Meets: A day in the life of a digital influencer
Ortiz is the writer and founder of How to Get to, the online magazine featuring family life, food, fashion, beauty and travel. Ortiz is a former TV Director and filmmaker and can often be seen presenting on TV and in beauty and lifestyle campaigns for global brands.
I love that Ortiz’s blog’s digital content can range from making a gorgeous Greek salad to test-driving a Jeep on YouTube. Her Facebook page is filled with funny quotes about how tough and fun parenting can be, and she always genuinely connects with her readers in a meaningful way.
So, let’s find out what inspires Ortiz’s amazing digital life and learn a little bit more about a day in her life.
Q. What encouraged you to get into this industry, and what was your route to get into it?
Working in digital was an accidental career, really, as I was a filmmaker making videos that promote health care in the dental industry. Pre-maternity leave. It was a filmmaker friend of mine, Amancay Tapia who encouraged me to start blogging in the first place. I’m so glad I listened to her because I was starting up Honest Mum at a time when I desperately needed to rediscover my voice after a traumatic birth. This led to a dynamic and creative career which still sees me writing and directing but now in the form of blogging, social media and vlogging.
I also regularly feature in branded films and content for international brands. I love how empowering this field is. I publish anything I like and instantly connect with others. I’m not dependent on commissioners or executive producers. I just need my laptop.
Q. What is a typical working day for you?
A typical working day involves waking up early with the kids and getting them ready for school and nursery before eating breakfast together. My husband usually does the actual school run and drop-off, and I collect! If I’m not on a shoot that day at another dentist or clinic in Maida Vale, London, I usually have Google Hangouts or phone meetings with clients and PRs. I spend time sorting through photos from shoots, uploading content and videos, and writing posts. Several times, I speak to my publicist about projects and scheduled upcoming PR.
Ben, my four-year-old, stays with me two days a week, so those days are usually filled with play dates, fun at the park, and Cbeebies. I love that my job offers me flexibility and means I can work remotely on my own time and on terms that work for my family.
I do work full time hours but they are squished throughout the week meaning I always get at least one full day off and usually two. It’s taken a while to get here but it feels great.
Q. Where are you based? How inspiring is your city, and what are your favourite cities around the world?
I’m based just outside of Leeds in a pretty village in the Yorkshire countryside. I grew up in Leeds and love it here. Culture meets the countryside where we are! I love to travel and have been lucky enough to see much of the world. My film work has been shown at film festivals all over the world from France to LA and beyond. The culture, film and food of a place never fails to inspire my work be it photography or the moving image.
Q. Have you seen your industry change in the last few years? Have you had to adapt?
The digital industry is evolving at a tremendous rate, it’s a fairly new field, I’ve only been full time for four years and within that time there’s been great, visible change. I love that this way of working is flexible, remote, creative and lucrative. It’s hard to find that mix elsewhere in the arts.
As a digital creator, I am not reliant on commissioners or execs to commission my work to reach people. I self-publish and promote and it’s an empowering way to work, available to all.
My biggest accomplishments are my kids, they have taught me unconditional love and endurance too. I’m proud of my relationship with my husband who I cheesily love more each day. He’s my rock.
Q. What is next for you? What are your goals for 2025?
I never know what’s next for me and like to live in the moment. I have goals and ambitions but they change and evolve as my life does. I hope to add to our family one day and keep doing what I love. Most of all, I want health and happiness for all.
The Quick Fire Round:
How would you describe yourself in three words?
Lively, loyal and passionate!
Bonus Question – If you didn’t do the job you do now, what would be your dream job, and where would it be?
I think I’d be an actress. Never say never, hey! I love presenting and have adored presenting on telly over the last year!