The Visual Author, short photographic stories by Kara Mia Collier-Ibañez
@diygiftkits/@Caphillbrands
Amazon Product Shots
As the Creative Director for DIY Gift Kits, I am responsible for all Social Platforms
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Communications
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Collaborations
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Design
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Photography
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Flatlays
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Interactive design
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Concept forward; including visual layout & brainstorming
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Copy
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As Creative Director I also establish project budgets, timelines and manage client relationships.
An established Brand Photographer, I work with local companies and individuals, providing a portal of information & images for Social Media, Websites, Commercial & Product Campaigns.
With strong visual and creative direction I guide my clients through the implementation of branding. Setting the artistic standard by conceptualizing ideas to create a strong brand identity.
Shooting for Amazon requires specific specifications. With my design team, No Limit Creative/Asana, I use my photographed product images & input and their stock photos and graphic designs to create the appropriate images for Amazon and Social Channels.
Collaborations
I have established connections with major influencers.
Here is an example of Snailmate, aka Hot Sauce For Blood, we have been cross-promoting together since 2020.
Instagram Influencer
I manage all talent. I found Flory at an Instagram event, over the past year she has created a series of videos and contests for the brand.
Unboxing Images
I create and shoot all of our Flat Lays and Unboxing images and have worked with a professional hand model along side of our products.
Flat Lays
Customer Review Cards, created to look like real text messages. I pull reviews from Amazon and then drop them onto these cards created by NLC and then write a response.
Customer
Interaction
This is now the template that has been uploaded to Canva. Using font Metropolis to keep a cohesive flow.
GRID/IG 2019/2020
Depending on content availability, sometimes the grid has
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6 slides meant content for 6 days in a row. 3 product related slides and 3 "filler" slides which consists of:
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2 product images
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1 person actively using the product
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1 image of the product
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1 #hashtag or quote
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1 review card from a real customer
Grid/IG 2021
As the advertising budget expanded I was able to switch to 1 row of 3 images and post additional times during the week.
COPY
I write/research each post. Included is a "call to action," a reason to buy our product and a fun fact for audience engagement.
HASHTAGS
Hashtags are tricky, you have to be careful not to get shadow banned by IG. Recently I have left some #'s out of posts intentionally or rotated them.
#makeitspecial #bestgiftgiverever #screenfreetime
In the past we have used IG calendars and ended up abandoning them, due to bizarre complications.
STORIES
These are created for a special occasion ie., Holiday, Event, Sponsored Event, Contest or our customers tag us and then their stories are posted.
Avatars - Originally DIYGK's had no brand identity. I created this kit head Avatar which represents all 6 kits for any occasion lending to brand recognition, determining the creative vision for the company. With the help of No Limit Creative, I was able to elevate the product by drawing attention through humor and wit. This series is an example of a collaboration with Anthony Rogers Pod Cast, Best Show in the Universe's interview with the actor who played Zordon in the Power Rangers.
ElderBeary's Bears, the Avatar for Elderberry Syrup Making Kit
Collaborating with Illustrator Roberta Collier-Morales, we offer a downloadable e-book.
Families and kids will have fun using our Supreme Elderberry Syrup Making Kit, why? Families can make their own Gummy Bears!
CLICK FUNNELS - Posting to IG which click funnels into FaceBook, linked to Tumblr, LinkedIn, and Twitter through my Utah team who created the Jozupost click funnel hashtag. Also building our Pinterest page and post daily to Amazon Posts and create VIDEO'S for Amazon Posts & Etsy.
Paid Sponsorships
Each collaborative effort is through an IG D/M or someone I've personally reached out to. A conference call is organized, a template is sent and then compensation is discussed. This is usually where contests and coupon codes come into play and here is where I work together with another department.
REAL PEOPLE
Family, friends and friends of friends will review our products and send me process photos and videos. Some are financially compensated while other's do it just for the product.
Correspondence
I review all IG inquiries, if it's something that my department does not handle it's forwarded to Customer Service. I manage customer feedback on FB, then respond to them accordingly.
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Advertising
This is where things get cool! Pairing up with people who have different interests (in terms of DIYGK varieties) means advertising platforms are diverse. I have made a concentrated effort to incorporate all races, genders and sexual orientation into this area. Here is a short list of relationships I've fostered since 2019;
PTA - Children's schools, STEM projects, Bath Bomb Making Kits
Amazon Influencers - All kits advertised under their favorite things, encouraging viewers to buy.
IG Influencers - All kits advertised
Natalie and Tara - YouTube, winners of best podcast reviews 2020
Anthony Rogers Pod Cast - YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts. Audible, Gaana, Deezer, iHeartRadio, PlayerFM, Radio.com, RadioPublic, Audacy.
Plainfield Horse Riding Club - NorthEast and Mid-Atlantic Regions, IG, FB, Events.
Fellowship of the Grill - A community for all grilling lovers & foodies around the world, garnering up to 500+ likes daily during Cook-Off to Summer contest.
PNW Heirloom Seeds - Unboxing product videos, Getting Seedy with PNW Heirloom Seed's Amazon Live Page.
Chucks Flavor Train - Roughly 100k followers, collaborations with his company Gustusvitae Salt Rubs.
BeCreation - Musician creating TikTok videos
SnailMate/Hot Sauce for Blood - Musicians, currently won "best hot sauce by local brand."
Tasting the heat - Serious blog writer (I have partnered with many Hot Sauce bloggers over the past few years.)
Real people - Share their affection for our product with others.
Analytics
Provided is the only information I have access too. Our IG stats, which disappear after a week and our Amazon Posts chart shows up to 90 days worth of stats. There is a steady uptick in viewership.
Amazon Posts
LINKTREE
Every kit is connected to Amazon.