Instagram Inspiration: Getting in the Mindset

Hopefully by now you see the value of Instagram for your art business. Share your work. Find inspiration. Invite more people into your process. Communicate your uniqueness. Get discovered. Even drive sales. Sounds pretty great, right? So if you're ready to get started or eager get more active with your posting, but not sure what to actually post, this reference is for you. To help your brainstorming and get you into the Instagram mindset, I've outlined different categories of posts and ideas within them for you to photograph and share. Remember to include a caption for content and hashtags to extend your reach. With this recipe, you're ready for discovery!

Hashtag Happy

Are you getting tired of talking about Instagram? I hope not, because there is so much opportunity on this channel, and I want to help you take advantage of it in support of your art business. This week we're digging into one of the best features for discovery (and being discovered) – Hashtags. While several social platforms use hashtags, I would argue that they are the most functional and beneficial on Instagram. The trick is how you use them and which ones you use. You could turn anything into a hashtag, but I want to help you categorize these "keywords" and pick the best for your content. You need to balance relevance and popularity so people will see your posts when they search or follow that hashtag. Below I've outlined the different types of hashtags you might use so you can better brainstorm with each post what to include to increase your exposure on Instagram. #LetsDoIt

Getting Featured on Instagram

Instagram is a wonderful tool for discovery and exposure. In fact, I've found time and time again Instagram is one of the best channels for widening your audience beyond local. When you post great content and use appropriate hashtags, you make it easier for new people to find you, but more on hashtags later. This week I'd like to talk about a third way to grow your account - Getting Featured. There are a number of Instagram accounts built on sharing other people's content. The best of these accounts are focused on particular themes, and they curate what they share based on relevance and quality. These featured posts can open you up to a whole new audience yet to see your work. Plus, by having a third party highlight your work, there is added credibility. Think of these accounts as Instagram influencers. So how to do you find the best accounts for featuring and get their attention?

Anatomy of a Successful Instagram Post

As I've mentioned a few times, Instagram is one of my favorite social channels for artists. It’s ideally suited for creatives whether you’re sharing your own work or looking for inspiration. Plus, it’s quite simple to use. The challenge comes in setting yourself up for success, but what does that mean on this platform? As an artist I imagine your long term goal is making a living off your work, be that through selling pieces, getting commissions, showing in galleries or at events, etc. But first you must be discovered which is one of the best things Instagram can offer. If you use make full use of features at your disposal, you'll have the greatest likelihood of Reach and Engagement, the cornerstones of Instagram success!

Getting Professional on Instagram

Happy June! 2018 is flying by, am I right? This month we are going to continue the conversation about Social Media, but let's switch gears to my favorite channel and arguable one of the best options for artists – Instagram! As a visual platform, it's a great place to share your work, find inspiration, ask for feedback and more. If you've already set up an account, follow Crafting Exposure so I can follow you back. If you're new to this channel and need recommendations for getting started, check out my Instagram 101. Over the course of the next few weeks, we'll be talking about best practices and opportunities. But first, let me ask you an important question: Do you have a professional presence on Instagram? This is an important step to representing yourself well so you'll be taken seriously as a creative entrepreneur.

10 Must Do's for Social Media Engagement

The beauty of social media is the opportunity to have conversations at a larger scale. Traditional marketing media like TV, Radio and Print worked for a lot of years, but thanks to the Internet, you no longer have to focus on one-way communication. In fact, if you treat social media like broadcast, you’re not likely to have much luck. The really successful Facebookers, Instagrammers and Tweeters give Engagement as much priority as Awareness. They’re not just talking at you, they invite you to talk back. But how do you do that efficiently and effectively? There’s a lot of testing involved to see what your audience responds to, but if you follow a few key best practices, you’ll set yourself up for relationship building results. Yes, relationship building is the reason for engaging (as well as the extra reach most social channels will reward you with, of course).

Mixing Your Social Media

Is it just me or does there seem to be a new social network every week? These platforms come in and out of style, so how do you know which ones are worth the investment? As we’ve talked about, social media takes time – it’s a marathon – so you want to choose wisely before you hop on board with every new option. First of all, you won’t have time to make art if you try to be active across all social media. Plus, you’re more likely to drop off and leave behind an inactive account that leads some to question whether or not you’re still an artist. The good news is that you shouldn’t try to be everywhere. Pick a few social channels that benefit you and stay strong in your activity. If you’re wondering how to choose, I’m here to help you!

Social Media Planning for the Holidays

It's almost the most wonderful time of year! For artists and makers, that usually means the busiest time as well, but holiday demand can yield the great return as long as you play your cards right! I'm so excited to see what everyone has to offer for handmade gifts this year! I also want to be sure you are armed with the tools you need to promote your business and bring in the sales you deserve. In my opinion, Social Media is one of the best ways to make the most of your holiday season! I'll highlight a few key tips below, but for all of you Austin artists that would like to meet and discuss this in person, please join me for one of two workshops I'll be hosting in November! Expert advice and cheesy holiday puns to help you plan an effective online strategy for end of year!

• Social Media 101: Holiday Edition, brought to you by Chula League
• The Art of Online Exposure, organized in partnership with Lake Travis Artists

Social Media Planning to Save Time

As I've said before, Social Media is a marathon, not a sprint. It takes time, but it doesn't have to be a time suck. All you need is a routine to make your planning streamlined and your posting more efficient. There's no one-size-fits-all solution, but here's how I handle my social marketing to give you inspiration for your own process. You can also follow me to see my posting in action. If you have an approach that's different, I'd love to hear what works for you.

Instagram 101 for Artists

Instagram is a community built on visual creativity, and as such, its ideal for artists of all kinds. Its a place to share photos and videos of what you make and what you see. It's the ideal outlet for finding inspiration and connecting with collaborators. I may sound biased (because I am, this is my favorite social platform), but I can objectively say that this social outlet offers many advantages for the art community. Here's what you need to know to make Instagram work for you and your handmade business. Share, See, Sell!

Follow @CraftingExposure on Instagram