10-20-2015
6 Ideas for Generating Authentic Instagram Content
FILED IN: Education
Posted By: Jamie Kutchman
Image credit: Shalyn Nelson from The School of Styling (Los Angeles)
In leading the Rising Tide Society Tuesdays Together group for Bethesda/Chevy Chase as well as offering one-on-one mentoring to small business owners, I often hear people ask "How do I come up with enough things to Instagram?" Personally, I don't have a set formula or schedule I follow, but when looking back on my last year of posts, they tend to fall in one or more specific categories. Might sound strange but it's almost as if I view my day through an "Instagram lens" as I'm evaluating whether or not each daily task, project or activity would make for good, relatable, authentic content. Without further adieu...
Behind the Scenes
People are always interested in what goes on behind the scenes in a business so showing a bit about where your product is made is always interesting. If you're a service-based business then show your office or studio from time to time. This is also a great way to share sneak peeks from styled shoots!
The Finished Product
I always photograph everything that goes out the door whether it's a big order or a tiny one. Whether it's in-keeping with my usual signature "blush and neutrals" aesthetic or not. Or whether or not I even have the time to be styling and photographing when I'm hustling gifts on their way. Trust me, I'm always glad I made the time because doing so gives me material to pull from when I need content.
Work in Progress
I used to think that I could only post perfection. To me, this means perfectly-styled and 100% completed gifts just as they are ready to leave the studio for delivery. However, I surprisingly get a good response from showing gift boxes or bags in the works. If you're a photographer, it could be some screen shots of the editing process or if you're a calligrapher, an invitation in-progress could also do well. For makeup artists, perhaps adding an "in progress" shot to your usual "before and after" might draw some interest and be an additional opportunity to reach your Insta audience and keep them wanting more.
Collaborations/Thank Yous
Give shout outs to others you're working with by mentioning them in the text of your post as well as tagging them. This helps cross-promote and capture some of their audience while they capture some of yours. It becomes a total win-win for both of you.
Blog Posts Announcements
Announce your blog posts on Instagram. This gives an automatic reason to post on Instagram and always helps move your insta audience over to your blog which deepens the connection between you and your audience.
Quasi-Personal Posts
Personal posts that relate back to my work do well for me. For example, if I'm taking a break from my work day because I've pulled an overnighter assembling gifts, then I show what I'm doing to relax and explain why. Everyone relates to wanting a work day break so it's a good way to be personally authentic to you your audience while still building a connection to your business.
My hope is that this list of categories will provide at least one additional area for you to focus on and, in turn, help grow your following!
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