If you are a Blogger, Aspiring Entrepreneur or Real Estate Agent and DO NOT have Instagram, you're totally missing out! Not only does Instagram have a huge following base, its' beautiful images and simple to use layout make it easy for almost anyone to set up and use. ON another note, if you’ve been ignoring your Instagram, you’re making a HUGE mistake! Luckily though, it's not a hard one to correct.
So, how exactly does one become an Instagram Superstar? Let's get started:
First Impressions
Add a profile picture - Preferably one that is consistent across your social media accounts and blog. Use a picture of you rather than your blog logo if you can, it helps to make a more personal connection with your followers. However, if you are a face behind a logo, ensure that your logo is consistent throughout your other social media platforms.
Craft your Bio - Similar to Twitter, you have a small number of characters to use, so make the most of them and tell your potential followers exactly why they should be following you. Stay away from adding too many emojis and try to list what you represent in point form rather than writing a mini paragraph.
Add in a link to your blog - You should be adding your blog URL wherever you can across your social media channels to make sure that its as easy as possible for your followers to find you, everywhere.
Set Up Your Contact Button - By linking your Facebook page to your Instagram account, you have the ability to turn your Instagram account into a business page. This allows people to easily contact you by phone or email and makes it easy for them to inquire or request services from you.
Build Your Following
Install Everywhere - You should have access to Instagram on every device at your disposal such as your smart phone or your iPad/tablet. By having the ability to access Instagram at anytime, it allows you to be in sync with your following and potential clients.
Follow Follow Follow - Be sure to follow your friends, and their friends, follow other bloggers, follow the people they are following. Follow everyone that interests you. Do not follow to gain followers, but follow to gain knowledge and ideas and to build relationships. The latter will guarantee you a positive social media presence and not one that screams attention.
Cross Promote - Each time you post on Instagram, be sure to also post on your other connected accounts such as Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, etc. When you post on Facebook, let your followers know that they can also follow you on Instagram and tag along on your insta-stories.
Link It Up - Link your instagram profile to your twitter and facebook feeds to maximize your exposure on all three channels.
Make It a Community
Engage Engage Engage - Remember, this is social media, so get out there and be social! Comment on peoples pictures, like them, and respond to people who comment on your pictures.
Contribute to Hashtags - There are a ton of great hashtags floating around Instagram. Feel free to jump on them and add your own contribution. Search hashtags you use often and comment on other pictures that feature them. Don’t be afraid to engage.
Be Consistent - Try to post daily, or a few times a day consistently. The more you put yourself out there, the better your results will be. But don't over post! The one thing that annoys any Instagram user is seeing a whole album of photos on their feed. Instagram recently released a way to post multiple photos on your feed without having to post the photos separately and clog your followers' feed. Take advantage of this if you are a Realtor wanting to showcase a set of photos on your Instagram feed without using the "grid" effect.
The Details
Make sure your photo game is on point - If you don't have a good photo to post or it is a bad quality, do yourself a favour and do not post it. Camera phones these days are amazing, and with a little know how and a lot of practice, you can shoot some fabulous pictures with them.
Have a signature style - but don’t be tied down by it. Play around, see what filters and tools work for you, but don’t be boring. Social media has no room for boring. And don't use a filter on everything - something less is more and the simpler the better :)
Be 3-Dimensional - It may be tempting for a food blogger to post nothing but food, or a mommy blogger to focus on her kids 100% of the time, after all these things are our bread and butter, but there is so much more that makes YOU, so let it shine. Try to post about different things, and don’t forget everyone loves a good selfie every now and then....but not a selfie a day ;)
Have fun - This is the most important tip of all, have fun, and post fun photos.
And of course, don’t forget to follow Real Estate In Stielttos on Instagram!
With Love, Nikki | xo