INSTAGRAM PHOTO STORY TIPS

• When was the photo taken?
• What were you doing during the picture? After? Before?
• What did the object taste or feel like?
• Does it remind you of something that other people can relate to? Elaborate on that idea [just a little bit].

1. I started networking within Instagram itself through the use of popular hashtags. Last week some companies + magazines have found me this way!

2. Provide a little narrative background for pictures.  I’m not suggesting you write an entire blog post but use thoughtful words to further your connection with viewers and tell the story behind the image.

3. It’s a great way to make an announcement.  Think business cards, work specials, new blog posts, upcoming events, important dates, cool behind-the-scenes stuff, product reviews.

4. Get out there and start a conversation.  I click on every user who likes my photos.  Follow them back if you can, and stay active in their feed through likes and comments.

5. Lump your social media tasks with Gramblr, an application that lets you upload photos to Instagram from your desktop.

6. You can add your feed to Hootsuite and save time catching up with everyone’s photos.

7. Cross-promote. Post your instagram photo on Facebook or Twitter with a catchy phrase to entice readers to click over.

8. The key to getting your following off the ground is engaging with the people who already follow you.  The more your are out there in the Instagram-sphere the more likely new followers will run into you and click over. Especially if your comment provides extra value to the original photo. Tag your photos with related keywords. My personal approach to Instagram is to provide unique information that is mostly exclusive to Instagram itself.  As you can see I have a live feed on my sidebar that offers my regular readers a preview of things they have not seen.

If you want to drive traffic to your blog from Instagram remind your viewers that there is a link in your profile [write in those words “link in profile” within the description] and only show the first or last step of the project.  Think of the photos as an appetizer to your main course ( the blog post).  I honestly don’t receive tons of direct traffic from Instagram itself.  (Keep in mind—people might be manually typing the URL address in.) However it’s a fabulous platform to bring awareness to your brand.  There’s something very powerful about constantly reminding people you’re there, and making great content as well!

9.  If you’re posting a “preview” of a blog post you can always add a comment later on, letting your followers know that its #OnTheBlog.

10. Be consistent and persistent.  Don’t worry about it too much.  It’s not the health of your children or the engine of your car.  It’s just Instagram. My best advice when you’re feeling down about your growth is to keep your head down and work. You’ll see results over time!

11. Use Padgram to add hashtags to your post.  You’ll want to use this convenient app because it suggests hashtags as you’re typing.  I found #instafood and #thatsDarling this way!