How to use Instagram – a beginner’s guide

Here at Gravity we meet a lot of people that dread touching any social media. Some of us didn’t grow up in the digital age, and the learning curve isn’t always easy. After Facebook and Twitter, Instagram has become the most popular kid on the block, and as much as it might seem similar there are some undeniable differences!

But don’t worry, we are here to help.

What does Instagram do?

Instagram is a social networking app’, predominantly made to be used on a phone; that allows you to share photos and videos.

How do I make a start getting onto Instagram?

Firstly, you will have to create an account. Once this done, you will be asked if you want to follow some friends. Instagram will do some of the hard work for you and help you find all your Facebook friend, you’ll just have to click “follow” on the people you already know.

Create your personal or business profile. Add a picture, a bio, and decide if you would like your account to be public or private. A private account means that only followers you approve will be able to see your profile.

How do I make Instagram posts?

You can only post to Instagram on a phone or tablet with the Instagram app.  In order to post pictures to Instagram, tap the middle Instagram posting button – this is a plus sign in the middle of the row of buttons at the bottom of your screen – you can then select whether to upload a short video (no longer than 16 seconds) or a picture or you can choose the camera to take a live photo or video.

Once your picture or video is uploaded to Instagram, you can apply one of the many filters Instagram offers.  You can also tap the EDIT option at the bottom to make more visual adjustments to it.

Add a caption and some hashtags, and you are ready to go!  So just keep clicking ‘Next’, ‘Next’, ‘Next’ to publish live.

Why does Instagram use hashtags?

Hashtags are a good way to grow your audience on Instagram and expose your brand a bit more. Hashtags help your photos to be categorized and helps other users to discover your content.  So hashtags work a little like a search engine, but Instagram-style!

Read more:

Once you have figured out the basics on Instagram, you might find these articles interesting.

• Growing your following on Instagram
• Hashtags: a help or a hassle?
• Instagram pitfalls your business could be making
• Using social media to grow your business