Also thinking it will be useful to build some of the challenges in more regularly but take your point about not wanting to make it feel like too much of a sell, sell, sell!
Thank you for these challenges Nicola, I listened to the audio for the first time on this one, and it was nice to hear your lovely voice explaining a bit more about your philosophy and the thinking behind the challenges 💛
I HATE the sound of my voice (who doesn't!) so I um and ah every time I record something, but have realised not everyone has quite such an aversive reaction to it 😉
Thank you for your Insta lessons - I’ve been on there for years but still find it confusing and this is helping! Just one question - when you find people this way and you ‘cold comment’ is it etiquette that you should follow them too? I always feel a bit peeved when people come over and like lots of my posts/comment then don’t follow me because I feel if they’re interested enough to engage, surely they’d like to follow me for more of my posts and to build an ‘insta connection’? What do you suggest? Thank you! Lisa x
great question - thank you! I think you should take it case by case - when I see a post that really resonates with me I will comment and then take a look at their profile to decide whether its an account I want to follow. Sometimes the rest of their account doesn't feel very relevant to me so I decide not to follow, and I think that's ok! Don't forget that when you comment on someone's post, it does benefit them as it signals to the algorithm that their post is interesting and valuable to people like you so it's more likely to be shared more widely. Hope that helps - I'm so plesaed you're finding the tasks helpful!
Yes thanks, reply makes sense. I get overwhelmed with the number of accounts I’m following already (which is minuscule compared to a lot of other people) but I probably should follow more people to generate more interest in my own work?! Aaah! Maybe the trick is to follow more accounts for my target audience but restrict the time I spend scrolling?
The last sentence is spot on! IMO, there's nothing wrong with scrolling for enjoyment BUT it can be useful to have different 'modes' for using Instagram: basically, times when you're being very focused on what you need to do to promote your work/ find readers etc. and other times when things are more casual and relaxed. The former doesn't need to be a long time each day - it could be as little as 10-15 minutes, and then you're free to wander around whereever it takes you!
Oh my goodness, this was a revelation! Why have I not done this before? I really enjoyed this because it also gave me an insight into how other writers are working their accounts.
YAY! I often tell writers to *start* by doing a bit of lurking to see what other writers are doing - not to copy, but because it can be really helpful. I see it the same way as how writers need to read in order to improve our craft!
May I say I think your week of exercises worked? Today I got more than my usual number of views and interactions! Thank you!
Ahh that’s great news, Alison. It’s a good way to remind us the importance of being social on social media, as well as just sharing our own content!
Enjoying this…thank you!
You're very welcome!
Also thinking it will be useful to build some of the challenges in more regularly but take your point about not wanting to make it feel like too much of a sell, sell, sell!
I love these challenges - there's one I ran last January that I think I will run again this coming Jan - so can definitely build more in!
Thank you for these challenges Nicola, I listened to the audio for the first time on this one, and it was nice to hear your lovely voice explaining a bit more about your philosophy and the thinking behind the challenges 💛
I HATE the sound of my voice (who doesn't!) so I um and ah every time I record something, but have realised not everyone has quite such an aversive reaction to it 😉
Thank you for your Insta lessons - I’ve been on there for years but still find it confusing and this is helping! Just one question - when you find people this way and you ‘cold comment’ is it etiquette that you should follow them too? I always feel a bit peeved when people come over and like lots of my posts/comment then don’t follow me because I feel if they’re interested enough to engage, surely they’d like to follow me for more of my posts and to build an ‘insta connection’? What do you suggest? Thank you! Lisa x
great question - thank you! I think you should take it case by case - when I see a post that really resonates with me I will comment and then take a look at their profile to decide whether its an account I want to follow. Sometimes the rest of their account doesn't feel very relevant to me so I decide not to follow, and I think that's ok! Don't forget that when you comment on someone's post, it does benefit them as it signals to the algorithm that their post is interesting and valuable to people like you so it's more likely to be shared more widely. Hope that helps - I'm so plesaed you're finding the tasks helpful!
Thanks for that - makes sense! I don’t feel so guilty for not following now if o don’t think the rest of the account resonates x
you're welcome 😊
That’s a good question, I’m interested in this too!
Hey Jane, not sure if you'll be notified so this is me just saying I've answered this question above!
Thanks, I’m learning so much here 💖
Yes thanks, reply makes sense. I get overwhelmed with the number of accounts I’m following already (which is minuscule compared to a lot of other people) but I probably should follow more people to generate more interest in my own work?! Aaah! Maybe the trick is to follow more accounts for my target audience but restrict the time I spend scrolling?
The last sentence is spot on! IMO, there's nothing wrong with scrolling for enjoyment BUT it can be useful to have different 'modes' for using Instagram: basically, times when you're being very focused on what you need to do to promote your work/ find readers etc. and other times when things are more casual and relaxed. The former doesn't need to be a long time each day - it could be as little as 10-15 minutes, and then you're free to wander around whereever it takes you!
Oh my goodness, this was a revelation! Why have I not done this before? I really enjoyed this because it also gave me an insight into how other writers are working their accounts.
YAY! I often tell writers to *start* by doing a bit of lurking to see what other writers are doing - not to copy, but because it can be really helpful. I see it the same way as how writers need to read in order to improve our craft!