There has been so much buzz about Instagram lately.   IG is really ‘all the rage’ right now for businesses, especially since Facebook has made it extremely difficult for us.   What seems to be the most common debate is that now people are “cleaning up” their IG feeds….making it more branded, and more professional.    Some are boycotting this, saying Instagram is their place to be candid, natural, and embrace the cell phone pics.

I did recently invest in an IG class recently by the awesome Hilary Rushford, owner of Dean Street Society.   I will say it was pretty darn helpful.  Plus she’s smart and funny, totally my kinda business gal.   It did change my perspective of my Instagram and has helped me almost double my followers.

So while I sit back and watch, or partake in these conversations about IG….  I have come up with my own opinions.    Take it or leave it because I’m not sure if my 731 followers makes me any kinda credible…. but these are just my opinions……I have booked clients from IG if that makes me a cool kid…?

1. Instagram is fun!   Use it for that.  Don’t let the pressure of business/branding take away the real purpose.
2. Like ANY social media platform…. If you don’t participate, you won’t get much in return.   the key word being SOCIAL.   I know plenty of people who just have an account to watch other people…. thats fine, but it will not grow your business, reputation, or networking opportunities.
3. I will say that feeds that have a consistent size image (all square, all horizontal, all with a border) immediately look nicer, more pleasing, more professional.   I didn’t believe this until I took the class and realized that your IG profile is just like having a business card.   And mine was a sloppy mess.    So that one easy change, using all square images, made me happier with my business card right away.    See I didn’t even realize it mattered……because duh people only see your images one at the time….but I was not considering every time someone clicked on my profile what they were seeing.   It just didn’t even register in my mind.   Thanks Hilary!
4. I brand my IG feed because its fun.   I love finding creative ways to use  a pop of green or yellow in my feed….  it stimulates me in a creative way.   I don’t stress about perfection, and I don’t want my feed to look squeaky, white, and clean like everyone else.   I want it to be ME.   Don’t worry about what other people are doing…. just do what is fun for you and represents you and your business.
5. If you are getting spammy followers check your hashtag habits…..  I don’t really get any spam because I only hashtag a few relative things.   Not to mention too many hashtags can look a little coo-coo.   Be purposeful.

At the end of the day, all that matters is what is working for YOU and your business.   If you want more out of your IG than you are getting, then maybe make some changes.   If you are happy with what you got going on then rock it, and who cares what other people are doing.    I have made a few changes that seem to be serving me well, but I wouldn’t say I have become any less authentic on IG. You can still be authentic and candid while being more intentional on the business end of things.

Have a great day and live happy 🙂