Is your Instagram Page an Accurate Reflection of Your Brand?
Instagram has become a powerful platform for personal expression, building connections, and massive business growth!
Your IG page serves as a digital representation of yourself, providing a glimpse into your personality, interests, service, and values. To ensure that your Instagram profile is a true reflection of who you are, it's essential to curate it intentionally.
We all know that Instagram is a platform where we showcase the best versions of ourselves. From stunning travel photos to mouthwatering food shots, we carefully curate our feeds to present a picture-perfect image. But is this curated version truly representative of who we are? OR are those images telling our best stories and thoughts?
Let's explore the balance between authenticity and aesthetics.
Here are my biggest tips for showing up more authentically.
Write how you speak.
Skip the cookie cutter “omg there are so many new faces here!” lingo that you see everywhere, and create captions that match your voice in real life. It’s helpful to break thoughts up into small paragraphs, simply because it’s more readable and engaging, but you don’t have to sound like anyone else – It’s YOUR page. Ahhh… doesn't that make showing up feel easier?
2. Keeping up with (insert your name here).
Your Instagram stories are like your own reality show – they provide a more casual and spontaneous way to showcase your personality.
Utilize this feature to share behind-the-scenes moments, daily routines, or quick snippets of your life. Incorporate stickers, GIFs, or text overlays that reflect your sense of humor or personal style.
The biggest tip here: Don’t overthink it! Talk to your audience like they’re your long time friends. Let them get to know the real you! Stories are a great tool to add depth and authenticity to your Instagram profile.
3. Reflect (but don’t obsess) on your Instagram grid
The overall look of your Instagram grid can make a significant impact on the perception of your profile for new followers who are just finding you. Take a step back and review your grid periodically to ensure it aligns with your personal brand and aesthetic.
Focus on the top 9 posts and make sure they paint the picture you’re trying to share about your life, brand, and services. If not, do a little planning for the next nine! What do you want to include to make sure new leads have the information they need at a glance? You can even pin 3 posts to the top of your feed to make sure they don’t get lost in the mix.
4. Balance personal and professional content.
Yes, you’re running a business page. And if you were to poll your current/ past clients, chances are 9 out of 10 of them chose to work with you because you’re… YOU. Your services, packages, and skills matter, but so does your ability to connect with clients and make them comfortable. So mix it up when planning content! Talk about those services, but don’t be afraid to let your personality show too.
People love to see things like…where you shop, what you like to eat, what you and your family do on the weekends, and what local concert you’re hyped for!
5. Show your face!
I’m a brand photographer. You can’t be too surprised that this one is huge for me. Photos are such a valuable tool for showing potential clients REALLY who you are! Knowing and easily recognizing your face when you pop up on their phone or screen is valuable.
So what does that mean? BOOK your photoshoot. The right photographer will help you choose outfits, locations, and poses that communicate your vibe and personality through your photos. This can mean more sales almost immediately!
Of course you don’t need to use ALL professional photos. Use the camera on your phone throughout your day or week to capture things happening in your business and life as well.
THAT’S IT!
At the end of the day, Instagram is just a snapshot of our lives, not the whole picture.
While it's fun to curate a visually appealing feed, it's equally important to ensure that our online presence aligns with our true selves. So, take a moment to reflect on your Instagram page. Is it an accurate reflection of who you are? Remember, authenticity is the key to building genuine connections both online and offline.
Now go out there and be your amazing, authentic self, both on and off the gram! Happy Instagramming! ✨📸
