If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably heard some people say that Instagram isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. And, yes, the app does come with its own set of risks and downsides.
Still, I love the app for what it’s good for making your story more believable (and relatable) by giving your followers a peek into life behind the scenes.
That’s why I always try to post things in such a way that doesn’t make me feel embarrassed or self-conscious.
It’s hard to avoid feeling self-conscious as an influencer there are certainly times when even I reach my breaking point but with practice and these tips in mind, it’s possible to use Instagram without getting too caught up in yourself.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Embrace Authenticity: Focus on genuine self-expression rather than comparing yourself to others. |
| 2. Set Realistic Goals: Define achievable objectives for your Instagram journey to stay motivated. |
| 3. Practice Self-Care: Prioritize your mental and emotional well-being while using the platform. |
| 4. Engage Thoughtfully: Interact with your audience through meaningful comments and responses. |
| 5. Celebrate Progress: Acknowledge your growth and milestones, no matter how small they may seem. |
Paint Your Profile Picture In A Way That Isn’t Distracting
You should also make sure your profile picture is not too bright or dark. It’s distracting and makes it hard to see what you’re trying to do.
Keep your photo in focus, but don’t use a zoomed-in shot of your face; you want people to be able to recognize who you are when they see your account on their feed!
The last thing I recommend is using a photo that isn’t too small or large for what it is. If the image is too small.
People won’t be able to see it clearly unless they click on it which will take them off of Instagram and onto another app if they’re not logged in already (and let’s face it, no one does this).
On the other hand, if a person sees something huge on their feed without having any context as to where it’s coming from then chances are slim that they’ll even bother taking time out of their day just so they can figure out what’s going on here…
That kind of defeats our purpose anyways doesn’t it?
Building a successful presence on Instagram requires a delicate balance between self-expression and confidence. In our article on succeeding on Instagram without self-consciousness, we delve into strategies that can help you shine without holding back.
Be Personable, Not Overly Self-Promotional
You should never be overly self-promotional on Instagram, but you also shouldn’t be so serious that your bio reads like a resume. You want to strike the right balance between being personable and sharing valuable content.
It’s okay to share some of your personal life in your bio if it feels natural but doesn’t go overboard with it! A little bit goes a long way; any more than that will come off as inauthentic and put people off from following you.
Let People See You As A Whole Person, Not Just Your User Name
When you share your interests, your personality, and your experiences, people can see that you are a person just like them. You’re not just a user name or an account number; you’re a human being with hopes, dreams, and aspirations.
People want to connect with others through social media platforms because it adds depth to their lives and if you let them get to know the real person behind the screen name (while still maintaining some mystery), they’ll likely be much more likely to stick around for the long term.
Don’t Act Like You’re Too Cool To Engage With Other Accounts
This is a great way to grow your account and meet new people. You might even find some who have similar interests as you.
Making connections like this will help keep you from going into a self-conscious spiral when someone follows you back, which can happen more often than not on Instagram because of how many people are trying to gain followers for their accounts.
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Don’t Post Too Many Photos Of Yourself. Cut Down On The Selfies And Other “I’m Here” Pics
If you’re like me, you probably don’t want to see selfies or other “I’m here” pics. I mean, how many times do you have to post a pic of yourself? It’s clear that you are there and people can tell that. So why do it?
It’s kind of exhausting; it makes people feel like they’re being stalked by an over-eager friend who has nothing better to do than take photos of herself all day long. And what if they don’t have any friends and that’s the only thing keeping them from killing themselves?
Mix It Up! Shoot More With Friends Than Posed Shots
While it can be tempting to post a lot of photos of yourself, it’s worth keeping in mind that this isn’t the best way to build your audience. It might even turn people off if you start posting too many selfies or posed shots. Instead, try shooting more with friends than on your own.
This will make your feet feel more genuine and engaging rather than self-obsessed, which is something all us girls have been guilty of at some point!
Follow At Least One Account That Isn’t Your Own
Following at least one account that isn’t your own is essential because it helps you to grow your following, learn new things and connect with people.
Growing your following: If you follow other accounts that are related to yours, it will help add followers who could potentially become fans of both pages. This is because someone who likes one of the pages may also like others focusing on similar content or themes.
Learning new things: Following accounts outside of your niche can give you ideas for posts or topics to cover in future ones. You might even discover some new trends or products that haven’t been covered yet!
Connecting with people:
Following an account from someone else’s perspective can help broaden your understanding of their interests and preferences so that when they visit yours later on down the track there’ll be less awkwardness between yourself as well as them (provided they’re not fans).
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Focus On People’s Comments Rather Than Their Photo Captions
As we mentioned above, the caption is not the most important part of the photo. It’s just one element in a larger composition, and you should try to view it as such.
The caption’s role is more to add context to what you’re seeing than to provide information about what happened exactly.
Think of captions like subtitles for movies or TV shows: they give you an idea of what you’re looking at, but they don’t tell you everything about it (and sometimes they’re just silly).
Interact Within Comments, Not Just Among Your Friends
One of the best ways to get more followers on Instagram is by interacting with your existing followers. You can do this by responding to their comments on posts, or by posting photos that go along with their interests and then responding to the comments on those photos.
If you want even more engagement from your followers, try interacting with people who have different interests than you do.
This may seem counter-intuitive at first (after all, why would anyone want to talk about politics or religion with somebody who disagrees?), but it’s a great idea!
Remember: there are hundreds of millions of people using Instagram every day and they all have different goals and desires when it comes to social media use.
Some people just want an outlet for creativity while others need an escape from reality and some need both! There’s no right answer here so don’t worry about trying too hard – just focus on being yourself while also respecting other people’s viewpoints (even if they aren’t yours).
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Enhance Your Digital Presence Through Apps
With the help of apps, you can:
Build your audience and increase engagement. Apps like Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter allow you to build a community of fans that understand your work and will be more likely to engage with it.
You can also use these platforms to find other influencers who share similar interests as you do.
Create content. To keep up with the latest trends in digital marketing, there are several tools available that allow users to create rich media content quickly and easily all from their mobile devices!
These apps make it easy for users at all levels (from beginner photographers looking for tips on how best to use their camera phones to professional photographers) to share photos online without having any previous experience.
Or knowledge about digital photography/video editing software programs like Photoshop or Final Cut Pro X
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Conclusion
And that’s it. With these tips, you can find some wonderful ways to boost your self-confidence, keep things interesting on Instagram, and even make a few new friends along the way.
Remember, it doesn’t matter if your feed is too perfect or not perfect enough; the important thing is that you’re having fun with it!
Further Reading
Dealing with Self-Consciousness in an Instagram World Short Description: Explore strategies to overcome self-consciousness and thrive in the Instagram environment.
Avoid These Mistakes on Instagram Short Description: Learn what not to do on Instagram to maintain an effective and engaging presence.
Tips for Instagram Success Short Description: Discover actionable tips for achieving success on Instagram and growing your audience.
FAQs
How can I deal with self-consciousness when using Instagram?
Overcoming self-consciousness on Instagram involves focusing on authentic self-expression and embracing your uniqueness. Share content that resonates with your values and interests, and remember that everyone’s journey on the platform is different.
What are some common mistakes to avoid on Instagram?
Avoiding over-promotion, using excessive hashtags, and neglecting engagement with your audience are key mistakes to avoid on Instagram. Instead, prioritize building genuine connections and providing value through your content.
How can I achieve success on Instagram?
Success on Instagram stems from a combination of consistent posting, engaging with your audience, and leveraging visual storytelling. Utilize relevant hashtags, collaborate with others, and track your performance to refine your strategy over time.
How do I improve my Instagram engagement?
To boost engagement, create content that sparks conversations and encourages interactions. Use polls, questions, and interactive features in your Stories, and respond promptly to comments and messages to foster a sense of community.
What role does authenticity play in Instagram marketing?
Authenticity is paramount in Instagram marketing. Audiences resonate with genuine content that reflects your brand’s values and personality. By showcasing the real behind-the-scenes aspects of your journey, you can build stronger connections with your followers.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.