3 Ways Instagram Transformed My Blog

I discuss the three main ways Instagram transformed not only my blog, but my blogging journey as a whole, in a positive way.

How Instagram Transformed My Blog

It’s funny to look back at how my blogging journey all began. It was such a combination of things.

Let me start this off by giving you some insight from the beginning.

Beyond the deep-rooted purpose of The Blissful Balance, which was a battle of over-exercising and food calculation of which I conquered and wanted to help others dealing with the same issue, I’d had a love for cooking and food blogs that I began sharing with friends way before the thought of a blog came to mind. And on what was I sharing my creations? Instagram.

It began my sophomore year of college, during which I started cooking on my own really for the first time. My freshman year consisted of dining hall meals and 1:00 AM runs for pizza sticks. So, it wasn’t until I had my first apartment that I really found my passion for not only food, but cooking. Coincidentally, this was only a couple years after the conception of Instagram, and it was really hot at this point. I’d gotten my first iPhone as a gift for my 20th birthday, and I immediately downloaded the Instagram app that everyone had been telling me to use. The first photo I ever shared on said app was a photo of chocolate cupcakes with strawberry santa hats. Oh, what a few years of practice can do.

3 Ways Instagram Changed My Blog

I was simply, innately sharing photos of my food creations, without the slightest thought. It was just fun for me. I’d started following food blogs (almost every recipe I made was from Skinnytaste!), and my love for food kept getting stronger and stronger. Around the same time that I’d shared my story of my battle with balance for a fitness blog at an internship (which inspired me to start writing on my own), I had people telling me that I should start a food blog and share my recipes on the internet. The two thoughts intertwined, and The Blissful Balance (well, back then it was called ‘Food is Life’ *cringe*), was born.

I didn’t give Instagram much thought, truthfully, until around September-October 2015. It was around this time that I’d won Best Food Blogger in my city, and something clicked in my head to where I began looking at my blog as my business, rather than my hobby. Thus, playing to my strengths became a major thought. Instagram was where I felt most comfortable, and I felt like I understood its processes the best, so I put forth the most effort in that realm.

Now, to get to the main point here. Since 2015, Instagram has played a huge role in the growth of my brand, and even the conception of a new brand, in three major ways.

Instagram Drives Traffic and Engagement for Blog Posts

Instagram is not my top source of traffic. However, Instagram has assisted greatly in driving traffic to my blog posts, and creating hype and garnering engagement around my blog posts. It is the platform I pay the most attention to when it comes to sharing blog posts and understanding which times to share in accordance with my audience specifically. I believe that for food bloggers in particular, Instagram serves as a portfolio of sorts. It’s a sneak peek into the ‘real thing’ (the real thing being your blog), and it creates a first impression for your audience.

I even have people who follow me on Instagram for a while, simply to follow my photos. But then, I share a post one day that really sparks their interest, and they finally head to my blog. Then, they become a loyal reader. All it takes is that one piece of content. Additionally, in a recent reader survey I conducted, over 80% of responders had heard of my blog via Instagram. Crazy, right?!

3 Ways Instagram Has Transformed My Blog

Photo by Georgie!

Instagram Leads to Discovery for Monetization and Promotional Opportunities

Some of you may remember – I went on my very first press trip in January of this year. I was beyond excited and blown away that someone wanted me to travel across the country simply to write about their destination (read about my trip here). Guess how they found me… INSTAGRAM. Seriously! I’d extended my presence to another bloggers account, and the public relations representative for the Arizona travel bureau took notice, simply scrolling through on her own time (she was a fan of food blogs!). They’d been looking for one more person for their FAM trip in January, and I was her gal. This is not to brag, but to show you the power of social media (Instagram to be precise).

Additionally, many of the sponsorship opportunities I’ve experienced have been a result of initial communication via Instagram, me to the brand or vice versa. Instagram has also served as a great tool for big-name publications to take notice – my photos have been shared by the likes of @feedfeed, @infatuation, @huffposttaste, @greatist, and more, which has always resulted in a boost of like-minded followers (people who actually care about what I’m sharing!). Again, this sounds grossly braggy, but bare with me. Tip: I tag big-name accounts/publications/brands in just about every single photo I share.

3 Ways Instagram Has Transformed My Blog

 

Instagram Creates Connections and Helps Form Your Tribe

For anybody who does not know – Instagram is the [digital] place where I met the lovely Georgie, who is now one of my best friends, and my business partner. She lives on Nantucket, and I live in Florida, yet we’ve been able to visit and hang out three times now! And, when her and I met up in New York this past March, we met up with two other fellow bloggers and BGB Community friends, Ashley and Leah. It was like we’d known each other for years! I swear, Instagram is like Tinder for gal pals.

And those of you who follow me on Snapchat (christinav13) heard me say this the other day, but I can genuinely say that no matter how bad of a day I’m having, I can scroll through my Instagram account, see sweet comments from you beautiful people, and instantly feel better. It is truly humbling to know that two years ago I heard crickets on the other end of my platform, and now, my comments are full of sweet, inspiring people who make my heart smile. This is hands down the best part about all of this.

3 Ways Instagram Has Transformed My Blog

Photo by Anthony Ruiz!

Upon deep reflection and coming to the realization of the ginormous impact Instagram has had on not only our respective brands, but on the BGB Community, Georgie and I decided to create something based on the knowledge we’ve accumulated over the years and in recent months. We had so many ideas flowing through our heads, but we felt it still wasn’t enough. We wanted our first BGB product to go off with a bang.

So, we enlisted our good friend, Rachel of @rachLmansfield, to take part in this creation. Rachel has had enormous success building her brand first on Instagram, and creating her website after-the-fact. She’s built an incredible community around her brand, and we totally respect what she’s created! So, thankfully Rachel agreed, and for the past few months we’ve been feverishly scheming to create the very first BGB Community e-course: Influence with Instagram!

First, let me tell you what this course is not: it is not a get-rich-quick scheme, it is not a strategy to gain a high follower number in a short amount of time (this is about more than numbers!), and it is not an overnight process. Social media in a nutshell is the furthest from an overnight success, so have patience, my friends!

What you will get with this course, however:

  • Five comprehensive lessons with outlined slides for note-taking and visual learners
  • Complete audio of script for auditory learners
  • Downloadable word-for-word script in PDF format
  • Action items for each lecture to get you on the right track
  • Entry into our Influence with Instagram Facebook group for help, coaching, guidance, and girl talk along the way

I cannot express to you how excited I am to share this with you – we truly have poured our hearts into this thang, and I’d love for you to check it out!

For more information, head to the Influence with Instagram webpage here.

Influence with Instagram E-Course

Comments

  1. says

    I am seriously so excited for you guys, and think it’s amazing that you want to share your knowledge in such an in-depth way. I am totally that person who reads guides and resources and is like “cool…but what do I actually DO?” And I love that the course is all about putting in the actual work. Can’t wait to check it out!

  2. says

    YAS YAS YAAAS
    Can’t imagine a life without you or the ‘gram
    Thank you for always having my back and taking on these crazy awesome projects. BAAAAH (that’s just me being excited) xoxoxooxoxo

  3. says

    I’m new to your blog and so glad I found it! I feel like we have SO much in common, it’s crazy! Besides our name, my tag line for my blog is “Navigating Life Blistfully and Balanced” and it seems like we have similar interests! Congrats on your success and that’s exciting to hear about your course! xo, Kristina

  4. says

    SO happy for the three of you on the release of this! I could tell you were all working hard on something new for the group and this is absolutely exciting. It has been amazing following you on Instagram and seeing your account grow as it has!

    • says

      Aw thank you so much Brie!!! <33 It has been an absolute pleasure having you in our group and getting to know you through your blog and social platforms [virtually] haha. Happy Friday girl!

  5. says

    Eeeh!!! I’m so excited to do the course, and I just signed up tonight. I love listening to your girl’s voices on the courses; I can’t wait to meet you in person, hopefully someday! :) THE bestest part of Instagram has been seeing the girls behind the blogs. I love meeting people, and Instagram makes me want to make those personal connections even more. It’s so true that it really all is based on the amazing relationships we get to develop with each other, and you and Georgie were kind of the spark that energized me to want to utilize the relationship aspect of blogging so much more.

  6. says

    I’m so thankful for the beautiful community that you and Georgie have created. I feel so lucky to be included in this incredibly talented, inspirational family. I’m pretty much your n.o 1 fangirl haha.

  7. says

    I COMPLETELY 100% agree with all of these, ESPECIALLY being able to connect with and build your tribe. I love how people can easily engage with each other on IG. It’s my favorite social media platform!

  8. says

    This was such a helpful and insightful post. I’ve been floored with the amount of connections I have made via Instagram in just the past few weeks (I’m new to the blogging world but I’ve hit the ground runningg). How neat that you made the connection for your first press trip through Insta. I remember all of the food pics I would post when it first came out. I think my first foodie-gram was Smores Pie!

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