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Why Instagram Doesn't Convert

Why Instagram Doesn't Convert

Instagram is the fastest growing social media platform at the moment. In fact, Instagram has now surpassed Twitter in its number of users and accounts (source). If you're a business owner or blogger who hasn't joined in on the Instagram trend, you're missing out on a fantastic opportunity to increase your brand's awareness and reach your ideal audience.

Well, sort of. Instagram is helpful for growing your following and reaching more potential readers and customers, but there are some serious issues with tracking Instagram's referral traffic. So today Jake is explaining how this problem might affect you as well as sharing some creative ways to track conversions from Instagram.

What I Learned from Gaining 3,000 Instagram Followers in One Day

What I Learned from Gaining 3,000 Instagram Followers in One Day

A couple months ago I partnered with some business ladies in similar industries for an Instagram loop giveaway. The goal of the partnership was to pool our followers and have them follow along with all of our accounts in order to enter for a chance to win $500 to J.Crew. An increase in followers on any social media platform give you a greater opportunity to increase sales and attract new clients, so the $170 investment was well worth it on my end; I knew that if I was able to gain one new client because of the giveaway, I would gain a great return on my investment.

I think it's always good to step back and evaluate decisions you make in blogging and business so that you can learn from them and become even more intentional in the future, so today I'm giving you an inside look at the experience. I'm sharing my honest thoughts about it all so that you might be encouraged to step outside the box when it comes to expanding your reach. I also hope that you walk away with a more intentional mindset on why you're doing what you're doing instead of just following along with the trends.

The Best Times to Post to Social Media

The Best Times to Post to Social Media

Have you ever wondered why some social media posts get more engagement than others? Studies show that certain days and times of the week affect the number of people who like, share, favorite, and retweet your posts. Most of you are fully aware that 3:00am on a Wednesday morning isn't the most optimal time to post an image on Instagram and expect engagement, but it's helpful to know specific days and times that your audience is most active. Today we've rounded up the data to help you gain more engagement with your followers over social media. 

Social Media is Changing (And 3 Free Marketing Alternatives)

Social Media is Changing (And 3 Free Marketing Alternatives)

Social media. It's the cheapest, easiest form of marketing out there. If you're a business owner, a blogger, or both, you've probably been taking full advantage of several platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and Google+, to name a few. And why would't you? It's an easy way to reach your followers without paying a dime. 

But you may have noticed a slight shift in these platforms lately, especially Facebook. I'm no conspiracy theorist, but I do have some thoughts and opinions on the future of social media.

My Instagram Philosophy

I'm a huge fan of Instagram. I love following along with friends, keeping up with some of my favorite creative ladies, and sharing bits and pieces of my life through photos. Instagram gives me the opportunity to share about Elle & Company and connect with people I may not have met otherwise. It's just fun.

Sometimes it can be tricky striking a balance between business and personal posts in the midst of it all. There are a million different articles out there about how you can use your Instagram account to gain more followers, sell more products, and create a loyal following. There are tips and tricks on which filters and settings you should use, how to set up the perfect shot, and yes, even how to take the perfect selfie.

But one of my favorite things about Instagram is that everyone can use it a little differently. There's no right or wrong way to go about posting photos and sharing life; everyone has their own spin on this social media outlet. It's truly what works for you. So I've come up with my own Instagram philosophy, a few simple things I try to stick to as I'm posting about life, business and everything in between.

My Instagram Philosophy: Personal guidelines for posting about life, business, and everything in between // Elle & Company

Get creative. 

Instagram is another creative outlet for me, a "sketchbook" for my photos. It's an opportunity to share my view behind the lens and capture pretty things. So yes, I just might style my desk for a shot or move near a window to improve the lighting in a photo. It's fun to experiment and get creative with my camera phone, even if it is a picture of my little fake succulent, my coffee cup, and my Bible. The artsy designer in me just can't resist.

Be social.

After all, it is called social media. I try my hardest to respond to comments and interact with the people I follow along with. Jake and I are very much people-people; we love hanging out in large groups and making new friends. In-person interaction is a little different than connecting over social media, but I still like to start conversations, network, and reach out to people. 

Stay positive. 

Positivity and thankfulness are contagious, but so is negativity. While I never want to be fake or inauthentic over social media, I do want to be cautious of sharing my problems and frustrations with the world. I like to stay positive and see posts as an opportunity to share joy and thankfulness. 

Don't stress.

Some days I just don't have anything to post about and other days I have 10 photos to share. While the type-A planner in me loves consistency, I don't like scrambling just to come up with an Instagram post. I'll share as I have content and take a break here and there when I need it. When it becomes another business task or a chore, I miss out on the whole reason I created an Instagram account in the first place. Which leads me to the last part of my Instagram philosophy...

Have fun.

It's easy to get wrapped up in numbers. It's nice to gain a following, especially when my income depends on my business. But for me, likes and follows aren't the main purpose of this social media outlet. I started using Instagram because it was fun and I'll continue to use it because it's fun. 

What's your Instagram philosophy? What do you love most about this social media outlet and how do you stay sane in the midst of likes and follows? For all you creative business ladies and bloggers out there, I would love to hear how you try to bridge the gap between personal and business-related posts, too.

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