I sound like a broken record when I talk about Instagram. "I hate the algorithm", "Bring back chronological order", "Nobody is seeing my posts", "Engagement is shit"...
I think it's definitely more frustrating for those who use Instagram as their primary income. That's why I choose to pin all my attention towards my blog. The images I use here belong to me, myself and I. I always feel I take better photos for my blog than for my Insta account. As my blog is my own piece of the Internet, I feel more responsible and obligatory (in a good way) to put my best content on my blog.
Anyway, back to Instagram. Rather than fussing, faffing and flapping over posting daily content on Instagram, I have decided to make Instagram work for me rather than Instagram itself. The algorithm is more challenging to solve than the Da Vinci Code, so I'm not going to attempt to crack the algorithm code. I need and want to make Instagram work for me.
After a little bit of Instagram-style soul searching, here are the ways how I'm going to make Instagram work for me:
1) Post whenever I want
Ok, I'll admit, I do try and post according to when my followers are most active. But I don't do that every day. Life admin, Creon swallowing and binge-watching something on Netflix gets in the way of that sometimes. It's made my daily Instagram experience (I can't think of another word for it) so much simpler and, in a way, healthier.
2) Keep it real
I'm all for keeping it real guys. I'd rather post a photo where I can see my not-so-flat tummy, thick thighs and just general real life than making my Instagram profile a highlight reel. My captions are often sarcastic, feisty and blunt. And I'm ok with that! I know that I have Stories to show the real me and show what my life is really like, but I like to incorporate that into my profile grid too. Regarding who I follow on Instagram, I like following people who share candid and natural photos. I don't mind the really creative photos mind, I do enjoy seeing those kinds of photos on my feed, but I do slightly prefer the naturalness of images.
3) Posting fewer photos works for me
I feel less pressure on myself to post on Instagram these days. I think it's for a variety of reasons. I think the main reasons are 1) I haven't got the time. 2) Engagement is so shit, so what's the point? and 3) It's my Instagram so I will do as I please!
I remember when I first got Instagram, I used to post daily, sometimes even twice a day. I felt like I needed to in order to keep up with everyone else. Then the pressure got too much and eventually, I announced to my Instagram followers (why I did I don't know) that I would be posting less during the week. I think I posted every day during the lockdowns purely because of boredom, then once life started to go back to some normality, I couldn't keep on top of it. So, as I said, posting fewer photos works for me. Ok, I know it won't help my engagement, but still, I'm helping myself.
4) I'm supporting the content creators I love
I love being able to like, comment, share and save my favourite content creators' posts. It's so important to support your favourite accounts, no matter how big or small the account is. Everyone needs a little support, even on social media, and if there's any way I can help a little, I will. I'm someone who doesn't expect it in return, I just like being able to support and cheer on others online.
I'd love to know what you guys think of my way of making Instagram work for me. I am going about Instagram in an easygoing kind of way. Is that how you go about Instagram? Or do you like schedule your posts? Let me know!
Totally agree with all of these! However frustrating it is that Instagram seems so rubbish these days it is refreshing to be able to post whatever I want when I want and definitely not every day like I used to!
ReplyDeleteAmy x
callmeamy.co.uk
I so much prefer posting as and when I feel like it rather than stick to a schedule of posting daily! x
DeleteThis is how I've been using Instagram too! I have definitely felt the pressure to be more active on Instagram, but with the algorithm changing and engagement fluctuating, I now just post whenever I want and I don't put pressure on myself to schedule posts.
ReplyDeleteI like that you have stopped pressuring yourself into posting on Instagram and have a more easy going approach to it!
DeleteInstagram is so frustrating! But like you I have decided to just work on Instagram when I want to etc. thank you for sharing your tips to how you are making Instagram work for you.
ReplyDeleteLauren
It can be such a frustrating app can't it?! I'm glad you just work on your Instagram when it suits you! x
DeleteInstagram’s algorithms drive me crazy too. When of things I’ve learned is to use the social media schedulers to post for me. I prepare my blog post, instagram and twitter posts all at once at let automation do the work.
ReplyDeleteI like that you're so organised, I can't use social media schedulers, I can't think that far in advance!
DeleteI've definitely struggled with Instagram before. I totally agree with posting less and trying not to pay attention to likes/follows and overall engagement.
ReplyDeleteIt's better not to focus on engagement and likes etc, it just makes you annoyed!
DeleteI find bulk taking photos works for me as then I can upload as and when, without pressure x
ReplyDeleteThat's good that you take bulk photos at once, I need to start doing that! x
DeleteI’ve definitely given up with instagram a bit. I’m not really keen on Reels, I prefer photos but obviously they don’t get as much engagement which is annoying when you spend time taking and editing them. However I have noticed that if I post less (like once or twice a week on my grid), I seem to get a little bit more engagement. The same goes for my insta stories too. So weird! I wish I could say I’ve been concentrating on my blog more but I’ve been slacking with that this past month or so too but that’s mostly due to ill health so I’m not gonna beat myself up about it x
ReplyDeleteastoldbykirsty.co.uk
Like you, I prefer photos too. I don't mind reels, but I struggle to find the time to make them! It's so weird because I've noticed that too, it's so bizarre! I hope you are feeling better lovely, sending you lots of love! x
DeleteI'm exactly the same as you! I'll be honest, I out very little effort into my Instagram now. Everything goes into my blog, because like you say, it's mine. I hate how we feel like we've got to play by Instagram's rules. Posting what I want, when I want has been so beneficial. It's actually made me enjoy using the app so much more - Even though I use it less now.
ReplyDeleteClaire. X
I agree Claire, I hate how we as users have to conform to Instagram's rules and algorithms! Posting as and when I want has allowed me to enjoy the app more also x
DeleteThank you for sharing your own experience and tips! I agree that Instagram algorithm is harder to solve than the Da Vinci Code!
ReplyDeleteIt really is difficult to solve Sandra!
DeleteI loved reading this post and could definitely relate to prioritising my blog over IG.. especially cause it's been so hard to keep up with the IG algorithm. Like you, I've decided to also focus on posting with less pressure.. I don't even have a cohesive feed anymore. I'm definitely just trying to have more fun on Instagram nowadays!! :)
ReplyDeleteI like that you have decided to focus on putting less pressure on yourself to post on Instagram Izzy, that's such a healthy approach to things!
DeleteI follow a few accounts that are suffering financially because of the algorithm, as it was their primary source of income.
ReplyDeleteI have an Instagram associated with my blog, but there is no rhyme or reason for when I post and what I post. There is a general structure, but I post things that make me happy.
It is lovely that you have found a process that works for you! I love your mindset about supporting creators you love as well. 👏 I like your process and feel like I have a similar mindset; although I do like creating reels, even if they don't have much traction, I like how fun the process is.
Thank you for sharing. 😊
I love that you post photos that make you happy lovely, that's a lovely way to utilise Instagram! x
DeleteI love this! I think we can all get into a rut when it comes to content and Instagram. It’s incredibly frustrating when a post you’ve worked so hard on, doesn’t get the engagement you’d hope BUT that shouldn’t stop us from posting. I’ve learnt to post what I want, when I want and that’s really helped me reignite my love for Instagram. I love supporting other creators too! Thank you so much for sharing this lovely, I think many will benefit from reading this post Xo
ReplyDeleteElle - ellegracedeveson.com
It is very frustrating when you work hard on content but then engagement doesn't return the favour! I'm glad you have learned to post when you want and what you want, that's the best way to use Instagram! x
DeleteI have such a love and hate relationship with Instagram. I've started posting more photos rather than videos as it was getting too much hard work!
ReplyDeleteCorinne x
https://skinnedcartree.com
Video content is so time consuming to make and that's why I prefer to posting photos too Corinne x
DeleteI tried at one point in time to make my Instagram curated and had four other accounts but when I saw that engagement was still poor I scrapped the other accounts and just have my one account that I use as a sort of public personal account of my photography and have completely forgone engagement and commenting because I feel like no matter how many photos and reels I like it’s not going to matter. It’s also good for me because I no longer have to delete half the photos in my feed because they aren’t doing well and people get to see the authentic me instead of some fake version.
ReplyDeleteI don't blame you for scrapping the other accounts if they weren't giving you much engagement. Instagram is so hit and miss with engagement at the moment!
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