FUCK THE ALGORITHM - interview/helpful tips for starting a small business
First of all is your photo quality, its so good! how and what do you use for that? I just use my phone - I have an iPhone X so the portrait mode on that is pretty incredible. I edit everything either in the IG app, truly nothing fancy. So long as you have good lighting and an eye for what needs more brightness/contrast then that's all you need.
Also can you post directly from your computer? Nah, you can't post straight from your computer - IG is only compatible with phones for the time being.
With the general set up of your account, have you found a best time to post? The best times to post are; (these are times people are getting up for work, on breaks, or on the train home etc, you just have to think about when you'd be looking at your phone the most if you had a 9 - 5. however, now that I have a great reach I post whenever I want - I don't normally post after 5pm because that has a very low engagement)...
Wednesday 3pm
Thursday 5am, 11am, 3pm and 4pm.
Friday 5am
Saturday and Sundays are low engagement days
Whats the best way to post? Stories are just as important as a timeline (photo on your actual profile) photos. In your stories ask a Question that people can answer, make them vote for things with the vote sticker, the longer they stay on your story - the longer/higher engagement you get.
Why are highlights better to use than directly to the feed? I think highlights are important personally because I have things like "shop" "tee sizing" "customers" "Q&A" etc - you don't want to spam people with timeline photos (try to keep it at 1 - 2 a day.) If you have highlights it's a good way for people to see what you're about and what your company has to offer without them having to go through your timeline and be a detective to work it out. example - I don't want to post my Dolly Parton teeshirt every 5th post - cause people will get sick of it, So I have it in a highlight for new people to see I have it. I recently made my highlights have covers - which makes it look SO much more professional.
Do you use sponsored posts? Do they spread much more than a regular post? I have used sponsored posts a couple of times - I didn't really see the difference but if you are starting out then I would suggest you do them to get your name out there. Once you have a bigger following it's not so important.
Is there any other tips or advice you could offer? Like things you have noticed over the last couple of years that will help us out?
YES;
Engagement - because of the new IG algorithm that is ruining small businesses engagement is EVERYTHING, and it's pretty much a full time job. When I'm not painting I'm working on my IG and personal brand - probably why you haven't seen me much at the pub these days haha.
Engagement is;
- "liking" comments (click the heart next to a comment) or even better - reply!
- reply to DM's, if you get ALOT of messages it can be hard to keep up, sometimes I like to just send a heart to let them know I care but I don't have all the time in the world to reply.
- getting DM's through stories - getting comments - a great way to do this is ask a Q in your caption on a timeline post. even writing "caption this" is a good way to get comments.
- ironically every time someone copies my art I get high engagement because I ask my followers to comment below #boycottchicgal for example. (Chic gal is a company that rips off artist btw).
Have a competition - All in all you want followers, that's the main goal, the more followers the more business. I get hundreds of new followers when I host a competition - if you're smart about how you word your "how to enter" part, then you'll get new people. I always say something like "tag 3 people and "like" this photo below to enter" which means they might be tagging new customers PLUS you get a butt-tonne of comments (engagement boost) the "like this photo" part is important too - don't leave that out.
Influencers - Find people who have alot of followers, maybe send them free stuff and ask for them to post about it? get this in writing first though - email them and ask. I've had people send me free stuff to post about and I've been like "well that's rude they didn't ask - they just assumed I'd post about this - and that's not my IG brand vibe" and then it's awkward.
Live videos - I find people react more when I show that my business is a one-woman-show! it shows personality and your audience get's a better understanding that you are just one girl/guy and you're working hard! it can feel a bit cringe at first but it's very important you engage with your followers on a personal level. I like to do live videos of myself drawing and I answer Q's at the same time - people can comment while the video is live.
Video stories - Again, you have to show personality, I do little studio tours, film myself saying thankyou for orders, I video every order I send out (this reminds people constantly what you have available in your shop - and every time I post a story on orders I get more orders!), make a time lapse (already built in your phone - no App needed, maybe get a tripod though) of you packing order or doing mundane admin stuff to show people you're working hard, talking to the camera can feel weird but it's a really good way to show people who you are.
Timelapses - are your new best friend!!!
Final tip - Keep it colourful and creative. If you have a look at some good looking IG accounts you will see they're visually appealing colour/design wise.
