By Emilie Haney, @emhaneyauthor
I started my Instagram in 2016. I posted pictures of books and my bookish merchandise and generally talked about books with anyone who would listen. My small account started to grow and grow and I hit 16.8k followers before things started to slow down. It would be easy to feel defeated by my lack of growth recently, but I’ve shifted my perspective and I wanted to share that with you.
This post isn’t about gaining hundreds of followers or going viral. It’s guidelines I’ve adopted to feel successful on Instagram. But first it’s important we define “success”.
My definition of success on IG: enjoying being an author on Instagram who engages with their readers in a fun and real way.
Instagram success is often described with numbers. How many followers you have. How much engagement you garner. What your reach is. All of those questions are important, but I’d caution you not to focus on them too much. As authors we know that “more is better” when it comes to numbers, but as humans it’s a dangerous mindset.
Use these tips to be “successful” in posting and engaging, not just to see your numbers go up.
1. Photos & Reels
Instagram is a visual platform. That means posting things that are visually pleasing can help your chances of catching someone’s eye. Using a filter to give your photos a uniform look can capture attention in the feed. I recommend photos of books you enjoy in addition to your own book – there’s a balance here between promotion and other content.
Reels are now a BIG thing on Instagram. I confess they aren’t my favorite thing to create…but keeping your content relevant to your passion and allowing yourself to have fun can often see results of higher engagement and reach.
2. Captivating Captions
While IG is a visual platform, captions are still important. I’ve seen authors gain followers due to their captions even more so than their images because their words are what grab attention. Use the caption space to share your life with followers, share information behind your book or writing process, or be honest about struggles. But I challenge you to assess your motivation—don’t share for the views, share to reach others.
A word on hashtags: It’s recommended to add a few hashtags, either in the caption or as a comment. I suggest between 1-11 hashtags relevant to the post.
3. Interaction Necessitates Interaction
Many times I’ve come to my IG and thought…no one is interacting with me! But then it hits me: have I interacted with them? I know it takes time, but commenting and liking other posts and genuinely interacting with others on the app can help your own page grow as well.
4. Transparency
In the digital age it’s hard to feel a true connection with someone. That’s where transparency comes in. I suggest only sharing to the level you are comfortable with, but my most engaged posts are those where I am honest about something in my life that is difficult or that I’m learning about.
5. Let Passion Lead
One thing that speaks to IG users is passion. It’s easy to see my passion on my page – books everywhere! You can add in other passions (gardening, hiking, crocheting, rock climbing) but again I suggest balance. Find a way to share your life with your readers so that they not only get to know you but want to pick up your books too.
Is this all overwhelming? Don’t know where to start (or continue)? I suggest hopping on the app and taking a look at what other authors have had success with. Perhaps it will take a little more work – planning out what photos to post and what to say in the captions – but being consistent and interacting with others will help grow your community of genuine followers.
And remember – gauge your success by your level of enjoyment and connection with others, not by your numbers.
Emma Holland is almost finished with the renovation of The Brown Bear Lodge nestled just off the Pacific Coast 101 Highway in picturesque Justin Harbor, Oregon. Being a business owner in a small town isn’t easy, but Emma’s got more than enough determination—not to mention an excellent eye for interior design. There’s only one problem. One of her first guests of the season is someone she hoped she’d never see again. As a famous landscape photographer, Connor Pearson has traveled far and wide following his dreams at the cost of losing his first love. Now, back in Justin Harbor, Connor is looking for more than just a place to stay. He’s looking for himself. As Emma and Connor rediscover their lost friendship and seek to find common ground in the present, Connor feels the tug of his small town roots. Is it possible that a man who’s traveled the world could find his home where his dreams began? Can Emma come to terms with the fact that self-reliance isn’t all it’s cracked up to be? Will their bonds from the past weather the storms of the present? As Easy as Riding a Bike will introduce you to the salty air and calming waters of Justin Harbor, the first novella in a series featuring small town women business owners.
Emilie Haney (also writing under the pen name Bell Renshaw) grew up in the Pacific Northwest and has a love for the outdoors that matches her love for the written word. In addition to writing, she is a graphic designer who creates promotional graphics for writers, designs book covers, and has built a thriving community around her Instagram platform and brand CreateExploreRead. Emilie writes YA science fiction and fantasy as well as adult contemporary fiction with strong themes of romance and suspense and believes that–no matter what–love fights for what’s right. Connect with her: www.eahcreative.com, Instagram, Etsy