal dryness to reveal healthy skin underneath. 

Prevents Ingrown Hairs

Exfoliating can help get rid of old, dead skin to reveal younger, smoother, beautiful skin underneath. One of the benefits of body scrub includes helping the exfoliation process by reducing the appearance of ingrown hairs. One can use it for the hair removal easier by smoothing out the skin. Starting out by placing scrub into your hands & rubbing it while you're in the bath or shower. For best results, follow the instructions on the body scrub packaging itself. 

Coffee Scrub

Coffee body scrubs are especially popular as many say that they smooth cellulite, stretch marks, or acne, even increase body circulation. As with any beauty product claim, take it with a grain of salt. The great news is that there are many proven benefits to drinking coffee. But does a coffee body scrub do the same thing? This article by Johns Hopkins Medicine dives into the health benefits of coffee. Popular coffee scrub brands include Brooklyn Botany, Frank Body, OGX, Bare Botanics, & more. 

Shop coffee scrubs online: 

Frank Body Original Coffee Scrub

Brooklyn Botany Arabica Coffee Body Scrub 

O Naturals Anti-Cellulite Exfoliating Organic Coffee Arabica + Dead Sea Salt Scrub

Sugar Scrubs and Sugar Scrub Benefits

Much like the coffee scrubs with coffee as the main ingredient, sugar scrubs have sugar as one of the main ingredients, whether that's brown, cane, white, it depends on the brand. Might find whipped sugar scrubs or you can even make it at home. When using a sugar scrub, it's important to think about the size of the sugar granules. You don't want huge lumpy giant crystals to poke & rip your skin when you use a sugar scrub. Brown sugar is one of the least abrasive choices if you want to use a body scrub. Popular sugar scrub brands include Tree Hut Shea Sugar Scrub Tropical Mango, Brooklyn Botany Brown Sugar Body Scrub, Bella and Bear Goddess Vegan Sugar Scrub, & so much more. 

Keep your skin moist. Sugar is a natural humectant, meaning that it retains or preserves moisture. Sugar scrub benefits include exfoliation for smoother skin, locking in moisture, good option for sensitive skin. 

Shop sugar scrubs online: 

Tree Hut Shea Sugar Scrub Tropical Mango - I've seen this brand all over TikTok shower self-care videos!

Brooklyn Botany Brown Sugar Body Scrub

Bella and Bear Goddess Sugar Scrub

Salt Scrubs

Salt body scrubs can help with body skin care to get rid of dead skin cells on your body or lips. The salt scrub works the same as the other types of scrubs, rub it in & leave it on your skin for the warm water to wash it off. Popular salt scrub brands include: First Botany 100% Natural Tea Tree Oil Body & Foot Scrub, even Trader Joe's has a lavender salt scrub.

Shop salt scrubs online: 

Himalayan Salt Scrub - Full Body Scrub with Collagen, Almond & Lychee Oil

First Botany Body & Foot Scrub with Dead Sea Salt

White Naturals Dead Sea Salt Aromatherapy Exfoliator

Use a Face Scrub for Your Face

Yes, there are benefits of a body scrub, but don't use any old body scrub on your face. For natural soft smooth healthy skin, use skin care products designed specifically for the face. It must be less abrasive. Your face is made of very sensitive skin, it is susceptible to rips & tears that harsh ingredients produce. Make sure to use a face scrub that's designed specifically for your face. There's no need to exfoliate your face with the same rigor as you would really dry cracked elbow.

Keep these scrub benefits in mind the next time your skin needs some love! The benefits of body scrubs include removing dead skin & exfoliation for soft skin, boost circulation, drain lymph nodes, preventing ingrown hairs, removing excess residue from pores, & a lot more. You can find a product that helps your skin care appearance; there are so many spa products out there. 

Try something new. Did these scrub benefits surprise you or do they sound about right? What's your favorite body scrub to use? Leave a comment or send me an email if you have questions!

I'm a blogger. 

I'm an influencer. 

I'm a social media manager. 

I'm a blogging coach.

I'm a freelance writer.

I'm all of the above!

There are so many buzzwords these days - blogger, influencer, influencer marketing, engagement - but what does it all mean? Well, some have different meanings, some are similar, & some are industry words much like you'd view on a resume. I don't go around introducing myself as a San Diego influencer in all instances. 

I've written over 500 blog posts & hundreds of posts on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, over the years. I've had a blog since 2011, long before I ever had an Instagram page. I majored in journalism & decided I didn't want to spend my life at a newspaper, the next best thing was a lifestyle blog. In 2011, it wasn't about followers, it was about finding a place on the internet where you felt at home.  What a different time! In 2017, I quit my corporate job to find the next step for me: freelancing, remote work, writing, social media management. 

Read my yearly freelancing anniversary updates from Years 1, 2, & 3!

Hanging out & hiking in Julian, California.

When I do social media management for small local businesses & other clients, I'm a social media manager. What does a social media manager do in a day? Read here. When I'm completing contracted writing for magazines, I'm a freelance writer. If I'm invited to a restaurant opening in San Diego, it's probably because of my blog or social media accounts, so in that case, I'd call myself a San Diego influencer. 

I remember attending a press trip for Visit El Paso in 2018 & talking to a man in his 50s. He was on the press trip too, but more on the event planning side, I was on the blogger side. He asked me about the term "influencer" & asked if that's what young people refer to themselves as these days. It was a good question. 

Click here to contact me. I'd love to learn more about you & your top business needs. 

Related reading: Life in Quarantine as a San Diego Blogger + Social Media Manager from April 2020

What Are Influencers vs. Bloggers? 

Influencer marketing isn't just in San Diego or the United States, it's all across the world. There are influencers everywhere, from San Francisco & Los Angeles to New York & Paris & Warsaw, Poland. Overall, being a top blogger, influencer, etc. really depends on the person & what they want to be called. Generally, a blogger has a literal blog. Whether on WordPress, Wix, BlogSpot, SquareSpace, what have you, a blogger is a blogger because of a blog. 

Someone who blogs is a blogger; someone who knits is a knitter; someone who plays basketball is a basketball player. It's more about the action, not about semantics.

Read this post for a whole exercise on how to find blogging inspiration & blog ideas.

An influencer might not have a blog but instead has a social media presence, such as Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, the list goes on. PS, read this blog post for tips to increase your Facebook reach. So because an influencer could be on any/all social channels, the term influencer is a general description of what we do. Social media influencers have influence because of the followers & online presence they've created, similar to a blog, but in a different capacity. 

For example, at one point in May 2020, I had up to 2.2 million monthly viewers on my Pinterest profile. Is Pinterest social media? 

A blogger might also have an active social media presence, & an influencer could have a blog. Because there isn't a magical exact preciseness to it all, each person might refer to themselves as something different! You can view examples of what a person calls themselves on their blog or social media channels, sometimes in their email signature.

Have questions about influencer marketing in the city of San Diego? Click here to contact me.

View this post on Instagram

Social Anxiety // As I entered the influencer event I looked around, felt overwhelmed & walked out to compose myself. I did that 2 more times before I finally found the guts to approach someone. 😬 ⁣ ⁣ Once I did, we joked about working remotely, how proud of ourselves we felt for putting pants on (when your work from home you don’t really need pants 🤷🏻‍♀️). ⁣ ⁣ I’m happy I went! I tried a shrimp taco for the first time in 15 years. 🦐 I shared ceviche & made new friends at @101homeandaway. I sipped @thornbeer & talked about social anxiety with the very influencers at the event - how we must encourage ourselves to go out, mingle, & stay outside of our comfort zones even though it’s part of our careers. ⁣ ⁣ So am I the only one with social anxiety? How does it impact you? How do you get social in times of high anxiety? Let me know your tips & what works for you. 🙏🏼😇

A post shared by Social Media, Marketing & SEO (@carmenvarner) on Feb 9, 2020 at 11:26am PST

What is Influencer Marketing?

Both the top influencers & bloggers create content, write (whether it's captions or blog posts), take photos, negotiate, & so much more. Whether you are a therapist, beauty brand, or a beach towel company, there are ways to improve engagement, get a follow or two, increase visits, increase page views to your contact page, & more.

Influencer marketing is basically like user-generated marketing for the brand; they essentially hire the influencer to do work, ie. content or photos & then share it with their family, friends, audience that they personally developed.

Sometimes I'm a lifestyle blogger, travel influencer, travel writer, social media consultant, the names change because I'm all of them. It depends on who I'm speaking to or what I'm doing! When I went on that press trip in Texas, it makes sense that I'm a California blogger/San Diego influencer since I'm coming in with a California perspective & California viewers make up one of my biggest percentage of followers. 

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What Do Social Media Influencers Do?

Lifestyle influencer marketing revolves around things people use, eat, or experience on a regular basis, such as tea or a toothbrush or a short trip with family. After the Texas press trip, I created content on my blog. I found a particular aspect about El Paso that I loved & felt my followers & Google searchers would be interested in or would search for later. I wrote a blog post about Franklin Mountains State Park & then shared that content on my social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TripAdvisor). 

Going on the press trip gave me content to write about; it gave me experiences, memories, & furthered my own blogging/influencing career by being part of a full-on fly me out, pay for my hotel room type of press trip! In return, the influencers/bloggers create content, take photos, or tag the brand, link to the website, generate interest, views, website clicks, or bookings, etc.

A lot of times a top influencer becomes an influencer by being themselves. For example, I wrote a post about rainbow eucalyptus trees in Balboa Park, San Diego (which you can read here) & it started getting organic search traffic from people Googling fun things in San Diego or where to see rainbow eucalyptus in San Diego.

As an influencer or blogger, you don't work for someone else, it's your platform to use as you wish. As an influencer, it becomes a business that the person chooses what's best. They can choose if they want to work with fashion & style, news, beauty, travel, food. 

And remember: it's not always about the number of followers, how much reach do they get? How much engagement? 

For example, I had a campaign with Del Taco to promote the Beyond Meat range of burritos & tacos. As someone who has been meat-free for 15 years, I was already buying this product. It made sense to me when the email popped in my inbox about doing a sponsored post on Instagram to talk about it. Make money talking about something I already used, ate, tried? Yes, please. Take a look at my Instagram post!

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It's official: I've been self-employed for 2 years! June, although midway through the year, signifies a fresh start to me! 🎉 __________________________________ I work as a manager & consultant for small businesses to improve their content, brand awareness, website traffic, SEO value, & potential sales. It’s difficult but rewarding. __________________________________ @juneshineco , however, doesn’t need me for that, so I took an evening off to celebrate their new Juneshine Scripps Ranch media opening & their 1-year anniversary. 🥰 I chatted with their extremely friendly team (normally I’m an introvert but I tried my damnest to talk to people & speak up & ask questions. A++++ for effort!! ☺️) Anyway, I discovered that we’re both June business babies!!! Mine is 2; Juneshine is 1. Awwww. 💻 So they officially open Saturday June 15, so check them out. __________________________________ I learned a lot this year as far as SEO (search engine optimization), going outside of my comfort zone, understanding the true meaning of networking/connections (building genuine & authentic relationships with people in which you can mutually help each other but in different ways). 💻✅ __________________________________ So have you tried Juneshine or hard kombucha? How long have you followed me? Is there any content/information you want learn about? What would you like to see from me? Feel free to ask a question!! Or just say HI 👋🏼 & tell me your favourite childhood movie! 🍿 🎥

A post shared by Social Media, Marketing & SEO (@carmenvarner) on Jun 14, 2019 at 12:13pm PDT

Examples of San Diego Influencer Marketing Events I've Attended

- I went to an event at Home & Away Encinitas for Thorn Beer. They invited foodie influencers to attend. These are regular people. Most of them have a day job, a life other than influencing. These are people who love food & probably post about it frequently, perhaps they use certain hashtags to find new followers. Take a look at my Instagram post about the event & experience here. 

Related reading: Encinitas Coffee Shops: Searching for the Best Coffee in Town

- I was invited to the opening of the Scripps Ranch location of Juneshine. View my Instagram post from that event. This event was a bit younger, more modern, & fresh. Most influencers were young, under 40. It's all about the brand, Juneshine is a hard kombucha, which might have a fun, fresh young audience compared to a craft beer brand. The influencers you invite to your event should reflect your brand!

- I attended a mindfulness app launch party in San Diego a few years back at the start of influencer marketing. There was a range of professionals - not just bloggers. Each professional might have a different niche & audience, whether influencer or other local business representatives. 

Is Influencer Marketing Free? What Does it Cost?

I've been invited to events across San Diego County. Sometimes a public relations company contacts me via email or sometimes you get a quick Instagram message about something from a brand itself. Each company or event is different. Sometimes there are no requirements for a particular event, they just invite you to feel free to post or not post. Sometimes they want you to post a couple Instagram Stories & other times it's more involved. This is where certain influencers have the leverage to have sponsored posts, posting fees, or other requirements, especially if a lifestyle influencer has a large following/reach. And yes, sometimes there is payment, depending on the campaign or type of sponsored collaboration.

Contact me or see about Coaching, Consulting, & Management for your small business.

On a press trip in Lompoc, California with Explore Lompoc. I wrote Fun Things to Do in the City of Lompoc, California on my blog.

Finding an Influencer for Your Business

From La Jolla, Balboa Park, Del Mar, all the way up to Julian, there are events, restaurant openings, local businesses all around San Diego that could use lifestyle influencer marketing. It's all about finding the correct person for your brand. One influencer might offer daily posting on Instagram about local eateries to try in San Diego County while another might share home decor tips. Follow a few to get a feel for who's out there.

Related reading: How to Set Effective Personal & Business Goals So You Actually Get Things Done

You made it all the way to the bottom so what's the next step? Sometimes you have to take a leap & see what happens. If you need some help, I work with businesses on their engagement, blog writing, social media content, & more.

Whether you live in the city of San Diego or somewhere else, your business might benefit from influencer marketing. Have a question about social media influencers or small business influencer marketing? Contact me. Interested in social media management, help, or consulting? Fill out my Discovery Questionnaire & I'll get in touch with you within 48 hours.

Testimonials

“Very good job going above and beyond my request for stats. Appreciate you putting your critical thinking hat on when looking at the data and extrapolating actionable insights. This is excellent as we continue to test and tweak.” - R.W. 

"Carmen helped me prioritize my goals for my brand as a whole. She provided me with skills to improve my decision-making in everything from blog topics, gauging my audience, and making my personality really shine through in my work." -K.S.

"I have so much more clarity about the direction we are headed in--and we are already seeing results! I implemented her SEO strategy a few weeks ago and in the past week we have started to see more referrals through Google. Most importantly, these are quality referrals that have booked with us right away and been eager to pay our full fee. Carmen keeps me accountable to my goals and also provides feedback on my marketing. I send her 90% of our content before it goes out, and she always thinks of ways to make it better." - C.A.

Want to hire me for social media management, consulting, or something else? Fill out my Discovery Questionnaire & I'll get in touch with you within 48 hours.