Instagram- The most valuable photo company sells no cameras!
Instagram addicts will know the hypnotic effect it has over its users. The vivid and breathtakingly stunning pictures you see on this social media platform are mesmerising, no doubt, but they also tell a story. A reason why you can, and should, use it to boost your blog posts.
I created an Instagram account to share my art work with other artists and was left dumbstruck at the art I saw on display.
Sharing pictures from my personal album was the next step. Back when I got onto the Instagram bandwagon, it was all new and I felt like Alice in Wonderland. But, slowly and steadily, I learnt about the kind of pictures one could upload, the filters that enhanced your pictures, and yes, the hashtags.
I remember there was a time I had no idea what a “tag” was, or what being tagged meant! Ah, but let me save that story for some other time.
On Instagram, you add hashtags to your pictures (as you all know by now) to boost your work. Adding 30 hashtags to your posts on Instagram is a done thing. But, I find that number too big. I prefer 6-7, or at times, 10-12 hashtags to promote my post.
Since some time now, and after watching my blogging idol Shailaja Vishwanath, I have begun using Instagram to share my blog posts, too. Yes, that woman is a pro at blogging strategies and social media and knows well how to use which social media platform for promoting blog posts. So, do follow her. She is a storehouse of knowledge, and has a large heart, too!
Using Instagram to boost posts helps. As also sharing pictures on an everyday basis so as to keep your followers clued in to your world.
A word of caution here. Do not let the number of Likes affect your peace of mind.
A few tips for newbie Instagram users:
Change your Instagram profile settings to ‘Public’. Your posts will receive that much more audience. Unless, of course, you want to keep it private.
Add your picture and your bio to your profile. You may use hashtags to inform who you are, or what your likes/passions are. For e.g. #food, #art, #books, #dogs….
Share a picture everyday. Experts recommend sharing two to three pictures on a daily basis, but then, you run the risk of getting addicted to Instagram and also to your phone!
Add a brief description of the picture, although, on Instagram, your pictures should be able to tell the story. Keep the description short, else you could as well share it as a blog post!
Promote your posts with images created specially for Instagram. Install the Canva app on your android phones. It makes it easy to create the perfect image and share it on any social media platform of your choice.
Do remember to add the link to your posts, or a direct link to your blog in your bio. That helps generate traffic for your blog!
So, happy clicking!
Love,
SHILPA…
My theme for the A to Z Blogging Challenge is all about my blog, Metanoia, and my blogging journey from the time I started, 5 years ago. The lessons I learnt, the tips and tricks I picked up from fellow bloggers and the guidelines I could have used back when I began.
You will find all of my A to Z posts here.
Useful information for a newbie like me:)
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🙂 I am glad you find it helpful!
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I never used instagram to promote my posts. Maybe I should start doing it.
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You could give it a try, Balaka 🙂
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Somehow I can’t share my posts on Instagram through my iPhone…… Perhaps I’ll chew your brains for this one after the A to Z challenge
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Haha… You are always welcome to chew my brains, Sunita! 😅❤❤
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I have seen photos on Instagram but I dont have an account. Maybe I should consider using this platform using your guidelines! 🙂
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You ought to give it a try, Archana. Instagram can be addictive, no doubt, but at can also help you promote your blog, visit other bloggers and help you learn about how we can share our pictures and posts.
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Great tips here, Shilpa. While I use Instagram on a daily basis for my personal use, I’ve never tried much to promote my blog posts except for once or twice.
Maybe I need to get back to it now. Thanks, Shilpa.
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Thank you, Soumya! I am sure using Instagram to boost out posts will help us in some way. 🙂
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I am not sure if this info useful, but you can also switch to business profile on Instagram.
https://later.com/blog/instagram-business-profile/
Not that one has to. But you can play with it 🙂
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I will definitely try it out, Dhanashree. Thanks so much! ❤
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I’ve done this. The advantage is, if you have a Facebook Page, it lets to share your Instagram posts on the Facebook Page as well.
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Just visited the link and it does look promising.
Thanks, Dhanashree!
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Glad to know 🙂
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I had an Instagram profile with loads of followers. I used to post pics from our family trips. But I deleted my profile a year back for want of privacy. Same with my personal FB profile. Too much intrusion in personal space, I feel. I haven’t tried instagram for my blog. Not sure how it will too given my preference of genre. But it does seem to work wonders for loads of people. Heck it made Rupi Kaur.
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I too am not sure about how Instagram will work for fiction writers, but, you never know! 🙂
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I need to work on my Instagram game… I have not yet mastered getting decent traffic from there for my blog
Godyears.net
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Neither have I, Roshan. Mine is also a work in progress! This post is for those who might be in the position I was in when I started – a complete newcomer! 🙂
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I am late bloomer on Instagram. Started a few months ago with daily FMS posts and started blog promotion only this April. Let’s see how it works for the blog, but I love Instagram of all the social media platforms. I am in awe of the beautiful pictures that people share.
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Me, too, Shilpa! This year, the FMS photo a day challenge taught me a lot, as is sharing posts via images from the blog. Although I know I am not supposed to be obsessed with the numbers, I wish I had more followers..and more Likes! Hehehehe!
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I like posting images and my art on Instagram, but at times I have not used it to promote my posts. I think with the amount of followers count that is growing by the day, I must use it as well. Some really useful tips, Shilpa.
https://www.rohankachalia.com/2018/04/im-the-one-day-9-a-to-z-challenge/
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These are real cool tips for all instagrammers. I remember being at post when I joined it. If you’re blog would have been live then,I would have got lot of help. But still many would benefit from it surely. Do read my post for I here https://saba-relishingrascal-scribbles.com/2018/04/09/italy-the-incredible-panorama-of-culture-and-beauty/amp/#click=https://t.co/8HkYM07MIU
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I wish I was more insta savy. Just don’t find the time between blogging sharing on other social media platforms to get on to insta regularly. Though I know it’s a great platform to boost ones posts.
Maybe your post will inspire me now Shilpa. 😊
Natasha
natashamusing
April Anecdotes
Intimacy</a
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Love Instagram, but mainly to share photos. I am not yet convinced I should use it as a blog-sharing platform, except for an occasional one. Sigh. Addictive certainly. Especially the travel accounts.
Good tips for those interested in using Instagram as a blog-sharing platform.
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I had the same feeling when I started with instagram (almost still do) This is quite helpful post. I still find it very hard to keep posting regularly, even weekly. May be after az, I will try getting traffic from instagram! Best wishes.
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I have always used Instagram to boost my posts, but of late I have started using stories too, and in my case they do equally well. So I kind of alternate between sharing my posts on the feed or as stories. But girl can they be addictive!
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Informative post 👍
Thanks for sharing 🙂
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Thank you!
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I have very recently begun to use instagram, but am yet to explore its potential in increasing traffic to my blog. But your post is really helpful and will bookmark it fir future reference.
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An interesting post and i learnt some tips that were new to me. My biggest problem is time – to manage so many social media posts.
https://lonelycanopyblog.wordpress.com/2018/04/09/idling-at-jawahar-kala-kendra/
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True Seema.
And I have realised – rather I am realising – that giving too much attention to social media can ruin your peace of mind! I love spending time at Instagram. ..i was quite addicted to it.. But I am glad I got control over myself. Sharing twice a day and then switching off is the best thing to do…
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and spending time at Metanoia!
I am honoured! 🙏
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