This week our module leader, Anna, invited us to create Instagram accounts if we didn’t already have them and to think about a strategy for using them. I have already got an Instagram account and have been active for about 18 months. I have taken very readily to this platform and have found it to be an excellent means of networking, forming community, connecting with an audience and staying in touch with what is going on in terms of trends, events and so forth.

My account has a good following that has been grown completely organically without the use of apps or paid promotions at this point. It was simply a case of sharing content regularly, initially on a daily basis and engaging directly with my audience. This is really about relationship building and I think this is very important and I will always keep this personal connection no matter how big my account may grow.

I now don’t always post daily as it is not necessary to maintain and grow my audience, however, I do post consistently at least 2 – 3 times a week at times and days of the week that have proven to be my best for engagement. I have a good engagement rate as a result and this is important in getting work seen based on the way that algorithms work on Instagram.

I have recently switched to a business profile for my account but have it listed as a personal blog. I chose to make the switch so that I could use the paid promotion feature in the future as my research indicates this does bring results and puts your work in front of the right target audience. It is also an inexpensive way to market.

I am considering changing my profile to make it more professional but I am not sure how this will impact on my current audience as essentially this would be a re-branding exercise. I am still debating wither I should rebrand or open a second account for my professional Instagram presence. Many photographers have more than one account and say this works well for them.

Lastly, I do make use of an app to track who follows and unfollows me as there is an annoying tendency on Instagram for people to follow and unfollow as a way to rapidly increase their following. I use the Instagram business account analytics feature to keep an eye on my engagement and to establish what content is working best. These are essential tools to assist with getting the right content to your audience.