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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

The Ultimate Blogging Tool Every Blogger Should Know About!

Hey Guys,

Want to know a secret? Something which will enhance your Blog Marketing in a matter of minutes?

Sure you do!

You will be able to say goodbye to Content and Social Media Management struggles forever, because I have just for you, a solution which is going to completely rid you of that hindrance and make your life 100 times easier.

Now, doesn’t that sound inviting?

I know what you’re all thinking, what am I going on about and why am I seriously excited about this?

Firstly, I know how this probably looks, and no, this isn’t sponsored by the company, but hey, if after this they want to send some promotion this way, my emails are always open! Hint hint. Wink wink.

Let’s be honest though, that wouldn’t happen, but it’s a truly nice thought that I will hold dearly for the next five or so minutes!

The real reason for my excitement, is I know how beneficial this can be first hand. Since beginning my Apprenticeship, this was one of the first things I found out about and I can not stress enough how much of a help it has been when it comes to my work, so much so that I have brought it into my own blogging life.

So… What is this tool and why should you be using it?

Have you ever wondered what Content you should be pushing and when or who you should be following based on any of your shared interests with others?

Well… with CROWDFIRE, this get taken away.

Crowdfire is classed as a Social Media Management Tool and is easily accessible to you via the App or through any Web Browser. The best part is, it’s FREE and only takes five minutes out of your day.

Saying that we are awake for an average of 12 hours each day, that is virtually nothing.

In those five minutes, you are able to go through a selection of tasks, these include:

• Showing you your most recent Blog Posts, and allowing you to choose a time and date to post each, as well as giving you the opportunity to edit the post before it goes out.
• Showing you other posts by other Bloggers, which you can also share. Spread the love and help them grow too.
• Options to connect other Social Media Platforms.
• Adding or altering certain details to do with your Blog to help source Content and People who match what you talk about or are interested in.
• Follow people who maybe follow other accounts like yours or who are talking about similar

There is also an option to unfollow those who don’t follow back or who are inactive/no longer use their accounts but this tends to be personal preference on whether you go for this or not. Don’t feel pressured to use this just because it is there.

I tend to use this to decide on which of my latest blog posts to share and to schedule them ahead of time, otherwise I do tend to forget due to being preoccupied in other areas.

Yeah, I am really that bad, but Crowdfire hit me up anyway!

If you want Social Media Management made easy. This is the place to go. Check out the Website/App now and make Blogging a walk in the park!

So, what do you think? Will you be using this tool? Not too sure?

Let me know!  

Chloe Lauren x

 

 

Can’t Think Of Blog Post Ideas? Not Anymore!

Hey Guys,

Do you ever find yourself sitting in front of your laptop or computer, staring blankly at the screen before you? If the answer is yes, then the reason is because you can’t think of anything to write about, and to share with your readers. Thankfully I have the solution, well what I think to be a solution. I am going to share with you 10 blog post ideas that you put into action right this very second. You’re welcome!

1) Reviews

Have you read a great book, watched an amazing TV show or movie lately, or found a product that was too good to let slip by without a mention? Well share it with your readers. They will appreciate your opinion, and it might convince them to try them also.

2) Interviews

Find someone that is of interest and will benefit your readers, and approach them about possibly having them on your blog for an interview. A lot of the times they will say yes, but all you have to do is ask.

3) Lists

List posts are very popular, because they give you the information you need but in bite size morsels that are so much easier to take in and understand. Also, they are fun to do, so why not give it a go?

4) Poem / Story

I love writing these sorts of posts, because it allows me to just be myself and have the freedom to immerse myself into a new world, as well embody those that may feel a similar way to how I have in the past. Using what you know in creative writing, is such a great way to get over past experiences and relax.

5) Travel

Have you been anywhere recently? You could very easily share a few pictures with a bit of something to accompany it. People love to see photography and hear about your travels, just as I love to talk about it, hence why I do Stroll on Sunday every week now.

6) Your Blog

Your blog is your personal space that you have built to what it is so you have the right to help others who may want to improve theirs and want to know how another blogger managed to be where they are now. You could even just talk about your loves, and any obstacles you have met whilst blogging. These will all help others.

7) Your Goals

Everyone has goals and dreams that drive them, or at least they should, and so do you, so tell people your hopes for the future. Maybe talk about where you want to be in 5 or 10 years time, or maybe a bucket list to inspire others. This is one I might do soon actually.

8) Guest Post

You could always invite someone else to join you on your blog for a collaboration, or just a guest post where they write for you. This helps you, but also them. Win win situation.

9) Share Your Opinion

People sometimes like to see how other people see different situations, so it may be a good idea to find something which is trending, maybe something you see in the news, and share your opinion on the subject. This may even begin to start a discussion in the comments section.

10) Shout Out To Fellow Bloggers

Whilst blogging you will come across blogs that you find useful, and bloggers that you become friends with. Write a post which shows your love for them, and help give them that bit more exposure, because blogging is partly about the relationships we build and being part of this community. We need to help each other out, just like I am doing here.

I hope you found these ideas helpful, and might even put a few of them into practice the next time you try writing a blog post.

See you next time!

Chloe Lauren x

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Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Bloglovin

Dealing With Writers Block

Writers block is something which I have recently been facing. It’s one of the most annoying things in this world. As bloggers, and of course for writers, we try incessantly to come up with new and fresh ideas to put out to our audiences, sometimes without failure, and then some days, banging our heads up against the wall.

Just last night I was looking, staring even, into the very soul of my computer, because I could not think of a single idea of what to write about for today’s post. Then it hit me, this could be the inspiration for the post, not knowing what to write. Clever right? Not really!

Anyway, I thought how could I make this post worth your while? I began thinking and came up with the idea of sharing with you a few of my tips and tricks to get over writers block.

Grab A Cup Of Tea:

OK! I think we have all established by now that I am huge lover of tea and therefore when I say ‘a cup of tea’, you know I mean two or three. It is one of my comforts. If you’re not a fan of tea, you could always go for the Coffee or Hot Chocolate, if that is your preference.

Read A Book:

Reading is a good way to get inspiration and also further your vocabulary, so that when you do come to writing, it will enhance the posts or writing you then produce. Also, for me, books are just an escape, which allows me to just relax and not get too worked up when I can’t think of anything to write.

Listen To Music:

Music is something which can really relax the mind, dependent on the type of music you are listening to at that time. I have mentioned this before, but I will say it again here, when I write, I listen to music which really shows the emotion I am trying to capture, and therefore it makes it easier to write what I feel at that time. It really helps.

Exercise:

Now when I say this, I don’t mean you have to go all the way to the gym and work yourself to death. Just a little walk will do. Exercise releases a feel good hormone and will free up your thoughts, making it easier to think up ideas. Also, while you’re out, you might come across something to write about.

Talk To A Friend:

Sometimes all you need is to get your mind off what you are doing completely. Talking to your friend’s and talking about something other than what you are writing will help. When you come back to it later, you will refreshed and more in the right frame of mind to write.

If all else fails, I think you could go back to the banging your head against the wall, although that could possibly cause permanent damage, so I wouldn’t if I were you.

Good Luck!

Lonely Girl x