Instrategy Summer 2016

(picture credit: @LaPulcinella)

With Summer arriving and the recent launch of our Looks & Collection tool, you have some good reasons to rethink your Instagram strategy for this season.

While we are currently preparing a Summer-sales-focused post, we think that looking at how to get the maximum out of your Instagram presence is equally important during the Summer period — especially in times of a changed Insta-algorithm and the continuous challenge of driving social media traffic back to your blog.

By now, you may have tried Looks & Collections, and you may have realized that it’s a great way to get your followers from all different social media platforms over to your blog to check out what you’re wearing (or buying or looking at). It’s clear: there are no limits to monetizing an image, so be strategic this season and try to get the most out of likes and clicks on your blog with SSCollective links!

You might be tired of hearing this, but your analytics are everything. They can build the base of a successful post, measured in your audience’s engagement.

Although it might not be that easy to analyze posts you published on Instagram a year ago, take some time and go through them again!

Analyze what worked particularly well last Summer — was it the beautiful outfit-post announcement with a colorful background? Was it the bikini snap on the beach? Or a nice #FromWhereIStand with flowers in your hand and a sneak peek of your OOTD?

Maybe you’ve heard of Iconosquare before? It’s a great tool to look at your account’s Instagram statistics in the future, too!

(picture credit: @LaPulcinella)

It might be obvious, but Summer means more convenient opportunities to take nice pictures outdoors.

From your analytics, you might have learned that your followers really enjoyed that all-white look in front of a colorful graffiti wall. How about trying to find new places and introduce them to your audience? This post here highlights some important things you shouldn’t forget about!

(picture credit: @LaPulcinella)

MONETIZE CLEVERLY

Sandals, sunglasses, straw hats, bikinis, tunics, playsuits, cute shorts, crop tops, flats — the list of typical Summer items is endless! Make the most of all these outfit options and monetize strategically when posting little outfit previews or things you’re thinking about buying or packing for your upcoming holidays.

Use our Looks & Collections tool to build Instagram-like feeds with different themes. Have you ever thought about incorporating a small “Right-Now” feed on your blog, where you link to social media posts (like outfit previews from Instagram) and provide your followers with a quick Looks overview of what you’re wearing today (going to pack for your travels, thinking about buying)?

Julia Engel from Gal Meets Glam introduced an extremely clever way of letting her mobile readership digest small portions of content on her blog (GMG Now), while linking to all her different social media accounts.

(picture credit: @LaPulcinella)

DON’T FORGET ABOUT THE INSTA-ETIQUETTE

It’s one of the 101s, but remember to engage with your audience. Let them know why you like a cafe you just visited and took a picture at, ask them what they’re up to, share the places you love to go to during Summer (be it in your city or at your favorite holiday spot), give advice, and respond to comments. Spread the Summer vibes!

(picture credit: @LaPulcinella)

#INSTATRAVEL

It can become quite challenging to keep up to date with everything social media related when traveling. Not only do you want to enjoy your holidays, but you might also find it hard to choose pictures spontaneously, edit them in as little time as possible, and think about a few strategically good hashtags. That’s why preparation is worth a lot.

1. Check locations you know you’re going to visit/travel to on Instagram by tagged place, top posts taken at these places, and hashtags used as well as related; copy them into a new note & reuse them any time when needed! It will save you time.

2. Get inspired by other Instagrammers and think of ways you can take a different picture that still displays the setting as well as your Insta-identity.

3. Think of how you’d like your feed to look in advance. Are you going to a place with beaches, sunsets, and even warmer temperatures? Think about how you’d like to be as varied as possible when capturing all these beautiful moments — don’t post too much of the same things, and make your feed look as amazing as your holidays feel.

(picture credit: @LaPulcinella)

 Hope this helps you getting an idea of how to improve your Instagram strategy! For further Insta-inspo, take a look at our “How to build the perfect Instagram”-post here.

xo,

Anna