Media Kit: It Started in LA About me & my Blog It Started in LA was born from a massive calling amongst my Australian friends to tell the story of what it’s like to live in LA. You see, I landed smack bang in the middle of Hollywood and (yep, Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous). The first event I went to at my kids school sent me straight to the chiropractor because I had such a crook neck and didn’t know where to look. The first time I saw one of my favourite rock stars ever—EVER—at a school function I was a blithering mess. I’m much cooler now and we’ve since spoken but, to my surprise, people wanted to hear about it. So I share those type of stories (without interfering with people’s privacy), I share “my LA” with anyone interested and also tell some expat tales of what it’s like to “acclimate” (very much an American word) in a town that can be pretty hard to navigate. Who are you really? Like my bio says, I’m just a normal girl from Sydney living a relatively normal life—with a surreal twist of We moved here in 2013 and loving it! As an Expat I’ve also lived in Shanghai and am part of a unique network of people around the world. My blog isn’t a “look at me and how fabulous I am” site, it’s about sharing with anyone who’s interested how lucky I think I am to find myself in this world that others try so desperately to be part of. I try to convey that and my readers get it. Media Kit: It Started in LA Gwen John |

Media Kit: It Started in LA The numbers (Don’t judge a book by its cover) Blog subscribers: Less than 100. I’m being honest. And that’s OK, it’s the quality and engagement that matters. Readers: Average more than 600 unique visitors per month (740 views) Facebook likers: 497 (and climbing!) Instagram followers: 454 (also climbing!) Twitter followers: 447 Interaction I get most of my interaction from my followers when I’m travelling, eating out, shopping and taking selfies (?!). There is also undocumented evidence to show that when I’ve visited a place or City people will either add it to their list or go shortly after. I know! It’s pretty cool. Gwen John |

Media Kit: It Started in LA Who are these people? I’m glad you asked. Don’t diss the numbers until you know who they are right? My subscribers aren’t bloggers: they’re real readers interested in my story. I don’t believe in boosting my readership through other bloggers interested in increasing their numbers—much to the detriment of those numbers. Many of them are expats living across Asia & Europe—Shanghai, Hong Kong Singapore, Sweden, and London. Many of them are coming to LA either to live or to visit—this is what typically instigates the “following” Many of them live in Australia with a keen interest in dining out, travelling and keeping themselves looking good—from my base of friends and their friends and their friends’ friends Many of them live here in LA and interact with me daily in person and on social media Many of them are people you might know—or at least know of or connected to people you know well Most of them have a high disposable income—many of them with an estimated household income over $500k; a handful in excess of $1 million (and then some). Gwen John |

Media Kit: It Started in LA Why work with me? First and for most I’m honest. Secondly—and let’s face it more important for you—I have the readership you’re after. My readers are interested in what I’m doing, they’re keen to know what the trends and happenings are in LA and they’re more likely to take on board what I’m doing because they know me and trust me. Thirdly, I’m connected. I’m not an A- or even C-list celebrity but what has blown me away is how one move can put me smack bang in the middle of a world I only imagined existed. Even in Australia, it’s a really small world and I’ve met some amazing people doing amazing things that want to hear what amazing things I’m doing. How can you work with me? It’s pretty simple, just get in touch with me. I’m a marketer and former PR chick so I understand your goals and together we can tailor a program to mutual benefit. I’ll provide full disclosure to my readers but do so in a way that enhances rather than detracts from your brand. Together we can create content that speaks to your brand and work well with the stories I want to tell. Gwen John |