Maggie McGaugh: Marketing Education Inspires Mega Influencer

How did you learn about Anderson University?  

I knew I wanted to go to school in the Upstate and (at the time) major in secondary English education. Anderson University met all of my requirements, but I was sold during the tour! I actually never even toured or applied to another college after my first AU tour.  

What attracted you about Anderson University?  

I loved that it was small enough to walk, but large enough to support a variety of majors, hobbies and living options. I liked how spacious the dorms were in comparison to other colleges. Everyone also seemed so friendly during the tour. 

Share some memories about your time at AU.  

My all-time favorite memory was participating in the talent show with my best friend. It was way out of my comfort zone, but doing a coordinated dance to "We Go Together" from Grease is still such a great memory. I also have unforgettable memories from my 10-day study abroad trip to Paris. I'd been dreaming of visiting Paris my entire life. Going with the business department my freshman year was indescribable—and it was also what made me switch my major to marketing. 

What are some ways your AU degree continues to benefit you today?  

As an influencer or content creator, so many people think you don't need an education to do it... which, to a degree, may be true. However, learning about negotiations helps me land bigger brand deals. Accounting and economics helped me get insight into the businesses that sponsor me (and which quarters will be best). I'm also constantly hearing terms when designing products, promoting businesses, analyzing my statistics, and answering emails that I never would've understood without my degree. 

What was your job following graduation?  

I spent a few months managing wholesale for a beauty brand, but quickly launched my own social media management business where I ran Instagram for small businesses.  

Share how you found success with your social media posts and how it transitioned into an influencer role.  

I started posting some furniture flips in 2020 on my Instagram as photos. They did well with my existing audience (about 2,000 followers). I threw some videos up on TikTok that quickly grew my account. When Instagram launched Reels, I posted some on a whim. That took me to 100,000 followers nearly overnight. Over the years, I've gone from furniture flipping to DIY to lifestyle and grown my Instagram to 1.9 million followers and my TikTok to 2 million followers. After about a year, I knew the income was sufficient to go full-time. Soon after, my husband was able to go full-time with me! 

Talk about opportunities that have opened up over time.  

I've gotten to do some incredible things over the years. I've filmed in a film studio in Hollywood for a BEHR paint campaign. I was invited to a Forbes conference in Los Angeles. I've spoken at conferences, worked with incredible brands such as Walmart, Spotify, Narwal, and more.  

What social media platforms have been most effective for you and why?  

It's funny how different every platform can be. My Facebook earns the most money from content, TikTok has the largest following, and Instagram has the most supportive community and largest number of brand deals. 

What accomplishment(s) are you the most proud of?  

Honestly, I've always struggled with how people perceive me... whether I'm too loud or too much or even too weird. But to look back and see that my personality is exactly what has gotten me to 5+ million followers is such an honor and blessing. I'd say I'm most proud of how I've embraced who I really am and shamelessly shown that to millions of people. 

What does juggling career and home life look like for you?  

The most difficult part of my career is balancing my time. I have my phone 24/7. There are constantly emails and messages coming in. However, I also have two kids and a husband. The only way I can manage both is to leave my phone at home completely so I don't get sucked into filming, posting, and messaging. It's also a huge help that, for ethical reasons, I don't ever post my kids on social media. That really allows me to enjoy family life rather than turning everything into a video. 

What are some things you’d like to see happen in the next few years?  

I would love to continue growing my pages and partnering with large brands. We are demolishing our home to build our dream forever home this winter, so that's going to be a very exciting process that I'll get to document.