It is no secret that Instagram will forever be my greatest love. I often joke that running an Instagram theme is the only running I’ll ever do, and that’s the truth. I have spent years honing my craft and I feel that the time is now to release all of my secrets. This article will teach you how to choose a theme, the apps to use, editing tips, caption-writing and how to get more likes through strategically posting your content! Perhaps, with a little luck, someday you’ll be just as crazy as me. Are you ready? Let’s get funky.

Step 1: Choosing A Theme

Quite frankly, your theme will make or break your feed. I understand if that sounds daunting to you, please don’t get overwhelmed! We’ll get through this together. Choosing a theme is entirely up to you. Always remember when developing a theme, consistency is key. There is nothing worse than changing your theme every five pictures. Examples of easy themes to try: color-based, format-themes and / or content themes! Don’t be afraid to use your creativity and think outside the box! Pro-tip: for your first theme try to post pictures that are your favorite color and go from there.

Step 2: Apps On Apps On Apps

VSCOcam, Afterlight, and Snapseed are all you’ll ever need. You’re welcome in advance. It’s a good idea to use VSCO as your base. Their filters often remain slightly neutral and will set the tone for your next 'gram. Then kick it on over to Afterlight to correct any harsh shadows and highlights. Finally, Snapseed will fix any unwanted harsh saturation levels and / or exposure irregularities in your image.

Step 3: Editing Tips

If you don’t check anything else, then please check these three things: exposure levels, contrast and alignment. Changing this exposure will affect the brightness of your image. Altering your contrast will darken and / or lighten the shadows and highlights, thus creating a more harsh-looking image if you choose to boost them higher and vice versa, and a softer-looking image if lowered. Adjusting the alignment will straighten up the image. This is so, so important. Sloppy lines do not look not good, girl. Those little white bars that you probably think are in the way, are there for a reason, use them. In doing so, you will quite literally save your picture from sucking. Try to remain cohesive to rest of your images and watch your theme grow.

Step 4: Know Your Voice

I cannot stress this step enough. Apart from the actual picture itself, choosing the perfect caption is the next most important bit. If you’re artsy, then get it, girl. Let that artsy flag fly. Stun us with your ability to remain different from everyone else while simultaneously seeming relatable at the same time. Try to remain as consistent with your captions as you are with your theme. It’s great you were thankful for your boyfriend yesterday, but don’t hit us with an alien emoji selfie tomorrow and a bible verse the next day. In this case, less is more.

Step 5: Post Regularly, Not Frequently

These two words have completely different meanings when talking about Instagram. Posting regularly will keep the attention of your followers by letting them know you are still alive. Posting excessively will push them away. Posting regularly will build a relationship with your audience. They will begin to recognize your theme and expect such images from you. This is a good thing! It means you’re low-key killing it. Pro-tip on getting more likes: post early in the week, around 10 p.m. You’re welcome, again.

If you’ve read this far, then you now know how crazy I actually am. Great! Anyways, your theme should be a reflection of you — 'gram what you love! If you like it, then we’ll like it! This list is by no means "fool-proof." You’ll figure out your own way of editing in time. Try to remain open to your sense of creativity and most importantly, have fun with it!