This day I keep going through the head through my head, what does it actually take to become a real “influencer” as a hairdresser? I mean a personality with a real influence on the community.
One person looks at the other who calls you call and ask for advice and who really inspires his “followers”. What kind of personality would that be and what would your or his repertoire of skills be? What activities would people convince their or him to follow the path of creative creation?
I interviewed international personalities and so -called key influencers on this question. In this new blog series "9 Answers", you tell how to attract your target group, how to inspire them and edutained.
Have fun influencing!
In conversation today: Mustafa "Musti" Yanaz from NYC ( www.mustafayanaz.com )
Session Stylist, influencer and shooting star of the New York fashion scene.
Musti, if you think of an ultimate group creative to put on a group with the ability to attract an audience from a wide variety of areas, who would be in this group and how does this group manage to develop such a great attraction?
Mustafa Yanaz: When I think of an ultimate group of creative, I think of Yohji Yamamoto ( www.yohjiyamamoto.co.jp ), his backstage styling team.
Whenever we prepare the hair backstage it is a huge stress and hustle and bustle. But as soon as we go to the backstage styling team to line-up, we always get a completely different energy. Everyone is calm, everyone knows what they are doing, every movement sits. There is 0.0 hustle and bustle. You immediately feel the positive energy!
The point for all creative teams should know people with each other, trust and also get along well. So there is no uncertainty. This always radiates positive energy and the result is always good!
If you start a creative project, who do you invite?
Mustafa Yanaz: I am very happy to be inspired by different sources. For example from photographer like Paolo Roversi ( www.paoloroversi.com ), Peter Lindberg ( www.peterlindbergh.com ) or Richard Avedon ( www.avedonfoundation.org ). They are considered true sources of inspiration in the entire fashion industry.
What I personally like very much is your work, you think you are true masters of your field and you express your vision and zeitgeist with it. Another great influencer is Yohji Yamamoto, I love his simplicity and timelessness of his designs. And at work, Team Energie is very important, it ensures that everyone involved has the full potential for every project, entirely for the benefit of the group.
What do you have to master really well to become an influencer?
Mustafa Yanaz: First of all, I think you have to have a strong personality, you have to keep asking and developing yourself. You have to be ready to always set new goals and train so that you get better and better in your work. "Pushing the limits" is the motto.
I think that is the claim in every creative job and especially as an influencer. First -class communication skills are a must. Thanks to today's development and the limitless possibilities of communication, especially through the tools in the field of social media. There are so many options to reach everyone no matter where you or you are.
Channels such as Instagram and Facebook are very helpful tools to inspire your followers, to keep, keep and to communicate with them regularly through your projects. Show what you can do.
What can you do to develop your own personality into influencers?
Mustafa Yanaz: Authenticity is very important. Stay loyal to yourself and define your own topic. Trends fade after a time, but as a key influencer, your topic will remain in the head.
What does the next level look like in the activation of communities?
Mustafa Yanaz: Digital media and social media channels are the key to your community. A trend that increases rapidly and is becoming increasingly pleased is the so-called "live streaming", as well as live videos where you can give your community a feedback. Information and commitment in real time, will play the leading role in the future.
On which channels, platforms and with which communities do you work and what are the advantages or the results.
Mustafa Yanaz: I think social media channels such as Twitter or Instagram are really for all influencers. For hairstylists, make-up artists or photographers, Instagram serves as your personal digital portfolio your so-called "folder".
Another important aspect is that your followers generally have a natural interest to learn more about you, so also private things and more about your personality.
This is also the reason for the introduction of the new features such as instantory or the new tool Snapchat, in which influencers can give small insights "snapshots", in their daily life without having to record the whole story. Community engagement in real time.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
Mustafa Yanaz: Historical Books, Documentation across the entire industry from icons of photography to the legendary designers, and much more.
Who is a real key for you and who inspires you personally?
Mustafa Yanaz: Yohji Yamamoto as a designer and visionary. Eugene Souleiman (www.instagram.com/eugenesouleiman) as a real key influencer in the hair fashion industry.
If you think of your community and communication, where do these creative influencers live in virtual space?
Mustafa Yanaz: In the past, they mainly found the print media in magazines. Due to the speed in the development of social media and thus digital communication, this area is quite in motion. Established magazines and publishing houses also have to stand up to a completely new one.
Today I can share with my community at a moment, which I am currently doing backstage at the NYC FashionWeek and the next moment, my followers can watch the whole Runway show via live stream, conveniently on their own tablet or laptop and do not have to wait 6 months until the magazine is available for the current fashion season at the kiosk ( www.vogue.de/fashion show ).
Musti, you are invited to a party, who still has to be on the guest list so that you can go?
Mustafa Yanaz: Photograph Paolo Roversi, I admire his work so much!
Credits: Mustafa Yanaz (all photos)
Many thanks to Mr. "German Hairdresser of the Year 2014" Mustafa Yanaz from NYC for the inspiring interview and an insight into his creative work.
Take a look at his Instagram page to us let yourself be inspired: www.instagram.com/mustafayanaz
