ls note
Insta-Fame for dummies!
One can only imagine how some users went from single to 5 or even 6-digit number followers to becoming “Instagram Influencers”. As an attempt to convince my supervisor how she needed to join Instagram and become the next big thing, I decided to send her a mail explaining it was high time to quit with the candy crush requests and jump onto the double-tap game.
Dear Boss Lady,
Apparently, Instagram has a really high engagement rate for which reason we see brands and other advertisers flocking towards those who have massive followings. Truth be told, in real-time Queen Sheba, the number of people you know socially and professionally can easily outlive my numbered days working here after you read this letter. Nonetheless, it is high time to translate that onto your virtual space- Instagram!
The first step starts with you remembering the password of that Instagram account you opened but never bothered doing much with. Then we can move on to the sort of content you want to create. Your talents and interests honestly know no bounds and are constantly changing, and at times, it can be compared to that of a kid high on sugar. So, your contents of interest should not be more than two or three (at max), correlated and relevant to the audience you want to attract, like experimenting with food and how many ways a table can be set.
Define your own style from the way your photo is taken, to how it is edited and then posted. You already do have a knack for the rustic, simple but classy/traditional tasteful stylings, which is very evident from the china I have seen you use when entertaining guests to how you dress yourself (buttering much?). Maintain that same aesthetic in the photos as well. The objective is to attract followers when they visit your profile that has an overall professional look and attracts other brands to collaborate with you.
When starting off, put a concise description under each photo followed with funny, new and as many relevant hashtags as you can. The more hashtags you have, the higher your engagement rate is, #creativejuicesflowing. As the number of followers increases, you will see that you won't need that many hashtags as you initially did but then again, many still do so. The hashtag game is all about trials and errors to figure out how many is too many or not to increase your engagement.
Just like your weekly 'well-deserved' outbursts to your employees, Queen of North you must be equally consistent with your posts on Instagram as well. Posting daily can be hectic but try to post every alternative day. Remember, the more you post, the better opportunities to engage and increase the number of followers you have.
Instagram paves the way for you to interact with actual celebrities and divas on a more personal level; not just your inner ones. Comment and follow other accounts of not just your favourite Tamil Actor but also other Influencers whose content is similar to the ones that you create and post as well. Regardless of whether they comment on your posts or not, when it comes to your own posts, always reply to the comments others make. Engaging is not just about visibility but also about building a relationship with your existing followers. Sometimes even just a 'like' or “emoji” is sufficing for the effort lies in acknowledging the comment more that is returned as loyalty by your followers. Formulating a strong bond with your followers will make you come across more as a friend than just an Instagram Influencer in this virtual arena.
Last but not least, don't forget to have fun (torturing me does not count as one). Use the different filters that Instagram offers to not just upload photos but videos and stories as well.
Be your quirky loving self that your employees have come to love the most about you. In addition, please accept this as my formal request for a raise.
Your Faithful Minion,
Supriti Sarkar
Photo: Collected