It is a great feeling when we snap a picture and swear it will be “our best Instagram EVER.” Post-upload, we patiently sit and await the multitude of likes on our Instagram spectacular. All that follows, however, is a long night of constantly checking our phone and a growing disappointment in our followers. We feel betrayed that the majority of our followers, our friends, fail to fulfill their duties of passing on a double-tap. We consider our upload and sympathize with the fact that if a member of a younger age group had posted it, our Instagram would have made it onto the popular page, for sure.
But how is it that early teens are able to receive 300+ likes on a senseless picture? Whether they post a picture of an ordinary meal, a bad quality shot of their dog, or even a selfie … obtaining less than 200 likes is a foreign concept. There seems to be a method to the madness. Pick up your insta-game and follow these strategic techniques to earn the amount of likes you deserve!
1. Timing is key.
The most activity on your photo will occur during the photo’s first few hours. Make sure your initial upload is at an “Instagram prime-time.” Post your ‘gram during times that people would naturally be bored at school or work, looking for a place to procrastinate.
An afternoon peak time is 3pm, when collegiates are sitting in the library looking for anything to do before beginning homework. A post-dinner upload is best between 8pm and 10pm, when followers are most likely relaxing with their feet up, catching up with daily social media. Special occasion uploads are always crowd pleasers. We live in a society that constantly suffers from the Fear of Missing Out; followers will be eager to check out how you and your family/friends spent your holiday.
2. Picture Perfect.
Don’t overflow your Instagram with repetitive or uninteresting photos. Your Instagram is your own personal art gallery; treat it with pride. Upload photos with friends, family, and significant others. Scenic views, perhaps a sunset or an aesthetic environment, and an occasional selfie are good go-tos. Selfies taken while on vacation or on your birthday are insta-acceptable. Don’t over do it with the selfies though…that’s what snapchats for.
3. #YESfilter
“Instafamous” teens have a specialty in filter-fixing their photos. All ’grammers want to know and utilize this fine art to make photos appear more impressive and “artsy.” You want to pick filters that accentuate the picture’s colors and features. Play with the brightness, contrast, and saturation to make your photo more appealing.
Some helpful tips: Turn down the brightness if your face photographed shiny. Turn the saturation up when editing a rural or acquatic picture to make the grass greener and the sea bluer. An increase in contrast and saturation is also helpful when trying to make your #foodporn appear insta-worthily tempting.
4. #hashtag.
Hashtags are a great way to group your Instagram with others of similar interest. Hashtag-ing sarcastic or quirky comments is another way to connect with your followers. If they weren’t feeling the love for your photo itself, a little chuckle from the comment will do the trick.
5. Like for Likes.
Instagram is a dog-eat-dog world, my friend. All instagram-ers are in a tacit competition to get the most likes. However, you’re not going to get ‘em if you don’t dish ‘em. Be an active follower to your Instagram community. The more you like other’s instagrams, the more likely they will return the courtesy.
Think of a like, as a compliment. If you give someone the flattering remark of a double-tap, followers will feel obligated to return the commendation…even if it isn’t entirely sincere. (Who cares if they’re fake though, at least your number went up a digit!)
6. Flaunt it.
Connect your Instagram with your Facebook, Twitter, and other social media apps. Allow your photo to be broadcasted to a wider assortment of people.
Getting a lot of likes on Instagram makes us feel happy and important. Naturally, wanting and obtaining a high amount of likes is something we all strive for. It is our time, collegiates, to pick up our instagame and demonstrate to early teens what merited instafame actually is.