Tag: Instagram

The Day I Gave Up My Instagram

SOCIAL INFLUENCER’S SERIES

After 4,670 posts… I decided to pull the plug.

Photo by Souvik Banerjee on Unsplash

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This is my second IG account.

The first IG account was “hijacked” by someone else using photos. I tried to complain to IG support, but instead of blocking that person’s account, IG blocked my original account.

That account was very active, and I had real friends, but I lost all of them. Later, I decided to create a new one in 2021.

As much as I tried to get back my old friends, but not many came back.

I tried to post various content, including everyday activities, photos of my travel, republished videos from TikTok, and more.

Weirdly, the followers of my IG aren’t the same as my TikTok. I can get many views and followers from TikTok but not from IG. They seem to be in a different world altogether.

I have tried using Stories and Reels with all the possible Internet tips, but nothing works. Only a handful like my posts—most of the time, it will be 1–3 likes—and there are almost no comments.

Author’s IG — I tried many kinds of posts, but none have good traction.

Today, I decided to pull the plug. As someone who has been trying different social media channels, here’s what I have learned (the hard way):

  1. Platform Specialization: Focus on your strengths on specific platforms rather than spreading yourself too thin. Identify where your content resonates the most and concentrate your efforts there.
  2. Diverse Audience Dynamics: Social media platforms have distinct audiences with varying preferences, leading to different impacts for influencers across platforms.
  3. Content Adaptability: Social media content success depends on the platform. Strategies that work on TikTok may not work on Instagram. Tailored content strategies are necessary.
  4. Engagement and Feedback: Engagement metrics (likes, comments) can serve as vital feedback, indicating how well content resonates with the audience. A lack of engagement might signal the need for a strategic pivot or content reassessment.
  5. Strategic Patience and Pivot: Patience is vital in building a presence on any platform, but recognizing when efforts are futile and when to pivot is equally essential. A time-bound approach to evaluating and shifting strategies can prevent wasted efforts.
  6. Content Authenticity vs. Platform Trends: Don’t compromise on authenticity while following platform trends like IG’s Stories and Reels. Authentic content resonates more with audiences.
  7. Exploration of Alternative Platforms: If one platform isn’t working, try switching to a different one. For example, switch from image/video platforms to writing-focused ones.
  8. Resilience in Adversity: Account hijacking is discouraging, but bouncing back shows determination.
  9. Acknowledgment of Unique Influencer Paths: No two influencer journeys are the same. Recognizing that one’s path might differ from others, even within the same niche, can help maintain focus and authenticity.

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