How to Lose a Follower in Ten Ways - Instagram - Marketing
1. Steal content. I hate that this has even made the list. I've had people steal my content a few times. It is infuriating. Some people say that "imitation is a form of flattery," but I find it lazy and annoying. Like most content creators out there, I work really hard and spend a lot of time writing and photographing. So when someone just takes my work, it's offensive. Also, when you steal content, KNOW that the person who created it WILL find out. If you are really that desperate, talk to the person who created the content and ask for their permission - they might say no, but consider this the unwritten code of etiquette and decency.
2. Only post selfies. You are far too interesting to only show the world that you have figured out camera angles. Show me your perspective - what you're seeing, where you are, who you've met, what you're eating. And that's not to say that if you're feeling like a million bucks that you don't take a photo to capture it, but it is to say that people are interested in a lot more than just what you look like.
It makes me cringe that this book even exists. aim higher, folks.
3. Post the same thing as everyone else. We could turn these staged photos into a drinking game. Every time you see that pic of a couple holding hands with the girl leading the guy, take a drink! Every time you see a girl casually floating on an inflatable duck or unicorn in a pool, take a drink! Except we'd all die of liver failure.
4. Only post about your MLM. Look, I say this as an avid user of some of these products - this madness has got to stop. Oils, wraps, face creams, shakes, body wraps, supplements, nail stickers, candles, lip gloss, etc. I don't want to "join your journey," or be constantly sold to. Make no mistake, I am sincerely happy for your transformations. However, I followed you because of YOU, not for your "incredible business opportunity." I wish Instagram would create an algorithm to detect these posts, so users could have the option to filter.
5. Use those frickin' frackin' ridiculous face filters. Use them in stories, but don't post pics of yourself with them. Unless you're 12(ish) and younger, then be the best koala bear you can be!
6. Play the Follow, Unfollow game. Lord have mercy. When I see the same person following and then unfollowing me repeatedly, I usually just end up blocking them. Folks, there is no short cut to a genuine following. You have to do the work. Try reaching out to people, and having genuine conversations about what they're posting about. Real engagement is how you earn a real follower.
7. Use auto-comments. I could literally post a photo of a giant turd, and there would be at least one auto-comment that says "Great pic!" Bots are also against Ig's policy, so I hope that Instagram continues to shut these accounts down.
Example of auto comments. this account sent me dozens of generic and rotating comments in 24 hours.
8. Disrespect the environment, just for a photo. Don't litter because that's lazy, disrespectful, and unclassy. Don't take things that aren't yours. If there is a sign that says don't enter/cross/etc. - don't! Most people think it is a matter of safety (especially if it's a historic site), but often it is a matter of preservation. Don't take away these experiences from future generations.
9. Purchase photo likes and followers. This one shocks me. It's literally like purchasing spam. Nobody wants to follow a spammy account.
10. Participate in loops. This is one of the many tactics that people use to get phony followers. It pains me because you're not getting a quality following. In the longterm, you actually make it harder for yourself, because your rate of engagement decreases which is essentially the point. Not to mention, I don't feel like liking 10 random pages, commenting on your post, and tagging 37 friends to be entered in a raffle to win body lotion.
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