Abigail Ratchford Dishes On Being “The Queen Of Instagram” & Her Recent App Launch

Photo Credit: Benjo Arwas

Best known as “The Queen of Instagram,” Abigail Ratchford not only has more than 14 million social media followers, but has been featured everywhere from Maxim to Sports Illustrated.

Since moving to LA from Pennsylvania, this brunette beauty has taken the Internet by storm with her gorgeous photos that have also appeared in Esquire, E!, The New York Post, TMZ and People.

We caught up recently with Ratchford to discuss her recent app launch and what has been her proudest moment so far.

What would you say has been the secret to your being able to build and maintain followers on social media?

I think the secret to building my following has been being more creative with my shoots. A lot of my content is considered sexy and glamorous, so I like to go the extra mile when it comes to booking amazing locations, getting great stylists, etc. I think my secret to maintaining is to connect as much as I can with my followers. I love doing Q&A’s, doing giveaways, etc. I definitely try to be as relatable as possible with all of my followers.

How can someone starting out use social media to make money?

I’ve learned the best way to monetize your social media is to be “on brand,” I have some girlfriends who have maybe 100,000 followers, but they can make as much money as someone with the amount of followers as me because they stay on brand. They’ll post amazing vacation destinations, health and fitness, lots of lifestyle content, and connect with companies who fit all of these same things, and the contracts start coming in rather quickly. With social media, it’s amazing because you have the potential to be your own boss and bring in so many endorsements just through networking.

You have been featured on everything from TMZ to Sports Illustrated. What would you say has been your proudest moment?

I’d say last year the YEEZY campaign and being a guest on E!’s Daily Pop within a span of two months really were two of my proudest moments to date.

What have been some of your most luxurious splurges?

I definitely love spending money on stuff for my place. I splurged on the most amazingly soft couch called the “CLOUD” couch from Restoration Hardware and got it in one of the largest sizes they offer. It takes up most of my living room, but it’s perfect for when my girlfriends sleep over because three of them can fit on it. I used to spend a ton on clothes, but now I’ve learned how to pair inexpensive clothes with expensive accessories and look like a million bucks. Oh, also, I splurge on my hair. That’s the one thing I like to look perfect 24/7.

Can you tell us a little about your recent app launch?

Of course. Back in November, I launched my app ‘escapex’ that’s available in the app store. It’s a way for me to connect with my top fans. Usually at a photo shoot, the photographer will give me back five to 10 pictures. I don’t like to post all of them on my Instagram because it can be overwhelming to my followers [laughs]. But on my app, I can post as much as I want, and it doesn’t look repetitive. I also do fun fan giveaways, do fun live Q&A’s, do fan shout outs etc. It’s pretty much my home base to interact with my followers.

What fashion trends are you loving right now?

I’m loving glossy neon eyeshadows and wet slicked hair with everything else just light and dewy. This summer, I really want to start experimenting with more makeup looks and even some fun colored wigs for beauty & fashion shoots and step out of the normal glamour type shoots I usually do.

Photo Credit: Benjo Arwas

Any thoughts down the line on creating your own clothing line?

Absolutely. I’ve been wanting to start a lingerie line for about a year now and had one or two false starts, where I just wasn’t super thrilled with the people I was going into business with. I want to come out with an incredible line of lingerie that’s size inclusive, affordable, but very high end looking like Agent Provocateur. I don’t like putting my name on anything that’s mediocre, so I want to do it right, even if it takes more time.

Can you share some of your favorite beauty tips?

I love skincare. Whenever I really take great care of my skin, my makeup looks so much better, and I often find myself not even wearing much makeup. I love using a facial steamer a few times a week to really open my pores up when I don’t have time for facials. Then I’ll exfoliate once or twice a week. I love products with hyaluronic acid and Vitamin C, and sometimes I’ll use a mild retinol if I know I’m not going to be in the sun anytime soon. I’ve been loving Kate Somerville products. She has a product called EradiKate, that you put on a cotton ball whenever you feel a blemish coming, and it honestly gets rid of it within hours. I’ve sent it to half the women I know, and some men, too. [laughs]

Photo Credit: Benjo Arwas