Pointing to captions? Using Disney filters? Memes? Dogs in the mud? Wait, I love dogs in the mud. Let’s get to the heart of what NOT to do on Insta. QUIT doing these FIVE things and you’ll expand your reach with killer content.

NO. 1: PLAYING THE BLAME GAME

Take ownership . . . of who you are, what you post, and how it performs. Yes, we live in an ever-evolving digital age. Yes, Meta is weird. And, nope, we’ll never get to peek behind the curtain in the land of Oz.

So…. stop blaming the #algorithm.

The algorithm is trying to show you what it suspects you want to see. It’s NOT the reason your posts and reels aren’t viewed by half the world’s population. Unpopular option alert: you are.

NO. 2: THROWING UP RANDOM CONTENT

Gone are the days of cute #nationalholidayposts and #puns that flirt with your audience. You need QUALITY CONTENT in order to succeed. Post content that makes a difference. It’s how you operate in the “real world.” So why not on Instagram? Show up with thoughtfulness and purpose. Otherwise, call in sick, binge watch Real Housewives, and eat New York Super Fudge Chunk all day.

NO. 3: PRESENTING PERFECTION

Thank you, TikTok, for giving us a whopping dose of REAL. Authenticity builds community. Wait, let’s get right to the heart of what we believe at Hello Story: authenticity builds human connection.

Your feed doesn’t have to be perfect.

Your kitchen doesn’t have to be perfect.

Your caption doesn’t have to be perfect.

Perfectionism is so—yawn—boring. It’s unrelatable. Unattainable. Undesirable.

NO. 4: USING BOTS

Just. Don’t. Ever. Use. Bots.

Fake followers build a fake community that results in fake sales. Why, dear one, oh why, would you want a crap imitation when the real thing is just-right-there?

NO. 5: NOT SHOWING UP IN COMMENTS AND DMs

You’re building a community. Think of it as your neighborhood. If your neighbor calls and leaves a message or invites you over, you’d respond. You need to respond (genuinely) to your comments and DMs. Social media is a TWO-WAY STREET. The *goal* is to cultivate a conversation to build a connection. Because people buy PEOPLE—not products.

Whatcha’ think? Agree or disagree? Have something to add? Let us know in the comments below! ↓

Joyfully,

Carrie