How to Use Influencers to Kickstart Your Rebrand
By: Sophia Williams ‘22
Let’s face it- social distancing, quarantining and trying to get through a global pandemic has left lots of time for self-reflection. While it can be lonely at times, this period also makes room for everyone’s own personal renaissance! I’ve spent a lot of time this quarantine building my confidence and personal style, so here’s a couple tips I’ve collected for how to kickstart your rebrand and escape from the real world for a bit during quarantine.
Step 1: Start with Instagram
One of the bright spots of 2020 has been the rise of a more diverse and inclusive social media sphere. Instagram “influencers” are no longer just copy & paste versions of each other. Now, it’s possible to find influencers within a myriad of shapes, sizes and backgrounds that you identify with. The good news about Instagram’s algorithm is that you only need to find one influencer to start, and then the floodgates will open into a whole world of inspiration for cultivating your personal style.
Step 2: Finding the One
Finding your favorite influencer is a process, but once you find the right fit, it’s like a match made in heaven. Here are some strategies to help you find your first source of inspo.
Think of some brands that you think may embody your ideal aesthetic (clothing, lifestyle whatever it may be). Then, check out their tagged photos and see if any of the posts speak to you. Don’t be afraid of some serious insta-stalking!
Cross platform check. Utilize other social media platforms like Pinterest and YouTube to scope out potential inspiration. My favorite Pinterest hack is to type in an article of clothing followed by “outfit”. For instance, if I type in “satin midi skirt outfit”, I’m instantly led to photos of fashionable bloggers to draw inspo from.
Step 3: Curating Your Space
Once you find your first influencer, clicking the small arrow located next to the “follow” button will give you plenty of similar options to check out next. From there, you are sure to fall down the rabbit hole of influencers with the same aesthetic as your first!
Now this next step is optional, but I’ve found it really helps my mindset when it comes to curating a consistent and authentic personal style. Creating a new Instagram account where you only follow your favorite influencers is a great way to take a break from the hustle and bustle of your regular feed. Having a separate account solely for following aesthetic inspiration also curates a better explore page to lead you to more and more content aligned with your personal goals.
Remember, it’s a marathon not a race! The journey to personal style and aesthetic is one that I’m still working on everyday. While I’m on my way to curating an aesthetic that I’m proud of, for now, the biggest staples in my wardrobe are still my sweats and hoodies for Zoom class.
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