General questions

[LavenderMintGraphics]

I hope this is okay, but I thought it'd be helpful to have a thread (or several) on general IG questions. Here's a couple of mine.

-Do you need to automatically follow someone who follows you?

-When you leave a comment and they reply back, do you need to reply back to that? I know it may depend on the comment, but in general. Does it depend on how engaged you want to be with them?

-Is it okay to post our products again if it's been some time or is it best to repost them with new hashtags?

[BethiesCards]

Haha you beat me to this thread! I wanted to create one too, then got lost in hashtag research. Thanks for starting it and I have the same questions as you!!

My question is: when we are doing these challenges and have to leave comments, should we also heart the item as well? I do if I like it, but wasn't sure if we should or not.

[LavenderMintGraphics]

Oh, good!! I knew I couldn't be the only one with questions! lol

I heart all the ones I leave comments on and I've noticed likewise any comments I get people have liked my item. So I'm going with yes.

Beth, are we following each other? I'd be happy to if you like.

[LavenderMintGraphics]

New question. Have any of you done a coupon code offer from Instagram and how did it go? Did it include a discount for your whole shop or one particular item?

How did you promote it - just a coupon code and/or did you instruct them to use a certain hashtag?

[TheBodyWorkout]

1. -Do you need to automatically follow someone who follows you?

You can but you don't have to, If you like their account then go ahead.

2. -When you leave a comment and they reply back, do you need to reply back to that? I know it may depend on the comment, but in general. Does it depend on how engaged you want to be with them?

You should reply back even if it is a simple thank you but make sure you tag them. If someone leaves a comment like you know they want you to follow them, you don't have to respond.

3. Is it okay to post our products again if it's been some time or is it best to repost them with new hashtags?

Yes, you can, especially with new hashtags.

BethiesCards Queston
4. My question is: when we are doing these challenges and have to leave comments, should we also heart the item as well? I do if I like it, but wasn't sure if we should or not.

My fellow blogger Gigieats goes back and likes everyone, I don't but sometimes I do as a task.

[LavenderMintGraphics]

Thanks, Sheila, just the answers I'd hoped for. :)

Just a clarification - I always respond back when someone leaves a comment (except obvious "follow me's").

I've had a couple of thank you's to my comment on their pic but with lengthy verbage - didn't know if I needed to respond a second time to them.

[LavenderMintGraphics]

If someone reposts our post, do we thank them?

[TheBodyWorkout]

Yes, Thank them but it is up to you about responding back.

[LavenderMintGraphics]

Thanks :)

[LavenderMintGraphics]

I've heard pros and cons from "instagram experts" on if you should post other things than your products. Some say they follow because of a specific content, some say they like the variety.

What are some of your thoughts on this?

[TwistedFleece]

I've done my kids and my cats, so I'm out of ideas! (The cats get more likes than the kids did!) When I follow, it's mostly for specific topics, but a little variety is nice, for me. Not too much or I tend to lose interest.

[LavenderMintGraphics]

I'm always stumped on what to do as it may be days before I have a new product to add. In between I'll add some spiritual or inspirational quotes. Just last night it crossed my mind I should look for things that highlight my business name, no matter what it is.

I need to catch up on my challenges I haven't done one this week yet!

[VintageInTheBeehive]

I don't feel like you should have to follow anyone you don't want to. There are some followers I don't want to follow because their images are things I'm uncomfortable with.
I would always respond to comments even with just a thank you. It shows your followers appreciation for there time.
There is a hashtag called throwback. I repost images with this hashtag so my followers know what it is. I think it's ok to do this because introduces products to new followers.


I also have a question. I've been doing a lot of the following games and I've noticed that a day after I follow someone on Instagram they unfollow me. I try not to take it personally but I also feel like I'm taking my time to network and form connections and the people who unfollow are doing it to gain only. Am I the only one who's feeling this? Now I have to say that it's not everyone but for example I lost three today that I gained from yesterday. Is there anything I could do better?

[LavenderMintGraphics]

Tiffany, love the #throwback tip. I just added it to the repost I did for a challenge.

I've pulled back from some of the following games because I ended up following people I didn't really want to follow and I don't think they should follow me if they don't want to. If I do the game, I'll just keep going back to people before me that I do want to follow!