While the popularity of the internet has undeniably made shopping all that more attainable for the modern consumer, a new digital marketplace has begun to take the world by storm: social media. Considering platforms like Instagram’s 1-billion-person user base, purchasing merchandise and accessories has become as simple as tapping a screen for consumers, while brands benefit from their massive built-in audience. One key leader in utilizing this burgeoning retail space is entrepreneur Jonathan Chesner, who’s brought his sought-after online luxury store, Amuze, to the Instagram marketplace with great success.
Having established Amuze in 2009, Chesner has long had skin in the online retail game, generating major buzz for hosting in-the-know flash sales with products from in-demand brands like Balenciaga and Saint Laurent. As an early adopter of Instagram, naysayers to the platform’s potential found Chesner’s dedication to the application to be “crazy,” though fortunately, Chesner’s gut-instinct to blend his professional and personal life on Instagram ultimately paid off.
“Everyone is constantly watching their stories,” explains Chesner. “So, because I have a product that many people are interested in, at a very competitive price point, combined with the fact that I mix my content and add pictures of me and my family if we are on a trip or if we’re hanging out, the client feels like they know me and they can trust me.”
Chesner and Amuze’s social media achievements have only been bolstered by his use of the giveaway model – just not in the popular loop format detested by casual social media users. Instead, Chesner keeps his potential prize pool closed to his followers, inspiring loyalty and likewise amplifying his audience by word of mouth and giving them the unique opportunity to win lusted-after items like Chanel’s Classic Flap Bag.
“I look forward to figuring out fun ways to conduct these giveaways and to grow our engagement and following,” said Chesner. “People definitely connect with them and we love doing them.”
As Instagram continues to steadily increase its user base year after year, Chesner and Amuze’s success is only set to grow in tandem, as it’s 172,000-strong following base keep a keen eye peeled for the latest and greatest of Chesner’s luxury finds and giveaways.
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