What time should I post? | If I don’t get enough likes, I’m deleting it. | Take a pic! | Is this ok to post on my main feed, or should it go to my spam account?

Our generations these days are camera-obsessed. While it’s fun to constantly be exposed to new content, it can be hard to stay on top of the trends. Here are 5 ways to boost your Instagram traffic, followers, and likes!

Make sure your image is clear and in focus

Tap your phone screen before taking the picture to make sure it is sharp and focused. This will also adjust the lighting and bring out your subject’s natural features.

Still not able to find good lighting? I suggest standing in front of a window or purchasing a mini portable ring light that clips onto your phone, computer, or tablet! I have one and it makes a world of difference in my photos and videos, plus it just fits in my purse – score!

Adjust brightness, contrast, and warmth before adding a filter

Natural light is everything. To enhance your photos, use apps such as Canva, Instagram, or your phone’s built in photo editing features to create attractive and appealing images. (Best part is, these apps are free, aye 🎉)

Captions

Do your research! If you think a good song lyric best fits your picture, use it and tweak it a bit to make it your own! {Ex. Drake, Beyoncé, Post Malone, Ed Sheeran, and Rihanna are very popular} Your caption should add value or relevance to your image but shouldn’t be so long that your followers scroll past without even looking. Along with this, limit the amount of hashtags you use, 1-2 is plenty, but hey, #DoYaThing

If you feel you need more, write out the hashtags you want to use in your phone’s notes app, then copy and paste them as a comment on your post! Save that caption prime real estate space!

Keep your captions short, sweet, and don’t be afraid to use humor, emojis, or other elements on your keyboard. If captions still overwhelm you…go without! Pull that diva influence from Beyoncé and let your picture speak for itself!

There are prime “like” timeframes

Think strategically. Before you post, keep in mind two things: your audience’s time zone and what time they are checking Instagram the most. Typically during the day, people are on their phones more at lunch time (11 am – 1 pm) and evenings (7 – 9 pm), this means more likes! Sundays at 8 pm and Wednesday from 5 – 6 pm are ideal. Since weekends can be hit or miss, consider saving the important posts for the weekdays. Beware of 3 pm, that seems to receive the lowest engagement, so if you want those likes, post earlier or later than the afternoon lull.

Take photos without posting them right away

Schedule your posts with various apps like VSCO, Hopper HQ, Later, or simply use the built in Instagram draft feature! This allows you to edit your photos and keep in on hand for when you decide to post.

There we go, 5 tips on how to maintain a trendy ‘gram aesthetic. Always keep discovering new people and brands to follow that you admire. You are building a personal brand, so your online presence should truly reflect what you’re all about!

Wanting to try out these tips and tricks for yourself?

Comment down below what tips you can’t wait to try out! I’d love to hear suggestions on the best ways to elevate your page!

Pics or it didn’t happen,
✌ Ericka

Follow me on Instagram @lifelogliving to see these tips in action!

What time should I post? | If I don’t get enough likes, I’m deleting it. | Take a pic! | Is this ok to post on my main feed, or should it go to my spam account?

Our generations these days are camera-obsessed. While it’s fun to constantly be exposed to new content, it can be hard to stay on top of the trends. Here are 5 ways to boost your Instagram traffic, followers, and likes!

Make sure your image is clear and in focus

Tap your phone screen before taking the picture to make sure it is sharp and focused. This will also adjust the lighting and bring out your subject’s natural features.

Still not able to find good lighting? I suggest standing in front of a window or purchasing a mini portable ring light that clips onto your phone, computer, or tablet! I have one and it makes a world of difference in my photos and videos, plus it just fits in my purse – score!

Adjust brightness, contrast, and warmth before adding a filter

Natural light is everything. To enhance your photos, use apps such as Canva, Instagram, or your phone’s built in photo editing features to create attractive and appealing images. (Best part is, these apps are free, aye 🎉)

Captions

Do your research! If you think a good song lyric best fits your picture, use it and tweak it a bit to make it your own! {Ex. Drake, Beyoncé, Post Malone, Ed Sheeran, and Rihanna are very popular} Your caption should add value or relevance to your image but shouldn’t be so long that your followers scroll past without even looking. Along with this, limit the amount of hashtags you use, 1-2 is plenty, but hey, #DoYaThing

If you feel you need more, write out the hashtags you want to use in your phone’s notes app, then copy and paste them as a comment on your post! Save that caption prime real estate space!

Keep your captions short, sweet, and don’t be afraid to use humor, emojis, or other elements on your keyboard. If captions still overwhelm you…go without! Pull that diva influence from Beyoncé and let your picture speak for itself!

There are prime “like” timeframes

Think strategically. Before you post, keep in mind two things: your audience’s time zone and what time they are checking Instagram the most. Typically during the day, people are on their phones more at lunch time (11 am – 1 pm) and evenings (7 – 9 pm), this means more likes! Sundays at 8 pm and Wednesday from 5 – 6 pm are ideal. Since weekends can be hit or miss, consider saving the important posts for the weekdays. Beware of 3 pm, that seems to receive the lowest engagement, so if you want those likes, post earlier or later than the afternoon lull.

Take photos without posting them right away

Schedule your posts with various apps like VSCO, Hopper HQ, Later, or simply use the built in Instagram draft feature! This allows you to edit your photos and keep in on hand for when you decide to post.

There we go, 5 tips on how to maintain a trendy ‘gram aesthetic. Always keep discovering new people and brands to follow that you admire. You are building a personal brand, so your online presence should truly reflect what you’re all about!

Wanting to try out these tips and tricks for yourself?

Comment down below what tips you can’t wait to try out! I’d love to hear suggestions on the best ways to elevate your page!

Pics or it didn’t happen,
✌ Ericka

Follow me on Instagram @lifelogliving to see these tips in action!

Wanting to be more productive, but feel like you just simply don’t have time? Here are 5 tips on how to do more with the time you have!

ONE | Wake Up Earlier
I know, “shocker,” but this is a sure fire way to tackle some extra lines off your to-do list. Waking up an extra hour a day, allows you to take time for yourself and collect your thoughts. You’ll start your day more relaxed, and no one will be the wiser!

TWO | Make Categorized To-Do Lists
Sit down, make individual to-do lists by category (school, work, home, family, dinner, etc.) Write them in a planner – this is your cue to get a planner if you don’t have one – and set alarms or calendar updates in your phone. This takes away some of the stress of having to remember everything, just check your sources for what your daily schedule should consist of.

THREE | Set Designated Times for Your Tasks
Pull out that handy dandy planner or calendar to jot down time periods for your day.

ex. From 1 – 4 pm, I will research apartments in my prices range and email 3 offices to schedule showings.

We dreaded this as kids, but there’s a reason it always worked. It allows us to make plans from a general top down view and only requires minor adjustments as the day goes on.

FOUR | Check in With Yourself Throughout the Day
Are you still on track to complete your tasks? If yes, great, I knew you could do it! If not, ok, how can we complete the rest? Is it truly a lack of time, or are you starting to feel burned out? Is that next episode of your latest tv binge calling your name a little too loudly?

Take time to assess how you will get everything done and what is more important. Make a priorities list and accomplish those tasks with strict deadlines so that you can end your day feeling less stressed.

FIVE | DO IT!
The best way to get stuff done is to get stuff done. I can’t even begin to tell you how many things have been scratched from my to-do list and tacked onto the next day because I simply neglected to complete them. If the task is important enough to you or kissed by an immense sense of urgency, just do it. It’s cliche, but you’ll thank yourself later!

There we have it, folks! 5 Simple Ways to Be More Productive in A Day! Follow these techniques and you’ll be able to brag to your friends in no time!

Wanting to be more productive, but feel like you just simply don’t have time? Here are 5 tips on how to do more with the time you have!

ONE | Wake Up Earlier
I know, “shocker,” but this is a sure fire way to tackle some extra lines off your to-do list. Waking up an extra hour a day, allows you to take time for yourself and collect your thoughts. You’ll start your day more relaxed, and no one will be the wiser!

TWO | Make Categorized To-Do Lists
Sit down, make individual to-do lists by category (school, work, home, family, dinner, etc.) Write them in a planner – this is your cue to get a planner if you don’t have one – and set alarms or calendar updates in your phone. This takes away some of the stress of having to remember everything, just check your sources for what your daily schedule should consist of.

THREE | Set Designated Times for Your Tasks
Pull out that handy dandy planner or calendar to jot down time periods for your day.

ex. From 1 – 4 pm, I will research apartments in my prices range and email 3 offices to schedule showings.

We dreaded this as kids, but there’s a reason it always worked. It allows us to make plans from a general top down view and only requires minor adjustments as the day goes on.

FOUR | Check in With Yourself Throughout the Day
Are you still on track to complete your tasks? If yes, great, I knew you could do it! If not, ok, how can we complete the rest? Is it truly a lack of time, or are you starting to feel burned out? Is that next episode of your latest tv binge calling your name a little too loudly?

Take time to assess how you will get everything done and what is more important. Make a priorities list and accomplish those tasks with strict deadlines so that you can end your day feeling less stressed.

FIVE | DO IT!
The best way to get stuff done is to get stuff done. I can’t even begin to tell you how many things have been scratched from my to-do list and tacked onto the next day because I simply neglected to complete them. If the task is important enough to you or kissed by an immense sense of urgency, just do it. It’s cliche, but you’ll thank yourself later!

There we have it, folks! 5 Simple Ways to Be More Productive in A Day! Follow these techniques and you’ll be able to brag to your friends in no time!