Recycling Content

 I love to write - and I am lazy frugal enough to want to use what I've written different ways! One is between blogs (I confess, I have several!!) I often borrow content from a personal blog, to repost on one of the support blogs, editing to match the audience. I've done the same with my website, and if I want to post something on Instagram or Facebook, it often appears on my blog before or after.

Atelier Altar

I began my first blog after reading an article about how simple they were, and could be set up in 15 minutes - who could resist?? And it worked!! Often students and graduates who don't already have a website feel a bit stuck as they consider starting one - 

• What platform to use? 
• How to start?
• Who will help? 
• Can I edit and update myself?

A blog is a simple way to start, and figure the rest out later!! I happened to choose blogspot, and have enjoyed sharing content this way. Our IC Sister Hobby Parent had a blog on the same platform, with 'pages' which made it more like a website - an About page, events page, Gallery .... and I realized I could add those to mine as well!! It's easy to edit pages - as long as we remember, tee hee! 

It's simple to copy and paste from the blog to Instagram or FB, and share a poem or inspirational thought, a bit of a story .... and to use 'labels' (or 'hashtags') suited to post topics. Either can inspire content for the other (I usually go into edit to copy and paste from one to another) 

Hashtags I commonly use include #intentionalcreativity #intentionalcreativityoregon and #iammusea Be sure to have a link in your bio that takes the visitor to a link list or your blog or website. 

Do you have a blog? Post the link in the comments! 

Here are some of mine:

Creation Station, King's Touch Reiki, Red Thread Circles

Insta Magic

 Wow - I have 1300 (now nearly 1400!) followers on Instagram! 

Canva Thank you Graphic

I began posting on Instagram three years ago, after Maestra Shiloh Sophia suggested Guild members use the #intentionalcreativity, and see if we could boost the numbers of posts over a thousand or so tagging our brand! We are now at 19.7K!

I love the visual focus of Instagram, which is ideal for our artist selves. Our own Stella Mac posted tips on using Hashtags, which proved invaluable! (you can use up to 33, about 12-15 are most effective - and be selective!)

In those early days, I wrote, "It's been fun playing with my pictures for posts, making little montages (which don't always behave!) And meeting new virtual friends! I love the journal pages @quantummemoir does, and ... I'm @nadyakingartist ❤"

Do you already have a page on Instagram? I invite you to begin posting your art and share inspiration! 

• When you start typing a tag, suggestions will come up - bypass ones that have over a million, and look for ones in the 50 - 500k range or lower
• Check out the tags your colleagues use - make a note of those which fit! (a tag may sound great - but when you visit it, the posts don't match your vision/intention!)
• It's a good idea to check out the tag, and see how the posts match your intention - I usually click "recent" as well 💖
• Choose a few # that are unique to you, or your small group. Recently I added red thread Creatives, as that's the name of my Facebook group. 

Building your following and adding content

• When you have a bit of extra time, visit some of the folks who 'liked' your recent posts, and choose several which appeal to interact with, follow and comment on.  
• When someone comments on your post, take time to reply - even if it's just 'thank you!'
• Post favorite quotes and tips from time to time - how can you uplift your beloveds?
• Click 'view insights' to see how your posts are performing, and who has viewed the post. You can see what time of day posts are most viewed, etc. 
• While we can use up to 30 tags in a post, the magic number is 11 - I generally use a few more.
• The Magic formula is to choose 5-8 'popular' tags that have been used 50-500k times
• 5-8 moderate 5-50k
• Several specific to your group or offerings
• And a few niche - personal to you!

Promoting your work and offerings

• When you collaborate on a class or other offering, choose a tag together, and use it with your posts. I was recently the Art Doc for a class two of my colleagues offered, and they chose #AwakeningMythicLegend for our class posts. 
• Encourage your students with accounts to use the tag, and to tag you on their posts!
• Be sure to tag your partner in your post with @____
• If you have your work in a show or at a gallery, tag the venue, and like/comment on posts they make, especially if you're mentioned/ tagged!
• Instagram allows one "active link" in your profile, so many folks create a link list (like Linktree) with link to classes, free offers, their main website, blogs. Check out the 'link in bio' on different accounts, and see which appeal to you. 

Whilst researching link options, I came across a YouTube tutorial from Canva on creating active web pages and decided to that for my profile link! I often use Canva for graphics, so that was an easy choice! 

• Post a link to your website or blog in your bio, and update your site regularly. 
• A blog is an easy 'website option,' if you haven't built a website yet. I have several, and post events on a couple of those. 
• If you're promoting an event, make the registration easy to find! (I often check these in colleagues' posts, and have to poke around for their current offer!)
• If you have several distinct business, you may want to add other accounts
• Post your bio link at the end of your text "click the link in my bio to register -@nadyakingartist 

Here's a recent post with in depth suggestions on using hashtags! 

Are you on Instagram? Go look - you may already have a page with 20 or more followers that you just need to claim! 

Challenge: post your most recent painting and a little blurb on your Insta page!

You're invited to post the link to your account in the comments, and share any tips you've discovered! 

 

Instagram and Canva

I began posting on Instagram in 2018, after Maestra Shiloh Sophia suggested we do so, and use the #intentionalcreativity, to boost the numbers of posts tagging our brand to over a thousand - We are now have over 15K posts with that tag! 

In those early days, I wrote, "It's been fun playing with my pictures for posts, making little montages (which don't always behave!) And meeting new virtual friends!"

I enjoy that with Instagram you see the image first, and can connect with other artists and beloveds visually. There's one active link, on your bio page, and a number of people use a service like Linktree or Milkshake to link a series to that bio link. 

As I was exploring options over on YouTube, I discovered using Canva is an easy way to create a 'bio-link' landing page with active links! Who knew?! I've created a number of little posts using my free Canva account, so after watching several tutorials, and this one from Canva - decided to create a mini website instead! 

The bio-link page or website can be edited, so it's a great little link to post in our bios! I used the suggestion of using Bit.ly to shorten the link so it's easy to share. My current website needs to be revamped - so it was perfect timing.  If you want to direct someone to your link, put your Canva address in your post - @nadyakingartist 

I also used Canva to create a post about using hashtags, from an article Stella Mac shared with us! Check out your SiStars' posts for ideas of what to use. This is a simple and free way to begin to connect with your beloveds! 

 

Instagram

 Yay, I now have 1000 followers on Instagram! 

I began posting on Instagram two years ago, after Maestra Shiloh Sophia suggested we do so, and use the #intentionalcreativity, to boost the numbers of posts tagging our brand to over a thousand - We are now at 13.4 K! 

In those early days, I wrote, "It's been fun playing with my pictures for posts, making little montages (which don't always behave!) And meeting new virtual friends! I love the journal pages @quantummemoir does, and ... I'm @nadyakingartist ❤"

• When you start typing a tag, suggestions will come up - bypass ones that have over a million, and look for ones in the 50 - 500k range ... 
• Look at tags other friends and colleagues in your community use - make a note of those which fit! 
• Choose a few that are unique to you, or your small group. Recently I added red thread Creatives, as that's the name of my Facebook group. 
• It's a good idea to check out the tag, and see how the posts match your intention - I usually click "recent" as well 💖
• I took part in a pod early on, where 6-8 of us tried to post daily, follow each other, and like and comment on each other's posts - Quantum Memoir was one of the pod, and we're still in touch.

Here's a recent post with other suggestions on using hashtags.

Instagram is a great way to connect with folks who are interested in our art, and to promote classes. A couple of years ago I saw a sweet hand drawn poster for a workshop at my favorite retreat center, communicated with the teacher, and decided to register. I often make designs on Canva, including flyers for my circles and class, and post them on Instagram.

Are you on Instagram? You're invited to post the link to your account, and share an tips you've discovered.