We’re all familiar with our favorite influencers + bloggers — their presence on social media and their efforts in the blogging community certainly don’t go unnoticed. But behind those Instagram accounts and websites is a company + team that works to empower women in the content creation sphere, and Amanda Lederman is a part of that team. As this week’s Hoboken Girl of the Week and community manager at #BlogHer, Amanda works hard every day to help “someone move the needle in their career” in the blogger + influencer world. Keep reading to learn all about Amanda Lederman, who’s living her dream as BlogHer’s community manager.
Tell us about yourself.
Not everyone is lucky enough to do what they love. I’m thrilled to get to work every day as the #BlogHer community manager for SHE Media owned by Penske Media Corporation. BlogHer’s mission is to empower female content creators, entrepreneurs, and social media influencers. We were founded on the premise that women’s collective voices hold boundless power. BlogHer events celebrate the women who tell their stories to inspire and educate communities across the globe.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Part of my job is to feature members of our SHE Media Partner Network on BlogHer.com. We help these partners drive more revenue and brand exposure, make them a priority at our live events, and recommend them for branded content and influencer campaigns, along with a million other things. One of the ways I help promote this network is interviewing a new partner each week and publishing their interview on our website. The partners are always so receptive to being interviewed and offering advice to up and coming bloggers, influencers, and entrepreneurs. It’s a great feeling knowing I’ve helped someone move the needle in their career.
There’s also no better feeling than being at a BlogHer event. We prepare for the events for months, but I still get nervous, excited, and a huge rush when I’m in the moment. When the events are over, I’m always on such a high that I can’t sleep.
See More: Meet Vanessa Rissetto: A Local Dietitian + Nutritionist in Hoboken
What is the most difficult part?
Social media is really a 24/7 job. It doesn’t matter if you’re on vacation or it’s a holiday, you have to make sure your company’s social media is always active and consistent. It can sometimes be hard to pull yourself away, if even for an hour or two. It’s important to balance time for myself and time checking in on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. I make sure I’m enjoying special moments and not worried about how many people have viewed our Instagram story.
{Photo credit: @amandalederman}
What advice do you have for people who are just getting started in your industry?
Do your research and join the conversation.
I spend at least an hour every morning reading Social Media Today, We Are Social Media, Marketing Dive, and other resources to make sure I am up to date on the ever-changing landscape of social media and influencer marketing. I also take part in multiple Facebook and LinkedIn groups to see questions coming from the communities who are using these outlets.
And attend conferences — shameless plug! We had professionals straight from Pinterest, Facebook, Constant Contact, and more at our conference in September. We also had a ton of brands looking for future employees and partnerships. Putting yourself in front of the right people is so important.
Lastly, LinkedIn is your best friend. If you want a career in social media, reach out to someone you admire. Grab coffee with them. Ask for advice. People are more inclined to help you if you are persistent and make an effort.
What bloggers are your favorites and why?
Arielle Charnas of Something Navy and Danielle Bernstein of We Wore What are probably two of the first bloggers I followed and it’s been amazing to see how their hobbies of posting outfit inspiration have become a thriving business with partnerships with brands like Nordstrom and Joe’s Jeans. They are also super candid about being influencers and how they make money, which is a great lesson for those starting out.
I also love Brooke and Meggan of Somewhere Lately. As I mentioned, I’m a shopaholic, and they always offer affordable clothing options to their followers and are super consistent with their content. Read their coffee talks! They also always DM me back when I’m being a fangirl.
A few other favorites are Betches, The Skimm, Grace Atwood of The Stripe, Courtney Quinn of Color Me Courtney, Alexa Matthews of Eating NYC, and Dara Pollak of The Skinny Pig.
What do you think the future of blogging will be?
Arielle Charnas of Something Navy just raised $10 million in funding to start her own lifestyle brand. Seventy-five percent of Estée Lauder’s marketing budget is going to influencers. Having a cookie-cutter job is not necessary anymore, and you can find success in a hobby you love. The future of blogging to me looks like more women taking charge of their careers, betting on themselves, and making the kind of money women have always deserved.
What is your biggest source of inspiration?
One of the biggest reasons I wanted to work for BlogHer was because I was so inspired by the women who attended the conferences. After attending my first BlogHer summit last summer, I was hooked. These women put time, money, blood, sweat, and tears into their crafts and grind to create meaningful content that speaks their truth. That’s why celebrities and public figures including Gabrielle Union, Jameela Jamil, and even Barack Obama are huge BlogHer supporters and have spoken at our events. I want to be good at my job to help these inspiring and strong ladies be as successful in work and in life as possible.
{Photo credit: @amandalederman}
What are your goals for this year?
I spent the last four-ish years of my life in Hoboken. Now that I’ve moved to Jersey City, I’m really looking forward to exploring the area and trying new restaurants, workouts, street fairs —you name it. Did I mention I just tried Jane Do for the first time last week? It did not disappoint!
I currently run BlogHer’s social media, manage strategies, and write articles for BlogHer.com, build relationships with our community, influencers, and celebrities. I’d like to continue to crunch out as much content as I can to help expand the BlogHer business until BlogHer is a must-visit destination for all female badasses. I also have my own side-hustle, where I help smaller brands build up their social media followings and produce engaging content. My *hope* is by the end of the year to be so knowledgeable about my craft that I’ll be one of the speakers or moderators on the BlogHer stage.
I’d also like to be much more involved in Chabad Young Professionals of Hoboken & Jersey City. I was super involved early in my Hoboken days and saw how much good Shmully and Esta are doing for the community. I look forward to attending more Shabbat dinners and practicing my Jewish faith.
What is it that makes living in Jersey City unique?
There are so many different cultures, religions, and ethnicities represented on every corner of Jersey City, yet it all kind of folds into one beautiful community. Whether you’re attending a street fair, walking around the local market, or taking a stroll around town, you can feel the strong sense of togetherness no matter where your feet land.
Read More: Ashley Hearon-Smith: Scary Mommy Speaks Co-Host + HudsonCounty60
What’s a typical day look like for you?
7:45AM: I wake up in my gorgeous Jersey City apartment. I make sure to take a good look at the Statue of Liberty from my window and take a moment to remember how incredibly fortunate I am to be in the place {mentally and physically} that I am.
8:45AM: Get my tush on the path to my office in Bryant Park.
9:30AM-6:00PM: Throughout my day, I coordinate content calendars for BlogHer’s social media and website, write copy and articles, share ideas with our events team, interact with BlogHer community via Facebook Groups {which by the way, are taking over social media if you are a social media manager}. Sometime in between I run out for lunch {or eat something my amazing boyfriend has cooked up for me}. After lunch, I continue on in my workday.
6:30PM: I get to attend some pretty cool evening events with our sponsors including but not limited to Amazon, Milk Bar, and Chillhouse. I also could be racing home to watch The Bachelor/Bachelorette/Bachelor in Paradise or go to the gym. Fun fact: I used to be obsessed with Work it Out in Hoboken, so I’m looking forward to trying similar Jersey City studios.
What has been the highlight in your life so far?
I think I have two life highlights. One has been watching my little sister grow up and become super successful at everything she tries. She just started her first job at CBS, and I tear up every time I think about how hard she works.
My second life highlight is meeting my boyfriend, Alex. We lived two blocks away from each other in Hoboken {shout out to 800 Jefferson and 1000 Jefferson} for years and didn’t meet until we matched on two dating apps, JSwipe and Bumble. Ladies, don’t be afraid of dating apps in Jersey, you do not need to go into the city to find a good man. Put your setting on under one mile away. I found the love of my life and now we live together in Jersey City after one and a half years of dating.
In work highlights, I began my career at BlogHer by emailing the CEO of SHE Media directly and explaining my qualifications for the position. This is a highlight for me because her answering, passing my resume along, and eventually hiring me proved to me that I can do anything I put my mind to. I’m so grateful that I took a risk and a chance stepping outside my comfort zone.
What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
I did musical theater from elementary school through high school and then worked at the JCC’s children theater through high school and college. A good Saturday morning for me is cleaning my apartment while blasting “In The Heights” Or “Dear Evan Hanson” and singing at the top of my lungs.
Tell us about another business in the area you admire.
When I lived in Hoboken I was pretty much obsessed with Shaka Bowl. I love supporting female entrepreneurs and businesswomen. Plus, their Detox smoothie has gotten me through many hangovers and post-workouts.
{Photo credit: @amandalederman}
Hoboken + Jersey City Favorites
What is your favorite restaurant in Hoboken +JC?
My favorite restaurant in Hoboken is definitely Otto Strada. Sometimes they have this special spicy squid ink pasta that I would give my left arm for. Always worth the wait to go there. I also could eat a Honeygrow salad or the buffalo chicken sandwich at Carpe Diem every day.
I also super love Taqueria Downtown in Jersey City. I swear they don’t close because there are always crowds of people outside. Their tacos are fantastic and who doesn’t love a good margarita. You also can’t go wrong with Porta. Go for the pizza, stay for the rooftop and bands!
What is your favorite boutique in Hoboken?
I have a huge shopping problem, so I end up at Anthropologie, Dor L’ Dor, and a X d on the regular. Can Hoboken bring back Ruby + Jenna though?
What do you love most about where you live?
How do I even put this into words? Hoboken and Jersey City have everything you could want from a city and a suburb combined into one. You can have a peaceful walk on the pier with breathtaking views. You can party your ass off at incredible bars. You can eat at the tastiest restaurants. You can take your kids {and dogs} to the park. You can see a movie for $7 on Tuesdays {fun fact}. Hoboken and Jersey City hold such a strong place in my heart and I’ve created so many memories here that I wouldn’t trade for anything in the world.
What is your favorite thing to do in Hudson County?
I am pretty obsessed with a good street fair and Hudson County seems to have the best ones.! I absolutely love that every Monday and Thursday the Grove Street PATH has a farmer’s market. If it’s outdoors and I can shop and dance, I’m in.
How long have you lived in the area?
I lived in Hoboken for three years. Last year I moved to New York for a few months and came right back and was a stowaway at my boyfriend’s Hoboken apartment. Now my boyfriend and I have been living in Jersey City together for almost one month.
What is your favorite outdoor place to spend time in Hoboken + Jersey City?
Pier 13 and Surf City are the best in the summer.
What is your favorite place to work out in Hudson County?
Work it Out for Hoboken and Jane Do for Jersey City.
Where do you go out with friends in the area?
My favorite Hoboken nights have been spent with old roommates Emma Kaptein and Jessica Slattery with the best bartender Mikey Palazzo at Mills Tavern. I also love Cork City, Union Hall, Batello, City Bistro, Razza, Porta, 10th and Willow, and South House to name a few.
What is something you think needs to come to the area?
Everyone from my home town was obsessed with Millburn Deli. There’s only one, so it would be super cool if they opened a second location in Hoboken or Jersey City. It would make a killing!
Keep up with Amanda on Facebook, Instagram @amandalederman, and LinkedIn.
Want to be featured or nominate someone as an upcoming Hoboken Girl or Guy of the Week?
Fill out our application here!
