A DIY Guide on Instagram
On the 13th of March, we had the pleasure of having our fourth Womenfolk event ‘A DIY guide on Instagram’ facilitated by Lauren Taylor & Danni Simpson
In this workshop, they covered:
How they got started in creating their business and becoming a full-time artist
How Instagram has influenced their businesses
Relationship between their websites and social media - most people shop on their phones, % of traffic to a website comes from Instagram
Building a brand on Instagram
Growing a following and building connections
Making your content visual
Content Guide
Ways to use social media and using the different functions differently - research, creating buzz, promoting, launching a product, etc. Using stories vs post vs reels vs IGTV uniquely
Social media & mental health
This project is kindly funded by Ulster Bank.
This project is brought to you by Blick Shared Studios & Creating A Space
If you are looking for the detailed presentations created by Lauren Taylor & Danni Simpson, please click the boxes below to download the free resource.
Video 1 - Business background of Lauren Taylor
In this video, Lauren Taylor walks us through her business journey to becoming a full-time artist.
Video 2 - The Role of Instagram within business
In this video, Lauren discusses how Instagram has been used to grow her business as an artist. She breaks down in a graph how many people have accessed her website through her Instagram page.
She mentions how important it is to make sure your website is mobile-friendly for your customers.
Video 3 - What to Post?
In this video, Lauren talks about the different features on Instagram and how they influence what content she posts.
Posts - A Visual Portfolio
Stories - A way to connect with your audience day to day or promote a product
IGTV - Longer form videos
Reels - Creating a buzz
Her main message in this video is to nurture the audience that you have, rather than chasing other followers. If you can build genuine connections and relationships with your audience, you will go far.
Video 4 - Social Media & Mental Health
In this video, Lauren gives some tips on how to navigate Instagram with your mental health.
It's okay to unfollow people that you admire
Take a break when you need one
Focus on connections over numbers
Video 5 - The business story of Danni Simpson
In this video, Danni shares her business story of working full time to transitioning to becoming a full-time artist.
Video 6 - Building a brand on Instagram
In this video, Danni breaks down the fundamentals aspects of building a brand on Instagram.
Identity - what makes you unique?
What do you do - what makes you unique to your target market?
Where are you - how can people find you?
Community - create a community
Video 7 - Growing a following
In this video, Danni talks about how important it is to build your following organically. It's not about the number of followers you have, but how many people engage with your brand.
Here are some tips to follow:
Stay on brand - Be a human
Make it visual - Encouragement Engagement
Time it right
CTA
Analyze your metrics
Video 8 - Content Guide
In this video, Danni shares the importance of having a content guide to follow in case you are stuck for ideas.
Ideas:
Milestones
Things that inspire you
Partnerships
Quotes
Infographics
Games
Quizzes
How to guides
Blog posts
Polls
National days
Giveaways
Behind the scenes
Timelapses
Work on progress
Video 9 - Call To Action
In this video, Danni talks about the importance of having a call to action in all that you do. Whether it is directing people to your website or to sign them up to an email subscribers list.
She talks about how Instagram is not your website, as you do not have control over the platform. However, having a website allows you to have full creative control because you own it.
Video 10 - Q & A
In this video, we opened up the floor to the audience to ask Lauren and Danni questions.
Q1. How do you know when Instagram are changing their algorithm? Can you tell from your engagement levels?
Q2. Do u think it's better to have a website than an Etsy account?
Q3. Do you use a tripod/camera holder to record work in progress videos?
Q4. Do you follow/recommend any good digital creator/instagram advisors on Instagram?
Q5. Can you recommend a basic ‘How to’ guide to cover the technical step by step process to do the fantastic things you’ve talked about doing on IG?
Q6. Can you talk about hashtags and if they help your posts get seen?
Thank you for watching this online workshop, we hope you were able to get the value of it and feel confident in building a business on Instagram.
We would appreciate it if you could fill in a short feedback form that will take less than a few minutes. It is for us, and our funders so that we can put more events like this on. Thank you in advance.