Sustainable prospects - Instagram

"I would argue Instagram is currently the most effective social media platform for self promotion. If you have not got an Instagram account already, then I would like you to set one up.

This week I want you to try and create and implement an Instagram strategy that you feel will help you reach future, potential clients (whether ad agencies, curators or potential collectors), and then develop your account so you have 30 followers over the course of a week.

Use the space below to discuss your strategy and the results with your peers. What has worked? What has not worked? Comment on each other's posts with constructive criticism.

Falmouth Flexible Photography runs its own Instagram account (@falmouthflexiblephoto) and I would like you all to send some images to myself, so I can feature your work. Please send the following to pfabanna@gmail.com:"

Three to nine images from one, or several, projects
A description of the project(s)
Captions for the individual images if applicable
Your Instagram handle

So I did the above with the when I looked at this assignment I cringed to be fair as I am not the most social media aware person on the planet. I know how to use them all but do not understand them. Each person I have spoken to in the past has told me something different. But I guess the bottom line is, what do I want to get out of it? So the base line is I do not want a full time job. At my current age I am lucky enough to be semi retired and so the work I mostly do is my my own gratification. which is why I wanted to do this MA, so I could expand my skills where photography is concerned. I have found this module a bit sticky so far to be fair as even though I have not done a degree, this module isn't pushing me like the previous ones did. Other modules have inspired by the tasks given, like the Ed Rushcha challenge. Sadly building up an instagram account isn't inspiring me and so this module I have found myself a little stuck. I did however place a post on one of my facebook pages, asking for people who didn't follow me, to follow me and help me out with an assignment. People dutifully added me and my numbers increased. From 240 followers to 280. It had a steady rate of a few followers a week prior to this request and since then has dropped back to normal.

One of the things I noticed with my lack of posting, on all forms of social media. It isn't that I don't know how, but more the fact I enter competitions and don't want judges to see my work before it had been judged. So I often have gaps of nothing much to post. And if I did, it wouldn't keep my gallery similar. So I am currently deciding if I need my gallery to be similar to show consistent work or have seperate accounts for styles. As during the MA my work has changed. If I added, for example images I took of mushrooms earlier on in the module they wouldn't sit at all with my historical theme. So maybe I do need to relax my style. I have a friend Paulina Duczman, she has circa 30k plus followers. Has no idea how she did it, doesn't post regularly. But does get some work from it.

The following tips are from Kevin Mallan, MA student.

Consistency is key.

Plan days ahead if possible.

Choose the dates and times which work best (instagram's insights can be beneficial, if not, there are other).

Consider time (for posting), both local and global.

Be considerate of the overall visual feed, especially in this industry.

Think curators, artists etc.. will definitely have a longer look, if interested.

Consider colour schemes and dimensions.

Stories might keep you visible to the public even if you are not posting anything in your feed on the day.

Write your bio in the profile edit section. Also, add your website or make a link to another personal gallery.If not mistaken, nowadays everyone can turn the profile to 'business' and that used to offer some more perks (such as the inclusion of an email button.

I pretty have most of that in hand but beauty is in the eye of the beholder and what works for one won't work for another. It has made me re visit it though.

Top tips from Tobias are;

1, Not over do the editing keep it simple,

2, Post consistently but not constantly over posting drives followers away

3, Don't over do the hashtags keep the tags relevant

4, Respond to comments and messages

5, Don't rush into posts make sure your images are perfect before you hit post

6, Don't forget to put a good caption with your images

7, Don't use instagram filters always edit your own images

8, Never pay for followers

9, And this is the biggest one .... no one wants to see photos of your dinner with the #foodie #instafood #helathytea

Allan Millin said. He was not happy opening an account because of the following notice;

We do not claim ownership of your content, but you grant us a license to use it. Nothing is changing about your rights in your content. We do not claim ownership of your content that you post on or through the Service. Instead, when you share, post, or upload content that is covered by intellectual property rights (like photos or videos) on or in connection with our Service, you hereby grant to us a non-exclusive, royalty-free, transferable, sub-licensable, worldwide license to host, use, distribute, modify, run, copy, publicly perform or display, translate, and create derivative works of your content (consistent with your privacy and application settings). You can end this license anytime by deleting your content or account. However, content will continue to appear if you shared it with others and they have not deleted it. To learn more about how we use information, and how to control or delete your content, review the Data Policy (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. and visit the Instagram Help Center (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..

I think that where ever we put our work we are liable to exploitation. Heck I do it myself with old paintings. As long as the images are clearly yours and people don't own them? Why are we creating images? No one is saying post the stuff that you want to sell, but to have a presence people need to know your work. Post work that is watermarked if you have to.