When I first started working as a stylist, social media was not a thing. I would come to work, do my job to the best of my abilities, focus on expanding my skills, and relying on my loyal clients sending referrals my way. It was, and still is, natural flow expanding my network professionally and with the clients & brides I serve.
Overtime, social media took over everything...
Then came Instagram. Beauty professionalism & loyalty was less about the work and the client experience and all about the social proof and the numbers you had to show for it.
The obsession around the platform felt like an ultimatum. Like, my following on Instagram was imperative to validate my business. If your work wasn’t celebrated on IG then it’s not celebrated at all!
For the first 5️⃣ years of IG, the beauty buzz was all about easy and free visual marketing and FEATURES WERE IT! The thought process presenting itself a little something like this...
“If I hit 5k followers, I can get this...”
“If I have over 300 likes, I have a better chance to be seen on the explore page”
The “if I just” thoughts are endless.
Sadly 🤦🏼♀️there are still so many people that have this mentality. MORE IS MORE...
I was then & they are now WRONG!
Although it motivated me in ways to
1. Take better pictures
2. Keep it Professional
3. Understand who my people REELy are
I mean don’t get me wrong IG is an Ocean of opportunity. But the truth is, the mentality that the NUMBERS VALIDATE MY WORTH and the worth of the business was SO WRONG!!!!
Here’s my “REEL” facts:
I’ve worked with celebrity clients and celebrity hairdressers
I have a built and trained a talented bridal team that services women on ALL of their MOST IMPORTANT MILESTONES through out the tristate
My business partner comes from 20 years of friendship
I provide for my family
I do what I love as I evolve a creative career
And I have freedoms no 9-5 could ever match
At the end of the day, the NUMBERS really have NOTHING to do with your skill sets or success.
It’s how you show up and support the people that do follow you.
They are invested in ME as a person behind this business and what I have to offer them.
And that right there, is the most most authentic feeling of SUCCESS THERE IS.
I have built 8️⃣0️⃣% of my business with personal relationships and this only continues to grow even in this time with EXTREME NEED FOR VIRTUAL. The Personal CONNECTION I create has shown true to personal & Brand growth.
I’ve decided the purpose of my service and voice to for others holds more responsibility in quality than Quantity. I do believe LESS IS MORE!
So I can say ALL THAT, was 1️⃣ of the biggest mistakes I’ve made as a PRO. Focusing on those numbers, INSTEAD of PEOPLE, forgetting what is TRULY IMPORTANT to me & my definition of SUCCESS. Maybe you’re guilty of the same.
Remember!
AUTHENTICITY OVER ALGORITHM !!
RELATIONSHIPS are my REEL SUCCESS