Use Popular Hashtags
Take some time to research others in your field or with similar interests as you. Take a look at the popular hashtags they use and take a few minutes to copy and paste them into your notes app. Then, paste them in your posts whenever you want to use them.
Use Instagram’s Geotag Feature
Let your friends, clients, and followers know where you are! Give the small coffee shop a shout out, your local gym a tag, and the beautiful park you visited, some love.
Make your Content Pleasing and Shareable
It is important that your content is aesthetically pleasing and something that other people would enjoy looking at, laughing at, and relating to.
Make Use of User Generated Content
What is user generated content?
Content that has been created and posted by unpaid contributors (pictures, videos, testimonials, tweets, blog posts)
In other words, collaboration > competition
Seek out Content that you Relate to and Share it
Seek out local businesses that you use and try to collaborate on a few posts with them AND seek out someone who is technically your “competitor” and collaborate! You guys probably have a TON of similar interests and shared followers, so take some time to get to know one another.
However…
Our number one rule is to ALWAYS be genuine, because this is what makes you relatable. So, post the no-makeup photo, the #momlife mess photo, the photo of the dish or cup you just broke.. Chances are, someone else is having the same type of day and you never know the impact you might make.
But for real, how do you take a good phone photo?
These are simple steps you can take when your professional photographer friend is not there to help:
- Lighting, Lighting, Lighting – say no to the flash and yes to natural sunlight.
- Don’t be afraid to create an inspiration board on Pinterest and copy the crap out of it.
- When outside, the shade is your friend.
- Snap fast with the volume button.
- Tap to Focus.
- Use the grid to follow the rule of thirds. You can turn on the grid in your camera settings.
- Press and hold on the screen to lock your focus.
Insta-Stories
This is real life. Throw up some cute graphics that your clients can use, but don’t be afraid to hop on with some un-edited thoughts, quick tips, and random videos with your family and friends.
Remember –
Humor is your friend.
Honesty is your friend.
Imperfection is your friend.
Whenever you can, shout out (tag) other professionals in your field, products you use, and places you go. Again, collaboration > competition.
