Instagram Influencer Spotlight On: Rita @Ritaawesomeee

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

Hi! 🙂
My name is Rita and I’m 23 years old although I probably look like I’m 16. I’m from Portugal which is a great country to grow up in. I have a degree in Economics and I’ve finished my first year of my Masters degree in Marketing which means that I’m just missing my dissertation to became a Master! I’m actually hopping to focus on the Instagram subject and explore its many facets.

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

I love taking funny and pretty pictures. When I started my instagram account I had a lot of free time and I started having these ideas to take pictures of my lovely dog, Sookie. It turns out that she is quite the photogenic and together we’ve created a few different scenarios and stories. Nevertheless, I also really enjoy taking pictures that show the true but sometimes hidden beauty of cities. Buildings and windows are one of my favorites to shoot because it’s what most people don’t notice on their daily lives because they are just there. I try to look at them differently. Most recently I’ve been really into photographing products that I own or I get and trying to give them a story because after all that’s what Instagram is all about. It’s taking that perfect food picture that shows everyone how tasty it was or capturing the perfect everyday moment and sharing it with the community.

3) How did your Instagram name come about?

Its funny due to the fact it’ll started because of Barney Stinson! I created my account in 2014 which meant the tv show How I met your Mother was still an awesome show (sorry but the last few season and ending were terrible!). Me and my friend, Filipa were obsessed with Barney’s “catch phrases”, meaning the infamous legend (wait for it) dary and the awesomeee. When it was time to write the account name it was pretty clear what needed to be done, Filipa took the legendary, I became the awesome. The word awesome actually turned out to be one of my favorite words and I kind of use it all the time now.

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

I’m a creature of habit when it comes to editing, I’ve tried a lot of apps but I keep coming to the one I fell “in love” with. I always use the VSCO app and then the Instagram editing options. In my phone I also have Aviary and Snapseed however I only use it when the picture really has a lower quality.

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

Instagram is a place of inspiration and creation! So many people inspire me, from Portugal you have @kitato, @___ni___, @vanderkellen, @rodrymendonca and many others because they show Portugal from their own perspective. From around there’s @adamsaysmusic, @light_reid, @martalisboa (despite being Portuguese, Marta lives in Paris) and @miauriaw. It’s difficult to pick just a few when the community is as big and creative as it is.

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

Try putting your ideas into frames and definitely take note of your ideas! I think Instagram is as big as it is because they have so many different people, ideas and stories. If you have a good idea that can turn into a great story, you are in the right path.

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

I didn’t even consider myself an influencer… I honestly really like taking photos and showing people my side of the story, being able to influence or motivate is a bonus.

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

This is actual a very debatable subject in Marketing. I studied a bit regarding the power of Word-of-Mouth and what I learned was that brands need to be consistent, transparent –> trustworthy and creative.
– consistency with their main vision so that consumers can engage the brand and avoid any type of mistakes;
– transparency so that consumers can see their “true selves” and trust the message and product the brand is delivering;
– creativity because we live in a world were millions of brands are functioning and the way to distinguish one from another is by being different. People remember brands that can be different and outside the box. In order to do so brands need to align their message, goals and products with the correct social vehicle.

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

If a brand can show quality and originality people can associate it with their products. Most of the times before a product is created, a brand is built. If a brand can provide quality and original content people will be able to transfer that content, that idea to the brand’s products. With this said I think those two elements are extremely important.

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

I like the creative liberty but also the fact I have to stick with the main story of the brand. It gives me the freedom to be different inside the brands universe and that is where you really have to think to create.