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Beginner’s Guide to Instagram – 8 things to do – says a blogger with 16k followers

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beginner's guide to Instagram

This is  guest blog post from Why Hello Beauty on Instagram

Instagram is completely addictive and hours of time is easily wasted spent scrolling through feeds. Over the course of about 3 years, I have built a steady audience of over 16k followers at @whyhellobeauty through sharing inspirational and beautiful content that compliments by beauty + lifestyle blog WhyHelloBeauty.com. If you too wish to grow your following + create killer content – you’re in the right place!

BRAINSTORM:

Who do you admire on Instagram? Whose feeds totally inspire you? Brainstorm what it is about these accounts that you love and begin to incorporate these ideas into your feed, your way. Think about colour schemes; do you want a neutral black + white theme or maybe bright pops of pastel colors? Do you want to include the odd quote to break up your images, maybe every second or third image to create a tiled appearance, similar to mine at @whyhellobeauty? Don’t feel that you have to get your feed perfectly instantly, creating a fantastic feed is all trial + error to find what works best for you and your audience.

Why hello B

YOUR INSTAGRAM BIO:

Use your bio to describe who you are and what you do, in a creative and/or witty way – I’ve popped mine below for reference.

For more in-depth details about creating the perfect profile, read these 10 Must-Haves for a jaw-dropping Instagram Profile.

 

Why hello

 

CURATED INSTAGRAM:

Besides learning how to style flatlays for Instagram growth here in this blog posts,  You can also a tool like a Social Media Calendar, to schedule + plan out your images each week. You can view how images look to each other and ensure cohesion is achieved before you press the upload button! No more quickly deleting images that just look off…. This is what Social Media Managers tend to use if you were to hire one to curate your Instagram feed, so use their tools + do it yourself!

If flatlays are something you really want to get into, you should check out this tutorial for Styling Flatlays for Instagram Content

IMAGE EDITING:

Play around with the editing options within the Instagram app or even explore apps like SnapSeed and VSCO Cam to use the same filters to each image uploaded, for that lush feeling of cohesion again. This is where your dream Instagram feed’s appearance also comes into play …

The lipsticks are on current rotation … ?

A photo posted by Emily Crawford (@whyhellobeauty) on

 

INSTAGRAM CAPTIONS:

Ensure you utilize captions to their full capacity. If you post an image of a luxurious lipstick, I’m a-gonna wanna know what shade is, so please sure to add it to the caption. I also mention crediting reposts below, which is so important!

Ooooo these @colourpopcosmetics metallics are calling mah name ….

A photo posted by Emily Crawford (@whyhellobeauty) on

 

 

INSTAGRAM HASHTAGS:

Research what hashtags are used widely within your niche/community and like accordingly. Remember though, think outside the box; for example, I’m a beauty blogger who obvs loves lipstick and all things beauty, BUT I also adore monogrammed leather goods like The Daily Edited, magazines like Elle & Vogue, cute desk stationery and books such as How to be Parisian and Love X Life X Style, so use this to use advantage when searching hashtags.

Ooooo this is so pretty! @figandyarrow ❤

A photo posted by Emily Crawford (@whyhellobeauty) on

 

TAGS:

I’ve broken tags into three categories, location, personal tags, and business/brand tags;

People:

Always, always, always credit the image’s owner/creator if you are reposting an image within the caption and also, within the image – it’s just polite and great insta etiquette.

Where are all the amazing walls like this in Oz?! @michelletakeaim looking gorgeous and that bag …. ❤

A photo posted by Emily Crawford (@whyhellobeauty) on

 

Brands:

If you are posting a flatlay or just an image of an object, be sure to tag the brand within the image in the caption and if the brand has a hashtag they promote, use that too! Give brands all the tools they need to find you within the millions of images and if your content rocks, you’ll no doubt score a regram too – cue more followers with no effort whatsoever!

Lashes + highlight ✨?✨ via @hava_beauty_co

A photo posted by Emily Crawford (@whyhellobeauty) on

 

IMAGES:

All images look best using natural light, to keep this mind when you are creating flatlays or playing around with selfies. Remember too though, that the sun can cause shadows so if want a clean + crisp flatlay, try to avoid sun but use natural light from a window and maybe edit afterward. If you don’t have an on-trend marble base for flatlays, a simply a4 piece of paper works better than a tabletop or carpet – try it today!

Ready for More Instagram Hacks? Here are some of my favorite top tips:

• How to Hack the Instagram Algorithm for More Engagement

• The Best time to post on Instagram for Maximum Engagement

• How to create 30 days of Instagram content in 8 simple steps

 

 

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10 Comments

  1. Tracy on June 27, 2016 at 2:22 am

    These are wonderful tips, thank you! I love the idea of the A4 paper for background, great idea. Since going to Home Depot gives me hives 🙂 well, at least makes me nervous!

  2. Cassie Lopez on June 27, 2016 at 2:47 am

    This is such a great article! I started the Instagram for my blog about 2 months ago, and I haven’t seen the growth that I was hoping for yet. I’ll definitely need to use these tips. Thanks!

  3. Chloe Crabtree on June 27, 2016 at 3:04 am

    Thanks for the tips. I will add these to my IG strategy. Seems like no matter what I do, I can’t grow my numbers. I guess it is back to work for me.

  4. Lauren Bishop on June 27, 2016 at 3:35 am

    Good advice. Your account is beautiful and I love the one colour scheme. I’ve followed you!

  5. Dana Rae Bello on June 27, 2016 at 5:06 am

    This reminded me that I need to start using a social media generator. I have been putting it off but I think it will help me to create a better IG layout and flow. Plus keep me posting daily. Thanks for the great tips!

  6. Maja on June 27, 2016 at 5:19 am

    Nice tips, thank you! My husband is just Googling the best hashtags he should use hehe 🙂

  7. Beans & Peanuts on June 27, 2016 at 7:40 am

    Great tips! I’ve just started my blog and instagram and feel like I’m struggling to find my style. These tips will help for sure. Thanks!

  8. Christine - The Choosy Mommy on June 28, 2016 at 7:57 am

    Thanks for these awesome tips. It is my goal this year to build my IG account. Slowly but surely I am getting there! Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/thechoosymommy/

  9. cheap csgo weapon on August 10, 2016 at 7:53 pm

    Keep up the excellent job !! Lovin’ it!

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