Now, I don’t know if I have seen this post somewhere else or if I dreamt it. My head seems constantly in the clouds lately. This post could just be an amalgamation of many things I have read and practised on the subject recently. If I have directly taken work from another blog please let me know and I will change it or attribute the author.
The subject is of course Instagram for writers.
Yes, you think you have enough social networks to keep you busy as it is and you have no intention of adding another to the list. You already blog, use Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads and try to find a life in there somewhere so no you are absolutely not using anything else. I know you have heard me mention Periscope a couple of times, but I’ll leave the virtues of Periscope to another day, I wouldn’t want your head to explode all over this lovely blog post would I?
I see you on social networks, you take photographs. It comes naturally to you. You post them on Facebook and Twitter. It’s great to see your life that way, it adds more than just words. And I know how much fun it is to be able to snap away with that digital camera in your hand when you can easily delete any you’re not happy with and keep the rest. So much easier than the days of reels of 24 clicks and getting it printed out.
So, you’re half-way there. Why not just add that little Instagram app to your phone? You can add your photos at will and when adding, you get to edit and also add a colour sheen to it. (I know sheen isn’t the word but I’m having a mental block there and may not have the time to go back and find the word before the blog post goes live – the joys of real brain issues shown in real-time!) I think you will enjoy seeing the changes to your pictures, what this simple app can do for you.
I know I mentioned it’s good for writers, yet I’m still not getting to the point. Ok, ok, I’m there. Like Twitter, Instagram is absolutely brilliant for using hashtags to find your niche. For instance, if I wanted to find my niche of Cockapoo lovers on Instagram, I’d hashtag my images #cockapoo and #cockapoosofinstagram both of these in the search bar are filled with the most adorable images you have ever seen and you can find and follow as many people who you think are going to post regular images you will be interested in, by checking out their previous postings and their bio.
The same goes for writers and also for book lovers.
I’m currently in the middle of a writers daily challenge on Instagram and I have had more *likes* on my images than I’ve ever had by simply using the challenge hashtag.
If you’re a genre writer, use that hashtag. Popular hashtags for readers if you’re looking for readers in your genre are #books #booksofinstagram #reading #amreading etc. I have found that with the reading hashtags there is a lot of YA readers but it’s a social network mostly filled with younger than me, users! But! It is totally filled with readers. It’s completely active. get over there, engage, have fun. You’re taking photo’s anyway.
Show what you’re doing while you’re writing, where you write, what you write with, what you read, and some personal stuff that you’re happy to share (I share lots of Alfie!)
Writer or reader, it’s an active and visually appealing network. Why not give it a go? you can find me under RebeccaJBradley or click on the green Instagram circle in the right-hand bar.
MarinaSofia says
Mmm, might not use it for myself (I’m far too much online, as it is!) but it would be good perhaps for Geneva Writers Group. I’m now their social media ‘guru’ – except guru is so the wrong word for this, more like their ‘slightly more informed and addicted than the average Joe’ person.
Rebecca Bradley says
I think that sounds like a great plan Marina. It really is a lot more connective than people think.
Alex J. Cavanaugh (@AlexJCavanaugh) says
If there was a way I could take pictures of spaceships, I might be able to use it. But just not sure it would work for my genre.
Rebecca Bradley says
You might have a point there Alex, but I’m not sure I can take photographs of murder scenes either 🙂
Margot Kinberg says
Thanks for tackling this topic, Rebecca! I love having Instagram. As a writer, it means that I can connect with whole new generations of people who are interested in books and writing. And it’s the perfect venue for things like cover reveals.
Rebecca Bradley says
Isn’t it! It’s quite unbelievable just how active Instagram is.
Jacqui Murray says
Someone told me there are no linkbacks on Instagram. Is that true?
Rebecca Bradley says
linkbacks? You can put links in the blurb you write about your photo… and have a link in your profile…
Emma says
I have Instagram and have posted all of never. I’m not sure why but I find it daunting.
Rebecca Bradley says
I suppose when you first start something it is posting into the ether. Once you get going and find a few people you know from other social networks it just starts to grow on you 🙂