#Instagram

FaceBook got to me. Politics had taken over the Book. Twitter encouraged people to tweet angrily at the universe in 140 characters or less. Then I found pics of food, exotic scenery, marketing tips, yoga poses, and inspiring quotes. That was for me! I headed for Instagram.

What started as a platform to display my new Snapchat skilz became a fascinating and humbling experience. On Instagram, engagement is key--a back and forth conversation that builds a bond.

Here are ten important things I've learned this year:

1. #Social on Social

Really read what somebody posts and make a relevant comment. Don't post an inane emoji or thumbs up. Respond to other people's comments and get a conversation going. Mention users (@name). Regram posts that inspire you and give shout-outs to accounts who deserve extra love for their amazing content.

2. Hashtags

You have thirty. Use them. Don't put them at the end of your post. That's spammy. Put them in a comment. Use 15 broad and 15 specific. You will attract all sorts of new people who may like your pic and give you a follow.

3. Follow/Unfollow

Don't follow someone and engage with them only to unfollow them in the middle of the night a week after they follow you back. It's not cool to increase your numbers that way. It's just not classy. A simple app like InstaReport lets them know right away that you've unfollowed them, so it's quickly obvious you were just using them. There are real flesh and blood people behind each account--business people you may meet at some point in your career, face-to-face. That's going to be uncomfortable. It's more fulfilling to be honestly successful with a smaller group of authentic, organic, engaged followers who enjoy being part of a community than to mimic success with followers you don't even know.

4. Time Your Posts

Instagram changed the chronological feed to an algorithm that gives priority to posts with higher engagement. So you want to post when your followers are scrolling. Use Iconosquare or a similar app to let you track when your followers are most active on the Gram.

5. Direct Message People You'd Like to Engage With

No middlemen exist on Instagram. You can direct message Beyonce if you want (good luck getting a response, but don't forget to immediately screen shot and post if you do!). Reach out and let them know their post was cool or what they said in their post touched you. Don't send an automated thank you for their follow -- I get we're all busy, but automated just leaves me cold. Unless, like one woman did, you send me an automated follow thank you that not only follows me back but has a call to action for specific, dedicated engagement in it to encourage me to keep her as my follower. She makes engagement for a follow a win-win.

6. Clean Up Your Feed

Get rid of posts with few likes or those less than meaningful pics. New and future followers will be scrolling your feed. Make it look inviting! Use a color scheme, post in a pattern, lighten up on the text, give it a cohesive overall brand that lets a follower know right off the bat it's you. Have some fun, be vulnerable, be yourself -- people follow and engage with people who touch their emotions in some way.

7. Use Your Post To Get People Involved

Engage followers by asking questions. If you're an author, give a few title choices and ask what they like best. If you're planning a meal, ask for suggestions. One woman posts an introspective, spiritual question each morning and asks people to answer in the comments. I've met some really deep thinkers via her feed. Have a contest to give something away of value (one of your products). People like and want to feel part of a discussion or a brand or a group.

8. Comment/Like Posts with Relevant Hashtags

Go outside your comfort zone and chat up these people. If you have an Albino Doberman, reach out to others who have one as well. Build your community. If you are a writer, give those other writers in your genre a like and a follow. Strike up a conversation. We're all just waiting for someone to wave at us across Instagram and say hello. Be the first one to make a move. It's the best way to stand out in the crowd!

9. Video

Do it. Put up a video. Your followers want to get to know YOU. Instagram is a visual medium--the 60-second video option is a great way to let your followers into your life. No need for Hollywood perfection--we want to hear what's going on in your business, what's happening with your kids or your super-cute dog or your weight-loss goals, and what's new and exciting in your world. We want to see who the person is behind the posts--it's nice to put a name to a face, and it's really nice to hear your voice, too!

10. Give and Connect

Give your information, your expertise, your songs, your poems, your philosophy on life. Every day, wake up and think, "what can I post that would help someone on Instagram today?" A quote, a business book, a new smoothie recipe, a funny joke...it's all about giving, not taking. The joy of Instagram is how many intangibles you can give away for free with no expectations of anything in return. And the amazing thing is...it comes back to you tenfold. In ways you would never expect: in friendships, in business connections, in knowledge, in compassion, in celebration, and yes, sales. I have bought more products via Instagram after having one-on-one conversations with the people who create the products. I have also increased my own sales by 50%. I don't push my products in any way--I don't even talk about them. People find out about them on their own because they're curious about me after engaging with a genuine person who loves sharing information about all sorts of topics. It's all about the giving. It's all about the relationship. It's a new paradigm.

Instagram is being taken to a new and higher level of connection by people all around the world who truly care about reaching out to learn, teach, and experience each others lives. People are becoming more aware and socially responsible on this platform, taking Instagram in a better, less self-serving "selfie" direction. Is this what Instagram intended in its conception? Probably not, but platforms have a way of transforming and morphing to meet the needs of the humans behind each keystroke. The need for global relationship and community is growing stronger each day.

Follow me on Instagram: @annetalmagecooksey