The Instagram Way Of Life: Being a blogger I love social media. The getting to know other people bit by bit, the challenge of condensing a coherent thought into 140 characters, the ability to share my latest blog post or learn about the next big idea and hearing headline news, before it makes it to the TV. But my favourite social network of all has to be Instagram, it is my happy place.
Since I joined Instagram a few years ago, I’ve looked at things differently. I’ve found beauty in the ordinary and collected nick-nacks here and there to form a collection of photo styling props which can be used to turn an otherwise plain shot into something spectacular. I’ve concentrated on learning about photo composition and perspective and I’ve got a lot to learn but on the whole my photography has improved.
The past few months have seen me create a new Instagram account for this blog. I needed to separate the blog identity from my own account as part of an overall business strategy – I’m setting out my stall now for the direction I will be taking my blog in the future. This means that I’ve had to be conscious about what I post on each account so that the images are not repeated and followers of both accounts won’t be bored with the content – I mix it up and keep it fresh on each profile.
I like to post a mix of styled shots and ‘what I’m doing now’ reportage but I prefer images to have an aesthetic quality, and that takes a bit of effort sometimes. Considering each shot has given me a real appreciation for when other Instagrammers have posted something beautiful. Just like the awareness you get when you’ve planned your own wedding, you find yourself really drinking in all the details of the next wedding you go to, because you know how hard they worked to create that magic and you appreciate their effort. It’s like that.
A thoughtful Instagram gives you over time, a beautifully curated feed that is a pleasure to scroll through and I find the best way to get ideas is to keep dipping into Instagram, searching hashtags I like to find new Instagrammers to follow and just keep posting regularly myself. Practice makes perfect after all!
Tags for Likes is an app I use to find popular hashtags and I find that spacing out my posts helps generate more likes overall. I’m still building my following on both Instagram accounts and I’m picking up more tips each day. Have a look at my profiles @Businessmum is my longest established feed and @JuggleMumBlog is the newest one for the audience of JuggleMum readers! If you like what you see, please follow. I’d love to welcome you to my Insta world!
Here is my favourite post from @Businessmum in the last month:
Here is my favourite post from @JuggleMumBlog in the last month:
I’m quite a visual person so Instagram caters to that side of me and is an easy way to wind down at the end of the day. I like that a photo can say so much – even without the accompanying caption and in general, Instagram provokes pleasant emotions, unlike other social networks where negative posts from other users can affect mood or just get on my nerves!
What are your feelings about Instagram and do you have any top tips to help me get better? Please share in the comments! (…and don’t forget to follow me! @Businessmum and @JuggleMumBlog)
Instagram is by far my fav social media nowadays, going to pop over and make sure I am following you 🙂
Aww thanks Sonia. I have just followed you back!
This is such an interesting post. We aren’t actually on Instagram as I just couldn’t face another social media account to run, with Facebook, twitter (my favourite) and Pinterest. But I do love photos and wonder if we are missing a trick. I really love that London skyline pic too. Really did enjoy this – made me think, thank you!
Thank you for your thoughtful comment Sarah. I agree it can seem like we are all juggling a lot of social networks, and it can seem a chore but Instagram is one that I really enjoy and I like the ability to try to tell a story in a photo. It makes me look at things differently.
The shot you got over London is brilliant, seeing the Eye, Big Ben all in one is so good.
I’m a big fan of IG. Actually I think it’s my favourite social media platform and I agree it makes you look for the beautiful moments in life x
This has to be one of the most interesting posts I have come across ,thanks for sharing do love instagram.
I’m trying to use Instagram more. Thoughtful use of hashtags seems to get your photos out there.
Big fan of instagram here too
I’m spending more and more time on instagram now, too. There are some incredibly beautiful images on there – it’s fun to browse.
I am not sure I could manage two instagram accounts as I cannot do with the faff of logging on and off again, but good luck xx
Ah- I get around this by being logged in to my @Businessmum account on the iPhone and logged into the @JuggleMumBlog account on the iPad! I always carry both round in my bag anyway so it makes things easier!
I am not sure I can manage two instagram accounts. One is enough for me and it will just have to be a balance of me and the blog.
I love instagram too , it gives me such peace and joy
It is such a happy social network – I love it!
I have to admit that I am instagram obsessed, I am always on mine x
I love Instagram too – I don’t think I could keep up with two accounts on top of my other social media channels though!
I jump in and out of instagram and certainly don’t use it consistently.
I love instagram but find it hard switching between both my accounts and still tend to post most things on BlueBearWood … I need 2 phones 🙂
Switching between accounts would be a hassle.
I really need to try harder with instagram, it clearly has more potential than I realised!
It gives you another way to connect with your readers, and I like that!
I’ve never really got the hang of instagram I seem to go in phases with it I should really try harder. x
I love IG, I like it looking just so and it bugs me when I feel one of my images has jarred with the rest of them. Obsessed I think! LOL
I like some of the competition hash tags like #fridayfaffing, I find they are really good for getting new followers.
I know what you mean about an image that doesn’t sit well with the rest! Thanks for the hashtag, I will check that one out.
I have two Instagram accounts with very different feeds on each. I just wish I didn’t have to log in and out each time to take the photo. I use for’instant’ photos and I’m not keen on images taken on DSLRs and then uploaded later. I don’t find them authentic.
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I love Instagram too – I must have a look at that app as I am pretty hopeless with hashtags.
I love Instagram – missing it so much whilst I don’t have my smartphone!
Oh this is great Nadine, I always find Instagram such a happy place so I enjoy it too. It probably needs a little more love but it always makes me smile 🙂
I love Instagram love photos, spend far to long on there. Great photos x