How to Break Up with Instagram in 10 Days

Intro

• Instagram is saturated

• Photographers are too comfortable on the platform - it’s safe

• Need new ways to express themselves/their business

Feeling claustrophobic? Maybe you’ve decided that Instagram is a crowded room. You need some space. Branching out to a new social media platform makes sense, but you’re not sure how to do it. Let’s explore some mistakes you’re making with Instagram and how you can build your photography brand on a whole new platform.

Rookie Mistakes on Instagram

Trendy is Deadly

Finding the balance between FOMO, trends, and showing off your own style

Creativity is being able to connect two unlike ideas together 

As our Year One photography business proceeds, there’s this tendency to go to the Discover Page, see what everyone else is doing, and capitalize on a trend. Rule of thumb: if you're doing something that you saw was trendy, you are no longer setting a trend - you are a follower. This puts your personal style on hold while you blend in with the crowd. Trends should be seen as fun little add-ons. 

Learn how to focus on creating your own style (as hard and laborious that might be).

Put The Blinders On and Do You, Baby!

• Don’t compare yourself

• Posting and deleting because you don’t feel good enough

• “80-90% of my clients have found me through Instagram” - Megan Aaron

If you look at what your friends or your competition is doing, you aren’t watching your own progress. It is so easy and tempting to try and emulate your fellow Instagrammers. We get “Shiny Object” syndrome.

A sign of a long-lasting business is its ability to sustain itself for the long haul. Drifting back and forth, hoping from trend to trend subconsciously reveals to your potential clients that you are inconsistent, flighty, and might lack professionalism if they were to hire you. 

I’m not saying you should become a brooding monolith that is unwavering, but staying true to your style, consistent with your values may not be flashy, but it sure as hell is worth it.

Being Too Professional - Where’s the Personality?

Perfectionist! I’m looking at you. You’re the Instagrammers who see their Top 9 as their perfect portfolio piece. Every post is precious because “What if a client sees my works?! I can’t have any mistakes.”

Photography is about 25% quality of work. The rest is personality. In fact, this applies too much of the creative world. In my early 20s as a cinematographer, I was a victim to this rule. Every aspect of my work life was about perfecting my craft, and to hell with everything else. I don’t need a network, or need to suck up to the director or producer - It’s about the image. The lighting!

It’s not, Jordan. It’s about your personality. Are you fun to be around? 

The About Me Section Isn’t Enough

I know what you’re thinking - Jordan, I do show off my personality. Clients click my Bio link, go to my About page, and they can read all about me. 

I’m sorry, Lauren. Reading about your love of your dogs, yoga pants, and mushroom pizza isn’t going to cut it. Neither is that styled personal brand photo. 

Give me some real personality. 

This is where a new platform comes into the mix.

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Branching Out To A New Platform

Which Platform Should I Pick Up?

Asking which platform is like asking which exercise I should do. It depends. It depends on a lot of things. 

If Instagram is your given, then what platform will allow your clients to “shop you around.” If they wanted to see more of your personality, what medium best shows you off?

Video.

I know you have a full-frame Canon camera and I know you’re afraid to switch it to video mode. 

If it scares us, then it’s probably the right thing to do.

Take your skills of lighting, framing and composition, and apply it to your videos. 

Video opens your social media options to YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, and podcasts. Yes, podcast! Pull out the video’s audio and boom! Podcast.

Note: Whatever platform you choose, choose one. Don’t start four new channels/accounts. It will end in failure.

Should You Abandon Instagram?

It would be foolish to drop Instagram completely. It’s hand-in-glove for photographers, and there’s a good chance that 70% of your business is coming from personality. 

We aren’t breaking up Instagram, we just want to see what’s out there. It’s not you, it’s me.

Making the 1st Month a Success

Maybe this post has convinced you to jump over to a new platform. Here we go.

The first 30 days on the new platform are going to be a make-or-break.

1. Our brains hate forming new habits, and do everything to get us back to our old habits. 

2. We rarely see any progress in the first month, so it can feel discouraging.

How to Stay Consistent

It requires us to put systems, however crude, in place to keep us focused. Remember, we are trying to form new habits, so our own mind is working against us. 

One of the best paths to consistency is having a bank of ideas, and a bank of content ready for publishing. Frantically running around trying to make content before your “deadline” adds unnecessary stress to the process. 

Keep things simple at first. The first 30 days will be the toughest, so remove friction.

Batching & Scheduling Your Content

A great way to avoid the rat race is by batching and scheduling your content. Here’s some easy tips for batching:

1. Choose one day of the week to dedicate to creating content.

2. Dedicate the rest of the week to sharing, scheduling, and reposting.

Content marketing is 20% creation, 80% distribution.

No one will see your content. Share it again.

No one will see that content either. Share it again. 

Shake What Your Momma Gave You

Or shake what you gave yourself. 

If you already have a substantial following on Instagram, use it. Leverage the audience you’ve built there and encourage those followers to check out your new podcast, YouTube channel, etc.

You’re not a loser because your new channel only has 15 followers. Far from it. You’ve shown your clients, fans, and competition that you’re not afraid to pursue new and interesting strategies. Keep it up. 

Conclusion

Maybe Instagram isn’t all that bad. Yes, trends, competitors, and FOMO can ruin your day, but staying true to your style and values is how the pros last so long in this game. If you're brave enough photographer who’s decided it’s time to branch out - remember to make the first month on the platform frictionless. Consistency isn’t a mindset or belief - it’s putting repeatable, reliable systems in place and using those systems day after day.

Next Steps

Listen to How to Break Up With Instagram in 10 Days with Megan Aaron Photography