Zahra Lyla’s guide to Humanising your Instagram

Zahra Lyla is the social media starlet; you NEED to add to your follow list in 2021. When it comes to all things fashion and lifestyle across the Gulf, Zahra has been a mainstay for many years, after finding success with her first blog in 2009.

Zahra was born and raised in Dubai and was not your typical fashion girl growing up. She had two brothers who were extremely academic and this veered her towards Computer Science. 

Zahra has had a truly impressive fashion career, as well as obtaining a coveted Master’s Degree in New Media Products from London College of Fashion.  It was in the English capital, where she worked with the likes of Harper’s Bazaar UK, The Sunday Times Style and assisting top stylists such as Mel Ottenberg, photographers Sean and Seng and model Joan Smalls. Then, Zahra was given a life-changing opportunity in 2016 to help with the roll-out of Vogue Arabia, the Holy Grail for all those in the fashion world.

Her fame and profile across the Gulf has grown from strength to strength and she has amassed a staggering 100,000 followers on Instagram alone. With social media usage growing and active users on course to hit 3.5 Billion by 2022, influencers like Zahra really know how to use this platform. Here are some of Zahra’s key tips to really master your content.

• Create content with personality – Zahra works with some of the finest brands worldwide who trust her to represent them. However, it is a two way street- as Zahra implicitly only works with brands she is passionate about and wants to advocate. (We in particular love Zahra’s collaboration with Monica Vinader)
• Be honest and be a storyteller – There is no better way to humanize your brand than by telling stories. Don’t just share stories that promote products or services that your business offers. You can also share motivational or inspiring stories to boost audience morale. Adding a human element to your stories can help you gain a larger audience. Zahra is very open and warm on her social media and her content is well thought through
• Interact as a human, not a corporation- Zahra’s agency “The Other Agency AE” (@TheOtherAgencyAE) works with a host of boutique clients across the Gulf. She is very proud to be open and honest with them when strategizing their content. “Users want to know the personality of a business (…) give them insight into the businesses daily life and office space (…) people do not warm to content which is lacking in personality”

Zahra’s insights are gold dust to any individual or brand who are looking to improve the quality of their Instagram content.  With her global influences and ability to master trends in the fashion world, Zahra Lyla is one to watch for 2021.