I love Instagram, and I love how you write, and it’s lovely to fins you here Nicola! I feel like we’ve maybe chatted on insta before - are you south London? Also this: “What if we measure our ‘success’ on Instagram in the quality of the relationships we build, the conversations we have, the new ideas we come across” - is exactly why I love it
I loved the balance presented in this article. I have a relatively small Instagram account but it has led to art opportunities and projects, mostly from people who follow my work in the material world as well as on Instagram. I agree that it can be useful but am also troubled by some of the negative impact it's had on people and the world.
I can relate with this. But I, too, find that it helps me use Instagram in ways I'm happy with when I think of it as a 1-1 platform instead of a social media black hole. It helps me to really connect with people there instead of just scrolling or liking.
The way this approach makes my heart SING! One of the first exercises I often do in group workshops is designed to get people thinking about their reader (ergo their Instagram audience member) as ONE perfect person (for their book). Everything else flows from this and it’s a great way to keep relationship building at the front of your mind when using the app, as you describe. LOVE. IT.
I've given (probably far too much) time to this conundrum, reading and reading articles on quitting, limiting, or embracing Instagram. I often give too much time to it, in the form of scrolling, and when I make content there, I still feel like it eats too much time, but most of the writers I mentor have come to me from Instagram and so I feel it would be silly to quit. Essentially, the problem is my own willpower and remembering what I go there for and what I don't. I imagine a lot of people feel the same way!
There does seem to have been a proliferation of articles about this recently and yes, I’ve read alot of them too! I want to understand the problems people are having that makes them want to leave. I don’t see it as my job to make them stay but I do think they’re probably things most people struggle with to some degree. The accidental scroll you describe is one of the most common ones, and will eat up so much time as you say. Please don’t blame your willpower though - these apps are designed to keep us scrolling! It’s not your fault!! You could put in place barriers to mitigate its effects though. In fact, I have a piece in my drafts about this and writing this comment has made me want to go and get it ready to publish today!
Thank you for writing this! I really related to seeing people leaving and wondering if that’s what I wanted. It all felt exhausting before Christmas, but actually now I’ve come back in the new year I feel a bit more energy for it. But that energy is on my own terms, focusing on remembering why I started posting in the first place, and also posting for those people who followed me for a reason (as well as myself!).
I had to pull away from Instagram around the holidays because the number of ads in my feed was really overwhelming and unappealing. It does seem to have calmed down a bit since then.
I totally get that! There were two or three ads in a row at some points, which is not what we signed up for. I'm glad to hear that you feel like it has calmed down since then, and hope it's less overwhelming for you, Shan. Are you using it as much or just dipping in now and then?
This last sentence is music to my ears Clare! The noise of Instagram can make us all chase around like headless chickens but having clear objectives helps mute that noise and focus on how the platform can work for us!
interesting stuff! for me it's about having clear objectives - what am I trying to get from using insta (at the mo it's to move people to my list) and also having boundaries around my own use. I've moved it from my home screen to try to put a pause in from mindless hitting the app.
YES!! This is a lot of what I say to the writers I work with - be really clear about *your* reasons for using Instagram, and boundaries, boundaries, boundaries! We have to give our brains a chance and not be passive in our interactions with social media because it will drag us all over the place if we let it!
oh fo sho! I also love Cal Newport's books and words of wisdom on all of this. It helps to know the science behind why the platforms are so successful at keeping us there and making us forget our boundaries - it's much harder to use that knowledge to only ever be there with intent.
Ahhh thank you - tbf the process of getting there has not been totally healthy but I learn so much from other people sharing their experiences of various things - maybe this is process I can help writers shortcut so you don't have to go through so much of the unpleasantness.
An excellent read, Nicola, Thankyou ! Super helpful. I particularly enjoyed your description of being afraid of being ‘a mug’ (lol) when so many respectable voices are skedaddling from IG. I felt that! Glad to know it’s not a unanimous feeling among those in the know! :)
haha! Let me tell you, I felt attacked and had to have a word with myself. Absolutely not the fault of the writers in question - they did a beautiful job of exploring their own experiences - but I did feel a little bit like the last smoker at the party ;-) What has been nice is that quite a few other secret (and not so secret) Instagram lovers have been in touch so maybe we can stick together ;-)
Thank you Anne for such lovely feedback. This 'vibe' is exactly what I want to acheive for writers - I want to make it all feel a little calmer, less scary and more acheivable because it *is* loud and noisy and overwhelming, especially if it's new to you.
Haha your comment made me smile, Roland, as I hear these objections pretty regularly. I can assure you this is not reflective of my experience of the app.
Love this, thank you - perfect timing as my first (and only!) book is due to be published in less that 2 weeks time! I've loved Insta for a while but haven't really learnt how to use it 'properly'... I just use it for me. Loved your comments about it being an important place for some disabled people in particular - so very true x
OH wow! Good luck with the book launch - you must be really in the trenches getting ready for that! And welcome to this corner of the internet where I do my best to dispell the myths and help writers navigate their way through Instagram's sometimes choppy waters - I hope you find some of my advice useful! I'm now following you on Instagram too so I'll see you over there!
"I need a reminder of how to keep Instagram in its place." Love this line! Wish I knew how to keep Instagram in its place. I left the platform 7-8 months ago and haven't really looked back. But I'm willing to explore it again this year, as most of my readers are on Instagram. Looking forward to reading your toolkit Nicola! Thanks for this thought provoking piece.
You are not alone! It's not easy because it's not supposed to be (Meta 😈) but I hope the toolkit will have some nuggets of goodness you can try out as you dip your toes back in. You say your readers are on Instagram - can I ask, what are you working on?
Yes that leap is a big one! In fact I don't know if you saw my note the other day when I shared that I did a poll of my IG account, and of the 347 people who responded, 33% told me they had heard of SS but didn't really know much about it. I think that if directing IG followers to SS is a prioroity for you, there's an 'education' piece that you could focus on - lead with your content, but also add in some bits about what Substack is, how it works for readers, what they can expect when they sign up etc. This probably won't be the most engaging content on the surface but you might find it generates 'silent' engagement where people come to see what it's all about without telling you that's what they're doing!
Thanks for the guidance, Nicola, much appreciated! Directing my IG followers to Substack is not an immediate priority, but I'll keep your advice in mind when I feel ready-ish. Thank you 🙏🏻
I still find Instagram very useful as a writer, in terms of being published. My Instagram account helped me to secure my third non-fiction book deal, as well as my latest ghostwriting project. I’m staying put. But open to these ‘how to do it differently’ conversations. For me, it’s about sharing more words, less images and no reels (because I don’t like doing them). That feels comfortable and seems to be having the desired effect x
Your IG page has such a clear identity, Annie, and I LOVE that you don't do reels, quite simply because you don't like them! If the page is doing what you want it to, in a way that you're happy with, then you're winning ❤️
This is a really interesting piece Nicola. I can see that instagram does have value in finding new readers/consumers and the ability to have the feedback loop of connection. I totally appreciate too that nothing in life comes free so me moaning that it will take too much effort is like saying I don’t have the money for something for my business that could be imperative to its success. I guess I don’t see instagram as that imperative tool for me because I have had little luck in using it. It isn’t just a lack of numbers for me but a lack of much happening at all including connection and I do wonder if there are ways of using it where I can make my time and effort worth it or if it is just too much in terms of what it takes from me and what it is able to give back. Perhaps it does suit some people better than others and some businesses better than others. I am willing to explore though what it can do for me in terms of fostering connection without worrying too much about the numbers and see if I am able to make it make sense for me in that way. With a bit of distance I am hoping to better see what is working and what isn’t. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. 🙌🏻
Thanks so much for reading Kylie-Ann and for leaving such a thoughtful comment. You spot on that there's a cost-benefit calculation to be done when we're deciding where to put our efforts and if you're finding that Instagram isn't working for you then I'm the last person who's going to say you MUST use it! I have a deep and abiding suspicion of anyone who says there's only one way to do anything and there are so many other ways to market your business that it makes perfect sense to spend energy on the ones that work and, frankly, that you like more! I'd love to hear more of your reflections further down the line once you've had some time and space away - do you think you will post about it again?
I love Instagram, and I love how you write, and it’s lovely to fins you here Nicola! I feel like we’ve maybe chatted on insta before - are you south London? Also this: “What if we measure our ‘success’ on Instagram in the quality of the relationships we build, the conversations we have, the new ideas we come across” - is exactly why I love it
I loved the balance presented in this article. I have a relatively small Instagram account but it has led to art opportunities and projects, mostly from people who follow my work in the material world as well as on Instagram. I agree that it can be useful but am also troubled by some of the negative impact it's had on people and the world.
I can relate with this. But I, too, find that it helps me use Instagram in ways I'm happy with when I think of it as a 1-1 platform instead of a social media black hole. It helps me to really connect with people there instead of just scrolling or liking.
The way this approach makes my heart SING! One of the first exercises I often do in group workshops is designed to get people thinking about their reader (ergo their Instagram audience member) as ONE perfect person (for their book). Everything else flows from this and it’s a great way to keep relationship building at the front of your mind when using the app, as you describe. LOVE. IT.
I've given (probably far too much) time to this conundrum, reading and reading articles on quitting, limiting, or embracing Instagram. I often give too much time to it, in the form of scrolling, and when I make content there, I still feel like it eats too much time, but most of the writers I mentor have come to me from Instagram and so I feel it would be silly to quit. Essentially, the problem is my own willpower and remembering what I go there for and what I don't. I imagine a lot of people feel the same way!
There does seem to have been a proliferation of articles about this recently and yes, I’ve read alot of them too! I want to understand the problems people are having that makes them want to leave. I don’t see it as my job to make them stay but I do think they’re probably things most people struggle with to some degree. The accidental scroll you describe is one of the most common ones, and will eat up so much time as you say. Please don’t blame your willpower though - these apps are designed to keep us scrolling! It’s not your fault!! You could put in place barriers to mitigate its effects though. In fact, I have a piece in my drafts about this and writing this comment has made me want to go and get it ready to publish today!
Thank you for writing this! I really related to seeing people leaving and wondering if that’s what I wanted. It all felt exhausting before Christmas, but actually now I’ve come back in the new year I feel a bit more energy for it. But that energy is on my own terms, focusing on remembering why I started posting in the first place, and also posting for those people who followed me for a reason (as well as myself!).
I had to pull away from Instagram around the holidays because the number of ads in my feed was really overwhelming and unappealing. It does seem to have calmed down a bit since then.
I totally get that! There were two or three ads in a row at some points, which is not what we signed up for. I'm glad to hear that you feel like it has calmed down since then, and hope it's less overwhelming for you, Shan. Are you using it as much or just dipping in now and then?
This last sentence is music to my ears Clare! The noise of Instagram can make us all chase around like headless chickens but having clear objectives helps mute that noise and focus on how the platform can work for us!
interesting stuff! for me it's about having clear objectives - what am I trying to get from using insta (at the mo it's to move people to my list) and also having boundaries around my own use. I've moved it from my home screen to try to put a pause in from mindless hitting the app.
YES!! This is a lot of what I say to the writers I work with - be really clear about *your* reasons for using Instagram, and boundaries, boundaries, boundaries! We have to give our brains a chance and not be passive in our interactions with social media because it will drag us all over the place if we let it!
oh fo sho! I also love Cal Newport's books and words of wisdom on all of this. It helps to know the science behind why the platforms are so successful at keeping us there and making us forget our boundaries - it's much harder to use that knowledge to only ever be there with intent.
Very healthy way of thinking about it all.
Ahhh thank you - tbf the process of getting there has not been totally healthy but I learn so much from other people sharing their experiences of various things - maybe this is process I can help writers shortcut so you don't have to go through so much of the unpleasantness.
An excellent read, Nicola, Thankyou ! Super helpful. I particularly enjoyed your description of being afraid of being ‘a mug’ (lol) when so many respectable voices are skedaddling from IG. I felt that! Glad to know it’s not a unanimous feeling among those in the know! :)
haha! Let me tell you, I felt attacked and had to have a word with myself. Absolutely not the fault of the writers in question - they did a beautiful job of exploring their own experiences - but I did feel a little bit like the last smoker at the party ;-) What has been nice is that quite a few other secret (and not so secret) Instagram lovers have been in touch so maybe we can stick together ;-)
This is so very useful and steadying, especially for people like me who get in a bit of a panic about it all, thank you x
Thank you Anne for such lovely feedback. This 'vibe' is exactly what I want to acheive for writers - I want to make it all feel a little calmer, less scary and more acheivable because it *is* loud and noisy and overwhelming, especially if it's new to you.
Instagram has been ruined by Meta.
It’s full of bots and businesses who follow and never read/see posts.
Unless you’re dressing seductively/ it’s time to get out 😀
Haha your comment made me smile, Roland, as I hear these objections pretty regularly. I can assure you this is not reflective of my experience of the app.
And now following on IG 😂
lol - welcome ;-) ❤️
Love this, thank you - perfect timing as my first (and only!) book is due to be published in less that 2 weeks time! I've loved Insta for a while but haven't really learnt how to use it 'properly'... I just use it for me. Loved your comments about it being an important place for some disabled people in particular - so very true x
OH wow! Good luck with the book launch - you must be really in the trenches getting ready for that! And welcome to this corner of the internet where I do my best to dispell the myths and help writers navigate their way through Instagram's sometimes choppy waters - I hope you find some of my advice useful! I'm now following you on Instagram too so I'll see you over there!
Choppy for sure! :)
"I need a reminder of how to keep Instagram in its place." Love this line! Wish I knew how to keep Instagram in its place. I left the platform 7-8 months ago and haven't really looked back. But I'm willing to explore it again this year, as most of my readers are on Instagram. Looking forward to reading your toolkit Nicola! Thanks for this thought provoking piece.
You are not alone! It's not easy because it's not supposed to be (Meta 😈) but I hope the toolkit will have some nuggets of goodness you can try out as you dip your toes back in. You say your readers are on Instagram - can I ask, what are you working on?
I'm working on a memoir. I often got a great response on IG when I shared some of my writing, but few followers have followed me here.
I love that reply. Having priorities - everything in its own time! - is crucial to staying sane in these productivity obsessed times!
Yes that leap is a big one! In fact I don't know if you saw my note the other day when I shared that I did a poll of my IG account, and of the 347 people who responded, 33% told me they had heard of SS but didn't really know much about it. I think that if directing IG followers to SS is a prioroity for you, there's an 'education' piece that you could focus on - lead with your content, but also add in some bits about what Substack is, how it works for readers, what they can expect when they sign up etc. This probably won't be the most engaging content on the surface but you might find it generates 'silent' engagement where people come to see what it's all about without telling you that's what they're doing!
Thanks for the guidance, Nicola, much appreciated! Directing my IG followers to Substack is not an immediate priority, but I'll keep your advice in mind when I feel ready-ish. Thank you 🙏🏻
I still find Instagram very useful as a writer, in terms of being published. My Instagram account helped me to secure my third non-fiction book deal, as well as my latest ghostwriting project. I’m staying put. But open to these ‘how to do it differently’ conversations. For me, it’s about sharing more words, less images and no reels (because I don’t like doing them). That feels comfortable and seems to be having the desired effect x
Your IG page has such a clear identity, Annie, and I LOVE that you don't do reels, quite simply because you don't like them! If the page is doing what you want it to, in a way that you're happy with, then you're winning ❤️
This is a really interesting piece Nicola. I can see that instagram does have value in finding new readers/consumers and the ability to have the feedback loop of connection. I totally appreciate too that nothing in life comes free so me moaning that it will take too much effort is like saying I don’t have the money for something for my business that could be imperative to its success. I guess I don’t see instagram as that imperative tool for me because I have had little luck in using it. It isn’t just a lack of numbers for me but a lack of much happening at all including connection and I do wonder if there are ways of using it where I can make my time and effort worth it or if it is just too much in terms of what it takes from me and what it is able to give back. Perhaps it does suit some people better than others and some businesses better than others. I am willing to explore though what it can do for me in terms of fostering connection without worrying too much about the numbers and see if I am able to make it make sense for me in that way. With a bit of distance I am hoping to better see what is working and what isn’t. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. 🙌🏻
Thanks so much for reading Kylie-Ann and for leaving such a thoughtful comment. You spot on that there's a cost-benefit calculation to be done when we're deciding where to put our efforts and if you're finding that Instagram isn't working for you then I'm the last person who's going to say you MUST use it! I have a deep and abiding suspicion of anyone who says there's only one way to do anything and there are so many other ways to market your business that it makes perfect sense to spend energy on the ones that work and, frankly, that you like more! I'd love to hear more of your reflections further down the line once you've had some time and space away - do you think you will post about it again?
Perhaps!