Social Media

Chandni Lahoti      @ChandniAtSheikhland

We’re back again to showcase another of the best content creators in the region.   A social media influencer we love and admire. 

We are excited to feature one of the flat lay and beauty queens of Dubai today – say hello to Chandni.

Tell us a little bit about you (2-3 lines)

A full time Content Creator now, I left my Finance career to follow my passions – photography, writing and everything beauty on the digital platform. I am a firm believer in the power of optimism and the magic of hard-work. I love spending time with my plants, i’m crazy about home-decor and obsessed with discovering new editing techniques for my content.

How many years ago did you start blogging/content creating?                     

I started blogging way back in 2011 with a London-diary but I started with a proper Beauty & Lifestyle blog in 2013 when I moved to Dubai.

Tell us one of your content creation secrets!                                                            

Consistency – not only in terms of posting regularly but also a consistent signature style/feel of your content can totally lift your game.

What’s your favourite content creation app or tool?                                     

Inshot for creating videos, Lightroom for pictures, Storyluxe for stories and I have to say there is a hidden wealth of layouts in the filters of Instagram stories , there is so much that you can do within Instagram to enhance your stories

When did you know you “made it”?       

To be honest, I haven’t had that ‘made it’ feeling yet and in a way it helps me to constantly be on the hustle to improvise & learn. I do get that – ‘ I did great’ feeling when I do an amazing product shot or a make up look gets a lot of love. But when I see the amazing work done by some fabulous content-creators around the globe, I feel I still have a lot to learn and achieve.

Come on, share your worst blunder!             

It has to be the time when I would put a different instagram filter on every picture I would put – major feed blunder

Tell us one account that inspires you that we should follow.                         

I so look up to a UK-based Youtuber @kaushal for her amazing makeup looks and just overall a very positive & inspiring person to follow.

What is your best piece of advice for anyone starting out?                         

To be consistent, willing to constantly learn and never copy anyone else’s content.  The more original you are, the more of your real personality you bring to the gram, the more connection you will make to your audience. Last but not the least, never post just for the heck of posting, if you do not have content worth posting on a particular day, just skip and do your feed a big favour.

We hope you enjoyed learning more about Chandni.  Who’s up next?

Meet the content creators is a new weekly series so stay tuned to hear from more of our favourite influential women across the region.

People buy people.

Our CEO Tash Hatherall gives her thoughts on why investing in building your personal brand is more important than ever, be you a freelancer, an influencer or a solopreneur, or even if you are the helm of a larger business – as a leader, you ARE a personal brand whether you like it or not.

Read all here:

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/2021-business-really-personal-natasha-hatherall-shawe/?published=t

We continue on our mission to showcase the best content creators in the region.   The social media influencers we love and admire and who make it look oh so easy, but we know it isn’t.

Next up is one of our personal favourites for keeping it real, honest and well visually beautiful – meet Jaime!

 Jaime Morton-Hawley   @jaimemortonhawley

Tell us a little bit about you (2-3 lines)

I’m a published photographer and writer. I post curated content about beauty, style and my home on instagram. I also shoot digital content for companies and brands.

How many years ago did you start blogging/content creating?
I went to University for photography and digital media and  started professionally creating content on Instagram in 2017.

Tell us one of your content creation secrets!

I think it’s really important to keep learning new techniques for creating and capturing images and editing video.

What’s your favourite content creation app or tool?
I shoot on my iphone most of the time, otherwise I shoot with my Sony a6400. For the majority of my mobile content, I edit my images with Adobe Lightroom and my videos on Videoshop.

When did you know you “made it”?

I wouldn’t know what that means so I guess I haven’t.

Come on, share your worst blunder!
Over-editing is the worst. I’ll look back at old images and wonder where my head was!

Tell us one account that inspires you that we should follow?

@alyssa.lenore and @frassyaudrey really inspire me with their curated content.

@micahgianneli and @lornaluxe are such talents and I’ve always been inspired by their style.

@alex_elle and @yasminecheyenne have the best inspirational words.

@noyskincare and @donna.bartoli are the best for skincare.

@kelechimgbemena and @vixmeldrew teach me so much about content on social media.

@sivanayla and @lydiamillen are my favorite lifestyle influencers on IG.

What is your best piece of advice for anyone starting out?

To maintain your authenticity to yourself and your brand.

We hope you enjoyed learning more about Jaime.  Who’s up next?

Meet the content creators is a new weekly series so stay tuned to hear from more of our favourite influential women across the region.

As we close out the year, we say hurray for the ‘accidental influencer’ – niche content created by someone with knowledge or heart, who opens themselves up to share with the world, is the way forward. There might be a million accounts across the net to roll your eyes at, but there are also some wonderful communities being created too.

Let me tell you more about the “Accidental Influencers” and how in 2020 I became one too – an award winning one now no less 😉

Tash xx

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/accidental-influencer-natasha-hatherall-shawe/?published=t

We’re on a mission to showcase the best content creators in the region.  The social media stars and InstaGirls make it look oh so easy, but we know it isn’t.

Today we’re sitting down for a cuppa with Amanda Rushforth, sustainability advocate, lover of the outdoors and a beautiful person inside and out.

 Name: Amanda Rushforth

Account handle: @amandarushforth

Tell us a little bit about you:

I’m an advocate for sustainability in fashion and have launched a capsule collection with @by.M.A.R.Y, an ocean lover and on the board of directors at @azraqme, as well as a fitness enthusiast. 

 How many years ago did you start blogging/content creating?

 I started blogging 5 years ago and have been creating content ever since.

Tell us one of your content creation secrets!

I love finding cool shadows! They give the best texture and dimension in pictures. 

What’s your favourite content creation app or tool? 

VSCO for a barely-there filter (G3 at 50%) 

When did you know you “made it”? 

Hahahah not sure I have? But being recognized for my commitment to the planet and sustainability is my favourite compliment.

Come on, share your worst blunder! 

I may have put myself in a few precarious places for an instagram op, much to the dismay of my fiancé. 

Tell us one account that inspires you that we should follow?

I like snackable content curation and informative pages like @thesustainablefashionforum 

What is your best piece of advice for anyone starting out? 

Identify your niche. Then focus creating the page around that. Don’t compromise your ethos for $ either. 

So, there you have it. A little insight into the world of Amanda and some great tips for creating content that stands out, just remember to stay true to yourself!  

Meet the content creators is a new weekly series so stay tuned to hear from more of our favourite influential women across the region.

 Xx

A year after its launch in the overseas market, this Chinese application has taken the social media world by storm with over 500 million subscribers now on it. From various beauty brands around the world who have launched successful marketing campaigns to make-up influencers, the platform is bustling with authentic content from all around the world.

Now if the whole world is on it and you’re not, there’s no need to worry! Whether you’re just starting out with the app or wish to create an account on the global pop culture craze tool, you’re in the right place as we’ve gathered a list of tips and tricks for you to create some successful videos and get that desired fan base. Whether fashion brands such as Calvin Klein(@CalvinKlein) who have created shot videos with celebrities or beauty brand Fenty Beauty (@fentybeauty) which shares video snippets of product displays, swatches and quick tutorials, you can do all of that too, simply with the help of some tips and tricks below.

From the next generation of beauty influencers to make-up artists, the application seems to be flooded with wacky trends, beauty hacks and an abundance of informative tricks to make your day extremely exciting. As a leading beauty PR agency, we’ve gathered the top tips to help you build a presence on the platform.

#TishTash Tip 1 – Take part in a popular beauty trend

From creating a tie-dye for a pair of Nike socks to trying out the rainbow eyeshadow trend, the opportunities are countless for you to create a following on the application and it’s truly a gold mine for beauty lovers out there. The chances of you increasing your following are higher by hopping on the bandwagon and trying out a new beauty trend. You can stay on top of all the latest challenges on the ‘For You’ page or type in the latest hashtags to discover some exciting new challenges which might even include doing ‘a lip tutorial on faking lip injections’

https://www.tiktok.com/@laurmaen/video/6805286692229008646?u_code=da6ba435743bi4&preview_pb=0&language=en&timestamp=1584536814&utm_campaign=client_share&app=musically&utm_medium=ios&user_id=6777809835436540933&tt_from=more&utm_source=more&source=h5_m

#TishTash Tip 2 – Avoid using old content

To stay fresh on the application it’s essential to always create new and exciting content without recycling old content or that which has already been used on other platforms. Try and keep it as original and authentic as possible with snappy and engaging videos adding a hint of humour too. For instance @skincarebyhyram shares his skincare advice in the most authentic manner (a very entertaining and non-judgmental way) making this 24-year-old’s account quite addictive.

 https://www.tiktok.com/@skincarebyhyram

#TishTash Tip 3 – Create your own challenge

If you’re a brand and wish to create your presence on the application, why not be a bit adventurous and try creating your own challenge with a catchy hashtag? Products with instant results such as Ordinary’s Peeling Solution, had viewers share their before and after results in a short span of 15 seconds thereby making the content visually enticing. Beauty brands such as E.L.F cosmetics also creating the most-viral campaign on TikTok with consumers from all around the world including celebrities such as Ellen and Reese Witherspoon who also contributed, having the campaign generate nearly 5 million videos on the application.

https://www.tiktok.com/@kaelynwhitee/video/6821649984233032965?lang=en

#TishTash Tip 4 – Be consistent  

Try to post at least once a day in order to create a presence on the application, as the key to succeeding here is through continual effort and manual community management. Applications such as Instagram have tools to automatically schedule and post content such as Planoly. Beauty brands such as @Morpheofficial post at least once a day with original content that includes swatches, eyebrow tutorials and makeup hacks to keep their viewers engaged. If you post varied content, it’s the best way to see what picks up at the end in order to develop a key strategy either for your page.

https://www.tiktok.com/@morpheofficial?lang=en

#TishTash Tip 5 – Have fun with the application

In the rut of trying to gain followers, most brands and people forget to have fun while putting out new content. The entire process can be quite tedious and might require lot of patience. So instead of focusing too much on views or likes try enjoying and expressing your actual emotions while creating content for that might just hit the sweet spot of your audience.

So which challenge will you be trying out next?

At TishTash there is nothing we love more than content, especially when used the right way, it can create a brand that reaches its right audience. Over the last 8 years there is a lot we have learnt from social media and how to use it to our advantage on our platforms.

Here are a few things that have helped us and our clients to reach their target audience:

1.Humanize your content

Adding a face to your content creates a human connection to your feed and personalizes your content. Posts that introduce you to the team behind the brand are always a hit, and the audience starts to build a bond with your team, even though they have never met. It also helps you set an intimate tone of voice to connect with your audience.

2. Content from your users

Content from brand users always performs well on social media. Your audience starts to feel like your family, and they start to advocate your brand to their circle. This also helps you win the algorithm to show real content. Just make sure you give your user due credit and tag them.

3. Video is the hero

This has been said time and time again. But there is no better time to invest in video content then now. With more people spending time on their mobile devices, consumption of video content has only increased. Creating relevant content, presented clearly will help you reach your audience.

4. Talk to your audience

Community Management is more important today then ever, as people come to social media to complain or compliment. As a brand it is important to use it in your favor and respond to customers in a timely manner. On the plus side, it also helps you increase engagement – which in turn helps beat that pesky algorithm!

5. Hashtags! Hashtags! Hashtags!

This is what helps your audience find you. Using the right Hashtag helps you and your audience connect and helps the Instagram algorithm connect you to the right people. Make sure you use relevant hashtags your brand, but don’t overuse them. Anything up to 5 hashtags is good in our view (max max 10 if you have to!!). #UseItRight

6. Understand the platform

Understand the algorithm of the platform you are using and make it work for you. The content that performs well on Facebook is different from what performs well on Instagram and twitter. Make sure you create content that helps you build an audience but also adds value to what your audience are seeing on other pages.

At the end of the day what works for someone else doesn’t have to work for you, so it is important to understand your brand and how the content you create helps your brand grow.

Sonika.Santani

Xx

It’s that time of year where we receive many CVs every day from grads wanting to pursue a career in Public Relations (PR).  So, if you like the idea of working in PR and want to have a career in our field, here are our top 5 tips to help you on your way:

1.       Be a good communicator.

This of course goes without saying as it is the basis of what we do and what PR is all about.  Successful PR campaigns are the result of a brilliant collaboration, both within the PR team and between the agency and its clients and then outwardly to consumers and your target audience. You need to be able to communicate in every which way.

2.       Be tech savvy

In this day and age, even more so with the recent pandemic looming eerily around us for the indefinite future, and communication depending more and more on video calling and the internet you really do need to know your technologies and software, particularly those around presentations, websites and of course all the basics (and some!) around social media platforms. Tech is the way forward – you need to be savvy in it.

3.       Be good at research

Research is key with a lot of things, but particularly in PR, because if you don’t do it, you don’t know what you are communicating about which ultimately tells your clients and customers that you just don’t care about the brand of product that you are working for.  Do you research, gain the knowledge and BE interested in it.

4.       Attention to detail

This you absolutely must have.  A mistake in detail, particularly when it is in print can lose you clients, campaigns and ultimately your job.  Check, check and check again before it is sent anywhere outside your office. As simple a thing as having an apostrophe in the wrong place for example can mean something reading totally different to what you actually want it to say. Sweat the small stuff!

5.       Honesty, accountability and hard work

These are general must have life skills to go anywhere in anything, but particularly in your career, especially if you want to go far in it.  Do what’s right, when it’s right, don’t blame people for your own mistakes and help people realise their goals too. 

There’s so much more we could tell you about what we do day to day, and we will in the days and months to come.  If there is one thing that we can promise you though, it’s that there will never be a dull day working in PR as every day is different, you will be constantly challenged and you will never be bored.  And we think that’s pretty amazing.

Natasha Hatherall-Shawe, Founder & CEO of TishTash Marketing and PR

@TishTashTalks