It’s probably no surprise that my most read blog post to date has been the post on growing your following. A lot of us are either trying to do just that or at the very least we are interested in how others have done it and made it a career. Earlier in the year I held a few workshops sharing my knowledge and experience on this process but since I made the decision not to do anymore workshops, I thought it would be interesting to find out how other people have achieved amazing things within the Instagram and blogging community. Whether it be their growth, their endless creativity or their ability to spread the word about something they are passionate about all through the use of Instagram.
It seems only fitting to start my first interview with Sally from Getting Stuff Done In Heels, who, even though she may not know it, has been a massive source of support over the last few months to me. I sometimes have a wobble over whether to continue blogging and she has always encouraged me selflessly. She has an impressive following over on her Instagram, her blog is funny and stylish. She shares a wonderful mix of interiors, fashion and some of her heart felt experiences. Most importantly she has a really stunning front door – something that I base a lot of my friendships on.
Why did you start your Instagram and blog? And which came first?
I had Instagram a couple of years before I started the blog. The blog really came off the back of my ‘micro blogging’ on IG, lots of people were asking me to write more, so I thought I should! Also, blogging gave me more room to write! Cos I do like to natter ! I love the freedom of my blog. It is also vital to have one, if you want to work with brands.
It also gave me a voice, where I could share our experience of cancer. I don’t talk about it much, but if I want to, I use my blog. I am really proud to say that following my posts, over 1,000 people signed up to the stem cell register and I know of 3 matches, which would have potentially saved 3 lives. Never underestimate the power your words might have!
You have an impressive following on Instagram what key things do you think have helped you get to this point?
I have 37K+ followers, I think people follow for different reasons. I am primarily an interiors account, so I guess people follow me for ideas for their own home.
I hope the fact that I love people, comes across. I really enjoy engaging with my audience, I am naturally nosy and interested in people, so engaging (that’s just blogger for nattering, lol) with everyone is easy for me! I hope that people follow me, because they like me!
Instagram has so many different elements now. It’s no longer a platform just for taking photos. How do you use all the functions and do you think they are important to aid growth?
I think, to help your account to grow organically, it’s vital to post good pictures – sounds really obvious, but there are a lot of bad photos out there. Think of your grid like a shop window, does it invite people to hang around? Do the images look clear? And write a good caption! You can post an amazing picture, but if there’s no caption, there’s nothing to engage with.
Be friendly! Comment on other accounts’ pictures! Get involved.
I’d never share my political or religious views, or try and push any of my views on to anyone. I think you’re on a sticky wicket if you go down that route as everyone has such firm and differing views.
Type with a smile!
Remember, generally people aren’t following to fawn over you, they want to be inspired by what you are showing them. If it’s all ‘ME ME ME’ I believe it turns people off. Share great finds, reply to messages, be friend, not a show off.
I know hashtags are a really good way to be found, they are also a really good way to help your followers find what they are looking for. I will always hashtag the paint colour on my walls, for instance, so people can see the paint colour in other settings.
I like using daft hashtags, I like the silliness. Beware of over using hashtags though, use too many and IG algorithms don’t like it and you might find yourself ‘shadow banned’ (basically hidden)
A lot of companies have their own hashtag – #BodenByMe #MyFabHome (that’s the Farrow & Ball one) – use the hashtag and the brand is more likely to find you. Equally, so will others, that like the brand you have hash tagged, and that is where you can find like minded people & start following each other.
Stories are an excellent way to engage! Whatever you do, don’t be too monotone! Even worse than a bad picture! I love stories, I love nattering away as if my best friend is with me. It was weird at first, but it gets easier! Having a bad hair day? Use a filter! I quite like being a Koala.
Stories are fab – no one interrupts either! lol unlike real life! (that 15 second cut off is annoying though) You might get lots of direct messages after your stories have been watched. Try to reply to everyone! I think if somebody has taken the time to message me, the least I can do is to reply.
I believe you need to engage where the masses can’t see, as well as on your main feed, where everyone can read it. You can’t be publicly nice, but never reply to DMs, That’s not Instagram etiquette.
I never check accounts for their numbers when I reply. I reply to everyone the same. Whether you have 5 followers or 50,000. But if someone makes me laugh or is particularly lovely, I’ll often pop over to their feed and follow them. (Don’t be offended if I haven’t followed you after a DM though! I get hundreds of messages and I would truly need staff, to follow everyone!)
Geotags – Brill if you run a business and want people to find you. But I tend to not use them – otherwise the world and his wife might drop in for cake! (actually, if you bring cake… *switches on GeoTags)
So far I have never been brave enough to GO LIVE! Cara and I are planning to do a LIVE together at some point…might need a gin first!
Talk me through how you take your photos?
I have just upgraded my phone to an Iphone 8plus and a lot of my images are taken on it. Especially with the Portrait Feature – the one that does the Insta friendly blurry backgrounds.
I ALWAYS increase the light and brightness, and try to take the picture in natural daylight. NEVER use a flash. Everything just gets blown out or goes orange. Don’t post blurred pics! (apart from the trendy blurred ones … ) If you like consistency, use the same filter each time. (I would love my grid to look all gorgeous and colour blended, but I never does! lol)
I also have a proper camera, which I use for jobs, and blog posts. I think the images are slightly better, but the phones are so good now, that taking a camera everywhere can just be a waste of handbag space!
My camera is an Olympus Pen. It’s vital for taking pictures of me! My Instagram husband is … lets say… a one take or forget it, kind of chap, so a tripod and the remote button is the only way to go! (even though I feel a complete wally taking pictures of myself and smiling at a tripod!)
Do you plan your Instagram posts and blog content or is it more spur of the moment?
I wish I was really organised and planned posts and blog posts in advance. Oh MANNNN it would make life so much easier! But no, I just go as the mood takes me! If nothing’s doing, I don’t post. I don’t have millions of spare images up my sleeve for a rainy day.
Posting regularly is important, but equally ‘throw backs’ are, IMO a bit of a cop out. Saying that, it IS a good idea to have a few spare images ready to go, so you can spread them out, as I have a self enforced rule of 1 or 2 a day at the most. (if I post 3, something very exciting must have happened!)
I don’t like being spammed – especially with throw backs of ….your children… anyone’s children. (I am sorry! that’s terrible isn’t it!) But spam in general isn’t good, and people will hit unfollow if you post too many pictures in a day. Especially endless Timehop pictures, I’d keep them for Facebook, where friends and family can enjoy them!
Does Instagram have an effect on your mood?
Instagram, and I always say this, is full of the nicest people I have (N)ever met. So I usually feel very positive and happy because of that. Occasionally though, it can make me feel a bit rubbish about myself. I touched on this the other day on My Stories, it is the constant barrage of perfection, and as much as IG can be a glossy ‘live’ magazine full of inspiration, the immediate flip side is that it can also make you feel ‘not good enough’
If any accounts are making me feel like that, I can either unfollow, or ‘mute’ the stories, which kind of puts them in the background until you ‘unmute’ them. (you do this by holding you finger down on the account’s little red ‘story’ circle, and the option ‘mute’ will come up. I don’t like unfollowing people as I feel so mean!
Sometimes I get comments such as ‘your life is so perfect’ and I don’t take it as a compliment. It actually upsets me. If anyone has read my blog they will know what a tough time we have had. The glossy square, is simply a nice picture.
Have you made any choices that you look back on and feel like you should have done things differently?
Growing my following has been a learning curve all the way through. When I first started, I had absolutely no idea, it would lead to blogging, and having my online shop, working with brands and most importantly, making some really lovely friends. It has all happened by accident really!
I don’t think I would have done anything differently, as I am really happy, ending up, naturally, where I am! I LOVE my (what’s turned in to a) Job!
What has been your favourite achievement to date?
The Berkeley hosting a champagne tea for us ! ( to explain if you missed it – 7 of us were treated to the most amazing Fashionista Afternoon Tea) Who would ever have thought that they would do that for us! My fav ‘celeb’ follower is Claridges (who are twinned with The Berkeley and The Connaught) So that is how all that came about! The 7 of us all got to meet each other and it was BRILL.
Do you think any other social media platforms are key to growth? And why
In regard to other platforms, I do think it helps to have a healthy following on platforms such as Twitter and Pinterest. If you are an IG business acc you will need a Facebook page to be able to make the switch from personal. In an ideal world, I would juggle them all, but unless I get a PA ( & make it snappy! Cappucino, no sugar and get a lemon muffin while you are there!) I just don’t have the time to invest! you can find me here – on Pinterest
Who are your favourite Instagram accounts to follow?
If you could only offer one piece of advice on growing your following what would it be?My one piece of advice for any one wanting to grow their following? BE YOURSELF. Be inspired by, but don’t copy other people’s style. You will get found out! Find your voice, grab that confidence, and JUST BE YOU.
I love Instagram for the amazing people I have found out there, the support, the inspiration, the community! I never for a moment thought that by posting a few pics on a little app, that I’d make so many lovely friends. I certainly never believed I could even ‘do’ it as a job!
I hope I have given you a few little gems, to help you grow your following.
It has been lovely having my first ever guest blog post over here. If you would like to see more of Sally you can find her blog here.
13 Comments
Pheobe
December 8, 2017 / 9:22 am
I find it very boring when these women are asked for their fave accounts that they just list the same women all the time. Everyone that follows you will probably have seen or follow them women because you all tag each other and so on. It’s harder to find new accounts to follow for inspiration when everyone just seems to use a standard list of names to shout out. Plus if any of these women posted a photo of one of the other women’s, you’d never notice because all accounts are so similar. B. O. r. I.n. G.
Laura
December 8, 2017 / 8:33 pm
I do know what you mean, but I quite like that when I am watching insta stories you feel like these women that are all over the country are good friends. Its always a little sad to read the comments on a blog you enjoy and the first comment to be negative, there are real people behind instagram and blogs and it doesn’t hurt to be constructive in criticism. Just ask for some off the beaten track follow recommendations or some hidden gem suggestions.
Sally
December 9, 2017 / 7:22 am
Hi laura,
Thankyou for being so lovely !
& what a good idea! Hidden Gems! I’ll investigate for my next follow Friday
Love Sally xx
Sally
December 9, 2017 / 7:16 am
Hi Phoebe
The ladies I listed have all become friends through their friendliness & support over the years, it would have been a shame if I felt I couldn’t mention them just because a lot of people follow them already.
Perhaps you could have suggested some accounts to follow, instead 🙂
I follow quite a few of the accounts mentioned here and wouldnt have found them if they hadn’t been shouted out. People are joining instagram all the time and may not necessarily have heard of these accounts. Also I think its quite natural that friends support and shout out eachother’s accounts I personally think its lovely to see genuine friendships on instagram … I will say through that I have seen these accounts also recommend lots of other accounts too!! If you are looking for inspiration for new accounts by searching for relevant hashtags you can find some absolute gems xx
Gemma Marshall
December 8, 2017 / 12:23 pm
Love this and the hot tips. When I first downloaded the Instagram app I just didn’t get it. I added the odd holiday snap and blurry night out pic. Now it’s a part of my daily routine. I feel like I have this really amazing group of inspiring and funny people that with one tap I can catch up with. It sounds weird when I try to explain it to people that don’t do insta , but it’s so positive. Sally was one of the first people I followed. Yes it was the pink door! It just makes me happy! There is something about her cheery tones that relaxes me. I’m learning to drive which I am finding a bit of a challenge and before I get in that battered car with my very brave instructor I hit her stories and I laugh and it sets me up for the traffic light action I dread. I’m considering blogging and using stories once I get my head round it so this is all very helpful and inspiring stuff . Thanks xxx
Sally
December 9, 2017 / 1:02 pm
Thanks Gemma!
Good luck with the driving !!
Thankyou for being lovely ! Xx
Really enjoyed this Cara! What a fab idea. Sally addressed lots of great points. I look forward to the next. R xx
Roxy
December 8, 2017 / 2:09 pm
Fab guest blog, Sally! Great advice for anyone wanting to grow their following. I’ll certainly be following the accounts you suggested at the end. Love your insta account and your stories.
Laura
December 8, 2017 / 8:24 pm
This is a great feature Cara & Sally! I can potentially go part time next August and one of my aims is to get a bit more organised on instagram and learn about all the photo editing apps and make it more of a hobby that I contribute too rather than something I lurke on!
I love following Sally on Instagram. She’s such a happy person and she immediately makes me feel chirpier! For some reason though I’ve never read her blog – shocker! Gonna have a read later.
I just love, LOVE the pair of you! For me you both have the perfect accounts, a bit of home, a bit of family, sharing hints, tips and fabulous buys but mostly you both make me laugh. Definitely my favourites on instagram, keep it up ladies, you brighten my day. X
Lisa Homes
December 22, 2017 / 8:57 pm
Thank you Sally for your great tips and thank you to Cara for giving you your guest spot. Like the other ladies I love watching your posts and seeing your lovely pictures each day. So much so I’m going to give it a go myself 😖I’m a bit like Gemma and just post the odd picture here and there on my private account but having sat and set up another today – ‘homesfromhome’ – I am giving it a whirl. With such lovely people to inspire us what can go wrong 😂😂🤦♀️
Good luck with the driving Gemma and I’m now off to read Melissa’s blog.
Thanks again ladies and have a fabulous Christmas 🎄
I find it very boring when these women are asked for their fave accounts that they just list the same women all the time. Everyone that follows you will probably have seen or follow them women because you all tag each other and so on. It’s harder to find new accounts to follow for inspiration when everyone just seems to use a standard list of names to shout out. Plus if any of these women posted a photo of one of the other women’s, you’d never notice because all accounts are so similar. B. O. r. I.n. G.
I do know what you mean, but I quite like that when I am watching insta stories you feel like these women that are all over the country are good friends. Its always a little sad to read the comments on a blog you enjoy and the first comment to be negative, there are real people behind instagram and blogs and it doesn’t hurt to be constructive in criticism. Just ask for some off the beaten track follow recommendations or some hidden gem suggestions.
Hi laura,
Thankyou for being so lovely !
& what a good idea! Hidden Gems! I’ll investigate for my next follow Friday
Love Sally xx
Hi Phoebe
The ladies I listed have all become friends through their friendliness & support over the years, it would have been a shame if I felt I couldn’t mention them just because a lot of people follow them already.
Perhaps you could have suggested some accounts to follow, instead 🙂
I follow quite a few of the accounts mentioned here and wouldnt have found them if they hadn’t been shouted out. People are joining instagram all the time and may not necessarily have heard of these accounts. Also I think its quite natural that friends support and shout out eachother’s accounts I personally think its lovely to see genuine friendships on instagram … I will say through that I have seen these accounts also recommend lots of other accounts too!! If you are looking for inspiration for new accounts by searching for relevant hashtags you can find some absolute gems xx
Love this and the hot tips. When I first downloaded the Instagram app I just didn’t get it. I added the odd holiday snap and blurry night out pic. Now it’s a part of my daily routine. I feel like I have this really amazing group of inspiring and funny people that with one tap I can catch up with. It sounds weird when I try to explain it to people that don’t do insta , but it’s so positive. Sally was one of the first people I followed. Yes it was the pink door! It just makes me happy! There is something about her cheery tones that relaxes me. I’m learning to drive which I am finding a bit of a challenge and before I get in that battered car with my very brave instructor I hit her stories and I laugh and it sets me up for the traffic light action I dread. I’m considering blogging and using stories once I get my head round it so this is all very helpful and inspiring stuff . Thanks xxx
Thanks Gemma!
Good luck with the driving !!
Thankyou for being lovely ! Xx
Really enjoyed this Cara! What a fab idea. Sally addressed lots of great points. I look forward to the next. R xx
Fab guest blog, Sally! Great advice for anyone wanting to grow their following. I’ll certainly be following the accounts you suggested at the end. Love your insta account and your stories.
This is a great feature Cara & Sally! I can potentially go part time next August and one of my aims is to get a bit more organised on instagram and learn about all the photo editing apps and make it more of a hobby that I contribute too rather than something I lurke on!
I love following Sally on Instagram. She’s such a happy person and she immediately makes me feel chirpier! For some reason though I’ve never read her blog – shocker! Gonna have a read later.
Melissa x
http://www.memoriesandmishapsblog.wordpress.com
I just love, LOVE the pair of you! For me you both have the perfect accounts, a bit of home, a bit of family, sharing hints, tips and fabulous buys but mostly you both make me laugh. Definitely my favourites on instagram, keep it up ladies, you brighten my day. X
Thank you Sally for your great tips and thank you to Cara for giving you your guest spot. Like the other ladies I love watching your posts and seeing your lovely pictures each day. So much so I’m going to give it a go myself 😖I’m a bit like Gemma and just post the odd picture here and there on my private account but having sat and set up another today – ‘homesfromhome’ – I am giving it a whirl. With such lovely people to inspire us what can go wrong 😂😂🤦♀️
Good luck with the driving Gemma and I’m now off to read Melissa’s blog.
Thanks again ladies and have a fabulous Christmas 🎄