SOCIAL // The Best Resources for Instagram
Hi, my name's Linda, and I'm a full-time social media manager and part-time content creator (@the_dragonfruit). I hopped on the social media train back in 2011 by starting this blog (back then known as "Trendy Teal"). Slowly I started branching out, building followings on both YouTube and then Instagram.
While only recently hopping back on this blog bus, I've spent the past few years building up my Instagram profile and learning the (at times frustrating) in's and out's of everybody's favorite app. It's led to some genuine connections with amazing people, helped me land my dream job, and overall has been an incredible asset.
How do you do it? You do your research. Social media management isn't an actual job position for no reason. There is work and time that is put into it. So here is a roundup of the best sources of information if you're looking to stay updated on ALL the tips and tricks of Instagram!
Sign up for Email Lists:
Find out about all the new updates, trends, and more by signing up for email lists that specifically target this! Here are a few of my favorites:
- Social Media Today: This is a daily newsletter that covers EVERYTHING. New updates, digital media studies, social media trends, you name it! I really love this one to find useful information on where Instagram is taking things. For example, the new Creator account release? I heard about it several months ago through this email list.
- Later: I always enjoy an e-mail from this company, mainly because it's so well-done visually. Their information is always valuable, and they are more specifically attached to Instagram (of course, because their company is built on service for Instagram, so it makes sense).
- The Daily Carnage: this one's more random but definitely fun. They round up any bit of random news that might be interesting. From sharing about human spaceflight to including vintage ads from the past (some are REALLY interesting), these guys do an amazing job of finding daily articles and news bits that are unique. Oh, and every Friday they include a drink recipe for the weekend. Cheers!
Download Apps:
With social media growing at the rate it is, app developers have started creating an endless amount of apps that specifically help the budding Instagrammer. Here are just a few that I use on the daily:
- UNUM: there are many like this, but so far, I love using UNUM to plan out my feed. You can also schedule out posts, much like Planoly and Later!
- Unfold, Storyluxe, InStories, and StoriesEdit: I use all of these apps to get a nice variety of looks for my Instagram stories! They're pre-made layouts you can load your videos and pictures in to give your stories a more aesthetic feel. Play around and let your creativity run free with these!
- KUNI Cam, Lightroom Mobile: These are the primary editing apps I use to add filters and edit my photos on. There are a huge variety of these types of apps though, so browse around to find what you like. But if you like adding vintage effects and light flares, KUNI Cam is a pretty solid one to start off with.
Follow Instagram Strategists:
Want to get updates from professionals in the field? The best way is to hear directly from those people! These are just a few of my favorite boss babes on Instagram, but they're all really solid accounts that share valuable information every time they post.
You can always trust Dulce to tell you how it is! She is an Instagram strategist and has even created her own program called LaVidaSocial - so she's always sharing the best tips in her stories and captions.
Kellie's primary job is a web/brand designer, so she's got a very analytical eye! I love hearing more about the web design aspect of social media, so her stories are always very informative to me (for example, I know to avoid GoDaddy AT ALL COSTS now).
Johhhanna has some of the best captions around! She's an Instagram strategist specifically for branding. Her captions always share some of the most helpful tips!
Heather is a boss babe to the max! Did I mention she's also a mom? From co-hosting #SheNetworksBoise events, helping fellow entrepreneurs master their marketing, and all while being a mom, it's clear she does it all!
I don't know what to tell you if you don't know who Quigley (aka: Casey Goode) is yet. She's grown a massive following on Instagram thanks to her combination of gorgeous photos paired with relatable, helpful captions. She shares useful tips through her blog and has even started a mentoring service called @thesoulcialmedia - check it out!
That's my roundup of the best tips and tricks to finding quality resources for Instagram! I hope it helped. What are some of your Instagram questions?
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