Instagram 2.0
“A good snapshot stops a moment from running away.”
Eudora Welty
We are loving the evolution of Instagram and how our community has taken to it as the go-to app for engaging, sharing and connecting with the world. It’s no surprise though, as we are a creative and visual group of characters, and Instagram plays right into what we value most.
This week, Instagram introduced Web Profiles, where your page can be directly accessed on the web with your own unique URL. Pretty cool, yes? Why do we think its so cool?
1. It allows us to engage on the web, not just on the app, to like, comment and follow new users. Yes, there are several 3rd party apps that allow this already, but this is just kinda more official.
2. It helps our businesses become more discoverable on the web, just like other social platforms, the more we engage, the more discoverable we are.
3. Having our own URL allows us to share our Instagram page more easily among other platforms, as well as through our marketing and communications.
You can also edit your profile, revoke access to 3rd party apps, etc.
So how do you discover your profile? Simply go to www.instagram.com/your Instagram name here
If your page is set to private, only those who you allow to follow you will be able to see your photos. So you may want to double check your privacy settings on the app. You cannot change those settings on your Web Profile.
So there you have it. We will continue watching Web Profiles develop, as we sense this is only the beginning.
(shared with LOVE from your passionistas Nina + Gordon)
Passionista Profile: Nicoletta Gauci
“In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s mind there are few”
Shunryu Suzuki
Meet Nicoletta Gauci, an international stylist and educator who has had her eye on her dream since beauty school, which she just graduated from in 2008. Fearless, beautiful, focused and talented are just a few words to describe Nicoletta. There is much we can learn from the beginners mind.
Nicoletta has already had a career many dream about. She sat down with us to share her thoughts about the power of the social web and how she is using the space to shape her career and achieve her dreams.
Passion Squared: What are your current goals as a stylist & blogger?
Nicoletta: I want to be able to continue doing what I love, which is styling hair and creating art while collaborating with other people with the same passion or varied passions that accelerate and enhance mine and visa versa.
Passion Squared: Which social platform are you focusing on to reach that goal?
Nicoletta: I have primarily been using Facebook, Hairbrained, Pinterest and Instagram along with blogging through WordPress.
Passion Squared: Why those platforms?
Nicoletta: Through Facebook I have been able to connect with current and future clients, friends and other industry professionals using my network that already existed before I decided to make a brand page. I feel like it is the simplest way to connect with your current audience and build connections with people you would normally not have access to by showing them your brand via your page and posts.
To grow my name within the industry I have chosen Hairbrained, communicating through images. Hairbrained serves as a direct feed to hairstylists and other industry professionals, which is sometimes hard to get at the beginning of a career.
I’ve created a blog which is now more of a platform to share all my other social media sites I use that acts as an interactive place for my followers to write about trends and give them how-to’s.
Pinterest and Instagram are similar but seem to be more so for obtaining connections outside your immediate circle of influence. Instagram is like a virtual shareable scrapbook and Pinterest is a shareable dream board deepening your connection and reach.
Passion Squared: What did you do?
Nicoletta: I have used Facebook as a place to share my new and up coming work and Hairbrained to do the same but for images, which really focus on the hair, most importantly I always credit the whole team so that everyone benefits from the posting. Pinterest I use more so to communicate my aesthetic both in my personal style and in hair and I often create boards targeted towards certain projects. Most recently I have begun to use Instagram as a live feed to the daily going-ons of my life in the beauty industry.
Passion Squared: What have the results been?
Nicoletta: I started my Facebook in March 2012 and through networking have reached 350 likes, my blog, also started in March, has about 1000 followers which I now feed my Mastery by Esani entries and other social media posts onto. Hairbrained had been fantastic for me to extend my reach to other hairstylists and stay hopeful that my eye is on the right path. My Pinterest has also had a great flow of traffic and has increased the level of communication with the teams I work with. Lastly, Instagram, my latest addition and addiction has grown by about 200 people in 2 months and has increased the buzz within my own network as to the work I am doing.
Through this self taught experience I have been able to take on the role of Social Media Design Leader at The Mastery by Esani and create added value to my career.
Passion Squared: Any other thoughts?
Nicoletta: Use your social media platforms to inspire and lift people up. We have the power to change the way a person feels or thinks with one image or quote posted online…change it for the better.
To catch up with Nicoletta and experience her passion around creating art and sharing it with our world, jump on over to her social pages and say hello.
Nicoletta Gauci Blog
Facebook Page
Hairbrained.me Page
Pinterest Page
The Mastery by Esani
Instagram @nicolettagauci
A big shout out of love to Nicoletta for sharing her story with us. You are a true inspiration and we are so proud of you!
(shared with LOVE from your passionistas Nina + Gordon)
You Made My Day
We love this short film because it shares in a creative and impactful way about how most of us are looking for “validation” through our connections with people. More importantly, it connects directly to the important role you play everyday with and for your clients.
When a client sits in your chair, they are looking not only for a great experience but also to receive validation of who they are by way of how you make them look & feel.
We take our hats off to all of you who make a difference in peoples lives everyday. For helping your clients be more beautiful, both inside and out.
(shared with LOVE from your passionistas Nina + Gordon)
