The Electronic Business Card
Social Media is a curse and a blessing. Social media has open a new portal of ideas based on beauty, relationships, love, success, fashion, photography, art and the ways we express ourselves. Social media has caused as much controversy as it has opulent advancement in the way we view the world. Since the birth of social media, we’ve picked up new skills that are of scrolling, swiping, tapping, liking, and of course always offering those bias obnoxious opinions we love presenting as if we are the new geniuses of the generation. But that’s it. We are. Through this new world, we are. We have and can modify the idea of building an entire business, brand, and empire just with a click that says “share”! In this generation, I think it’s important that we realize how vital social media is to us utilizing prosperous success in today’s age and time. Every time I talk to someone I always hear the enthusiastic term “I want to become my own BOSS”. Who wouldn’t. Having the ability to grasp social media with just a simple tap and swipe, we can easily become in control of our own success. Unlike any other generation before us, we have such a wide spectrum of opportunities that is coming from the creative exposure that is coming from social media. Especially with Instagram which I refer to as a “electronic business card”. One of the first things we ask when we meet someone new “you got an Instagram”, “What’s your Instagram? “Let’s link on IG” Instagram has provided so much exposure and expansion particularly for the fashion and art world. Instagram can provide opportunities to gaining more notoriety as a person but also as a professional. If you’re looking for a model, photographer, stylist, creative director, etc, it’s so cool how just with a tap of a photo, you can find a whole team of photographers, models, stylists, and designers. Just like how you can easily find a team on IG, the fashion industry has also decided to take advantage of that as well. Major industries have also take notice of this new wave of expression on IG. The fashion and art world have completely transformed because of social media. Social media has redefined the ideas of beauty, fashion, art, photography, etc. The most unconventionally beautiful people, art, business brands, clothes, etc can be found on Instagram. Question now, how can I use social media to give me some clout and pave a way for me? Good Question. It’s so easy to just scroll but to truly discover more gracious innovative talent, many IG people have gained serious success from just being IG savvy. What goes in being IG Savvy?
- IG SAVVY: Success on the IG is making sure you create a competent savvy façade on Instagram that expresses you as an individual as well as your work. Whatever you are trying to present to the world who you are if it’s an artist, stylist, photographer, etc make sure you conduct your Instagram image around your work but also about who you are. Showcase your work, present your work, keep posting your work until your whole feed consists of you and your shit. DO IT!
- NETWORKING. Especially in major cities, Networking is such an essential entity in building success for yourself. So that means going to local artist’s events, photographer events, fashion designer evets, etc. Networking= selling yourself=selling your brand. PUT YOURSELF OUT THERE! It’s hard but it’s worth it. Because as long you are waiting for your come up, always remember to support other fellow artists come up as well. Support Local Homies!
- Remember CREATE AN AESTHETIC on the IG. Post pictures others than selfies, post images that are a reflection of the things that you are inspired by and interested like art, celebrities, time periods, fashion, icons, clothes, photographers, memes, etc(It’s like a digital moodboard). Just create a self-iconic aesthetic that best expresses who you are and/or the brand that you are trying to sell.
Just know as much as social media comes off as a completely narcissistic way of being, let’s not forget how essential this business card will be with our success.
-Melyssa W