As a well-known blogger with millions of followers in Eastern Europe, Treisi Manuel had to relocate to the USA because of the war in Ukraine. However, this move became a new chapter in her life and career. Within a few years, she built a thriving blog from scratch in America and successfully monetized it. In an interview, she shared her strategies for promotion, her approach to creating unique content, and her upcoming plans to capture a global audience.
How long have you been in the USA? How did your journey start here?
I moved to the USA two years ago because of the war in Ukraine. It wasn’t a planned trip; it was a forced move, but over time, it became a new phase in my life. It was here that I had a new vision of my path, new achievements, and goals that I am now trying to realize in the USA.
How long have you been blogging? How did you start developing your Instagram?
I’ve been blogging for five years. The active growth of my blog began during the COVID-19 pandemic, when everyone was sitting at home and spending more time on social media. I decided to start creating Reels and TikTok videos. During the pandemic, I gained a million followers on TikTok alone. Later, I became part of the TikTok house ULove Home, where I managed to boost my account to nearly millions of followers. On Instagram, I had 65,000 followers, but I deleted that account and started a new one in America. From scratch, I gained 80,000 followers in significant time, thanks to my unique style and “crazy” childhood stories.
Your blog is so unique, combining humor, a personal take on current events, and “crazy” childhood stories. How did you come up with this theme?
I noticed that people like real-life stories, especially when told in a video format where a person is shown in close-up, with photos and funny stock videos. This format seemed interesting to me, and I decided to incorporate it into my content. I tell personal stories about myself, making them as relatable as possible, and this became my style on the blog.
What are some of the most unusual things that have happened to you in Los Angeles that you’ve already shared on your blog?
I’ve talked a lot about Los Angeles on my blog, especially about the cultural differences compared to Eastern Europe. I’ve shared impressions of life here, highlighting interesting locations as a travel blogger. For example, I have some “crazy” stories about how difficult it is to survive without a car in LA, and how bizarre it was to experience the city’s contrasts, especially the LA metro. Many tourists think the Walk of Fame and Hollywood are like scenes from a movie, but in reality, things turned out to be quite different.
Do you have a particular method for creating content and attracting new followers?
The secret to any blog’s success is to find your niche and consistently create content. I’m a conversational blogger and love telling funny stories about my life, discussing current news, and talking about fashion, showbiz, and social media trends. I engage with my audience, showing that they can trust me and receive feedback. My openness appeals to viewers, and that’s why they follow me.
What do you see as the main advantages and disadvantages for a blogger working in the USA?
Being a blogger has its pros and cons. The biggest advantage is that once you have your audience, it’s relatively easy to reach a new level. You can use this audience to start a career in other fields, like if you’re a singer, an actor, or a professional artist. It used to take a lot of time, money, and resources, but now social media offers great promotion opportunities. Times have changed, and now everyone should have good social media—it’s the right step toward success. The downside is that bloggers are constantly in a race. You need to regularly create content, keep your audience entertained, and stay competitive in the fast-moving flow of information, which requires constant attention and effort.
Who is your main target audience right now?
My target audience consists of people who love life and have a positive outlook. It’s not just teenagers and young women (although they are the majority), but people of all ages who are interested in something new and who simply like me and my style. My content is family-friendly, making it suitable for viewers of all ages.
Are you able to monetize your blog and gain from it?
I’ve only recently started actively monetizing the blog. But I can already say that making money on a blog in America is easy. If you have an audience, you’ll receive a ton of advertising offers. The cost of one ad here can be in the range of thousands of dollars, and you don’t even need millions of followers. While the competition remains strong, there are still ample opportunities and sufficient advertising available for everyone.
Have there been any crazy stories related to your work here in LA?
When I first arrived in LA, I found clients from Beverly Hills who needed social media promotion. I prepared a presentation for them, explained how everything worked. These people were very wealthy and well-known in certain circles, but they lacked online recognition. We started working, created an Instagram account from scratch, and posted a few Reels. When thousands of people didn’t follow them within a few days (as they had expected), they decided to stop. This story is a good example for me because blogging is systematic work. Nothing happens overnight.
Which American bloggers and influencers do you like or get inspired by? Have you met anyone in LA yet?
I follow many American bloggers and influencers, but I especially admire Wisdom Kaye, a fashion blogger, and Rihanna, a singer. Blogger Wisdom Kaye creates stunning content at a level that could be featured in Vogue. He’s an example of how ordinary social media can be turned into a portfolio, a true work of art. He has carved out his niche by styling the flags of various countries and has amassed a large following. And of course, I like Rihanna. Even though she comes from the entertainment business, she quickly adapted to new trends and created an exclusive brand that she skillfully marketed through social media.
In my blog, I focus on my personality, and my goal is to create original content rather than simply adapting ideas that others have already implemented.
How do you plan to develop your blog in the future?
My content used to be aimed at a Ukrainian audience, but my main goal for 2025 is to reach a global level. I plan to create videos without sound that will be understandable to everyone, regardless of language and cultural differences. My idea is that people who speak English, French, or Japanese will all understand the essence of my videos. I want to make short videos with engaging storylines that bring smiles and joy in any situation. For example, people heading to work could watch my video, smile, and continue their day with a positive attitude.
How do you handle criticism and negative comments, especially with a large blog audience?
I’ve passed the stage where I reacted to nasty comments—it’s now just part of my job. Just as a retailer is used to defective products as a business expense—they either dispose of them or issue refunds, and it’s factored into the cost—I see negative comments as part of my work and try not to let them affect my mood. Most of the time, I ignore them, but in rare cases, I might block someone or remove them depending on the level of aggression. Now, I focus on positive interactions with my audience.
You’ve also worked as an actress and a scriptwriter for the international YouTube channel “Troom Troom.” Could you tell us more about that?
For several years, I worked as an actress and a scriptwriter on the multinational YouTube channel «Troom Troom» most known for its life hacks, D.I.Y., and prank content. Now, nearly 24 million subscribers follow this YouTube channel, and their videos are translated into almost every language in the world. I was the first Black actress in this project, and my character was important for kids who could identify with me. My participation brought the necessary diversity to the project. While working with “Troom Troom,” I was also pursuing a singing career, and that’s when I realized how much I enjoyed creating video content. I decided to first build a platform, establish myself as a brand, and only then promote myself as a singer. The world has changed, and now you first build a brand and social media presence, and then everything else follows. Ten years ago, I wouldn’t have believed that.
What opportunities does the USA offer to those who want to develop a career as an actress, a singer, or a blogger?
The USA offers immense opportunities for those who are committed to their goals. This is where the best films are made, and the coolest songs are created. Los Angeles is a magnet for talented people from all over the world who strive to express themselves. Here, talent, creativity, and hard work are highly valued. If you have ambition, talent, and are willing to work, your dream will come true. I feel that America is always looking for talent and offers a good chance to those ready to share their gifts and work toward their dreams.
What advice would you give to those who want to become a successful blogger and reach an international level?
Don’t be afraid to unleash your potential. If you have your own vision, don’t follow templates. It sounds cliché, but it’s true—don’t be a cheap copy; be an irreplaceable original. Do what you feel and see. Everything in this world was once someone’s vision. If you have a unique perspective on life, film, music, or blogging, feel free to realize it. This will certainly attract attention and help you reach the world level.
Published by: Nelly Chavez
