Instagram Influencer Spotlight On: Lily @_lilyhale

1) Tell us a little about yourself. What are you doing now and where do you come from?

I started Instagram more than 4 years ago to connect with people. It’s grown into so much more than that now. It’s become a platform to share my creativity with the world and a place for me to get inspired. I have always been a very artistic person and Instagram allows me to share my art and other interests in a safe place, where people can appreciate it. It’s become a social avenue of community online, with people I aspire to be like and who love the things I love. Somewhat recently, I have discovered more and more that Instagram can also become a business. To be able to share the things I love and help others share the things they produce creatively and beautifully, and be paid for it is a win-win.

2) What are your topics of interest? What do you post on Instagram the most?

Outfits and fashion, selfies, beauty, my art, interior design that inspires me, places that bring me happiness, and my friends are all included when you click on my Instagram name. It’s more than just a nice picture when I post. It’s me saying that I am a part of this world and I can create something beautiful and have it mean something. It’s all art to me and I love that it inspires others to do the same, with what they’re interested in.

3) How did your Instagram name come about?

I have changed my Instagram name a lot actually. Recently, though, I changed it to what my new YouTube channel name is, so there can be an obvious association. But the name mainly came to me because I really want to represent love, i.e. loving oneself and others, so I just joined the word love with my first name.

4) What are some apps you use to edit your photos? Share with us your photo-editing routine!

VSCOcam is my favorite and I sometimes Facetune. With almost all of my pictures, I try to keep the same filter and lighting, which can be applied on the first app I mentioned. Facetune is used for the fine tuning in selfies or pictures with people, like any blemishes or red eyes that need fixing. It’s basically my cheaper version of Photoshop.

5) Any Instagrammers whom you really like? Which Instagrammer inspires you the most?

I love so many of the beauty guru Instagrammers like the makeup artists, models, youtube and fashion people, and sometimes the celebrities. @kyliejenner, @tephadoll, @lemybeauty, @valentinath5, @rebecccamaria, @nathalieparis, are in the top ten of my favorite Instagrammers. It’s hard to name only one that inspires me the most.

6) If there’s one thing your fellow Instagrammers just gotta try now, what’s it gonna be?

There’s not one specific thing I would recommend, but more of an idea. I think so many people who post on Instagram are worried about the amount of people who follow them, or how much money they’re making off it, who they’re representing, who they don’t want to be associated with, if what they’re wearing is cool or not, etc. I think my fellow Instagrammers should at least try once to forget about pleasing others and worrying about what their followers think. Post something you think is beautiful, fun, that makes you smile, or shows a little of who you are. Use Instagram as a creative outlet, instead of your whole world. You’d be surprised that once you let go of the notion that Instagram brings you popularity or a higher social status, you could get even more recognition for being your real self.

7) What’s your favorite part about being an influencer?

I think the feedback I get and the response of seeing that what I post can actually bring someone inspiration and happiness is so fulfilling. I also love that I can create art through Instagram and influencing people.

8) What are some of your top tips to brands for running campaigns? How do you maintain authenticity?

When you make it look like you’re not trying to sell something, but instead like you’re posting a quality photograph of a cool person that’s wearing or doing some cool thing, it makes someone want to buy the product so much more. When a person is genuine and really enjoying something and the picture feels real, it makes a customer want to enjoy it too.

9) What would your advice be on the importance of quality and original content?

Having a feed where the colors go together or where the shapes relate and fit, really makes someone’s Instagram pleasing to look at. Quality and original pictures matter too, but if an account as a whole doesn’t have some sort of feed with a theme, it won’t attract as much attention and won’t look professional.

10) What do you like best about partnering with brands?

I like the opportunity to be a part of something great and share it with the world. If a brand and I mutually agree on something we like, we both can benefit and I love that it’s not a one-way street. I feel appreciated in my creativity and they can feel confident and about their product.

Topics:

• Art
• Celebrities
• Design
• Fashion
• Hair & Beauty
• Health & Fitness
• Photography
• Travel

Country:

United States of America