Instagram is the most popular multifunctional resource today. At first, it was a kind of memoir, since it was used solely to publish personal photos when personal blogs had not yet gained popularity. Today, however, social networking policies have changed and users have the opportunity to promote their activities, products or services. When we see attractive content on Instagram, we are often interested in those who did it. Now people in the new profession – SMMNIKI – are engaged in social networking. Oleksandra Pokropivna is focused on creating interesting content. At 19, she has a large number of followers on a private Instagram page – over 7,000. Many think it’s very simple, but it’s not quite true. Zhytomyr.Travel asked her about everyday life and dreams at SMMN

«It started from this place, where we are now. I was 17 years old, here I met a guy who worked as an administrator, so I spent a lot of time here. And when I was offered to be an art director one day, I was not surprised. The content of my activity included content manager work – I had to keep an Instagram page of the institution. To be honest, I had to learn everything by myself, from scratch, because at that moment I didn’t even know what SMM was»

«I like to talk to people. It is very easy for me to find a common language with others. Probably, my communication skills were noticed and that is why I was offered to do this work»

«In addition to Instagram, we also organized various events where communication was an integral part: we had to meet people, talk to them. It was necessary for everyone to say «hello» and «good evening»,to pay everyone’s attention. I was the face of the place – friendly and attractive, so people wanted to come back to us»

«I do not think that I will do this all my life, I do not even want it to happen. Of course, what I do now has given me a lot of experience, contacts and knowledge, but I do not want to associate life with this and have a main job as a main job»

«I really like modeling, traveling – I can’t stay long for one place»

«One day in the future I would like to be a restaurateur. I really like restaurant establishments, I have seen the work of others – the disadvantages I would work on, the advantages that I would like to increase»

«I will not say that this job takes me a long time… I have not a very good trait – I am sometimes lazy, so I think that if I were to allocate time correctly, I would have had a lot more time»

«I am very picky about myself and often look for flaws in my work. That is, I may like the look of a particular photo or post, but I may not like the way it looks when combined with other posts. I often think I could do something better and better – then I go to the extremes. Work does not interfere with relationships. On the contrary, we are constantly helping each other. My boyfriend knows better how to take a photo, helps me with this. Often I get involved in my projects, but it is easier to work in pairs. It is easier for customers when a team is more trusted with the project»

«Dad didn’t understand what I was doing, but he liked it. He is just such a person – he needs time to get used to the new. And my mother always supports me in everything. She always thought that I was only doing what I wanted and needed, so she never objected. Although my parents do not consider my work serious»(Laughs)

«I always wanted to be a blogger, especially a video blogger, because I loved watching YouTube. I liked a different way of life …»

«One day a girl wrote me who wanted to order me advertising. She asked how much it cost. I didn’t even know what to answer. She said I would not take the money, but we agreed on a barter. It was an advertisement for a cosmetic procedure. Then many readers paid attention to my post, and at that moment I realized that I was interested in people. I realized that I could cover some events, tell about something new and fascinating. SMMniks are working to create exciting content, encourage people to buy a product or service for themselves. This is an understanding of the needs of the audience, the work of creating photos, text, the ability to properly represent the brand. You need to know who to work with. The question is, when to consider yourself a professional? Then, when each of your actions has some meaning. You can’t do something just like that- every action has to give something»

«I was not taken seriously, and I think this is my biggest problem at work. Most people think that age determines knowledge and professionalism, which is not true»

«Many people think that Instagram work is focused only on Instagram itself. Not quite right. It is necessary to take a photo, process it, write the text, and only then it is all published on the net. For me, the Internet is addictive as long as I have access to it» (Laughs)

«In work and in life, I don’t like being perceived as a little girl. It may be because of appearance or age, but I am not immediately treated like an adult, though I am trying to be serious. I have had cases where people have worked with me and said that they do not understand what I am doing at all … There was a feeling of a person being used, even though my part of the work was well done»

«If you are just starting something, even if you just lead Instagram, search for free resources, especially since today there is a wealth of information on how you can spin an idea without investing much without money. Work with people, do something interesting, and your audience will find you»

«We need to look for our own business, and, no matter what, work hard. Constantly someone will criticize, the main goal. Even if you do not believe or are not taken seriously, you must prove that you are strong won’t give up and go to your aim»