Hey go-getter! Today we want to equip you with the 5 most common mistakes that content creators make and how you can avoid them! Teaching us all this digital wisdom is Instagram queen, Carly Mask. If you want to up your virtual content game, be sure to watch the video below or peep the key takeaways underneath!

A COMEPLUM CHAT WITH CARLY MASK

Alright sis, here we go! Here are the 5 biggest mistakes that Instagram queen, Carly Masks often sees content creators making and what to do to avoid them and consequently increase your engagement.

Mistake #1: Consuming before you ever start creating.

• Don’t start your day by scrolling through your feeds first thing in the morning
• Create first and then get yourself into the right headspace before you consume
  • Write down your ideas
  • Get outside and take photos
•  This leaves us feeling refreshed and gives us the ability to be more innovative
• Quit the comparison game!
  • If you’re struggling on Instagram, check out a different source or blog to get creative inspiration
• Pro tip: Only scroll and consume if it is adding value to your life

“Imposter Syndrome: We feel like we are so alone in it, but everybody feels that!”

 

Mistake #2: Not digging into the data.

• Often we operate out of a purely emotional place without utilizing the data
• Data is provided by a variety of platforms that are available to tell us what gets the best engagement and then we can use that knowledge to create meaningful content moving forward
• Start from a data-driven place first and then layer in the creative places once you’ve got a good foundation
• Looking to the data will help squash that imposter syndrome: don’t make assumptions, go back to the cold hard facts!
• Pro Tip: When you’re creating content make it:
  • entertaining
  • educational
  • or inspirational

 

Mistake #3: Limiting your reach. Hint: Use those hashtags!

• The biggest way to limit your reach is to not use any hashtags (or the wrong ones)
• Using the right hashtags is a sure-fire way to ensure you expand your reach
• Remember that Instagram is a search engine: Think of hashtags as SEO gold nuggets for your content
• Use up to 30 hashtags, using small, medium, and large to cast a large net
  • Small = 10k uses
  • Large = 500k uses
• Pro-tip: Don’t use the same list of hashtags within 48 hour

Mistake #4: Trying to be everything to everyone.

• It’s so vital that we don’t try to appeal to everyone
• It’s important to have a strong and clear vision for yourself, what you stand for, the content you are trying to produce, etc.
• Make sure that you have direction! Don’t be afraid to disappoint people.
  • By doing this, you will repel the people who aren’t your people while attracting your tribe.
• Pro-tip: The most effective real estate in your IG bio is the bold header (Where your name typically goes)
  • You can add more than just your name to this. Be sure to take advantage of this section of your bio so that you show up in searches more!

 

Mistake #5: Not including a strong or clear CTA.

• CTA: Call To Action
• This is when you specifically ask your audience to do something
  • Double tap
  • Bookmark this
  • Send this post to someone
  • Tag three people in the comments below who…
  • Leave a comment below
• Things to remember while you start incorporating CTAs:
  1. Notice the data as you start to use them and capitalize on that
  2. Keep in mind what you are trying to achieve with this piece of content
• Pro tip: Don’t over look the bookmark CTA
  • When people save or bookmark a post, that tells Instagram that it’s super valuable content, which bumps you up higher in the Instagram Algorithm!

 

More resources from Carly Mask:

Did this killer chat with Carly Mask leave you wanting more? Us too, us too! You can find more resources from Carly on Instagram @CarlyMask (be sure to shoot her a dm!) or you can check out her website www.CarlyMask.com and peep her blogs and upcoming workshops. This woman is seriously jam-packed with so much knowledge and we were beyond thrilled that she got to share some of her wisdom with us all!

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Looking for even more resources to implement so that you can bring your online game to the next level? Be sure to check out more of ComePlum’s blog that are geared towards serving your entrepreneurial needs. You can find more here.