@simon_j_morton on Instagram
Namita Nayyar:
With over 222K Followers, give us 5 tips to grow your Instagram account?
Eliza Rose Watson:
When I started my Instagram I was always looking for the ‘quick fix’ to grow my followers. I always focussed on the numbers and became frustrated when all the ‘tricks’ and ‘hacks’ I found didn’t work. When I gave up on trying to grow it, and just began to enjoy posting for the sake of posting, that was when my Instagram began to grow. So here are five things I have learned..
1. Post quality content! This is the number one tip. People scroll instagram in seconds, and so that is all you have to make your post stand out from the rest. It takes time to create a good post, sure. But that time and effort will increase your chances of being noticed, and followed.
2. Be consistent! I try my hardest to post every day, and update my story. The accounts with far larger followings than mine all do this, and it makes sense – Instagram will give more attention to you, if you are seen to be consistently active.
3. Share the love! A lot of other accounts will also be trying to grow, so find accounts of a similar type with a similar following, and suggest a ‘story for story’. You each mention eachother in your story, and share the exposure you both get from popping up on eachother’s pages. There is nothing to be lost from supporting someone else, and a lot to be gained.
4. Engage! I do always try to reply the comments on my posts, and also where possible answer direct messages. By doing this, you’re encouraging your followers to engage more back with you and comment more, and the more engagement on your account, the better.
5. Enjoy it! As I said above, it can be easy to focus on growth and numbers and become disheartened. I have tried a lot of ‘tricks’ and ‘quick fixes’ to grow my account, but really the best way I have found is simply to enjoy creating and posting, be consistent, and be patient. My account will not double its following overnight and has taken over a year of daily posts, interaction, networking, and creating, to get to where it is today, and it will no doubt take another year before it grows substantially more. So I feel it is best to live ‘in the moment’ with your Instagram – make every post count and keep it fun!
Namita Nayyar:
Share with us a HIIT home workout that works great for your body?
Eliza Rose Watson:
I am not sure what is harder, picking my 5 fav foods or my single favourite HIIT workout! But this format tends to work for me:
1. Warmup, 5 min steady jogging
2. 10 mins of sprints: 20 seconds on, 20 seconds rest.
3. A circuit comprising of 4 exercises, alternating between muscle groups worked, using a 30 seconds on, 10 seconds off format with a 40 second rest after each circuit. An example might be:
a) Box jumps (or park bench jumps, or garden furniture jumps, whatever your quarantine situation allows!)
b). Mountain climbers
c) Pushup to plank
d) High knees
Rinse and repeat 4 times! I like to keep my HIIT short and sweet because I feel it’s easier to push as hard as you can, when you know the workout will be over before you have time to complain about it!
Namita Nayyar:
Advice and motivational words to the inspiring and upcoming models who all are your fans? 5 tips to work upon their skills.
Eliza Rose Watson:
I am honoured to even think I have aspiring models look up to me really. But if there indeed are any, my 5 tips would be :
1. The industry is not what it used to be! If you’re there thinking ‘I’m too [big/small/old/young/tall/short] etc’, ignore that thought – all ages, shapes, and sizes of model can be successful these days! I thought I was too old, and also too short, but here I am modelling full time as a career. As long as you are passionate about what you do, and you’re prepared to work hard, you will achieve your goal!
2. Don’t compare yourself to others. One thing I made the mistake of doing when I began was looking at other women’s photographs and trying to copy their poses, and comparing my own look and physique to theirs. The truth is, everyone’s body is different, moves differently, and looks different in the same pose. I for one, cannot model high fashion! I do not have the legs, or the height, or the grace! But I CAN model fitness and my body also suits glamour, so that’s what I do. I have found it much better to simply do what works for me, and embrace my own unique features rather than compare them to other women. This has helped me relax into my own style and has been a huge source of body positivity for me.
3. When you are starting out, you will get many offers for collaborations all promising you the same thing. Be selective! If you are going to collaborate with a photographer or makeup artist, do your research first. Your time is precious and shouldn’t be given for free to just anybody. Do they have a large reach online? Will they help you gain exposure or really add to your portfolio? Do their photos stand out? if yes, go for it. If no, don’t feel obliged to say yes to anyone who offers you a collaboration – just because you are new, it doesn’t mean you should be working for free with anyone who asks.
4. If you are modelling freelance, like I have done, this should perhaps be number 1 – safety. This isn’t so much the case with an agency, but for a freelance model, it is up to you to do your due diligence on anyone who tries to book you. If anything feels ‘off’, trust your gut – it is better to be safe than sorry.
5. Network and make friends! Modelling can be a lonely job. We work mostly alone, travel a lot, and there are no staff parties or work do’s like with many other jobs. It has been really important to me to carve out friendships in this industry – it is a misconception that models are ‘stuck up’ and that it is a cut-throat industry. This is simply not the case, except in perhaps reality TV shows. Most other models I have met are some of the most down to earth, grounded people I know, and it has been fun to get to know others as well as beneficial for my own career in terms of taking part in events alongside other women, sharing advice and tips, and getting inspo!
Disclaimer
The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
