How Instagram can become your best friend during Lockdown

Lockdown is here and doesn’t seem to be going anywhere at this moment, a bit like a younger sibling who just won’t leave you alone.

I should know. I’m the youngest. So trust me on this one!

It is proving to be a testing time. Call me Chris Traeger from Parks and Recreation, because it’s going to feel as if there is literally nothing to do.

For content creators, it may even feel like you are going to run out of viable ideas you can push out to your audience without rehashing the same information everyone else is.

You’re probably also questioning whether you are able to keep to your usual style, tone of voice and all whilst keeping that entertainment factor at the forefront of what you do?

Let me tell you something now. Yes. Yes you can!

Things are bad enough for people as it is. This is not a time to forget who you are and what your content is about. If anything, it’s time to turn it up a notch. Let the flames roar. It’s time to go full content Ninja on everyone.

For this, you obviously have the pick of several social networks, all of which provide a great home to connect with your audience and build your community. However, right now, I wish to hone in on just the one…

INSTAGRAM!

I bet you all thought I was going to say TikTok there, right? Ha. NO!

Well…maybe another time.

Why do I say Instagram? Well as a Digital Marketing Executive and someone who runs campaigns for clients, I am aware of the benefits the platform currently holds for creators.

Sure, TikTok holds a similar creator to audience value, but it’s still in the initial growth stages and doesn’t quite have the same popularity Instagram has become known to have.

Over the last month or so, I have used my time on Instagram much more wisely. If you follow me you will know. If not, you can always make the right decision today and follow here – @lifeaschloelauren.

I have been meticulously testing different times of posting to see when my audience are online, have gone from irregular posting schedules to a post every other day as well as surfing relevant hashtags to better define my audience.

You may even notice I have mixed the content up, between photos of me, scenery, as well as videos on both my main feed and stories. It’s all about personality and mine just so happens to involve humour, whether good or bad!

Since implementing this strategy throughout Lockdown, my Instagram following has grown by 63% and my engagement rate has increased to 11.28%.

Even GaryVee, who’s content marketing tips I raved about (here) spends about 80% of his time on social media, just on Instagram, then divides the rest of his time on all the other platforms.

People still have the mentality that if they jump on the platform now, it’s too late to grow or gain any real results without paying for ads.

They are wrong. Plain and simple.

All it takes is a little effort on your part and community in your heart.

That’s all it’s about.

Don’t go in initially hoping to get likes on likes on likes. It doesn’t work that way. Over the last month, my average likes have gone from 30 per post to 55. Small achievements that will continue to build.

It builds over time, just like when you first started blogging and the numbers may not have been what you initially wanted there, yet you kept working and working. The same can be said in this instance!

One thing to keep in mind with Instagram is to engage, just as much as others engage with you.

Follow and start a conversation. Don’t just follow for a follow back!

For every follower I’ve received recently, I have sent a message to with a simple thank you and positivity for their day. I’m even glad to say the response rate has been quite high. I’d say 9/10 have responded to me. It has opened the chance to correspond with one another, build your network and join forces with people who may have opportunities for you in the future.

Please don’t forget that right now, it shouldn’t be a numbers game, but the more you grow on Instagram, the more you can impact and help others in times to come.

Now I am going to go and jump back on there myself. Always work to be done!

Let the virtual insanity continue,

Chloe Lauren

Published by Chloe Lauren

Hey! I'm Chloe Lauren. I've never been the best at introductions so I will just say this, stick around and I will try to hold your attention with my geekiness, F.R.I.E.N.D.S references and unfortunate puns. It's going to be a bumpy ride, but isn't that part of the fun?

24 thoughts on “How Instagram can become your best friend during Lockdown”

  1. flawed_silence says:
    Reply

    HI CHLOE IT’S YOUR FAV KIYA HERE TO SPAM YOUR COMMENTS ❤

    (just a warning i just had wayyyy too much chocolate!)

    this was a great informative post. kiya is the worst at using social media. like the idea of using instagram and perhaps twitter wisely to expand my blog community is appealing to me buuuuuut kiya lacks the skills and social interaction levels needed to do that. saying that, wow, so proud of you for exploring, doing your research and finding effective ways to reach bigger audiences. YOU GO GIRL ❤ perhaps i can pick up some tips to meet even more cool people on insta blogging wise (cause most my peeps are from the days i used to do photography haha)

    ever since i started on insta and even on wordpress, if someone takes the time to leave genuine comments behind or spam my feed with love, i slide into the dms/emails haha (my friends tease me about this) with a quick thank, and what do you know, some of my coolest virtual friendships started off like that!

    great post!

    p.s love the second photo ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    • Chloe Lauren says:
      Reply

      Hi, Kiya. Always love when you comment. It’s like a novel. It’s fantastic haha. I’m glad you enjoyed the post. Oh and don’t worry you can always build and work on that. Chloe can help you 😉

      Like

  3. glowsteady says:
    Reply

    I haven’t posted on Instagram for a really long time and have lost quite a few followers while being absent so I’ve been a little bit nervous about coming back and trying to regain the numbers so it’s good to know that with some effort it’s still possible. The increase in your stats is pretty impressive! x

    Sophie

    Like

  5. Heather says:
    Reply

    I like how you mentioned that you have to actually engage with your followers😂 I feel like many people don’t do that, they just want the follower and never pay attention to them. Also love the Parks & Rec reference!

    Like

  7. gabbyabigailll says:
    Reply

    I ABSOLUTELY love Instagram, but it’s a tough platform to grow on. However, I’m very happy to hear that you are seeing results after implanting some strategies. Although I have an on and off relationship with Instagram (some weeks I post more than others lol) I definitely think that with the right work put in, it’s possible to grow on Instagram.

    It’s been lovely chatting with you on IG. (:

    Much love always,
    GABBY | http://www.gabbyabigaill.com

    Like

    • Chloe Lauren says:
      Reply

      Hi! Same. Instagram has become my favourite platform. Used to be Twitter lol. I do agree. However, as long as you have the engagement sides of things down, you can set yourself up for a real chance to grow much quicker and build lasting relationships with your audience. 🙂 x

      Like

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