FEMME FATALE AIRSOFT'S FAVOURITE AIRSOFT BLOGS!

Hi everyone, following on from the really popular top 5 YouTubers post a couple of weeks ago, you've asked about my favourite Airsoft blogs! Well here you are! I give you my favourite Airsoft Bloggers:

At number 4, we have Thumpy's Airsoft News and Comment!

Thumpy is an Airsofter outta the US who brings his readers news and commentary on a whole range of subjects from popular YT videos, reviews and events from around the globe. I really like his commentary and the content is always fresh! Check it out here: thumpyairsoft.wordpress.com

At number 3, REMF Tacticool!


This blog is a brutally honest, informative guide for the gear whores amongst us, along with some fun, satirical pieces make this an all round entertaining blog for Airsofters alike. 'Gear Pimpin Ain't Easy' Check it out here: remftacticool.com



Airsoft & MilSim News Blog has been a blog I've read since I started Airsofting, it offers Airsofters honest and impartial reviews on everything from gear to guns and throws international Airsoft news in the mix, if you're just beginning or are a seasoned player this blog has something to offer everyone. Check it out here: www.airsoft-military-news.com

At number 1 we have my friends at Popular Airsoft!


So at the top of the pack are the team at Popular Airsoft! There are a few reasons that PA is my favourite, firstly they offer top quality content in terms of reviews and news from around the globe, they put players content in the spotlight and their annual Players Choice Awards always showcases the best of the best in Airsoft content. I am lucky to have been a runner up in their best blog! (6th Player Choice Awards). Nice work PA! Check them out here: www.popularairsoft.com
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INSTA Q&A YOUTUBE UPLOAD!

So it's been a while since I posted on the old YouTube channel, but I've invested a lot of money in new camera equipment to bring you more content! Expect to see loads more product reviews, site/shop visits, gameplay and vlogs! My editing isn't the best but I hope you enjoy my ramblings on Airsoft as much as I like rambling. 

This upload is Part 1 of the Instagram Q&A! You asked, I answered! Thank you for the questions - I absolutely love doing these, so hopefully there will be many more to come :D Check it out below: 


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FEMME FATALE AIRSOFT'S INSTAGRAM DO'S AND DON'TS!

Hi everyone so I get a lot of comments/messages asking me for advice on how to grow your Instagram followers, so I've compiled a list of my top Instagram Do's and Don'ts to help you build a great account!

Don't post poor photos.
This point is really self explanatory. No one wants to follow accounts whos photos are poor - they don't have to be professional images but consider things like ensuring there is ample lighting, it isn't overcrowded, the photo subject is clear etc Top quality content builds great accounts!

Do be selective.
If you take a lot of photos in one go, post the best out of the bunch and keep the others for a rainy day.

Don't overuse filters.
Filters can really enhance photos - my personal favourites are Valencia, Ludwig, Lark and Juno but photos can look over edited, especially if you have used another app to filter them before using Insta. Keep it to one filter and use the other Insta tools to add any other enhancements.

Do use the other tools to enhance photos.
It was a long time before I found out how useful the other tools in Instagram are and I could kick myself! Tools such as Structure and the colour corrector are my favourite. Try them out on some test pictures to get to grips with them as some photos don't need a filter to look their best, just a cheeky luxe and structure.

Don't post too many Selfies.
We all love a good Selfie, and I am no exception to this but if your content is more selfies than actual content though there is a problem. There are a few reasons these are so annoying on Instagram (or any social media) they become repetitive, they come across as narcissistic and frankly, no one is interested in seeing dozens of photos of your face daily. Feel yourself, love yourself and be fierce but not at the expense of your followers.

Do keep followers up to date with life outside of your content.
Although content should be primarily what your audience is interested in, when you build a community within Instagram, it is nice to see occasional updates about stuff going on outside of your content. Except food pics, don't ever Insta your food!

Like I said don't post photos of your food.
No. One. Cares.

Do post content relevant to your account.
Airsoft? Post Airsoft and related subjects. Mountain biking? Post mountain biking and associated subjects. Accounts that stick to a particular topic/interest etc do much better in terms of engagement than accounts that post anything and everything - of course there are exceptions to this rule.

Don't follow to unfollow.
If you follow 5000 people because you want them to follow you back and then unfollow as soon as they follow back, expect to get unfollowed. Playing this sort of social media game is a sure fire way of losing followers.

Do follow accounts you are genuinely interested in.
Be genuine, follow accounts you are interested in and engage with people - comment, like, share etc and help build your niche community. This is what builds an accounts standing within your niche.

Don't abuse hashtags or use hastags such as #followforfollow, #likeforlike or #shareforshare.
Using hashtags can bring a lot of engagement to your content and help potential followers find your account but don't abuse them. Just because you can use up to 30 hashtags on one post doesn't mean you should! Up to 10 is more than enough. #likeforlike, #followforfollow and #shareforshare hashtags and others similar to them makes the people who use them look thirsty for attention - steer clear of those hashtags.

Do use relevant hashtags.
As I said, hashtags can help potential followers find your content, but keep them relevant to your audience!

Don't spam your followers.
Posting 12 pics in the space of half an hour is spam, along with advertisement pictures for completely unrelated products/services to your niche. Airsoft account? Don't post an advertisement for a text service that will text you the name of the person you are going to marry (I'm not even kidding, I have seen this happen) Keep the posts relevant and consistent.

Do post consistently.
Followers love consistency and will unfollow if you post too often/too little so decide on a consistent posting schedule. I post once per day and on rare occasions more than once but I'm sure to space them out with a couple of hours between posts so they aren't spammy.

Don't ignore your followers.
This is a mistake I see a lot of accounts making, you aren't Beyonce or Shakira collecting fans, you're an everyday person building an online social media community so interact with your followers. Admittedly the more followers you have, the harder it becomes to answer every DM and comments especially but always answer as many as you can.

Do engage with them, reply to comments etc.
My account certainly wouldn't be what it is without my amazing followers - so I'm always sure to engage with them. This is my favourite part of social media - being social.

Don't push products that you don't believe in or trust.
I see this a lot, and it's quite frankly it's a disgusting practice, from a blogger point of view and a consumer point of view - your followers want honesty and trust you, so don't abuse their trust by trying to sell them products/services you don't use or trust. If a company asks you to post about them and what they do, make sure you know their product/brand and have experienced them first hand. Trying to sell your followers dodgy products and services is a sure fire way of ruining your own reputation.

Do recommend products you use/trust.
Really like a product or brand? Let your followers know - we're always on the look out for kit that improves our look, playing style or prep for games but don't be a pushy salesman. If a post is sponsored you are required to let your followers know - so make sure you do this! I only work with brands I trust and will not feature anything I wouldn't use myself and if I do, I'll let you know why I wouldn't use it.

Don't change your style or content to 'fit in'
In every niche market there are popular Instagrammers, YTers, Bloggers etc that we love to follow and that we can learn from, whether it's gear or how to videos these people influence us and I am no exception to this, I have seen Instagrammers kit and thought 'that looks badass' and incorporated it into my own loadout. But there are people who are mostly self appointed 'operators' who give people shit for not wearing the gear they wear or having 3k nods mounted to their real steel helmets like they do - don't change your style to fit in with them.

Do stay true to you.
No matter what that means, whether it's wearing a teddy on your plate carrier, wearing pink gear, wearing a paintball mask - whatever makes your content and loadout unique to you, don't change it despite what anyone else says or thinks. People do not want to follow clones, there is only one you and that is your power. Stay unique and stay true to you.

Don't ask for shoutouts.
This. There is nothing more annoying that getting DMs saying 'Hey can you give me a shoutout?' when the account in question makes a lot of the faux pas in this blog post - the DM combined with a poor account means no shoutout.

Do build an account with great content that others want to share.
Organic shares are more likely when other users love your content. Although I don't do shoutouts, I will share content from other users that I think is pretty awesome. Good content and account standing is a yes!


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SLAYDIES SERIES SPOTLIGHT! ASHLEY_CHILLSIM!

Hey everyone! So the next instalment of the FFA Slaydies Series Spotlights is live, here I speak to ashley_chillsim, an Airsofter straight out of Texas.

Hi Ashley! Thanks for taking the time to take part in the Femme Fatale Airsoft Player Spotlights! Can you tell my readers some info about yourself? 

My name is Ashley. I am originally from Plano, TX just outside of Dallas. However I go to college in San Marcos, TX so I bounce back and forth between the two. 

How long have you been Airsofting

Besides the casual playing around with Airsoft guns with friends as a kid, I have been Airsofting on a more serious level as an adult for just under a year now. 

What got you into Airsoft?

My boyfriend is the one who really introduced me into Airsoft. He would show me pictures and videos of him and his team playing, and being someone who is a firearms enthusiast, I was automatically interested. Shooting at real players without serious consequences? Hell yes. With all the information out there on the game, the guns, and the load outs, I was a bit overwhelmed with finding what would work for me as a female. He helped me start out by letting me use extra gear he wasn’t using and guiding me in the right direction of what could potentially work well for me. 

What do you love about Airsoft

There are so many components that go hand in hand that make me love Airsoft. Many would probably say shooting is what makes them love Airsoft. For me though, the top component as to why I love the sport is the community as a whole. Airsoft gives the ability for everyone to meet new people and make new friends. Airsoft ranges from local to worldwide. So no matter what country you’re playing Airsoft in, you can connect with other players elsewhere. The cohesiveness of the Airsoft community is what makes or breaks the sport. If there is no one to connect, learn from, or have a laugh with, there is no Airsoft. 

Where is your home site? 

At this point in time I have no main home site. I am in the process of moving, in which I look forward to travelling around, trying out, and playing at different fields. 

What are the most memorable sites you’ve played? 

The most memorable site I have played at was at D-Day Adventure Park in Wyandotte, OK, a few months back during American Milsim’s Broken Home V. It was an experience unlike any other. The terrain was challenging, the weather was humid, and the game was immersive. I was worn out by the end of the weekend, but I had a great time with people and learned even more.  

How would you describe your playing style? 

I’m not scared of getting hit, it’s part of the game. With that, I like to play aggressively while still trying to be smart about it. I think it’s important to be aware of everything around you instead of the tendency to only focus on one thing when playing aggressively. Most of the time I like running with a group, whether that means three others or ten others. I am never opposed to splitting off as a lone wolf though. I have learned quite a bit on my own while being separated from a group. 

Weapons and Loadouts:  What’s your weapon of choice? And what loadout do you normally run?  

My weapon of choice is my current primary, VFC MK18. So far this gun has been very reliable and has withstood a few hand to ground drops when others have handled it. I mainly run with my Mayflower Gen IV chest rig and switch out between Valken Zulu Goggles and my ESS Crossbows with the added gasket for full seal. I typically change between Tru-Spec and LBX for tops and 5.11 Women’s Stryke Pants.
Being a woman in Airsoft, what does this mean to you?

Being a woman that plays Airsoft is not as terrible as some may make it out to be. Are there some players who don’t call their hits when it comes to a woman shooting? Sure. Are there some players who will trash talk women that even step out onto an Airsoft field? SureShould you let what others think about you ruin the game for yourself? Of course not. These “some players” are only a handful that play Airsoft. The amount of players that respect and treat women in the sport heavily outweigh the insecure ones who don’tIn a male dominated sport, everyone and their grandma should expect a female player to draw some sort of attention, whether it’s negative or positive. In the end, everyone on the field is a player regardless of their sex, age, or looks. Whether you’re a male or female, sponsored or not sponsored, completely decked out or playing in jeans with a rental gun, we’re all people who are just out there to play. No one person on the field is any better than the next. We all get hit, we all love the sport, we all go home at the end of the day. 

Where can my readers find you on social media? 

Instagram: @ashley_chillsim 

Your thoughts: Is there anything you would like to say to other players out there?  

There is never anyone who knows everything about Airsoft, there are always things to learn. Every child and adult should play regardless of how “operator” they thing they are/are not. The main goal of any Airsoft game is to have fun, laugh, and meet new people who share your passion for Airsoft. If you didn’t have fun and are not smiling by the end of the day, you shouldn’t be playing.
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