We’ve nearly run out of phrases extolling the virtues of dwelling and dealing in France. However for a fortunate few, dwelling in France isn’t nearly having fun with the approach to life; it’s additionally a chance to construct a private model, and switch their expat experiences right into a thriving enterprise.
Social media has given rise to a wave of expat influencers in France who share their journeys, insights, and suggestions with engaged audiences. Listed here are just some of our favourites that present the various highs and handful of lows of life in France—and show that it’s attainable to be a profitable expat influencer.
Our favorite expat influencers in France
1. Jay Swanson (YouTube, Instagram)
An extended-time Paris resident, Jay Swanson is among the best-known expat YouTubers in France, and for good cause. His content material isn’t simply well-produced, it’s additionally imaginative and informative, together with every little thing from Paris’ hidden gems, to crime and scammers, to the wonders of a French McDonalds.
Jay’s background in storytelling and images comes throughout in his movies, that are extraordinarily watchable regardless of the topic. He additionally had a novel view on Paris when experiencing it throughout the Covid lockdowns, as he paperwork within the fascinating and sometimes harrowing video under!
Watch: “My Tiny Parisian House – Life in 140 sq. ft (13m) – in quarantine [Paris Apartment Tour]” – YouTube
2. Not Even French (YouTube, Instagram)
As soon as among the many best-known French expat YouTube channels, Not Even French is now sadly defunct, as its topic has moved out of Paris. Nonetheless, in our opinion it stays a improbable repository of expat information, and an instance for others to observe.
Host Jessica is a New Zealand native who shares her experiences adjusting to life in France. Her YouTube channel covers every little thing from cultural variations to language struggles in irreverent vogue, and isn’t afraid to broach powerful or embarrassing topics. It’s an sincere and refreshing tackle the expat experiences, which is probably why it related with so many—and why it’s such a disgrace that she’s now not lively.
Watch: “Why French Individuals Do not Get Fats: The REAL causes!” – YouTube
3. This French Life (Instagram, YouTube)
This French Life is a channel we expect deserves extra love. Shannon Pratuch’s movies are just a little little bit of French ‘cottagecore’, offering a loving and homely have a look at on a regular basis life in France. Whereas protecting the same old journey suggestions, This French Life’s finest movies are concerning the practicalities of homemaking, from dinner concepts to gardening suggestions.
In addition to being properly edited and produced, This French Life’s movies are a novel mix of showcasing French expat life whereas additionally offering suggestions you should use at dwelling, wherever you occur to be. Her newest collection is about French-inspired meal concepts—all ready with recent substances in a beautiful nation kitchen.
Watch: “The Finest French Butter Apple Cake You Will Ever Attempt!” – YouTube
4. Isabelle Bertolami (TikTok, Instagram)
An entrepreneur on two counts, Isabelle is the founding father of skincare firm Propre Child in addition to an expat influencer. Her massively standard Instagram and TikTok accounts doc life as an American mum in France, and the method of elevating a toddler together with her French husband.
Her content material covers sensible facets of the expat expertise like submitting taxes, in addition to the extra glamorous facets of French life. Meals is a serious focus, as are the cultural variations between France and the U.S.—constructing bridges at a time after we would possibly want them.
Watch: “Mother Life in France” – Instagram
5. Tiffanie Davis (TikTok, YouTube, Instagram)
Initially from the U.S., Tiffanie Davis has constructed a powerful social media presence round her distinctive experiences as a Black expat in Paris. Her content material spans luxurious way of life, residence excursions, and journey suggestions, making it primarily (however not solely) aspirational.
Alongside the standard influencer fare, she additionally explores powerful moments, whether or not that’s cultural fake pas’, beginning once more after 30, or having to instantly transfer dwelling. Though Tiffanie has additionally left Paris for now, she’s nonetheless lively on-line, and her return visits to the town after years dwelling there supply one other distinctive angle on French life.
Watch: “I received KICKED OUT of my residence in Paris! | Life overseas (the battle)” – YouTube
begin a enterprise as an influencer in France
Being an influencer is a dream job for a lot of, nevertheless it is probably not one thing you’d thought-about in the event you already reside in France, and even in the event you’re planning to maneuver there. What the influencers above ought to present you is that it’s attainable to make nice content material in an natural approach that may evolve right into a enterprise—as long as you’re aware of the next suggestions.
1. Discover your area of interest
Probably the most profitable expat influencers have a transparent area of interest, whether or not it’s metropolis dwelling, language studying, meals, journey, or rural life. With many standard influencers dwelling in Paris, exhibiting a unique facet of France could also be an important possibility if that matches your expat expertise. No matter you select, it ought to be an space that excites you, and the place you possibly can present distinctive worth, insights, and plain outdated sights to your viewers.
2. Select your platform
Whereas many influencers are lively throughout a number of platforms, beginning with only one or two can assist you construct a powerful basis. TikTok is nice for fast, viral content material, and its algorithm helps to find and launch new expertise.
YouTube permits for longer, extra in-depth storytelling however is more durable to face out on, whereas Instagram is ideal for visually beautiful snapshots of your life in France, and an important platform to share extra private moments.
3. Be constant and genuine
Posting recurrently and interesting together with your viewers is essential. Sharing real-life experiences—the ups and downs of expat life, not simply the picture-perfect moments—can assist you to attach with folks extra simply, and discover an viewers in different expats in search of assist and recommendation. Authenticity is at all times the important thing to social media success, and may overcome early manufacturing points or missteps that can assist you develop a loyal following.
4. Monetise your content material
After you have an engaged viewers, you can begin to discover alternatives to monetise it. Sponsors could begin to search you out whenever you attain a sure variety of followers or subscribers, however attempt to be picky, and solely choose model partnerships, affiliate schemes, or sponsored posts that you simply truly like, and which suit your ethos and viewers.
Associated article: Begin Your Enterprise in France in 8 Steps
Over time, you would possibly even take into account creating your individual merchandise like e-books or on-line programs to assist different expats, or writing a guide to recount your experiences in full. Platforms like YouTube and TikTok additionally supply direct monetisation alternatives by advert income and creator funds, offering an incentive to maintain powering forwards in your influencer journey.
5. Perceive the enterprise facet
For those who plan to show influencing right into a full-time job in France, you’ll have to register as a self-employed skilled (auto-entrepreneur) and be sure you adjust to French tax rules. You may learn our publish on the various kinds of French enterprise construction right here, or simply get in contact for some assist—don’t hesitate to achieve out!
6. Construct a group
One of many largest benefits of being an influencer is the power to attach with like-minded people. Interact with different expats, reply to feedback, and collaborate with fellow influencers the place you possibly can. Constructing a powerful group round your content material not solely improves engagement, but additionally will increase alternatives for partnerships and collaborations, providing you with a sign increase and a few helpful new connections (and even perhaps buddies!).
7. Embrace French tradition
Audiences love seeing influencers immerse themselves in native customs, whether or not it’s studying the language, making an attempt French delicacies, or understanding the quirks of French paperwork. Expat content material isn’t notably fascinating when it’s predominantly coming from your own home, and doesn’t present any of the ‘actual’ France. The extra you embrace your environment and interact with folks, the extra relatable and interesting your content material will likely be.
The rise of expat influencers in France reveals that dwelling overseas could be greater than only a private journey—it can be a profession. Whether or not by YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram, there are infinite methods to share your distinctive perspective on expat life in France, and construct an engaged group that follows your expat journey.
For those who’ve ever dreamed of turning your life in France right into a thriving profession, or beginning a brand new one, there’s by no means been a greater second in time. France is an inspiring place with infinite alternatives for social media content material, in addition to every kind of different companies and with the appropriate strategy, you can also flip your experiences right into a sustainable enterprise. For those who do make the leap, tell us—we stay up for seeing what you provide you with!
