Instagram is a social sharing network mobile app, that you load onto your smart phone for sharing photos and tidbits about your day. It started in 2010, was bought by Facebook in 2012, and has more users than Facebook and Twitter. Insta (instant) Gram (telegram) is an easy way to share photos that you can enhance with built-in filters and simple edits. You can share photos and video real time and add fun stickers with details like location, temperature, time, day and mood. You follow friends and people who align with your interests. People can follow you back and make comments about your photos. They find you with hash tags #.
Even if you don’t understand or wish to use Instagram at least set up an account with your branding name to reserve the name for when you decide to join the fun. My company name is EileenDreams and I missed out on Twitter and got EileenDreamsD – pretty lame. While you are at it, do the same for SnapChat etc if you plan to expand with Social Media….
The easiest way to use Instagram is to use it how it was originally meant to be used:
- Take a photo,
- Post it,
- Add a relevant comment and a couple hashtags.
To Get Started:
- Download the Instagram app on your smartphone and sign up for an Instagram account.
- Add your profile photo and information. If you are better with a keyboard than a smart phone you can fill in your bio, profile, links, and upload your profile photo on your computer at Instagram.com
- Link your new Instagram account to Facebook, Twitter and all your social media platforms and invite your friends to follow you.
There are enough features to edit photos within Instagram itself. There are photo editing tools, filters, tools to level out your horizons, and there is even a rule of thirds grid. Instagram is known for their filters so have fun experimenting with them.
Insanely Simple Photo Editing Sites To Create Memes if you don’t like making your own graphics and are just starting out. (Only use this if you really have to because it screams newbie.)
- http://www.canva.com/
- http://www.picmonkey.com/
I only ever use my own photos and I find great pleasure in taking my own photos. (To each his own.)
If you need photos, try these free sites:
- https://unsplash.com/
- http://deathtothestockphoto.com/
- https://picjumbo.com/
- https://www.morguefile.com/
My 2 favourite graphics sites for images and fonts are:
- www.Creativemarket.com
- www.inkydeals.com/
Take it up a Notch
First, decide what your goal for this Instagram account is and then have a vision of what you want it to look like. Always remember your own personality, voice, and look. While you should stay true to the look and feel of your brand, some Instagram accounts stay so rigid to their brand that they have become boring. When I started I just wanted to learn how to do it and jumped right in. If you post photos that are not in line with your branding image you can always delete them later while you are still learning. Authenticity is key so don’t worry if it’s not perfect.
If you want to get fancy with your photo, add text and filters, I use an app that I downloaded to my smartphone called “TextGram”. I have tried others but I prefer TextGram because it is simple and it doesn’t load a bunch of advertising crap onto my phone. With TextGram you can add text, frames, filters, fancy effects and it is fast on done on the fly.
Have Fun 🙂
- Turn on your phone’s location. Look at other people’s posts and start interacting with them. It is good etiquette to always reply to comments. Manners count just like IRL (in real life).
When I post a meme I always think of Johnathan Christian’s advice: ·
- “Is it t-shirt worthy?” Sometimes it is just relevant or newsworthy but it helps keep the quality of my posts.
- Speak to your Uncle (or ideal customer, or friend). Instagram is all about connecting with real people.
Keep your posts positive. You have to be authentic but people turn to Instagram for an instant feel good feeling and appreciate a little smile.
When desperate for an idea; Cat photos always work. This is a proven fact. Seriously.
Try https://ifttt.com/ to save time if you wish to cross post to your other social media platforms.
Ideas To Increase Engagement
Using the search option is a great way to find like-minded connections. If you view someone’s profile and honestly like their photos, they might also enjoy your photos or content and start looking at your posts and may even become a follower.
Take advantage of your profile section with a photo of you, what you do, and the link you want to share. My IG account is a business account but you can set yours up as a personal account and easily change it later if you want to.
When I started I participated in a weekend hashtag project hosted by Instagram. These are fun and always provide an unexpected perspective.
Use #hashtags. (a way to define searches.)
Occasionally there are rumours about Instagram changing the way it feeds. People get in a big panic and post all sorts of things to get to be at the front of a feed. Honestly, unless you have gazillion followers it really doesn’t matter unless maybe you are in high school.
Just continue to keep engaged and authentic, and have fun!
This is my Instagram feed if you are curious. Hopefully you see a theme here:
Grateful that Spring is here. Spring is such a hopeful season 🌞. I`ve been seeing the Amtrak train to Seattle in the morning again. It makes my day when people wave back.😁
Do you wave, too?👋
#grateful #amtrak #hellomyfriends 😁💕
Grateful that Spring is here. Spring is such a hopeful season 🌞. I`ve been seeing the Amtrak train to Seattle in the morning again. It makes my day when people wave back.😁
Do you wave, too?👋
#grateful #amtrak #hellomyfriends 😁💕
Grateful that I found my old autograph book. These are messages from 1968 to 1970. That`s me and my friends at Little Mountain circa 1969. The sports day photo was me and my bestie Roberta. We had to win ALL the BLUE ribbons! (No participation ribbons back then, so only first place would do.)The photo with my Chihuahua Tiko might have been 1971 or 1972 Kootenay Lake.
All day, every day was spent outside.
It`s been a ride.
Did you have an autograph book? Did you have to come home when the street lights turned on?
#grateful #growingupinthe70s #autographbook #blastfromthepast #noparticipationribbons
Grateful that I found my old autograph book. These are messages from 1968 to 1970. That`s me and my friends at Little Mountain circa 1969. The sports day photo was me and my bestie Roberta. We had to win ALL the BLUE ribbons! (No participation ribbons back then, so only first place would do.)The photo with my Chihuahua Tiko might have been 1971 or 1972 Kootenay Lake.
All day, every day was spent outside.
It`s been a ride.
Did you have an autograph book? Did you have to come home when the street lights turned on?
#grateful #growingupinthe70s #autographbook #blastfromthepast #noparticipationribbons
Grateful for the women in my life. My mother, sister, daughter-in-law, aunts, friends, niece, cousins & co-workers. You inspire me, give me love, & keep me strong. 💕
I took this photo of a remarkable friend of mine on the walk to Buccerias last month. I think this photo embraces the collective strength of women everywhere.
Here`s to strong women. May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them.
#grateful #embraceequity #IWD2023 #strongwomen
Grateful for the women in my life. My mother, sister, daughter-in-law, aunts, friends, niece, cousins & co-workers. You inspire me, give me love, & keep me strong. 💕
I took this photo of a remarkable friend of mine on the walk to Buccerias last month. I think this photo embraces the collective strength of women everywhere.
Here`s to strong women. May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them.
#grateful #embraceequity #IWD2023 #strongwomen
Grateful for today`s sunshine. It`s been a while, my friend. I missed you.🌞 I was grateful for the opportunity to breathe in the fresh air & sunshine today.
It was another wonderful day. I started my day like most mornings; listening to Eckhart Tolle`s podcast. It grounds me. Then I spent time outside, & visited friends.
Do you enjoy simple pleasures, too?
What little things do you do just for you?
#grateful #simplepleasures #eckharttolle #eckharttollequote #justbestill
Grateful for today`s sunshine. It`s been a while, my friend. I missed you.🌞 I was grateful for the opportunity to breathe in the fresh air & sunshine today.
It was another wonderful day. I started my day like most mornings; listening to Eckhart Tolle`s podcast. It grounds me. Then I spent time outside, & visited friends.
Do you enjoy simple pleasures, too?
What little things do you do just for you?
#grateful #simplepleasures #eckharttolle #eckharttollequote #justbestill
Grateful for the beauty of the snow ❄️ and grateful that it is melting away today. 😁
Happy Sunday, my friends 💕
Snowflakes are one of nature`s most fragile things, but just look what they can do when they stick together.
Vesta M. Kelly
#grateful #itsabeautifulworld
#snowday
Grateful for the beauty of the snow ❄️ and grateful that it is melting away today. 😁
Happy Sunday, my friends 💕
Snowflakes are one of nature`s most fragile things, but just look what they can do when they stick together.
Vesta M. Kelly
#grateful #itsabeautifulworld
#snowday
Grateful for nature`s energy. Oh my goodness, it was wild & wonderful today at the beach! Not sure why it reminded me of the Desiderata. Maybe the part about the universe is unfolding as it should.
"Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy."
by Max Ehrmann ©1927
#grateful #getoutside #Desiderata #inwhiterock #maxehrmann
Grateful for nature`s energy. Oh my goodness, it was wild & wonderful today at the beach! Not sure why it reminded me of the Desiderata. Maybe the part about the universe is unfolding as it should.
"Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy."
by Max Ehrmann ©1927
#grateful #getoutside #Desiderata #inwhiterock #maxehrmann
Grateful for the opportunity to tell my friends and family that I love them. Happy Valentines Day 💕💖 I love you. Namaste 💓
#grateful #allyouneedislove #ValentinesDay2023
Grateful for the opportunity to tell my friends and family that I love them. Happy Valentines Day 💕💖 I love you. Namaste 💓
#grateful #allyouneedislove #ValentinesDay2023
Grateful to smell the sea & feel the sky. Van Morrison said it perfectly.
#Grateful #vitaminsea #breathedeep
Grateful to smell the sea & feel the sky. Van Morrison said it perfectly.
#Grateful #vitaminsea #breathedeep
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