How do you benefit from joining an Instagram challenge?

Posting an Instagram photo every day, based on someone else’s suggestions? That may sound like a chore, but Instagram challenges are well worth trying out!

Instagram challenges are usually run over a month, with an overarching topic, and a prompt each day – you post a photo using the challenge specific hashtag, relating to the topic and daily prompt. Good challenge setters usually provide a downloadable sheet, so you can plan and jot down ideas against the daily prompts, or you can wing it on a daily basis!

Alongside posting images to meet the topic and prompts, you’re encouraged to look at what else people are sharing under the challenge hashtag. As I write this, I’m a few days into Joanna Payne’s #colourmyeveryday challenge, and really enjoying it!

So how do you benefit from joining an Instagram challenge?

Trying different things with your images.
Often these challenges are a way to break your usual Instagram routines, by seeing examples, and then thinking about what different images you can share, from your home life, work life, connected to your business or brand. To my surprise during a previous challenge, an itty bitty close up of jewellery parts then became one of my most popular posts to date! That spur of the moment shot gave me ideas for future photos, slightly different takes on my usual work in progress shots.

Trying different things with your hashtags.
It’s well worth browsing  the hashtags other participants use alongside the challenge specific hashtag, because you may get ideas relevant to your brand and audience. Through #marchmeetthemaker and #colourmyeveryday I have added extra ideas to my Instagram tags, helping me mix them up more, and reach more and different people, depending on my posts.

Increasing your reach.
Algorithms are tricksy things, but getting more likes, comments and engagement all help. There is a short term boost which comes alongside an Instagram challenge, as others taking part or following the challenge specific hashtag like and comment on your photos.  Want a longer term impact? Well…

Connecting with new followers.
Every time I’ve taken part in an Instagram challenge, I have picked up new followers who have then stuck with me and remained engaged – Both fellow challenge followers, and people who have stumbled over me. Why? To meet the topic and prompts I’ve show different sides of my home and work brand, discovered and used different hashtags, and found new ways to interpret and preset my jewellery. That’s then put my Instagram in front of new audiences, who instantly understand how it fits into their interests!

Connecting with other artists, makers, photographers...
Taking part in #marchmeetthemaker 2016 helped me refine my Instagram feed, having stolen ideas from some makers whose feeds I was awed by! That’s the final benefit from an Instagram challenge; connecting with other users of the challenge specific hashtag, and starting chats which may lead to collaboration, opportunity or just following and being inspired by their ideas.

I’d heartily recommend trying an Instagram challenge, as a little extra thought can help you look with fresh eyes at your feed and images, think again about using hashtags, find new followers and find new Instagram feeds to be inspired by.
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Jump in with the rest of #colourmyeveryday https://www.instagram.com/adventuresandteaparties/
Look ahead for #marchmeetthemaker https://www.instagram.com/joannehawker/
Find me on Instagram ​https://www.instagram.com/perfidiousjewellery/