ONE YEAR ON INSTAGRAM. MY EXPERIENCE AND TIPS

Around a year ago I started my Instagram account. Back then I had no job and as a quick solution for my economic problem, I began selling my clothes that I didn’t wear anymore. I quickly fell in love with the platform and since then I have been posting pictures of the outfits I am selling. It worked surprisingly good! My first idea was to start an online shop. I didn’t know much about it but that was the concept I chose.
This is how my first post looked like:

I have been very consistent and posting pictures every day. I regularly go to flee markets, secondhand- or charity shops and look for nice items to make my outfits complete. Since the beginning it has been important for me to make realistic outfits. I love to see other girls on Instagram who are looking all styled and fashionable, but sometimes I feel that I only would wear that kind of clothes on fashion events and not in my ‘everyday life’.    That´s why I like to make basic and practical outfits. The nice thing about making outfits from secondhand clothes is that I have to be creative, because I never know what I might find! I make combinations that are stylish, some are pretty basic and other are vintage. But I always make an outfit that I would wear on a regular day.

Besides selling my clothes via direct messaging on Instagram, I use amazing platforms like Marktplaats, Tradono, United Wardrobe and of course The Next Closet.

Throughout this year I have learned a lot about Instagram and here are some tips for starting your own account:

1. Have a clear concept and explain it on your bio
It´s ok to not know where you want to go, but you should know where you want to start and be as clear as possible in your description. This way people know why to follow you.

2. Be consistent
Find out your concept, keep posting pictures and use the same filters so your feed looks attractive.

yellow skirt outfit

white and yellow outfit

vintage skirt

3. Stay true to yourself
It´s ok to check out the competition, but don´t look too long! Remind yourself of the reason why you started and keep in mind your own concept. Always remember: Your mission is to become better today than you were yesterday.

white jeans outfit

thai bag outfit

white jeans blue shirt

4. Don´t be afraid of showing your face
It took me some posts to start showing more of myself in the pictures. I never felt confident or pretty enough to be on my pictures. I have some self-esteem issues that I am working on, but as soon as I felt better about myself and let the bad thoughts go, I enjoyed more of what I do. I love to plan the photo-shootings and the outcome.

Picture by Marisa Elisa

Picture by Marisa Elisa Photography

Picture by Marisa Elisa

5. For foolish talk, deaf ears
Stand up for yourself and learn to trust in you. This is something you have to practice. It is like exercise, the more you do it the stronger you are. A lot of people have an opinion about what you do and how you should do it. It´s always good to listen to the feedback. Give yourself some time to think about it and if it can help you to improve yourself. Take it and see how you can work on it and if it doesn’t add any value to you, just… let.. it… go!

6. Instagram keeps on changing, so why don’t you…
The past year I have been developing my concept and I have been in a constant change. I wanted to be a shop, now I just love to promote secondhand clothes, write about it and occasionally make videos about it. And that’s ok! As soon as I realized that, I changed my bio and my account name to alisson_simmonds and I am doing whatever feels right for me to do.

Picture by Marisa Elisa

Picture by Marisa Elisa

Picture by Marisa Elisa

Now that I look back, I see how much I have developed in a positive way. I started this adventure as a part-time hobby and now it´s becoming part of my life. I love second hand and this has led me to a more sustainable lifestyle. I will keep on sharing it with you. From now on I want to add sustainable brands to my outfits as well and who knows what happens later on! Maybe I will show my make-up tips, beauty products and my vegan lifestyle of course. But the most important thing I have learned this year is to do ONE… THING… AT… THE… TIME.

What have you learned about Instagram so far?
Share it on the comments!

With Love,