Instagram is no longer a platform where you can simply post pretty pictures. Today, these pretty pictures help you can earn as much as USD 100-2500 for one post.
Influence Central found that consumers have ranked Instagram as the sixth most effective when it came to influencing purchases. The fashion industry is quite competitive, and if you want, Instagram can be a lucrative platform for you.
Although the influencer life looks glamorous from the outside, perfectly staged Instagram photo after another, but there is actually a great deal of work that goes on behind the scenes in order to be a successful influencer.
Here are some tips and hacks for you to be the ultimate fashion influencer on Instagram.
Instagram Fashion Influencer Guide
- Choose a niche for your brand
- Do your own exhaustive research
- A brilliant bio will define ‘you’
- Invest in a good camera
- Be an authentic you
- Use stories
- Make proper use of Instagram Live
- Encourage and engage in conversations
- Collaborate
- Be offline too
- Aim for the stars
- Choose a niche for your brand
Instagram is chock-o-block with accounts that are catering to the fashion sector. It becomes extremely difficult for new and aspiring fashionistas to be recognized.
So the first thing you need to do is understand and narrow down your scope. It’s actually quite simple. Figure out what you really love – is styling your thing? Or, are you beauty conscious?
Whatever you choose, stick to it, because that will be the defining theme of your brand.
- Do your own exhaustive research
Don’t just start posting photos without any sort of planning. Do a bit of research on your own. You have to create your own brand voice.
Check out different fashion influencers that inspire you. See what makes their content work. What do you like about their content and what is it that draws you to them in the first place. Understand. Plan. Work.
- A brilliant bio will define ‘you’
The first thing you read or notice on Instagram is the bio. The bio won’t only define you it will create a brilliant impression for your followers or your potential clients.
You can experiment with it or keep it simple, but it should be meaningful as its an important aspect.
- Invest in a good camera
Most of the people will tell you that it’s okay if you don’t have a good camera. But if you want to become a top-notch fashion influencer, your pictures need to be great.
If you can hire a photographer, nothing like it. If you can’t, that’s fine. The quality of the image, lighting and a camera are more important.
P.S. Learn a bit about lighting and photography. It will help you in the long run. Also, if you are planning to hire a photographer, plan several days/weeks of content ahead that you will require.
- Be an authentic you
This is one rookie mistake that most of you end up committing! Don’t try to make your Instagram look perfect.
If there’s a look that didn’t work out or a picture didn’t come out great, no problem, still show them to the audience.
Be You. Instagram is a mix of both casual content producers and professional. Not every day will be perfect, and your followers will relate to it.
- Use stories
Algorithms keep on changing, and the audiences on social media have a short span of attention. The best way to keep them entertained is with the help of stories.
Stories can be about anything, from work in progress to the places you are shooting to what food you like to chow down!
It helps your followers feel involved in your every move and connects you to your followers on an emotional level.
- Make proper use of Instagram Live
It’s scary, but at the same time, the live feature allows you to connect with your followers quite intimately. Generally, pick a topic to talk about before going live.
The best thing would be letting your audience know beforehand about the timing and the details of the live stream.
Insider tip: it’s only after a little time does peak viewership to rise. So be patient and try to respond to your live followers.
- Encourage and engage in conversations
There is a reason why it is called a social media platform. It’s meant for you to be social. Engage in conversations on comment sections. Respond to the stories, answer followers questions. It will not only generate a positive reaction but also help you gain trust.
- Collaborate
Networking is a major requirement in this industry and especially on this platform. Talk to other influencers, understand their style. The collaboration will not only broaden your reach but will put you right in front of the people you want to be in front of.
- Be offline too
If you want to be a fashion influencer, then it’s imperative that you attend as many social events as possible and meet other influencers from your industry. It will help you connect with the right people and help you gain new followers.
Aim for the stars
According to a survey, the influencer market within the next 5 years is going to grow to become a $5 to $10 billion industry.
Consumers are seeking trusted voices which present an opportunity for brands to dive in and take advantage. If you want to grow as an influencer, build a dedicated audience and get discovered by well-known brands, you need to step up.
It’s not as easy as it looks but if fashion is really something you are passionate about then give it your best shot! You never know, the grass may be greener on the other side, after all!
