Kim Dao
Currently enjoying an extended experience living in Japan, Australian blogger and YouTuber Kim Dao has had a remarkable career in which she has relied on her unique knowledge and expertise to build a massive following on social media. Beginning with The Kim Dao Blog and subsequently diversifying to include YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, SnapChat, and more, Dao’s focus on fashion, makeup, and travel has piqued the interest of a worldwide audience and opened up a wealth of unique opportunities for the Australian social media influencer.
Kim Dao, who grew up in Australia and attended college at the University of Western Australia, has long been interested in the history and culture of Japan. In fact, Dao’s studies throughout her academic career often included a focus on Japan, and she earned a degree in the subject while also majoring in psychology. In an effort to better understand the culture and its history, Dao embarked on a trip to Japan in 2011, which inspired her to start The Kim Dao Blog. Although the blog initially began with a focus on travel, Dao quickly expanded the subject focus to include fashion and makeup, ultimately earning the attention of the core audience that has since followed her work through her videos and social media presence.
As her digital efforts began to expand, Dao began planning a return trip to Japan with the goal of living in the country for an extended period of time. The success of her YouTube channel and her blog made it possible for Dao to consider such a move, but it still took a great deal of effort and advance planning to make her goal a reality. Since making the move, Dao’s digital presence has only increased, as she has been featured by media in both Japan and Australia and has worked with major brands like Shu Uemura, Amore Pacific, and Etude House, among others.
1. What do you know about the real estate industry?
While preparing to move to Japan, I was able to learn quite a bit about international real estate and have continued to research the subject ever since.
2. Have you ever sold real estate? How did you make it happen?
No, not yet, but I have considered selling real estate in Japan as well as Australia.
3. How much experience do you have in buying or selling real estate?
I’ve studied the subject quite a bit, but I’ve only recently put my knowledge into practice when I bought my first home in Western Australia.
4. Have you ever made a sell or a purchase you have regretted?
No, but I do believe I would have deeply regretted it had I not bought the property I now own in Western Australia.
5. What advice would you give inexperienced who are wanting to buy or sell?
There is so much information that is freely available through any number of resources, but practical experience is also quite valuable.
6. What have you found out to be the best way to market property?
I believe that maintaining many open lines of communication with potentially interested parties is most ideal, and a targeted, personal approach tends to be more effective than a broader strategy.
7. What tools do you believe are essential for success in the real estate industry?
The most important tools — and this is true of every industry — are knowledge and experience.
8. What has real estate taught you about life?
Sometimes we focus far too much on the reasons not to do something; I bought a perfect home in Australia in which I will eventually settle down despite currently living in Japan. Other than the timing, everything else was precisely what I was looking for.
9. How can you use what you have learned in real estate to succeed in other areas?
My success as a blogger and YouTuber is the result of confident, bold action. I’m certain that there are many others who are every bit as talented as I am, but so many people are just too concerned with what might go wrong rather than what might go right.
10. Do you have a mentor who taught you what you know?
I consider my followers to be an incredible resource, and it is often the case that we mentor each other on subjects that include everything from real estate and international travel to fashion and makeup.
11. Do you have a feedback system? How does it work?
Since I maintain a constant open dialogue with my followers, I am able to receive consistently honest and immediate feedback about all of my efforts.
