With so many social networks to use, you may think you can skip Instagram. Think again. More and more often, agents and publishers are looking at Instagram followings as they evaluate bloggers’ and aspiring authors’ platforms.
More than 300 million people use this social network on a monthly basis. That means your presence on this social network can drive more traffic to your blog.
I know. Instagram seems silly. It’s just a bunch of photos. Or is it?
What is Instagram?
Primarily, users of Instagram share photos. Followers comment or like the photos.
You take the photos with your smartphone and post them to the site with a handy and easy-to-use phone app.
While you could take a professional approach to Instagram and only post photos related to the subject of your blog or book, there is another way to use this site. While you show your professional side, or expertise, on your blog, in your books, and on most social networks, use Instagram in a personal manner. It’s a great way to show your readers, followers, and potential book buyers your your life without giving away too many details.
For example, take photos with your phone when you are painting your living room, going for a bike ride, or washing your dog…or doing just about anything. Post them to Instagram. Gain followers by providing a window into your life.
But don’t stop there. Also show the professional side. Take photos of your speaking engagements, meetings with influencers, or the arrival of your latest book.
Or share quotes from your favorite authority—you! Share excerpts from your books or blog posts. You can easily do this using the Instaquote app on your smartphone. Share the link to your site or post in a comment.
Follow other like-minded users of Instagram. Like or comment on their photos.
Pretty simply, right?
Easy Sharing Across Other Social Networks
And here’s the best part of using Instagram: Each time you post a photo or graphic image using Instagram, you can do so not just on Instagram but also on Facebook and Twitter. Instagram offers this option, which means you get more content marketing for your effort—and all with a few clicks on your phone.
If I’m looking for something to post on Twitter or Facebook—something visual, I turn to Instagram (or Instaquote).
I’m always looking for ways to share content across more than one social network with one click. Instagram is an awesome tool for accomplishing this task. And I use Instaquote often as well.
Instagram Management Tools
If you’d like to discover ways to manage your Instagram account more effectively, check out these four tools:
Learn more about each of these Instagram tools when you read this post by Ian McCleary at RazorSocial. It provides detailed information, including pricing, on each one.
Give Instagram a try. Leave me a comment to let me know how you like it.
I’ve been using Instagram for a while now, and it’s great for sharing snapshots, though I haven’t noticed any increase in blog traffic from it.
I’m not sure I get blog traffic either, Melissa, but I’m going to play around with how to share info from my posts with a link.
Instagram is a great platform for blog traffic and most of the bloggers are using it. I am also a regular user of Instagram for my blog. Nina you have written a great article on this topic even i will recommend Reddit and StumbleUpon for blog traffic. Both are the best platform for huge blog or website traffic.
it’s great for sharing snapshots, nice blog Free Instagram Followers & Likes in Minutes http://goo.gl/unA6uo
Thanks so much for your comment, Crazyonweb!
Hey Nina, A lot of learning with this post, Got nice Idea, Last time I used Instagram, but was not able to drive any traffic to my blog. Now i will put these tips in practice. Just started writing a new blog with this new info. Much appreciated
Wow, I just might do this. Up to this point I hadn’t seen why Instagram would be relevant for my goals.
This is one of the most “informational” posts on Instagram I’ve found yet! Thanks very much for putting your experience, resources and info out there for us. I am just figuring out how to get my photos to turn out right on Instagram (resize to 640×640) and the little bit link is my next thing to figure out and you gave so much info here!
Thanks, Angellina! I haven’t worried too much about photo size, to be honest. I use the size that works best on the blog.
I did this and it worked! I got so much more followers from instagram and I’m getting more by the minute. Thanks Nina for the great advice. You’ve saved my blog?
Tell me more about how it goes for you…and what you are doing on Instagram that is helping you so much. Thanks for your comment, and I look forward to more details!
Instagram is a great platform for blog traffic and most of the bloggers are using it. I am also a regular user of Instagram for my blog
Now a day Instagram is the best way to generate traffic and leads it is the next best platform after Facebook, I suggest you use Instagram, facebook, stumble upon for better traffic. Thank You, Nina, for providing such a wonderful guide.
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