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5 Tips for Improving Your Instagram

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I was on Instagram a while before I finally started to get it. I knew the main principles – the uploading of pictures, the following – but I didn’t get the little parts that made Instagram so enjoyable. I thought I’d share some of my top Instagram tips today, so hopefully you can make the most of Instagram too!

Tip #1: Work out a schedule

Instagram is like a cross between a blog and Twitter. You have the instantaneousness of Twitter, but you also need to plan like you would with a blog. I try to post at least once a day, usually in the morning so that people have all day to then be able to find the picture.

Tip #2: Network

A golden rule for social media sites is to network as much as possible. You can do this by following people and liking their pictures, commenting on other pictures or replying to comments left on your pictures.

Tip #3: Cross post

I use the IFTTT app to upload my pictures straight to Twitter as soon as they go live on Instagram. Rather than people having to click on a link to see the picture, it shows directly on Twitter, but also gives a link that people can click on so if they like what they see, they can look at all of your other Instagram pictures!

Tip #4: HASHTAGS!

Hashtags are a major part of Instagram, maybe even more so than Twitter. I always write my hashtags into the comments section of my picture, rather than writing them onto the main message. This way they doesn’t distract people from the actual image. Look out for hashtags related to the thing you’re posting about. For example, for my bookish photos I always use #bookstagram and #booktube.

Tip #5: Try to produce the best picture possible

You don’t need an amazing camera to produce brilliant quality Instagram photos (I just use my iPhone, with occasional blog photos thrown in!), or a fancy editing app. Experiment with framing, adjust the brightness and contrast settings on Instagram’s editing features, and work out how you want your photos to appear. Just keep trying!

You can follow me on Instagram here.

Do you use Instagram? What tips would you give to someone needing advice?

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4 Comments

  • Reply
    Hollie
    19 May, 2015 at 7:33 pm

    I love love love Instagram but I am terrible at actually using it properly! I’m constantly downloading apps for editing my photos, I really like using VSCO but I’ve recently discovered Studio and I’m dabbling in using that too. So far, so good!
    Hollie recently posted…Top Ten Series I Want to Binge Read SoonMy Profile

  • Reply
    Lu Hersey
    20 May, 2015 at 7:04 am

    Hi Lucy – is it possible to load an image to instagram that you’ve found on pinterest or somewhere else on the web – or is it only possible to upload photos you’ve taken yourself? Can’t seem to work out a way of doing it…but that could be a mix of impatience and idiocy on my part! 🙂

  • Reply
    Arya D.@AryaTheFangirl
    21 May, 2015 at 12:36 am

    I don’t have a Instagram yet my brick of a phone is not compatible 😛 I’ve been thinking about starting one soon(when I get a new phone) and this post is really helpful for when I start trying to figure out intagram. Thanks!
    Arya D.@AryaTheFangirl recently posted…Waiting on Wednsday- Scarlett Undercover by Jennifer LathamMy Profile

  • Reply
    alexandra @ twirlingpages
    13 September, 2015 at 6:54 am

    i’m an avid instagrammer as well and these tips are so true and wonderful! i don’t think enough people understand the importance of scheduling and networking when giving instagram tips and usually focus on having quality content. true, it is important to have quality content, but these other tips are just as worthwhile. LOVE THIS!!

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