‘Bahamianista’ Crista Strachan Knows the Power of Owning Your Niche
When you hear the word “blogger,” there are a couple of categories that immediately come to mind—think mommy blogger, cooking guru, or fitness lover. Carnival enthusiast probably isn’t one of them. Crista Strachan and other Caribbean creators are changing that perception. The founder of Bahamianista highlights Carnival culture (and fashion) on her dynamic, multi-faceted blog, which also includes fitness, lifestyle, and style gems.
Ahead, the SHE Media partner shares her go-to tools for capturing vibrant photos, why she doesn’t limit her content to one category, and more.
How did you (and continue to) adjust and keep your content relevant during the pandemic?
I like to say that I’m not just one niche. I’ve always felt that way, even when I first started my blog. That sentiment was reaffirmed by listening to some other content creators that I’m really inspired by like Mattie James and Brittany Hennessy. “You are your niche.” I look at that as I’m all the things I love and they intersect and work because, at the end of the day, it’s my story and my experiences.
I just honestly try to speak from what I’m feeling, what my followers/subscribers are talking about, and/or needing insight or information. That’s how I feel I was able to adjust. Also, I’m a big fan of just trying new things.
Have you found camaraderie with other fellow Caribbean creators/bloggers? Or do you think it’s a space that still needs more representation?
Yes, I have. I feel a lot of us have definitely bonded online moreover the fact that a lot of Caribbean cultural events are at a standstill due to the pandemic. So, I find myself really looking for that content, especially being based in South Florida. It’s nice to see the beaches, food, the music especially when travel options are somewhat limited at the moment.
I feel like there’s a lot of representation but just not an overall awareness (in the larger, “popular” spaces) of who these creatives are. Two bloggers that come to mind are Aisha Sylvester of Island Girl in Transit and Aaliyah of As Told by Ali.
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What are your go-to products and/or hacks for ensuring that you capture the beauty of your costumes and other fashion in photos?
My go-to products are my Canon m50 and my iPhone for photos and video, as well as sharing on social media. I also love anything that’s lightweight and compact, so definitely my portable charger and portable tripod with Bluetooth remote. Also, I rely on my carnival friends and photographers to help create content as well, especially if it’s a busy week or weekend of events.
What boundaries do you have in place to ensure that you aren’t overworking yourself?
I’ve recently had to really apply some hard boundaries. Just because I’m “working from home” doesn’t mean I’m readily available to just up and do things. I’ve been practicing how to say no and then also time blocks for certain areas of my life because I do have a career as an occupational therapist. Balance is key between being a content creator and my traditional 9-to-5.
What is one piece of social media advice you wish you knew when you were a new blogger?
One piece of social media advice I wish I practiced a lot more was self-promotion. I was so shy and so unsure if people would even like my content and just used to keep it to myself so I wish I had just been a little bolder and more courageous with my self-promotion. But all in all, that self-discovery was a part of my journey and I wouldn’t change one moment.
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