A Simple Instagram Marketing Trick

If you're an aspiring author, you know that building an online presence is a very important part of the journey. And getting original content in as many places helps make that possible. And creating eye-catching post images--or "memes"--not only makes said content more searchable, but it can mean the difference between whether someone scrolls past your post or clicks on it.

Instagram has quickly become one of my favorite social media platforms because people are so visual, and both peers and potential readers love seeing those little glimpses. It's also a great place to share your post images and reach a new audience with your content. I've written about that a few times, so I won't go into any more detail.

On to a little trick I learned from my friend Deidra Romero, of Parenting Upstream!

Unfortunately, links included in an Instagram post aren't clickable (unless it's a reply/mention prefaced by the @ symbol or a hashtag topic); the only outgoing link is the one in a user's profile. So if someone is posting an image to announce new content, it's typical for him or her to include the hashtag #linkinprofile and then change the profile every time something new is posted.

But hallelujah! There is an easier way!

I don't know when this became a thing or who came up with the idea, but I first noticed that Deidra's Instagram account links to a landing page on her website specifically devoted to Instagram. On this page, I found images she had posted on Instagram, and when I clicked on an image, it linked me to the full article I was looking for.

You can easily do this for anything you promote on Instagram: Blog posts, sales/promotions, different  services you offer, features of your website, etc. Here's how:

• Create a new page solely devoted for your Instagram visitors. If possible, keep the URL/title as simple as possible. (Ex: www.laurietomlinson.com/instagram)
• Once you've created an image that represents your content or link, update that page with your most recent image on top, setting that image to link where you want your reader to go. You can do this when you upload your image or by highlighting the image and clicking the hyperlink button in most post editing platforms. 
• Double check to make sure the link works! 
• Change your Instagram profile link to the URL of your website's Instagram landing page.

And that's it! You can add one simple step of uploading the photo to your landing page when you post your article and readers will be able to more easily access it, no matter when they come across it.

Are you on Instagram? Do you typically highlight your content there?

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Laurie Tomlinson is a wife and mom from Tulsa, Oklahoma, who is passionate about intentional living, all things color-coded, and stories of grace in the beautiful mess. Previously a full-time book publicist, she owns a freelance copywriting, editing, and PR consulting business called 1624 Communications. 

She's a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a two-time Genesis Award winner, and the runner-up in the 2015 Lone Star Contest's Inspirational category. Her work is represented by Rachel Kent of Books & Such Literary.

You can connect with Laurie here:

Facebook - AuthorLaurieTomlinson

Twitter - @LaurieTomlinson

Web - www.LaurieTomlinson.com