Instagram has always been a really fun platform for both bloggers and non-bloggers alike. We all love seeing beautiful photos with fun or inspiring captions. We like keeping up with our friends and with the newest from our favorite influencers. And for years now, bloggers and influencers have enjoyed perfecting their feeds and inspiring others to the best of their ability. They've worked hard to understand the best tactics for using the platform, and have done their best to keep up with policy changes and stay up-to-date with the way in which everything works.
As a blogger and a virtual assistant (VA), I fall into this category too. It is my job to improve daily, learn the do's and don'ts, and work on my photography- and if I don't do a good job, my blog credibility and my paycheck will suffer.
But if we are honest, we know that social media platforms can make changes any time they want to. That's why so many business gurus make such a fuss over focusing on our email list and blog content more than we do our social media, because we all know that we have zero control over what changes are made to any given social media platform.
Instagram has been living proof of this lately. They changed the algorithm, everyone adjusted, and then they changed it again. They always say they are "improving user experience", but to the influencers who have already poured blood, sweat, and tears into their accounts, it just feels like a slap in the face.
It's frustrating, to say the least, and many influencers are beyond irritated- some even saying they are done with the platform.
It seems that Instagram would value their users more than that, ya know? I mean, influencers, entertainers, and bloggers are the ones that really make Instagram popular. We are the ones who bring people in for Instagram, and yet they keep making it harder and harder to get noticed.
However, most of us started using IG to build community, grow awareness of our brand, and to look at beautiful pictures. And while yes, it is tougher to get seen now, it's still a great way to foster community and enjoy beauty. And that's what I think we should focus on for a while.
Enjoy Beauty
Beauty is everywhere if we take the time to look around. But the cool thing about IG is that I can hop on for a few minutes and see parts of the world that I've never been to before, or find bright, fun pictures that make my heart happy after a single glance.
We are such visual people that, I think, the platform naturally resonates with most of us.
At the end of the day, the algorithms tweaks and shadowbans do not change how this beauty affects us. It's there for us to enjoy and that's exactly what we should do.
Brand Awareness
So, I get that this becomes harder when IG changes things up on us, but one of the reasons a lot of us use the platform is to create awareness around our brand. This is an extremely important aspect of being an entrepreneur.
But despite the fact that it is harder to get seen right now, Instagram is still there for this purpose. We may have to adjust our strategy, and our growth may be slower, but in the end, we are still perfectly capable of growing our brand.
We have got to stop freaking out when something like this changes. Part of growing a brand is being consistent, unmovable, and simply ourselves. We can do that whether IG changes things up or not. We can do that whether our growth is slow or fast. We can do that whether we get seen as easily or not.
Don't get me wrong- when your numbers on IG affect your paycheck, things matter more. I know that. And as a virtual assistant, obviously my job depends on making sure that I am helping other's grow their social media numbers. But I also know that consistency, authenticity, and true engagement is what really counts. When we already have followers who know and love us, they count on us to keep on keeping on. They look to us for a beautiful feed, a pick-me-up, or some inspiration after a bad day. If we quit a platform, give up, or get sloppy with it, they will notice.
Don't get sloppy with your current followers just because a social media platform has got you down. Keep giving to the one's who have been faithful and more will come.
Community
And that brings me to the absolute most important reason we should fall in love with Instagram again: the community.
Being a part of Instagram and creating a community around a brand is the best feature in my eyes. No matter how many ways IG makes it harder to get seen and grow in numbers, it is still a great place to foster relationships, build connections, and lift each other up.
When we focus on the community we already have, and when we keep giving back to them, they will notice. When we engage with the people who are already on our radar, we are building relationships and making a difference. More than likely, in turn, we will continue to grow because our followers will tell others about us. However, even if that never happens, having a solid community is a blessing in itself. Focusing on fostering that instead of looking at our growth is sure to help us love Instagram again.
So as a blogger and a virtual assistant, here's my advice: Stop staring at the numbers for a while. Stop stressing quite so much. I really do get the income stresses, and I completely understand the frustration. But if we could all just calm down, get back to community, authenticity, and the enjoyment of beauty, I think IG could be a great place again.
