Why great photographers don't succeed on Instagram (and how to fix it)
Having amazing photos isn't enough to succeed on Instagram.
You've seen it. I've seen it.
Today we'll go through why this is.
The reason 3 will trigger some of you... But some of you will be able to face the truth and crush it. :)
Reason 1 - Trust score
There's a trust score attached to your Instagram account.
It's made of:
1) The number of posts you have
2) The consistency of you posting
3) The number of followers you have.
The number 3 we can't directly influence.
But the numbers 1 and 2 we can.
Before you succeed, you must develop trust with the Instagram algorithm.
Sure, it's not impossible to go viral with less posts... but it's much more difficult.
Instagram won't be pushing your stuff as actively as you could be a bot account.
So you need to prove you're a human by being consistent, and by having lots of posts.
Once you have the trust developed, it comes down to Reason 3... but before that, I want to go through Reason 2.
Reason 2 - Videos
If you want to grow as efficiently as possible...
You must post videos.
Yes, I know. You and I are photographers... and video isn't our favourite thing in the world.
But, it's needed.
You can succeed with Carousel posts too. But they tend to reach more of your current audience.
And if you lack the current audience...
Why would you only do carousel posts?
Many amazing photographers stick to photo posts and wonder why they don't grow.
This is one of the reasons.
Reels attract non-followers in the best way.
And they're seen as more engaging posts by the "average people".
(And most people seeing your posts are these people.)
So if you want to grow most efficiently... make videos too where you insert your photos. :)
Alright, the reason number 3. BUT PLEASE DON'T read further if you can't take responsibility for where you are in your life/career.
Reason 3 - People don't care about your posts
If you've been consistent... and there's still no traction...
The harsh reality is people don't like your stuff (yet).
The algorithm pushes what people enjoy - regardless of the platform.
Instagram benefits by pushing your posts... IF people want to see it.
This keeps people on the platform - and results in more money for Instagram.
But if your posts aren't interesting to people, and cause people to use Instagram less... why would they push it further?
The thing is, we often overestimate how interesting our stuff is. (And I'm not saying my stuff is always interesting. Sometimes I have less interesting posts too.)
I see photographers posting some random photos here and there - and they don't even tell WHY people should care about the photos.
Look, if:
1) Your posted photos aren't absolutely insane (like capturing an insanely rare moment)
2) You don't tell why people should care about the photos...
People won't care. And thus the algorithm won't care.
You need to make interesting posts.
2 things that make your photos to others more interesting are:
1) Telling the why behind them
2) Showing who made them.
Those are 2 of the secrets to making my posts go viral.
If I randomly posted my photos it could be interesting.
But when people have context on who made the photos, and why... they become a million times cooler.
So, if you're not getting traction despite being consistent... face the reality, my friend.
You're not good enough at making interesting posts for Instagram, yet.
But this is good news as you can improve.
Some of you are now saying "F*ck you Hugo" - but well I warned you before. You should've not read further. 😅
But some of you will realize you just need to get better. And that's a winner's mindset, so good for you. People who can't take responsibility and just blame others won't get where they want with their lives.
Succeeding isn't a freaking lottery. It's a matter of skills.
Get better. Succeed. :)
Solution
Alright, Hugo... I know I have room to improve... how do I get better?
Well, there's 2 ways.
1) You do it yourself.
Analyze your posts. Push out stuff daily. See what people engage more with, and what they don't find that interesting.
This process can take years in total. For me it took 5-6 years to get my break through... even when I got help.
And that leads us to number 2.
2) You get help
I help photographers succeed in social media through my proven systems - without spending all their time on social media and without making dancing videos (unless you want ofc😉)
We'll get you to succeed in this order:
1) You'll get the right foundations in place and a unique Instagram Success Strategy for your needs.
2) We'll install my Endless Idea Generation Machine for you (so that you can post daily)
3) We'll install systems for effortless post creation (so that you can also do other things in your life)
4) You'll get the understanding of how to go viral and attract the followers you want to have
5) We keep refining your approach to accelerate results during the time we work together...
6) If you want, we'll monetize your Instagram too even with a smaller audience.
Warning: This isn't for you if you don't want to put in the work.
My program needs a lot of work... but it gets results.
(OJ Perry has gone from 6.9k to now 44k+. Vlad Manea went from 1.8k to 10k in around 3 months and is now at 27k+... and of course, I have 150k+ followers myself.)
If you're someone who wants “overnight” results, I won't get you in. Don't even try to. This isn't for you. Results will come if you put in the work and don't quit. For some that's faster, some take a bit longer. It depends on where you're on your journey.
But if you're someone who is a winner and is willing to put in the work and wants to succeed without wasting years on trial and error...
DM me on Instagram with "COACH" to apply to work with me.
Talk soon :)
Hugo "IG nerd" Korhonen
P.S. Read more about a new Instagram growth trick here. I believe it can be fixed to not be so powerful soon.
P.S.S. If you want to find out where should you improve to succeed... take my free Social Media Quiz here.
