Beginner’s Guide to Instagram

Beginner's Guide to Instagram

Instagram is a mobile application that is focused on sharing photographs and videos. With its easy-to-use editing tools, you can create and publish visual content for a wide audience, as long as your account is set to public. Your followers, as well as non-followers, can engage with your posts by liking, commenting, sharing, and saving them.

How Does Instagram Notification Functionality Work?

When you set up your account, it is advisable to customize your notifications to receive only the information that is relevant to you. For example, you can opt to receive notifications for likes from everyone or limit it to just the people you follow. On the other hand, you may choose to turn off notifications for likes altogether.

There are several categories of notifications that you can adjust, including Comments, Comment Likes, Likes and Comments on Photos of You, Follower Requests, Accepted Follow Requests, Friends on Instagram, Instagram Direct, Photos of You, Reminders, First Posts and Stories, Product Announcements, View Counts, Support Requests, Live Videos, Mentions in Bio, IGTV Video Updates, and Video Chats. You can set the notifications to either "Off", "From People I Follow", or "From Everyone".

If you find the options overwhelming, don't worry, you're not alone. If you're not sure what notifications you want to receive, you can start by turning on notifications "From Everyone". Later, if certain notifications become bothersome, you can turn them off.

To personalize the notifications you receive, follow these steps:

1. Launch the Instagram App on Your Phone

Start by launching the Instagram application on your mobile phone. If you prefer, you can also access Instagram through a desktop. Once you have the app open and are logged into Instagram, navigate to your profile by clicking on the profile picture icon located in the bottom right corner.

2. Navigate to "Settings"

Upon reaching your profile, access the options menu by clicking the hamburger icon located in the top right corner.

A drop-down menu will appear. Select "Settings"

3. Select "Notifications"

On the following screen, tap on "Notifications".

On this page, you will be able to modify the notification settings based on the different categories listed below:

Posts, Stories, and Comments
Following and Followers
Direct Messages and Calls
Live and Video
Fundraisers
From Instagram
Email and SMS
Shopping

Additionally, you have the option to temporarily stop all notifications by turning on the "Pause All" feature located at the top.

4. Select the Desired Notifications

To personalize your notifications, go through each category and select the ones you want to receive. For instance, here are the available options under the "Posts, Stories, and Comments" category:

The options available will differ from category to category.

And that's all there is to it! Now, let's dive into how to link your other social media accounts to Instagram, so you can share your posts with a wider audience.

Is it Possible to Link Instagram to Other Social Media Accounts?

Yes, you can connect your Instagram account to Twitter, Tumblr, and Facebook. However, the process is different from the past, where it was done through the Settings.

Now, you can cross-post on other platforms on a per-post basis.

To share a post on other social media, go to the post you want to cross-publish on Facebook, Tumblr, or Twitter and manually share it from there.

Here's how:

1. Open the Instagram app.

2. Go to your profile.

3. Tap on the desired post you wish to cross-post.

4. Tap the three dots located on the top right corner of the post.

Is it possible to link Instagram to other social media accounts 1

5. From the pop-up menu, select "Share."

Is it possible to link Instagram to other social media accounts 2

Note: It's important to differentiate between "Share" and "Share to" options. When you click "Share to," you will be given the option to share the post using AirDrop or to your contacts. However, if you want to cross-post to social media platforms like Twitter, Tumblr, and Facebook, you should click "Share" instead.

6. Turn on the switch for the accounts you want to share the post with. If you are not already logged in, you will need to sign in to these accounts within the Instagram app.

Is it possible to link Instagram to other social media accounts 3

Once you've established a connection between Instagram and other social accounts, you'll be able to easily toggle sharing options for future posts. If you've linked your Facebook account to Instagram, you can even cross-publish your Stories on both platforms with ease. Let's learn more about that below.

To Connect your Instagram and Facebook Accounts, follow these Steps:

1. Launch the Instagram app on your device.

2. Navigate to your profile by tapping the image of your profile picture on the bottom right.

3. Tap the hamburger menu on the top right-hand corner.

4. Select “Settings” from the popup menu.

5. On the next screen, under the Meta logo, tap “Accounts Center.”

To Connect your Instagram and Facebook Accounts follow these Steps 1

6. Tap “Set up Accounts Center.”

To Connect your Instagram and Facebook Accounts follow these Steps 2

7. Follow the instructions to log into Facebook.

Completed! Your two accounts have now been linked. This is how it will appear once the process is finished:

To Connect your Instagram and Facebook Accounts follow these Steps 3

In the following section, I will demonstrate the usefulness of having a linked account.

Uploading, Editing, and Posting an Image on Instagram

The crucial aspect of using Instagram is learning how to upload and post an image. Unlike Facebook, which emphasizes both text and images, or Twitter, which focuses purely on text, the main purpose of Instagram is to allow users to share images or videos with their followers.

When it comes to posting images on Instagram, it's important to be selective about the photos you choose to share. Posting too many images at once, or posting similar images repeatedly, can detract from the aesthetic of your profile. It's generally recommended to limit yourself to posting one image per day, and to choose images that complement each other and showcase a variety of themes and subjects.

For example, instead of posting fifty images from the same beach vacation, you might choose five or six of the best shots, and create a "carousel post" to showcase them all together. Carousel posts allow you to share multiple images in a single post, while still maintaining the diversity of your overall profile.

With that understanding, let's delve into the process of uploading, editing, and posting an image on Instagram.

1. Tap the "+" icon located at the top-right corner

Upon tapping the " +" icon, you will be presented with options for the type of post you want to share. To post directly to your profile feed, select "Post."

2. Select your Media

You are given three choices. You can scan through your pictures stored in the Photos app on your phone, snap a fresh photo directly from within Instagram, or record a new video. For the purpose of demonstration, I browsed through my Photos library and selected a picture of Boston that I desired to use. Afterward, I tapped "Next" located in the upper right corner.

3. Edit Your Image with Filters

You have two options for enhancing your photo: "Filter" and "Edit." Instagram presents you with filters by default. You can swipe through the collection and tap any of the filters to apply it to your image.

Furthermore, if you want to utilize a filter but tone it down, simply double-tap the filter and drag the cursor to the left to reduce its strength.

4. Modify your Picture

Once you have applied filters, tap "Edit." You will have the opportunity to modify contrast, brightness, structure, warmth, and other settings. If you're pleased with your changes, or if you choose not to make any modifications, tap "Next" located in the upper right corner.

5. Create a Captivating Caption and Adjust Sharing Options

When you're ready to share your latest image on Instagram, make sure to add a caption and tag anyone who is featured in the picture (only if they have an Instagram account). You can also add a location to provide context for your followers. If you want to share the same post on Facebook or any other linked social media platform, simply toggle the sharing settings by clicking the button next to the respective platform. When everything is set, simply hit "Share" located in the top right corner to publish.

Post a Picture or Video to Your Stories

The Stories feature on Instagram gives you the ability to share fleeting videos or photos that vanish after a day. It mimics the concept of Snapchat, where users frequently post more relaxed and unguarded content, giving followers a glimpse into their daily routines.

1. Press your profile photo in the top left corner

Or, swipe right on your home feed or hit the "+" symbol in the top navigation bar.

2. Record or Import Your Content

Once you access the Stories section, you have the option to instantly capture a picture or video within the app. On the other hand, if you have a saved image on your device that you would like to share, you can select it from your media library.

3. Enhance with Stickers and Filters

On the left side, there are several editing options available to you.

The "Create" option enables you to add a location, hashtag, time and date, and other playful images or emojis to your photo."

The "Boomerang" feature allows you to produce a repeating video. The "Aa" symbol serves as your text button and when selected, you can modify the font.

When you tap the smiley face icon, you will be directed to a screen where you can add icons to your picture by clicking on them. If you change your mind, simply drag it to the bottom, and a trash bin will appear to let you eliminate it.

For example, I tapped the smiley face icon to insert a poll in my image. You can also navigate left or right to add filters to your picture or video.

4. Share Your Story

When you're satisfied with your content, you can either press the white arrow symbol in the bottom right corner, which enables you to share your Story with all your followers, or choose "Close Friends" first, to limit visibility to only your closest friends.

And that's it! Your Story is now live and available to view.

Discovering and Following Users on Instagram

Locating and following users on Instagram is incredibly straightforward. You can use the platform's search tool to find celebrities, brands, and friends, and you can also search for "Tags" or "Places". "Tags" is a particularly useful feature if you're looking for specific content but are unsure who posts it.

For example, if you search "#familyrecipes" under tags, you'll get results that include any images with that hashtag. As you scroll through your search results, you may come across someone whose content you really enjoy, and you can choose to follow them so their posts appear on your feed.

To follow someone, simply follow these three easy steps.

1. Tap the Search Icon at the Bottom of Your Screen

It resembles a magnifying glass and is located adjacent to the "Home" button.

2. Enter a Person, Topic, or Brand

For instance, in this case, I searched for "architecture."

Instagram provides you with the option to either search for all posts that include the word "architecture," or select "See All Results" to view tags and locations.

3. Select the Account You Wish to Follow

When you navigate to another user's account, you'll notice a blue "Follow" button at the top. For public profiles, you can immediately start following by clicking the button. On the other hand, for private profiles, you may have to wait for approval before you can follow.

And that's all there is to it! You're well on your way to becoming an expert. To elevate your account to the next level, consider planning your next posts using a variety of content ideas and templates.

Leveraging Instagram is Crucial for Building Your Personal Brand

If you're looking to enhance both your professional and personal growth, then utilizing Instagram has never been more crucial. Start by observing and then gradually start posting as you familiarize yourself with the platform. With over a billion users, Instagram is a powerful social media tool that's worth your time and effort. And with its continuous growth, it will only become increasingly valuable over time.