This week, Her Campus had the opportunity to meet with Remy Harnick to discuss her position as the Social Media Manager for the Michigan Fashion Media Summit, also known as MFMS. The MFMS is an event that is taking place for the very first time at the University of Michigan this April and aims to create job opportunities for the diverse array of students and improve relations between successful fashion brands and the U of M. Starting her position in the midst of November, Remy went straight to business and began tending to her fundamental duties as the social media manager, mainly focusing on building the MFMS brand through social media outlets, ultimately mounting ticket sales. Remy is from is from Roslyn, New York and is majoring in Communications.
Her Campus: Remy, what does your job essentially entail?
RH: Basically I’m in charge of all social media platforms for the MFMS. So it includes Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook mostly. For each platform I design a post, caption, or I interact with other fashion outlets. I try to do my best to find interesting articles to “Retweet” on Twitter, or share any information about the MFMS on Facebook. I would say Instagram is our biggest priority because it’s something that everyone checks most often and it’s easy to gain a large following. Our goal is to have a really good Instagram “flow” that embodies what the MFMS is all about: fashion, trends, edge, and all things black & white.
HC: What cultivated your interest in social media?
RH: I think I’ve always been interested in social media because I think that it’s cool (and also concerning) how people can completely reinvent themselves through social media. I’m also interested in the implications of social media and the ways in which it’s changing our society, whether positively or negatively. I think the way in which we have completely changed communication is super important to look at and how social media has had a huge impact not that. I also just really enjoy art and all things aesthetically pleasing, so I enjoy messing around on Instagram.
HC: What is the hardest thing about your job?
RH: The hardest part of my job is probably finding which picture to post next on the Instagram in order to make the page look put together and nice. I wouldn’t even consider this hard, though, because I have fun doing it!
HC: What is your favorite thing about the MFMS organization?
RH: My favorite thing about the MFMS organization is how it is giving people a new outlet to express their passions, as well as creating opportunities for so many people to network with fashion industry professionals at the actual event. It is a field that has been so untouched here at Michigan, so I think the MFMS will have a huge impact on opening up the scope of jobs we can get.
HC: Do you think that social media can be seen as more beneficial than it is harmful within society based on your position at MFMS?
RH: I think this is a really hard question! In terms of the MFMS, social media is really beneficial. We are just starting, and social media is the best tool for increasing exposure and letting people know what we’re all about. It is allowing us to help others connect to industry professionals and gain more experience. I do, however, think there are a lot of harmful effects of social media in general. Our society is so consumed by social media and technology that I think we have really lost touch with humanity and nature. I think it’s really important to live in the moment, and earlier this year I began to feel that I wasn’t doing this. I’ve really been focusing on taking a step back and being more in touch with reality rather than virtual reality. When I’m not posting, I try to limit my time on social media.
HC: Do you have any tips for people who are hoping to improve their social media skills?
RH: I believe that it’s really important to have your own voice in your social media. There are tons of people in the social media industry and it’s easy to try to copy what others are doing, but no one wants to follow a follower (ha). I think that being real and unique on social media is key to being successful on it.