#socialbloggers 52 // Instagram and your blog

I’ve been trying to up my instagame lately, by interacting more with other instagrammers and being more active.

I’ve had an instagram account for years but never tried to grow my audience, I just linked it here on my blog and shared some photos on Twitter and Facebook and slowly people followed along.

As I’m on this quest for a larger audience, I thought a Twitter chat about it would be a great idea to share some ideas on the subject.

Instagram is becoming one of the most popular social networking sites, which isn’t surprising in our fast paced lives where we love to consume a lot of content quickly.

My favourite instagram accounts are those that motivate and inspire.

I follow a lot of fitness accounts, I like to see before and after photos, I like to see women with abs and lifting weights. I also follow vegan and raw accounts because the food is beautiful and makes me want to up my fruit and veg intake.

Other accounts I follow are bloggers and people I love. I follow a few celebrities. Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Zooey Deschanel. Oh, and yoga. I love yoga accounts too.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on instagram, so please read through the questions and chat then let me know what you think in the comment section below!

Q1: Do you use instagram alongside your blog? Why/why not?

@skinnedcartree A1. I do! I find that it allows me to reach a new audience who may not use twitter as much #socialbloggers

— Jordan (@hellomissjordan) February 21, 2015

I use Instagram alongside my blog photos can draw people in and it shows readers more of your personality #socialbloggers — Hannah (@suitcasesandals) February 21, 2015

@skinnedcartree yes! instagram is a good way to showcase your best pictures and attract people to read more on your blog! #socialbloggers

— Carina Chung (@rwhitehorses) February 21, 2015

I use Instagram but don’t ever tend to put blog images on there, its more for personal use! #socialbloggers — Sarah Smiles (@sarahsmilesxxx) February 21, 2015

a1. ah, I have a love/hate relationship with instagram.. I’m either on it constantly or not at all  #socialbloggers

— Dayna (@etcdayna) February 21, 2015

@skinnedcartree A1 : Sure do! I think it’s a great way to share content quickly and easily so a potentially bigger audience. #socialbloggers — Sophie  (@Filthy_Paws) February 21, 2015

A1: I love Instagram, it allows to me add pictures which wouldn’t really justify a blog post @skinnedcartree #socialbloggers

— Jessica (@JessInYourEar) February 21, 2015

A1: I don’t Instagram along side my blog. Somehow I not ready to share my blog on Instagram yet. Don’t know why?? #socialbloggers — Mille Aakerlund (@Milleaaker) February 21, 2015

A1 – I promote instagram on my blog but not my blog on Instagram! I would like to change that so need to get organised! #socialbloggers

— Amy Eade (@eadeyamy) February 21, 2015

I like to use Instagram as a bit like a ‘Behind the Scenes’ of my blog. That gives people a reason to follow me there too! #socialbloggers — Jordan (@hellomissjordan) February 21, 2015

Q2: What kind of photos do you post on instagram?

@skinnedcartree usually I post my latest blog post photos on Instagram, I use it as a post alert kind of thing #socialbloggers

— Chaitra (@PinkPot7) February 21, 2015

I post anything really! It could be my new dress, a book I’m reading or a view from my walk! #socialbloggers — Hannah (@suitcasesandals) February 21, 2015

@skinnedcartree a2. I post blog photos, a lil bit of selfies, and just random things.. #socialbloggers

— Ayre (@ariannecruz07) February 21, 2015

@skinnedcartree It used to be very beauty related, now its just anything I feel like uploading, I guess still mainly beauty #socialbloggers — Eloise (@MallowBeauty) February 21, 2015

@skinnedcartree all kinds some to do with my blog and some personal #socialbloggers

— Luke Sam Sowden (@lukesamsowden) February 21, 2015

Sometimes I like to post photos on Instagram if it’s just one thing that doesn’t warrant a whole blog post. #socialbloggers — Ayre (@ariannecruz07) February 21, 2015

@skinnedcartree A2. Lifestyle, Food and Blog photos! 😀 My followers kind of hate me for posting pizza all the time! 😛 #socialbloggers

— Jadirah Sarmad (@Jadirah_Sarmad) February 21, 2015

@skinnedcartree Food mostly, places, products, shiny things whatever I’m looking at really! Life through a lens an all that! #socialbloggers — Sarah (@saloca) February 21, 2015

@skinnedcartree A2 : When I publish a post, I always Instagram it too. Otherwise, I just post random pretty things ?? #socialbloggers

— Sophie  (@Filthy_Paws) February 21, 2015

Q3: Are you a #hashtag person? What are your favourites?

@skinnedcartree A3 : On my blog Instagram, absolutely! It’s the best way to get your content seen! Tagging brands too ?? #socialbloggers — Sophie  (@Filthy_Paws) February 21, 2015

@dotabouttown I do that too! On Instagram too, it’s always #bbloggers and #lbloggers! 🙂 #socialbloggers x

— Puja – BerryBloomXO (@BerryBloomXO) February 21, 2015

I’m probably one of those people that over use hashtags on instagram  buts it’s a great way to get your photos seen! #socialbloggers — Donalyn Twinkle (@lovefromtwinkle) February 21, 2015

I always get bullied for my over-hashtagging; my favs are #fbloggers #bbloggers #lotd #fotd #wiwt and brands @skinnedcartree #socialbloggers

— Jessica (@JessInYourEar) February 21, 2015

Q4: What makes you follow other instagram users?

@skinnedcartree If I follow their blog, or if I like what I see, I love inspirational and lifestyle instas #socialbloggers — Sarah (@saloca) February 21, 2015

Q4 pretty pictures ?? #socialbloggers

— teen blogger (@EmilyBee_3) February 21, 2015

A4: Consistent good quality content, great photography and lots of photos! @skinnedcartree #socialbloggers — Jessica (@JessInYourEar) February 21, 2015

@skinnedcartree A4: If you post loooads of cat or baby photos, I’m instantly put off #socialbloggers

— Sophie  (@Filthy_Paws) February 21, 2015

A4: You can get a great sense of someone’s personality from photographs, so its great to follow like minded people! #socialbloggers — James (@Blogger_James) February 21, 2015

Anyone with cute pics, babies or pastel colores  #socialbloggers

— Rafiia (@mysterygirl110) February 21, 2015

#socialbloggers A4 – I follow, if people have inspiring positive photos, especially inspiring women — TrebleMaker909 (@treblemaker909) February 21, 2015

@skinnedcartree I follow if I already following their blog. And if their pictures motivate me or interest me! #socialbloggers

— Anna Busby (@frazzledbeauty) February 21, 2015

I am also a sucker for charity shop bargain posters, I love charity shops! #socialbloggers — Grace (@GrownUp_Grace) February 21, 2015

Q5: What’s the best way to grow your instagram following?

@skinnedcartree putting urself out there and developing ur photography! My insta is terrible i need 2put more time in2 it #socialbloggers

— Anna Busby (@frazzledbeauty) February 21, 2015

A5 By liking and commenting on photos that are similar to your niche, I think #socialbloggers — Corinne (@skinnedcartree) February 21, 2015

A5. As a newbie I found taking part in photo-challenges helpful! Made so many friends through it. 🙂 #socialbloggers

— Jadirah Sarmad (@Jadirah_Sarmad) February 21, 2015

A5: I don’t know the answer to this one – but if anyone has any tips, I’d love to hear them! @skinnedcartree #socialbloggers — Jessica (@JessInYourEar) February 21, 2015

I think the best way to build a following is to post regularly, use relevant hashtags & interact with other accounts! #socialbloggers

— Donalyn Twinkle (@lovefromtwinkle) February 21, 2015

I do think that posting daily makes a huge difference to followers; it’s something I need to improve on @skinnedcartree #socialbloggers — Jessica (@JessInYourEar) February 21, 2015

A5 – I don’t have a huge Instagram following so I obviously don’t know the answer to this one! Enjoying reading tips though #socialbloggers

— Amy Eade (@eadeyamy) February 21, 2015

A5. Clearly have no idea abt that as i am a loner over there. Would love few tips in this regard  #socialbloggers — Rafiia (@mysterygirl110) February 21, 2015