You may know former "Bachelor" star Sogand Mohtat as @sogand_m__, the Persian model taking over Instagram. But did you know she worked as a civil engineer before becoming an influencer? We had the pleasure of interviewing Sogand, who took her hobby of taking fun photos to become an Instagram influencer with more than 24,000 followers on the platform.
Here are a few things to know about Sogand. 👉
Can you tell us a little about how you started as a social media influencer?
I got exposed to the crazy world of influencer marketing after appearing on The Bachelor in 2019. Back then, I worked full-time as an Engineer, so I started working with brands just for fun. However, I loved creating content and getting creative so much that I decided to quit my full-time job.
Now I'm in NYC working as an international influencer! well, trying, hah
You were on the Bachelor - tell us how they helped you grow your social media presence
I had no idea about the influencers' world or influencer marketing, so I would say that if it wasn't for the Bachelor, I wouldn't be here now having this chat with you.
Have you had any negative experiences as an influencer - bullying, trolls, etc. - and how do you deal with them?
Fortunately, I've never been bullied as an influencer. I think it's because most of my followers are from the Bachelor, so they know there is no bullshit with me and that when I post about something, I genuinely mean it.
What does being an influencer mean to you?
When I find out about a sale, a good product or a cool brand that I've never heard of before, I want everyone to know about it. It literally feeds my soul. So the fact that I get to do that in my own creative way and most times being silly makes it even more fun.
What's the best job you've got through theright.fit? What's the best campaign you've ever worked on, and why?
The best job I have got through theright.fit has to be Gordon's Gin. One, because I was already a massive fan of their gin, creating content for them felt so good, and two, I got to go to the Australian Open, which I had never been to. So it was definitely a pinch-me moment.
Tell us about your journey with building your following? How has your account grown over time, and has your audience changed?
The majority of my audience is from The Bachelor and are mainly women. I have over 70% female followers, which has helped me get more campaigns. In addition, I've gained followers that are within my industry since then by being consistent.
Do you use TikTok as well as Instagram? Why/why not?
I do, but I haven't been as consistent, and I'm doing it more for fun than to make money.
What are some of the highlights of your career?
I have had the opportunity to work with some of the biggest companies and agencies, like Glassons, Westpoint, Bumble, and many more. I also got invited to fashion week last year and got styled by a few brands and my favourite, PE Nation, which was really exciting for me.
What three things does anyone starting as a social media influencer need to know?
Be you and show your imperfections. People really appreciate honesty and realness. If you ever do make a mistake, own it. People are quick to point out anything you do wrong when you're in the public eye. Just admit it. Again, people appreciate that. Be selective. Don't just work with any brand to make money. It will make you just another influencer, and people won't trust your posts.
What would you do differently if you were starting in your industry today?
I would know my worth because when I started, no one told me how much I should be charging, and I was posting for free, yet I would put so much energy into it. Now I know that it doesn't matter how many followers you have. If you put time and effort into your work, you should get paid for it.
What is the #1 key to being successful in social media?
Authenticity and creativity
How do you decide which brands to partner/work with?
I usually look at their Instagram to see what type of content they produce and their products' ingredients if relevant. I like to see who they have worked with in the past; I usually do a quick search in their tagged section on Instagram to see whether they allow authenticity in their content or they just want to make a sale. Because if I can't add my personality to my content, I don't want to do it. I know my audience, and they are not fans of memorized scripts.
Which trends do you think will shape the industry in the upcoming years?
I think video format is the way to go. Photos are great, but video gives you a more complete and engaging experience.
