In our society today, there is a very high standard when it comes to social media. What you post online can say a lot about you, and (I wish I was kidding) is why posting anything online becomes a very serious matter. Every time we update what's going on in a Facebook status, or retweet something relatable on Twitter, we are creating a "social image" of ourselves. This is why what we post on Instagram is so much more serious; we are posting an actual picture, making that "social image" of ourselves very clear. Posting a perfect Insta can be stressful, especially when you have all of these thoughts to consider:
1. Is it okay to post another selfie?
Some people are selfie-obsessed and love to take pictures of themselves constantly while others despise the new trend. If you're someone who likes to share when you're feelin' yourself, then go for it! If you're someone who thinks someone you follow posts too many selfies, just unfollow them so you don't have to see it (they'll never know)!
2. Would your friend really want you to post this?
When posting a pic with a group of friends, be thoughtful of what they may think of themselves in it. It is always good to think of your friends first and if they don't want that picture of them posted on social media, don't do it. But, if you look really good, maybe you could just crop them out.
3. Is it a good time to post this pic?
The time of day when you post a picture on Instagram can make a huge difference in how successful your post is. Before posting, try thinking about what time most of your followers will be refreshing their social media feeds. A good time of day to post on Instagram is typically early evening and at night. Usually between 5-10 pm, a lot of people are done with work and school and have more time to check their phones and see what everyone has been sharing online.
4. Should I use a filter? No filter?
Once you decide it's a good time to post, you have to edit the picture. With so many filters, its hard to decide which one looks best. If you can't find a filter you like, you might have to edit it on your own by adjusting little things like brightness, contrast, highlights, shadows, etc.
5. I have no idea what to put for a caption.
You finally edit your picture and press the little "next" in the top right-hand corner and just when you thought the hard part was over, it gets worse. People caption photos with almost anything. You can come up with a funny description, find a clever song lyric, or write something more sentimental. After spending some time just staring at the blank screen debating what words you should use to forever describe your picture and are still unsuccessful; ask a friend. Sometimes it can be helpful to get an outsider's point of view. If your friend can't come up with anything either, maybe it's best to leave no caption. After all, a picture's worth a thousand words.
6. Should I use emojis? Which ones should I use? How many is too many?
Whether you're able to come up with a post worthy caption or not, emojis are always fun to use to help describe the picture. With hundreds to choose from, it can be hard to decide which ones are best for your post. It can also be difficult to determine which ones look good next to each other, or if using more than one is acceptable.
7. #Hashtag
Once you've made your way through all these choices, your next option is the hashtags. People use these to be funny or to describe their pictures more accurately. Sometimes one or two can really make the caption, but sometimes they can be a little excessive. #hashtag #hashtag #hashtag #hashtag #hashtag
8. Why are there so many options for the same location?
No matter where you are, Instagram has the option of tagging the location of the picture. If you just press the "Add Location" option, it will generate a list of places near you. You have the option of sharing just the city and state you're in, or you can share the exact restaurant you were just enjoying dinner in.
It's strange to think that a lot of us actually consider all these things before sharing a picture with our followers. Without thinking of these details before posting, we would have fewer followers, and no more than 100 likes on every picture. Posting the perfect Insta pics will lead to an account we'll be proud to show our technologically advanced grand-kids someday.
