All of it. But this spoke to me in particular: "Chasing the algorithm and trying to crack the code that will make content ‘go viral’ is a recipe for disillusionment and frustration."
I have a memoir coming out this year, but am mostly known as a poet, I also have, up to now, made the majority of my living from running workshops. I also founded and run a literary magazine. ALL THE HATS. I want to steer my career towards and around the book that's coming out (I feel like it's my big break) and to be known more for my prose, less for my workshops in particular, and want to reach a different audience and have been borderline obsessed with trying get instagram 'right'. Usually the posts that I don't plan meticulously do best, (in terms of engagement) because they are the ones where I am not trying to be something that I'm not, I'm just sharing stuff that excites me. And I have had some success, my audience is growing, but I have often felt like I am trying to 'be' a writer on instagram, projecting myself in a certain way and I end up just looking at it and seeing how 'well' other people manage their accounts and feeling rubbish about it. It doesn't feel like me.
This whole post helped me to take a bit of pressure off and realign what it was I wanted - to present my book to an audience, to share the things I love and to join in the community that is also sharing those things. So...Thank you!
Thank YOU for the mention. As I’ve been on this platform longer the paid audience has diversified but it’s 100% Instagram generating the first swell which I think then led to the next part....
I find you so thoughtful Nicola in what you have to say. You always help me reframe my love/hate (certainly a lot of dislike!) relationship with social media and find a way to re engage. Thank you.
This is very kind of you, Clare. Thoughtful is one of my 'brand values' - trying to think around the complexity of an idea is something I think can take the sting out of much discourse, rather than releasing knee-jerk responses that can feel gratifying in the moment but can also leave me feeling exposed (I've learned that the hard way!). I'm pleased it helps.
This is helpful as well, thank you. I like the thought of being myself on Instagram rather than what I'm expected to be. That's rather liberating. I am however still bamboozled by the thought of putting the toothpaste on the brush the night before - what WAS this person thinking?!?!
I KNOW!! She is no longer my boss, I hasten to add ;-) And if there is one thing NOT to do on Instagram, it is be who you think you're EXPECTED to be. It's your decision what parts of yourself you share with the internet, but they should all be YOU.
Every post you create has something I find useful in it. Thank you.
Out of curiosity, which bit really landed with you in this piece?
You are very, very welcome 😊
All of it. But this spoke to me in particular: "Chasing the algorithm and trying to crack the code that will make content ‘go viral’ is a recipe for disillusionment and frustration."
I have a memoir coming out this year, but am mostly known as a poet, I also have, up to now, made the majority of my living from running workshops. I also founded and run a literary magazine. ALL THE HATS. I want to steer my career towards and around the book that's coming out (I feel like it's my big break) and to be known more for my prose, less for my workshops in particular, and want to reach a different audience and have been borderline obsessed with trying get instagram 'right'. Usually the posts that I don't plan meticulously do best, (in terms of engagement) because they are the ones where I am not trying to be something that I'm not, I'm just sharing stuff that excites me. And I have had some success, my audience is growing, but I have often felt like I am trying to 'be' a writer on instagram, projecting myself in a certain way and I end up just looking at it and seeing how 'well' other people manage their accounts and feeling rubbish about it. It doesn't feel like me.
This whole post helped me to take a bit of pressure off and realign what it was I wanted - to present my book to an audience, to share the things I love and to join in the community that is also sharing those things. So...Thank you!
Thank YOU for the mention. As I’ve been on this platform longer the paid audience has diversified but it’s 100% Instagram generating the first swell which I think then led to the next part....
I find you so thoughtful Nicola in what you have to say. You always help me reframe my love/hate (certainly a lot of dislike!) relationship with social media and find a way to re engage. Thank you.
This is very kind of you, Clare. Thoughtful is one of my 'brand values' - trying to think around the complexity of an idea is something I think can take the sting out of much discourse, rather than releasing knee-jerk responses that can feel gratifying in the moment but can also leave me feeling exposed (I've learned that the hard way!). I'm pleased it helps.
Such brilliant, helpful ideas Nic!
Thanks Eloise 😊
This is helpful as well, thank you. I like the thought of being myself on Instagram rather than what I'm expected to be. That's rather liberating. I am however still bamboozled by the thought of putting the toothpaste on the brush the night before - what WAS this person thinking?!?!
I KNOW!! She is no longer my boss, I hasten to add ;-) And if there is one thing NOT to do on Instagram, it is be who you think you're EXPECTED to be. It's your decision what parts of yourself you share with the internet, but they should all be YOU.
Good to know on all counts!!