The College Prepster: Carly Heitlinger MSB ‘12
There is no denying that a large population of the student body at Georgetown University is preppy. Many Hoya wardrobes consist of staple preppy accessories from Vineyard Vines, and it’s hard to find someone who doesn’t own a pair of Sperry Topsiders. So, who better to feature as this week’s Campus Celebrity than Carly Heitlinger, writer of the popular blog site College Prep? Or as she is best known to her followers: the College Prepster.
Carly is a senior majoring in Marketing in the McDonough School of Business from Tampa, Florida. She began College Prep in 2008.
“At the time, I only knew about political blogs (it was right after the presidential election) and a few sports related ones,” Carly said. “I was in the common room studying for an accounting final with friends and one suggested I start a blog. I jokingly agreed. I don’t think anyone, including myself, expected me to actually do it. But, over Christmas break, I did!”
Three years later Carly posts on the blog every day about college related topics from study tips to travel ideas and, of course, her favorite preppy products.
When asked what her favorite preppy possession was Carly answered, “It changes about every hour, but I have a gold cuff that I’ve worn every day for more than six years. It says, “Live Your Dreams.”
Her audience includes readers from all over the world. “I do occasional surveys and check Google Analytics pretty regularly and I’m always surprised at how diverse my readers are. It’s not just college girls either. There are some pretty loyal male followers and moms who read College Prep,” she said.
Although the blog was her starting point, Carly has since gone on to expand her work. She also writes a weekly electronic newsletter called Prep Talk. After struggling in her freshman year at college, last year Carly decided to write The Freshman 50. “It’s part memoir and part survival guide for freshman year. I had a terrible year and realized that there were things I wished someone had told me before I started college,” Carly said.
Her most recent project is Sweet Lemon Magazine. This digital lifestyle magazine is geared towards young women in their 20s. After successfully releasing their first pilot the next issue is expected to be published in January.
Message to all aspiring bloggers out there: Carlys first piece of advice? Start it! Then she says pick a unique focus that represents your personality. As she says, “No one is better at being you than you.” According to Carly this will be more successful rather than creating a replica of your favorite blog.
Carly also offered these words of wisdom, “Sit down and come up with fifty possible topics for posts. If you can come up with fifty, you’re good to go. If you’re struggling, reexamine the angle.Once the blog is live, write regularly and start building relationships with other bloggers. But never-ever-ever ask someone to ‘follow you.’ Comment on blog posts often, tweet other bloggers, go to meet-ups, etc.”
Carly says after completing the “College Tour USA” she knew that Georgetown was the right place for her. Yet four years later this Hoya is graduating next spring and hopes to be employed in New York City.
All the preppy Hoyas out there can check out Carly’s work online at http://www.thecollegeprepster.com/, her Tumblr, Prep Talk, Sweet Lemon Magazine.