Questions About Monetizing Your Social Accounts

Just because you are on social media, does not mean you are a social media expert. In the same way, having an Instagram…does not make you a professional photographer. I joined Instagram at the end of my Freshman year of college when I first started my previous blog, StreetStyleChi. I knew little about how to use social media, or, how beneficial it could be. After spending so much time working with the women of Nike in Chicago, I got to see first hand how one of the most influential companies in the world crafts their brand voice.  I quickly gained insight and learned how important a strong social media voice is. After spending the last few years creating brand images on social media for my clients, I have learned that everyone has to have their own unique voice and each fan base responds positively to different content. The fact is, that good social media can move mountains between a brand and it’s consumers.

Back in 2011, social media was looked at as purely an egotistical and frivolous (which it still can be). It was just a silly place for teens to express their love for the latest member of One Direction (again, still very much alive). Only in the last few years have we started to fully take advantage of what it really is: a direct line to your consumer.

 

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While many view giving bloggers monetary compensation to wear certain products as deceptive, it is truly just another form of advertising for these large brands trying to tap a specific market; and it is SUPER smart. Consumers no longer want to click on a banner ad or follow a brand on social media; they want to follow a personality. Bloggers and “influencers” being sent product help brands build a direct relationship with their consumer through this third party (being the blogger) that consumers already deeply trust.

A great example of Instagram marketing can be found at @WeWoreWhat, founded by blogger Danielle Bernstein. Her Instagram account boasts a million followers, with sponsored posts trickling down her feed that to an untrained eye look organic. In reality, Bernstein charges $5-15K per Instagram photo, with monetary compensation going up as the number of Instagrams goes up. So why would a brand be willing to pay tens of thousands of dollars for a single photo on a social network? Bloggers build lasting relationships with their readers for years, thus, when they promote a brand, the brand gains that loyalty as well.

WWW Sponsored Insta Post

When looking at famous instagram accounts we are not just talking number of followers, but engagements, which are measured by number of likes and comments on a photo. If you have 20K followers on Instagram, but are consistently getting 15 likes on your photos, there is a very fair chance that you bought 19K of those followers and brands will keep their distance. Essentially, your data will speak for itself.

If you look through any “instafamous” personalities, their content glows. Their photos boast the same filter to show consistency, and their snapshots are taken with fancy camera attachments or a Nikon. Every photo is strategically placed on their feed with the same intensive thought that goes into a full-throttle pr campaign. Why? They are their brand, and their social tool of choice is their main place of marketing themselves, so it better be good. To see what I mean, check out our tips for Instagramming like a professional.

What are your opinions on sponsored posts? On growing your social media accounts?

Make sure to follow me on Instagram @AliTMoresco. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

<3 Al

 

 

The Inside Scoop On Monetizing Your Social Accounts

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Just because you are on social media, does not mean you are a social media expert. In the same way, having an Instagram…does not make you a professional photographer (sorry…duck lips don’t count). I joined Instagram at the end of my Freshman year of college when I first started my blog, StreetStyleChi. I knew little about how to use social media, or, how beneficial it could be. After spending a year working with the women of Nike in Chicago helping to open a concept store called NTC, I quickly gained insight and learned how important a strong social media voice is. The fact is, that good social media can move mountains between a brand and it’s consumers.

Back in 2011, social media was looked at as purely an egotistical form of media (which it still can be). It was just a silly place for teens to express their love for the latest member of One Direction (again, still very much alive). Only in the last few years have we started to fully take advantage of what it really is: a direct line to your consumer.

In Style Sponsored Insta Post

If you read my post about the FTC blogger guidelines last month, you know all about how paid endorsements online are supposed to work. While many view giving bloggers monetary compensation to wear certain products as deceptive, it is truly just another form of advertising for these large brands trying to tap a specific market; and it is SUPER smart. Consumers no longer want to click on a banner ad or follow a brand on social media; they want to follow a personality. Bloggers and “influencers” being sent product, help brands build a direct relationship with their consumer through this third party (being the blogger.)

A great example of Instagram marketing can be found at @WeWoreWhat, founded by blogger Danielle Bernstein. Her Instagram account boasts a million followers, with sponsored posts trickling down her feed, that to an untrained eye, look organic. In reality, Bernstein charges $5-15K per Instagram photo, with monetary compensation going up as the number of Instagrams goes up. So why would a brand be willing to pay tens of thousands of dollars for a single photo on a social network? Bloggers build lasting relationships with their readers for years, thus, when they promote a brand, the brand gains that loyalty as well.

WWW Sponsored Insta Post

When looking at famous instagram accounts, we are not just talking number of followers, but engagements, which are measured by number of likes and comments on a photo. If you have 20K followers on Instagram, but are consistently getting 15 likes on your photos, there is a very fair chance that you bought 19K of those followers and brands will keep their distance. Essentially, your data will speak for itself.

If you look through any “instafamous” personalities, their content glows. Their photos boast the same filter to show consistency, and their snapshots are taken with fancy camera attachments or a Nikon camera. Every photo is strategically placed on their feed with the same intensive thought that goes into a full-throttle pr campaign. Why? They are their brand, and their social tool of choice is their main place of marketing themselves, so it better be good.

 

Check back for tips on growing your social following shortly.

LET’S GET SOCIAL: Snapchat: StreetStyleChi / Instagram: Follow Along / Twitter: Tweet Me

My Five: Whitney Middleton Gruber

 

Hi guys!

After a long, dreary winter, I thought it would be great to do some exploring. Personally, I love getting recommendations from my friends and fellow fashionistas, which is why I am starting this feature called My Five. My Five will show you what top tastemakers, fellow students, and Chicago locals love in this city. Where to shop, where to eat, what to explore.

For my first feature, I asked Whitney Gruber to give us her top five spots in Chicago. Social media and marketing maven, fashion goddess, and one of the coolest girls I know, Whitney has the job a girl could only dream of, essentially helping set trends in Chicago by being the Marketing Coordinator at Chicago’s raddest fashion business, eDrop-Off. Whitney’s Instagram and Twitter are more than worthy of a follow, providing plenty of style inspiration for spring and summer. Now, I’ll stop raving about how chic Gruber is, and let her get down to it.

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Hey StreetStyleChi readers! I’m Whitney Middleton Gruber, Marketing Coordinator at Chicago’s best luxury consignment biz, eDrop-Off. To say my job is fun is an understatement! I spend my days researching the latest trends & designers, developing content for our blog & social media, & most recently, curating special sales once a month for our website. Digging through incredible designer merchandise & developing editorial content is a dream come true for me. Literally, I would dream about it while stuck in a cubical at my first job in project management in the financial industry. I quit that job on a whim 2 years ago & never looked back. If you have a true passion & talent for something, the opportunities will come. That’s how I landed at EDO & I couldn’t be more grateful to be here – it changed my life! Speaking of life changers – I also spend 2 weekends a year at New York Fashion Week working in the backstage trenches as a dresser. It’s rather grueling, but the energy is incredible, & I get to experience the collections up close before they hit the runway. Needless to say, fashion isn’t just my industry, it’s my #1 passion!

My five whitney

 

My top five picks:

Tilly – My absolute favorite vintage store in Chicago! It’s a hidden gem tucked away in the North Center neighborhood. I’m very picky about vintage stores, as many don’t have much to offer over the fantastic thrift shops here, but this one is beyond amazing. Susan, the owner, knows her stuff – she can name the decade of any piece & has a knowledge of fashion history I could listen to for hours! Prices are fair & negotiable, product is rare & well curated. GO THERE NOW!

Pizza Art Cafe – My neighbors might hunt me down for sharing this secret spot with the masses, but oh well! It’s a BYOB legit Italian joint, with massive portions of the most delicious food. Here’s exactly what to order: Start with the Lasagne Art & Caprese salad with Pesto, then get a bowl of the Pasta Pomodoro with spaghetti noodles to share. Don’t forget to bring plenty of Chianti!
Merz Apothecary – Merz has an outpost in the Palmer House Hilton, but skip that one & head straight to the main location in the heart of Lincoln Square. It’s a gorgeous little shop that transports you back in time! They have incredible products – I stock up on Mistral Pink Champagne soap every time I stop in. They also offer holistic remedies for everyday ailments, Diptyque candles, Mason Pearson hairbrushes & so much more!
Deca Bar – The Ritz Carleton might be on the Mag Mile, but it feels like a world away. High above the tourist masses, Deca Bar offers a welcome reprieve from the chaos below! There’s nothing better than sitting in one of their high back princess chairs sipping a Velvet Ribbons & soaking up the light & luxury. Plus, and this is very important, the ladies room might be the best place for a #BathroomSelfie in the city.
The Back Room – There’s nothing quite like an evening of live music in an underground jazz club, am I right? The Back Room’s cozy dark interior makes it all the more magical. Seriously talented music acts combined with the best Manhattans in Chicago (I’ve done the research) make it an easy favorite for me. So, just how do you get there? That’s one secret I’ll never tell. xoxo

 

 

 

Photo Credit: Natalie Krick