by Sally Meadows
I have an on-again, off-again relationship with Instagram, mostly because difficult life circumstances have interrupted my writing career over the past seven years. I also struggle with what kind of content to post because I am so diversified. I have taken several courses on this topic and do plan to return to nurture my Instagram account once again as soon as life settles. I hope you find the tips useful no matter your level of expertise.
1. My first tip is to use a photo of you that “fills the frame” in your profile photo; that is, shows you from the shoulders or neck up. Ideally this is the same photo you use with all your social media and promotional material.
2. Your profile bio should be succinct (150 characters or less), include searchable key words (e.g. “Christian mystery writer”), and reflect your style. Identify what you do, what makes you stand out from the crowd, and why readers should follow you.
Sign up at https://linktr.ee/ to create a link in your bio so that your followers and potential followers can connect directly to your website and other social media accounts. Your list of links can be easily updated, for example, if you have a new promotion.
3. The content of your posts should be consistent with the kind of image you want to portray. The Instagram feed of someone who writes devotions or biographies will be quite different than the playful posts of a children’s book author. The colour palette of your posts should also reflect your image. Do you favour soft pastels? Bold, bright colours? Black, whites, and greys? Having a consistent look to your posts helps you create content that attracts your ideal customer.
4. Instagram is highly visual. Your posts can include one or more photos. Make sure your caption is well written, succinct, and includes a call to action; that is, a prompt that encourages viewers to do something in response to your post. Examples include asking a question, having your followers engage in a poll, asking your readers to tag someone in the comments, or having them click on a link to buy your latest book or get a freebie.
5. Videos are very effective on Instagram. Reels can be up to 90 seconds long; however, note that the most popular reels are under 15 seconds. You can add music, visual effects, and voice overs to enhance your reel. Reels target a public audience and are good for gaining new followers. They appear on your main page (your “feed”).
6. Stories are another kind of post that only your current followers see. Story videos can be up to 60 seconds long but disappear from Instagram in 24 hours. However, you can save and categorize your stories in your profile. Stories are good for “day-in-the-life-of-a-writer” posts if that’s something you want to feature on your Instagram account.
You can also upload a full video (i.e. longer than 90 seconds), such as a reading from your latest book, onto your Instagram feed.
7. When you create a post, add words with hashtags (#) to your caption. Hashtags are a way to label and categorize your content and help you get found by others on Instagram who are looking for that kind of content. Make sure your words or phrases are searchable. For example, an Instagram user might be looking to connect with children’s book authors. Your post including #childrensbookauthor will be visible to anyone who subscribes to or searches for that hashtag.
You can add up to 30 hashtags per post. However, if you are just starting out or want to keep things simple, you could use the 3 x 3 rule, which is to post three hashtags to explain what your book is about; three hashtags that identify the audience you serve; and three hashtags to explain what problem is solved or the benefits of your book. Use those same hashtags on all your posts if possible.
Posting often, especially stories, reels, and videos, helps you get discovered more easily. However, posting consistently is more important; see my companion article “A Simplified Plan for Instagram” (FellowScript, August 2024, p. 24) which helps you create a flexible and doable schedule that fits into your busy life.
This article has covered some basic tips for improving your Instagram profile and posts. My final word of advice is, don’t try to do or learn everything at once, and have fun with it. Take it slow, and in time, your audience, and engagement with your readers, will inevitably grow.
by Sally Meadows
Sally Meadows, MSc, BSc, BEd
Certified Color Consultant
Award-winning author & singer/songwriter
https://instagram.com/sallymeadowsstudios
https://facebook.com/SallyMeadowsMusic