Three Instagram Misconceptions

Today’s Tech-Talk Tuesday post is a special one because it’s a collaboration with The Rising Tide Society’s kickoff of Tuesdays Together and the global conversation about Instagram! Krista, Caitlin, and I have been hard at work on a secret project that we will be announcing in a few days to help all of you rock the platform by gathering a group of creatives together to support + learn together!

Today’s post is also fun because I had the chance to put together a little Video Blog to talk with you all face to face and share the three biggest misconceptions that so many small business owners have about marketing on the platform! This is my very first attempt at recording myself for Youtube so go easy on me! Haha! A giant thank you goes out to Lee Morton of Clickspark who coached me through video, audio, and editing last week in preparation for a fun personal project I’ll also be unveiling on my birthday!

Three Misconceptions Small Business Owners Have About Instagram:

First and foremost, you all know that I’m obsessed with social media strategy. Over the past few months, I’ve worked hard to grow my following, make strong connections online, and book clients by sharing my work and heart on Instagram. Along the way, I’ve stumbled so many times with frustrations, doubts, and that giant comparison monster. Sometimes it can feel like an uphill battle and if you’re struggling to get your feet off the ground, just know that you’re not alone!

Subscribe to my Channel for Future Tips + Tutorials!

Misconception #1: You need a ton of followers in order for Instagram to be an effective marketing tool.
Cultivating a strong following has less to do with the quantity of followers that you have and more to do with the quality of the community that you’re building. I’d rather have five followers that are incredibly invested in the brand and who actively like + comment than a thousand followers who are disinterested and inactive on the platform.

Instagram can be incredibly effective even with a small audience. Hashtags increase your reach significantly and are just as effective whether you have a small following or a large one! Tips for Mastering Hashtags >>

Misconception #2: You cannot mix your personal and professional life on Instagram.
I absolutely love getting to know the people behind the brands that I follow on Instagram. Seeing little snippets of their lives makes me feel like I’m a part of their journey and can lead to an increase in loyalty + enthusiasm for that business as a whole.

As with anything, balance and professionalism are the key when integrating personal and professional images on Instagram. I know that my clients love getting to see the photographer behind the images and many of them say that they feel as if they know me when we meet for the first time. It’s also an amazing way to let your personality shine through and continue to attract clients and followers who are the right fit!

Now, if you’re the type of person who loves to overshare when it comes to the personal aspects of your life – it may be better to have a private account for your personal images and share a few of those moments on your professional account from time to time! Determining whether to have one or two accounts is a personal decision and I’ve seen entrepreneurs have success both ways!

Misconception #3: Perfection is the name of the game.
This is a big one. I fall victim to this lie all of the time and have to consistently remind myself that authenticity is better than perfection. (Even in filming this week’s video I wanted to re-film it a thousand times over and fix all of the mistakes… but sometimes those little quirks are the genuine secret-sauce that truly makes it!)

Remember to be yourself. Be authentic. Share your heart, your triumphs, your struggles, and the lessons learned. Let your audience into your life and your business. Don’t fall into the traps of comparison. Don’t overanalyze every little detail. Don’t stress about followers to the point of exhaustion. Have fun with it. Share what makes you & your clients happy. And the rest will fall into place!

PS – Krista has another awesome post about Instagram on her blog today! »