The truth behind micro influencing: an exclusive with Instagram micro influencer, Alexandra Emily
“I was just sort of sat there, it was my first event, and it was for Miss Selfridge, so we went to Miss Selfridge in Oxford Street, the PR gave us gift cards to go choose whatever outfits we wanted and then we went to dinner at the Ned, which is a very expensive restaurant in London- I think it’s for private members. We had a roast dinner and personalised cocktails, and it was so surreal and so strange. That was my first event; it was such a different world I was sort of just thrown into.” Says Alexandra Emily, 24 year old Instagram micro influencer; yet despite the glitz and the glamour of it all, when I ask her if she’d recommend micro influencing to others, she said “no.”
Image via @alexandraaemily on Instagram
Alexandra, better known as Lex, started her career as a micro influencer around 5 years ago, almost accidentally, whilst working in magazine and PR.
“I sort of fell into it, so it wasn’t really something I decided, it just kind of happened and I kept getting these opportunities and I just sort of chased anything I could get really.”
Around 2 years later she went full time, and 3 years on from that, she’s over 33k followers strong.
When asked to describe the content she creates, Lex said:
“So I do fashion and lifestyle, more minimalist, luxury content.”
Image via @alexandraaemily on Instagram
Although there’s a common belief that Instagram is a false reality, I found it amazing to see how much of the online version I’d seen of her, truly represents her as a person; as she sat before me with her colour coordinated outfit, composed of brown leather trousers and a cream cable knit jumper, sipping on her oat latte, it was clear she really does have her sh*t together, as much as it seems on her Instagram.
Not only has her career allowed her to work alongside huge brands, but she’s also been able to meet highly influencial people, including Karlie Kloss.
“I met Karlie Kloss, at one of my very early events, it was for Carolina Herrera’s Good Girl fragrance which Karlie is the face of. It was their first ever launch at a very exclusive venue, there were paparazzi outside (they did not take photos of me)” she says jokingly.
Image via @alexandraaemily on Instagram
However, contrary to popular belief, Lex was quick to tell me how influencing isn’t all just taking cute selfies and meeting celebs.
“In my day to day, I start with emails, then I’ll probably be shooting a couple of things throughout the day; if I’m doing a shoot day, I either have to go into London the night before or the morning of, then I’m shooting for about 3 or 4 hours and that involves a lot of walking around London in heels. Then the next day I’m out for the count. Those are very, very long days.”
Image via @alexandraaemily on Instagram
Before our conversation came to a close, I asked her if she would recommend micro-influencing to others, and I couldn’t help feeling a little surprised when she replied, “No” followed by a laugh. For someone who’s collaborated with the likes of Ted Baker and H. Samuel and is regularly invited to London for exclusive events, it seemed a little hard to believe. However, I soon realised she would in fact recommend it, but only to someone determined enough.
“I would recommend it if you love it; it’s so hard, it’s a lot, a LOT more difficult than just taking a selfie and calling it a day; it’s very, very full time. So, if you love it enough to make it your lifestyle, 100% I’d recommend it- it’s so good and I’m so lucky that I’m in the position where I do it full time. I would definitely recommend it if you are creative, if you are driven, if you work really, really hard and if you’ll essentially make it your life.”