It’s time to spill some #bookstagram flavoured life hacks that have been close kept secrets for centuries.
“Um, Cait,” you say nervously, avoiding eye contact and focusing on your cupcakes because I have fearsome dragons at my side and have been known to use them, “bookstagram hasn’t even been around for centuries???”
EXACTLY WHAT I’M SAYING, MY FRIEND!! THAT’S HOW CLOSELY KEPT THESE SECRETS ARE. But because I know them and because I’m also a lovely person * I want to share these secrets with you so you can improve your bookstagram accounts. And while they’re guaranteed to make your life 500% better, I still put the disclaimer of MAYBE here because I don’t like people crying on me if my tips don’t work. I only have one umbrella okay? Go cry somewhere else.
Obviously makes hacks can’t fail. It’s you who would be the problem.
And if you have no heckin’ clue what “bookstagram” is it is books = on instagram. It was created by someone who realised that we are sick of looking at each other’s lunches and children and want to scroll through endless instagram feeds of what really matters in this life: pretty books.
ALSO WHILE YOU’RE HERE….other helpful #bookstagram posts you might like!
* Well I can be. Sometimes. I try to schedule “being nice” into my weekly routine, generally for 15mins a week. So this statement is still somewhat true.
LIFE HACK #1: OUTSMART INSTAGRAM’S HORRID ALGORITHM BY PUTTING YOUR HASHTAGS IN YOUR CAPTION NOT COMMENTS.
Lots of people put their hashtags (#bookstagram, #books, #bookphotography etc) in their comment section to separate it from their post which IS A GREAT IDEA…except apparently it makes bookstagram NOT let your post show up in those hashtags. I don’t even know why. Don’t ask. I saw Resh Susan talking about this on twitter and I stupidly did not save a link to the thread. ARGH. But here’s a link to a site that’ll tell you if your instagram page is being blocked.
Also my likes did go up when I started putting my hashtags in my caption again.
My likes DEFINITELY improved as you can see…although this still doesn’t always work. And I have no idea why some of my photos do well and some DIE SLOW AND LONELY DEATHS.
LET ME SCREAM.
I HATE THE ALGORITHM HATE HATE HATE HATE IT–
Excuse me. Let’s continue, shall we?
LIFE HACK #2: PUT MORE BOOKS IN YOUR PHOTO AND INCREASE THE CHANCE OF LIKES.
I find that the more books I put into a photo, the more chances of people saying “oMG I LOVE THIS PHOTO”. I suppose it’s because you’re more likely to favourite a photo you recognise??? Or I have no idea.
Obviously if you have a minimalist account this won’t work. BUT! More books = the merrier. Even if they’re just lurking in the background like true creepos.
LIFE HACK #3: SET YOUR IPHONE/IPOD TO HAVE TEXT REPLACEMENT TO EASILY ADD HASHTAGS TO YOUR #BOOKSTAGRAM POSTS.
Because who’s got time to write out 39898 hashtags every time you’re trying to post a photo on instagram, right?
If you have an iPhone or iPod, simply go to settings > general > keyboard > text replacement = then add in a code word like “hashtagbooks” so whenever you type that in, it’ll autocorrect to a list of your preferred hashtags.
I think you can only have 30 hashtags per post, so don’t put in TOO many into this text replacement. Just put the basics that you’ll always need (like #bookstagram, for instance. I have about 15 tags in mine).
LIFE HACK #4: TAKE HIGH-QUALITY PHOTOS OF EBOOKS BY PHOTO-MANIPULATING THE COVER ONTO YOUR DEVICE AND THE WORLD WILL SEE YOUR GENIUS.
Because if you don’t own a lot of books (or you read ebooks) sometimes bookstagram can feel limiting. NOT ANYMORE. Just take ebook photos! And because taking photos of the cover on your iPad/Kindle/iPhone/Etc sometimes ends up with weird lighting…just use pixlr (IT’S FREE THANK THE BOOKISH HEAVENS) to add on the cover afterwards.
Oh don’t fret. I have a step-by-step tutorial.
#YoureWelcome
LIFE HACK #5: TAKE PHOTOS OF BOOKS YOU HAVEN’T READ AND SHAME YOURSELF INTO READING THEM.
This is super helpful for making you feel like a terrible bookworm because HEY this book is gorgeous and you’re photographing it for #bookstagram, but why the heck haven’t you read it yet??? WHAT IS THIS LIFE.
Make your bookstagram feed an artful and beautiful list of TBR shame.
LIFE HACK #6: NOT SURE WHAT TO PUT IN THE CAPTION? TALK ABOUT TOPICS FROM THE BOOK YOU JUST READ.
Like if you just read a book with a love triangle, do a quick caption on your opinion on triangles! Or if you just finished reading a book you couldn’t put down, ask everyone what book THEY couldn’t put down?
Alternately: I also use my tweets as captions sometimes.
Or a book quote.
And if I join in challenges/tags that gives me something to talk about it. Like if the prompt is “long titles” I talk about why I like long vs short titles.
Otherwise whyyyyyy are captions so hard. I CAN’T EVEN WITH THEM SOMETIMES. Like look at this book people, why are you expecting words too.
LIFE HACK #7: FIND MORE FRIENDS, FOLLOWERS, AND STRAY ALIENS BY JOINING IN CHALLENGES.
Bookstagram challenges are when an account gives a list of prompts for each day of the month and you join in and take a photo that matches the prompt! Often times those hosting accounts do shoutouts too — WHICH IS FAB. And you can network by liking/commenting/following other participants.
There’s an account called @bookstagramphotochallenges that tends to list TONS of challenges up per month.
I also like joining in the #GrimDragon and #SqueakyBookishLibrary challenges.
Sometimes I think about creating my own challenge but then I’d have, like, be focused. And I’m about as focused as a dead owl.
LIFE HACK #8: IN ORDER TO HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO UPKEEP YOUR BOOKSTAGRAM ACCOUNT + EVERYTHING ELSE YOU DO = TRY NEVER SLEEPING AGAIN.
I also suggest immortality to take the pressure off trying to photograph all your books at once. But then I suggest immortality as the cure for ALL THINGS.
- Need more naps? Become immortal and so at least you can’t die from sleep deprivation.
- Hungry for a sandwich? Become immortal and eat sandwiches forever.
- Concerned your TBR is growing without permission? Become immortal so that your TBR never wins against you.
- Can never remember the protagonist’s name in a book? Become immortal and keep the problem always.
- Want books to be made out of chocolate so you can eat them when they’re annoying? Become immortal and patent this idea, mate, do it now please.
LIFE HACK #9: TAKE ENOUGH PHOTOS FOR THE WHOLE WEEK TO SAVE TIME.
Because setting up your things for ONE photo seems tiring. So set aside a good block of time to just go click-happy. And by “click happy” I don’t mean on Amazon book deals. I MEAN, WITH YOUR CAMERA, MARGARET. STAY FOCUSED HERE.
Plus if you’re like me (pls help us, no) then you spend a lot of time building book towers and structures that are perilous to society and your dog’s delicate anxiety levels. So you can utilise those towers for mULTIPLE photos. Less work!
Bonus Life Hack: if it rains on the day you planned to do a photoshoot, try yelling angrily at the sky and shaking your fist. You might get struck down by lightning and die but whatever.
Bonus Life Hack: Dogs do not have good taste in props. Seriously, Atticus, GET YOUR TOY MUSHROOM OUT OF HERE. THAT IS NOT AESTHETIC.
LIFE HACK #10: WANT YOURSELF IN THE PHOTOS? TRAIN YOUR DOG TO TAKE THEM FOR YOU.
Or, like use a self timer.
I suppose you could ask another human to help out, but that seems extreme.
And if your dog is going to have such a bad taste in props, you might as well utilise him for other purposes.
LIFE HACK #11: POST REGULARLY SO PEOPLE DON’T FORGET YOUR HEINOUS FACE.
You know what they say! If you want someone to remember you, then BE THERE ALL THE TIME! This has the potential to end up with you being super irritating bur whatever. But I find posting regularly makes the instagram-hated-algorithm kinder on my photos and more prone to let people actually see them.
I post twice a day but then I’M A LITTLE MAD and clearly have too much time on my hands.
It’s also because I found immortality so I no longer need to sleep.
And when I say “don’t forget your face” that’s assuming they’ve seen it. I don’t have a face. I’m a stack of books on legs.
LIFE HACK #12: WANT PROPS? USE CHEAP FLOWERS FROM 2ND HAND STORES OR MAKE THE PROPS YOURSELF.
I like to use origami props because it’s FREEEEEEEE. And the only thing I willingly spend money on is books. Okay, I actually bought some shoes the other day because my last ones were falling apart. But I also returned from that shoe-expedition with books. #WinningAtLife
But 2nd hand stores, peoples! I get all my flowers super cheap (sometimes even free!) from there. I’ve also picked up an actual second hand, too, to replace the one that got bitten off by a wild goblin in my youth as a pirate warlord. They’re such helpful stores. 10/10 recommend.
Also if you use food as props, it’s extra delicious and RELATABLE. The downside, however, is that you have to take the photo and not just sit down and have a picnic amongst piles of books. The sacrifices we make for bookstagram. IT’S UNBELIEVABLE. SOMEONE AWARD US.
YA KNOW WHAT? I LIVE FOR YOUR POSTS, CAIT. I ADORE EVERY AINGLE THING YOU POST. I did have a #bookstagram account (like a year ago), but then I deleted it. Whyyyy? BECAUSE OF THE PILE OF WORK THAT YOU GET FROM SCHOOL. OH PLUS EXAM PREP. Real important stuff *eye roll* ❤ Great tips though! AND, TO TARTARUS WITH THE LOGARITHM. (I experienced it. That was before I deleted my bookstagram) I can’t wait to rejoin bookstagram but that’s gonna happen after a while. Like,seriously, once I get done with these important ‘school stuff’. I actually love looking at people’s booktograpgy because the style is so unique and varies from person to person. THAT, RIGHT THERE PLEASES MY SMOL AESTHETE HEART. 🙈😍
N’AWWWW, YOU’RE MAKING ME BLUSH. THANK YOU, ANJ. <3 <3 (Seriously this means so much Ahhh!!) And omg I totally hear you with how busy school would be and how hard upkeeping tons of social media would be! I find hard pressed to keep up with everything and I'm not even in school anymore. And YES! It's so awesome seeing people's styles. 😍
Haha, this is fabulous. I am SO bad at Instagram, and I’m WAYYYY too lazy to actually post regularly (although I HAVE been using it more lately!!), and I don’t really have a dedicated bookstagram. (That, and my room has terrible, TERRIBLE lighting.) Basically my feed is an amalgamation of whatever I’ve been up to in life. I’d actually love to post more of my astrophotography, but I literally have no idea if bookish people are even into that!?
And don’t even get me started on Instagram algorithms. >.<
Kara recently posted…Some MIDNIGHT QUEEN Music & Persevering with Writing
You take such lovely photos though!! *flails for you* But omg I hear you with the lighting. I have to depend on good weather so basically just let me cry since I live in like THE rainiest town ever. Blehhh.😂
I mean, I’ve never met ANYONE who thinks the algorithm was an improvement…WHY DID THEY DO THAT TO US.
These are awesome tips! I usually only read ebooks because I have no space in my tiny London flat for all of the books I want, so I 100% use #4 with an ipad! The downside is that it isn’t my ipad. I’m too poor to own an ipad lol. I have to borrow my flatmates ipad meaning I can only borrow it when she’s not home because that’s the only time she’s not using it… Arghhh I need an ipad! #firstworldproblems
#6 is such a good tip! I read it on another blog post recently and it blew my mind! Like I don’t know why I’ve never thought of it, I use the exact same thing on outlook at work for standard response emails. Duuhhhh.
Posting regularly is so hard for me because of the problem that I don’t own any books and I don’t own an ipad to take photos of. So it’s really frustrating. Whenever I can borrow my flatmates ipad I take as many photos as freaking possible with it so I can stock up on them… I’ve been trying to find a white mini ipad that is no longer working and has an intact screen so I can use it as a prop, but they sell on ebay for like £50+ and that is WAY too much money to be spending on a broken ipad! I might as well just fork out the £400+ for a working ipad mini… Arghhhh.
Jordon @ Simply Adrift recently posted…New Design & 2017 so far
Errr I mean #3 when talking about the hashtag shortcuts!
Ahh I’m so glad that that’ll be a helpful tutorial for you! You could just borrow an iPad and take a bunch of photos with it all at once? And then use them as needed? (I only have an iPod myself haha.)
Omg that IS a lot for an ipad that’s not even working! Do you have a phone you could use instead? (I’ve also been known to use that photo-manipulation technique to stick covers on other books too haha.😂 If that helps?)
I use my phone to take the photos lol, I really want to invest in a DSLR as well as an ipad hahaha. I need to make some extra cash!
If only someone would pay us to read right?!? 😭😂
you can always take photos of libary books at home. Get a few at a time you can have space.
Totally agree on photographing books you haven’t read yet! It’s the best way to remind myself that I already have far far far too many books and I should really get on to reading them soon. The shame is real.
It’s SUCH a good shaming technique. I mean, what can go wrong? :’)
*cries over books* 😂
Oh wow, I didn’t know the comment caption thing AHHHHH. I also hate the algorithm. Also I changed to the business account for like a week but started reading about how it reduced organic reach so I went back. Grrr.
THESE ARE FABULOUS TIPS AND YOUR ACCOUNT IS STUNNING BYE.
So so SO much hate for that stupid algorithm. 😭 My likes go up and down ALL the time and for no reason aghhhh. It’s so hard to try and beat it. But we gotta share the tips we know right?!?
THANKS YOU KIND BEAN. YOU’RE TOO NICE.
Well, I would take photos of the books and food first, and THEN have a picnic in a pile of books. 🙂 oh wait…what if I got CRUMBS on the books? poor books! 🙁
XD
Most crazily, ~Olive
Olive recently posted…A nature walk
MUSTN’T GET CRUMBS ON OUR POOR BOOKS!! 😂😂
Ooh! Pretty! This is one of those things that I’ve found I either aren’t very good at or just don’t have the patience for (I haven’t figured out which yet). But it looks so pretty when others do it!
Rain @ Ivyclad Ideas recently posted…Learning to Let Go (Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro)
Aww, thankyou! And it can be a lot of work haha. I do sink a LOT of hours into it but I seriously love it. 😜
These are all super helpful tips! Recently my internet wasn’t working and I didn’t post for 3 days and I lost like 5 followers (which doesn’t sound like a lot but is when it’s 3% of all of them. Yes, I can do maths in my head). I try not to worry about followers and likes too much, although around Easter time I got quite a lot of likes on my photos (like 50) and now I’m back down to getting 30 and I don’t really get why, since I have more followers? I don’t get the algorithm or whether it is the algorithm but oh well….
One problem with having an outdoor theme is that you have to actually drag the books outside. It’s just down one flight of stairs into my yard, but I have noticed that I’ve been taking fewer photos with a lot of books because I’m lazy basically. And your tip about pixlr is so helpful and I do that all the time now! I’m kind of thinking about joining a challenge but then naaaahhhh so much work and jail;sol;ajkl basically.
shar@Virtually Read recently posted…Shar’s Summer TBR
MATHS IN YOUR HEAD IS VERY IMPRESSIVE. WELL DONE. Also agh I hate losing followers. It’s sooo annoying. Especially if you cross a milestone. It’s liek “Oh I hate this milestone!” and then the next day it’s like “False alarm! I did…not”. 😭😂😂
I think it is the algorithm killing our likes, tbh. Sometimes I do better on the weekends? But like some photos just are DEAD for no reason and it’s so frustrating!!
I gave up on outdoor photos because of lighting/rain haha. And also getting my books dirty. But it was fun when I started! I used to do solely outdoor pics.😂
I don’t have a bokstagram, but I do have to take pictures of books. I would say not to stress about it, because this is supposed to be fun, end though my pictures are ugly/not good enough, the fun is in the books, not how they look. Like, I was so irritated because even though I *thought* I’d ordered the Strange the dreamer special ediition, it didn’t come, and I had to be like “this is still pretty and the words are the same” and not be too frustrated. Anyway, yes. These ideas are great just like you. I expect the coronation (Cait for empress) to be any day now.
Shanti recently posted…Shar’s Summer TBR
Ohhh I totally get that about Strange the Dreamer! I ordered it hoping sooo hard I’d get the blue pages BUT ALAS NO. *sobs* However, I think it’s fair to be really in love with how books look. Like we’d collect pretty art for our walls right?! I don’t think loving gorgeous looking books is any different.
The coronation is so soon omg how did you know. *twirls about majestically*
Seriously, Cait, I LOVE your posts so much!
THIS MAKES ME VERY VERY HAPPY.
Love this, thanks for the tips! I am so bad at instagram firstly because I give away all my books #crazybookworm but I take the photos and never get around to editing amd posting.
Sue @ Crushingcinders recently posted…When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon
Wow….you give away all your books. 😱 You are generous!
Awesome post! 🙂
I literally haven’t posted to my bookstagram account in months because I kind of lost heart with it. I decided I hated all my photos, so I’m still toying win deleting everything and starting again.
This post has definitely inspired me to start posting on there again though! 🙂
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Aww, that’s so sad! I do understand sometimes it’s hard to get things looking like we want them to, though. I only started to be happy with my account in the last 12 months (I’ve been going for maybe 2 years now?) so I think practise does help! And also just finding your style. *nods*
I HAVEN’T COMMENTED ON ANY OF YOUR POSTS THIS WEEK. School is crushing me; I can’t wait until it’s over. 😩
ANYWAY, I used to have a bookstagram account, then deleted it because it felt like I was going nowhere in terms of promo and growth, BUT I do miss seeing everyone else’s photos.
I didn’t know about that thing of using hashtags in your captions! I always put them in my comments because my captions looked a hot mess with hashtags in them. 😂 And I definitely agree with taking multiple photos at once! I have a huge photoshoot one day so I can include bookish photos in my blog posts instead of just taking two at a time every day! These are really great hacks! 😄
*sends you chocolate and cake to help you through with school* Doooon’t even worry I understand!! I hope your summer holidays start soon though!?
I agree about hashtags looking better in comments than in the caption though.😂 BUT WE DO WHAT WE DO FOR LIKES. ehhhehh. I always love the photos you include in your posts!!
This is like the most amazing post ever!! I didn’t even know my phone could do that and Ive had an iphone for like EVER!! Do you have any tips about how to take photos with REALLY BAD LIGHTING? I dont have a camera just my iphone 7+. I really do need to get a camera but just cant swing it right now. So anyway in my room I have a over head light (3 lights) with a ceiling fan and then a free standing light with a dome on the top that is curved up (if that explains it well……………..
I always try to make it so that my photos are bright but they always come out with lots of glare or well just crappy. So any advice you could give would be great.
Ohh I don’t use artificial lighting at ALL. I only use natural lighting! I know you can get great pics with lamps and things but I have no idea how to do it.😂 So I take photos near a big window and skip it when it’s raining haha. So best advice I have is: natural lighting instead.
Thanks looks like I’m going to have to love some stuff around LOL.
I’m not on Instagram, but the book photos you put on your blog are always so colorful and perfect. I love them.
Aj @ Read All The Things! recently posted…The Massive Spring Book Haul (Part 3)
AHHHHH. *flails happily* THIS MAKES ME SO HAPPY THANK YOU.
Okay I did not know about the whole hashtag-in-the-comments thing, so THANK YOU for that! I noticed on another account of mine that likes started going up when I put hashtags in the caption, so I’ll have to try it on my bookstagram now.
But seriously, I LOVE this post! I’ve been on bookstagram for awhile now and I’m always looking for ways to improve, so this was really helpful. I don’t normally take all my photos for a week at once (though I should), but I find that when I do, it’s just way easier. So I guess I need to get back on that. And I find that one of the best ways to get out there on bookstagram is interacting wihth others, especially commenting. Ever since I’ve started commenting on other people’s posts, I’ve actually noticed the number of comments I get and new followers go up.
Eeep, I’m glad it’s helpful! My likes have DEFINITELY improved since I switched the hashtags over to the caption. I think it looks neater in the comments? But I’d rather have the likes. ahhah.😂 And I’m so glad you enjoyed the post! *flails happily*
And absolutely yes! I think networking is the key to success on any platform tbh. Although I admit I’m pretty slack on networking instagram because I spend too much time on twitter. I need to change that.😂
I have forgotten my password for my bookstagram account (which has all of, oh, nine photos on it? maybe less? lmao) but as soon as I get back on it, I’m going to try and utilise some of these tips. and by some I mean the click-happy and props/food one. (food! using pens as props! i love colourful pens and i have SO MANY SO I DON’T NEED TO BUY MORE.)
Bahah, I hope you remember your password soon.😂 And food makes such a delicious prop omg and also gives one an EXCELLENT excuse to make an aesthetically pleasing looking cake. 😂
*whispers at you* ALL THE COOKIES AND ALL THE CAKES AND OOHH BROWNIES
also i’m making nutella swirled cheesecake this weekend, are you jealous?
*SHRIEKS FROM THE HILLTOPS*
EXCUSE ME I’M COMING OVER TO YOUR HOUSE NOW.
WELCOME, ANYTIME
Someday when I have bookstagram I will follow aaall your brilliant advice and become famous! 😀 …At the moment, I will just admire your gorgeous photos and excellent tutorial and wail that DEAD OWLS DO HAVE FOCUS SHEESH. They can focus on saying “who’s dead now?” (Bad pun…)
Awesome post, thank you for shariiiiing! ^_^
Deborah O’Carroll recently posted…Short Story, Boxes, Camp NaNo, & Inanimate Objects
THAT PUN WAS BRILLIANT. YOU WIN ALL THE AWARDS FOR THAT PUN THOUGH.
And yes, please do become famous and then I’ll charge you for my advice. :’) #ExcellentLifePlan 😂😂
The shadowban is KILLING me right now and I’m to dig my way out of it! Ahhhh! I love these tips though! This was a super fun post! I’m with you on challenges – I really want to create one but I also don’t want to do it alone because I need SUPPORT to keep on track! Maybe we should create one and we can make sure we don’t slack! Ha!
For sure, captions are super annoying sometimes! I end up with days where I have nothing to say and then my captions are awkward! JUST LIKE ME, so I suppose it’s an accurate caption.
I’m so glad they were helpful!! And I’m SO angry at instagram for ruining our lives. *sobs* And omg I’m the same with the challenges.😂 I want to?? But also I barely have enough time for instagram as is and I’d feel like I’d need to do lots of commenting/liking on people’s photos and tiiiiime. Agh. But it’d still be fun to do.😂
Haha true story! WELL if you ever want to create one together, let me know! We could go through the posts weekly or something and like them and that way it doesn’t take up TOO much time! Ha!
Thanks for the tips! I LOVE your pictures!
Thank you so much!
This post came at exactly the right moment. I’ve been losing passion for bookstagram lately, mostly because that new algorithm is sh*t… *sigh* my last post only got about 12 likes and, well, that kinda hurt. Anyways, I’m looking to get my mojo back and I’ll definitely be trying these tips out. If you don’t mind sharing, what are your 15 hashtags?
Cassidy @ Quartzfeather recently posted…Future Love Triangles, Start Taking Notes // The Love Interest by Cale Dietrich Review
Ugh it IS absolute rubbish and I’m so frustrated with it too. 😭 I mean I get maybe 10% interaction for how many followers I have?!? That seems really dumb. *weeps* But I really hope yours comes back good too soon!!
So these are the ones I generally use: #Bookstagram #bookphotography #bookworm #books #bookish #bibliophile #booklove #book #instabook #reader #reading #bookgram #booknerd #booknerdigans #booksofinstagram #bookstagrammer #bookpic #bookstagrammit #bookblogger
And then I’ll add on some more depending on what the photo is. Like, for instance, I just did one of Carry On in a yellow circle, so I also tagged it #yellowbooks and #bookcircle. That sort of thing!
I have a question: What is Bookstagram? Hahahaha… #iamsoveryveryold (Yes, I know it’s Instagram for books. But I’m not quite clear on how Instagram works, either. That’s what comes of not having a phone like everybody else on the planet.)
Ah, you’ve ruined the magic with those behind-the-scenes shots. I thought your entire room was all flowers and origami and food and stacks of gloriously colour-coded books! Amazing what a well-composed shot can do…
Well I don’t know how to explain it any better than I did at the start of the post?😂 It’s “instagram for books” is…all that there’s to say?!? You just post photos! Of whatever you want! “Bookstagrammers” theme their feed with books…that’s really all there is to it.
Bahhaha, I’m sooooorry. I DO ACTUALLY HAVE A FLOOR. IT’S NOT ALL BOOKS.😂 But it’s true! Like things like so wildly different in behind-the-scenes photos. I had to pull my dog’s stuffed toys out of my latest photoshoot though.😂
So…I might have just gotten an Instagram account because 1. I can NEVER have enough of your beautiful book-photography??? and 2. I WANNA PLAY!
I held out on getting an Instagram account because I’ve already got Facebook and Twitter, and I really sort of hate social media? HOWEVER, I’m going to be deleting my Facebook account because of all the negativity on there, and my Twitter is practically dead already, soooooo… Instagram it is! I actually have a new-found love for photography, too, so I’m actually super excited about this!! These secret tips are going to be so helpful!!! EEK! Thank you so much!!!
(P.S. I am now stalking you on Instagram. *flings cookies in the air*)
WOOOOO EXCELLENT LIFE DECISION KENZIE.🎉🎉 IT’S SO FUN. And time consuming. BUT FUN. (And an excellent way to procrastinate writing mwhahaha. *slaps self* Excuse me.)
I pretty much hate Facebook too. 😂 I only use my account to see photos of my nieces/nephews and to read tumblr memes haha. I LOVE how positive and lovely the bookstagram community is! Way less drama there than on, like, twitter/goodreads!😂
Text replacement with hashtags just blew my mind. *poof*
I’m glad it was helpful!😜
BAaah I have been hardcore struggling with bookstagram. Like, I’m over here trying to have a theme, but what in the heck is a fracken theme even?? I have no idea. every time I look it up I just get more confused. They’re like oh just use the same filter so I’m over here in lightroom like challenge accepted.
HOWEVER, I do have a question because lightroom/photo editors in general confuse me. So, I have the photos from my DSLR that are all taken in the best conditions (that little light bar thingy in manual mode, always in the middle. My ISO is always quite low (like 200) as well because day light). So I import the photos into whatever editor and when I edit it, it looks fine. Still focused, no weird effects. THEN I PUT IT ON MY BLOG OR INSTAGRAM AND IT GETS ALL GRAINY. Help me, it makes me so sad. Is it resizing maybe?
Oh, and your bookstagram (and your whole blog) is EVERYTHING. I aspire to your magic 😀
kris @ lemon-notes recently posted…A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab | I READ AN ADULT FANTASY AND ACTUALLY ENJOYED IT?
Oooh, that is a hard one. It probalby is resizing? I just do all my editing in picmonkey.com and save them as 1200 x 1200 and then (I have a mac) I airdrop them onto my iPod and post them at all. They tend to be okay? But sometimes the quality isn’t excellent. I’m sad the quality is being mean to you. 😭 Can you try not crushing the photo too small in editing maybe?
(Also you totally don’t have to have a theme!! Do whatever works for you! I’ve heard tons of people say that they don’t even like themes, haha. So as long as you’re enjoying yourself and happy with your photos, then you’re fine. ;D)
I’m not a big Bookstagrammer as I’m not particularly visual. I’m mostly about the words so I mostly share pics of stuff on Instagram that I’m doing. I tag book pics with #bookstagram but make little effort to make them pretty. (Though I’m better than I used to be when I’d always just sit the book in the corner of my spa bath for a pic, before reading it.) PS. Though that could also be cos I now don’t have a ‘corner’ and if I stood the book up it could fall in.
Your pics are always lovely.
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I’m so glad you like my photos!! And I totally get that bookstagram isn’t for everyone. *nods* I was actually taking photos of books before I discovered it, so for me it fit perfectly. But it is a lot of work.😂
Oooh I LOVE the idea of saving the hashtags in a autocomplete thing! I don’t have an iPhone but I know my phone has that too because I have it set to autocomplete to The 100 when I press qq. Idk why, because I will never need to qs in actual writing? Anyway, I like that one, it is helpful! Also, good to know about the 30 hashtags, I always wondered, but never enough to go find out for myself.
Bookstagram is so exhausting. I am impressed that you can post twice a day. I can post.. twice a… millennium? I don’t know. It’s rough. And the algorithm! It is the WORST. I just want to see photos in order, why is that so hard? I hate that I miss people’s stuff, and then also, that I feel like a creeper for accidentally liking some damn photo from April that shows up in my feed because algorithm. No. Stop it, Instagram. No one asked for this.
Your tips are great though!!
Shannon @ It Starts at Midnight recently posted…The 100 Episode 4×12: The Chosen
Omg I lOVE that you had autocorrect to save time typing The 100.😂 That just shows the truest fangirl dedication of them all. Tbh I should have like a spiel saved on why people should read Maggie Stiefvater. :’) We fangirls are using these things the right way that’s for sure.
And I totally get that bookstagram isn’t for everyone! Honestly it IS exhausting. I don’t think anyone should force themselves into it just because it’s trendy. Do what you need to do for you, Shannon. 😉
OH MY GOD CAIT THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THESE TIPS ESPECIALLY THE FIRST ONE! I’ll try it out tonight when I post and fingers crossed it works! ALSO I love how you can make posts on serious topics so funny! Thank you for this lovely and uplifting post!
AHHH I’M SO GLAD THIS WAS HELPFUL FOR YOU, WONDERFUL BEAN! And I’m also glad you think I’m funny and not just a deranged chicken with my weird humour.😂😂 *gives you cake*
YASS ALL THE SECRET TIPS!!
I didn’t know about the tags in the comments! When I first started a year ago, I heard that it DID show up in the tag pages, and it’s good when I have long captions (the tags don’t always want to fit shjshrfa). I’m definitely going to have to change this. Stupid algorithm.
After your post, I’ve been digitally adding all my ebook covers onto my kindle and confusing all the people hahaa They think I have some fancy new kindle but it’s really just a paperwhite.
I want to participate in more challenges, but because I take photos in advance (I currently have photos into July if I post once a day) on the few free weekends I have it’s a struggle. Some of the monthly ones I want to do don’t come out until the day before the month starts which is not useful to me :/
Thanks for this post, Cait!
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I’m pretty sure the tag-in-comments-not-showing-up thing is new?? Because my likes used to be FINE before the algorithm. *sobs* Then like they totally dived. I really prefer tags in comments though because you can fit more in the post? Like if you put tags in comments AND the caption? But no more. 😭 Someone needs to tell instagram to stop hating on us. Gahhhh.
omg I’m so glad that tutorial was helpful for you! 😂
DUDE. YOUR ORGANISATIONAL GAME IS STRONG AND ADMIRABLE. I usually have a week of photos? But I also spend too long setting up arrangements haha. But I so so agree…I wish they’d put the prompts out earlier. Half the people I like to join in with put there’s out on the LAST DAY OF THE MONTH. Not helpful people. 😒😝😂
Cait, I love this post so much! Your bookstagrams are always absolutely gorgeous and I love looking at them! These are some awesome tips though – the hashtag trick is brilliant and I don’t think I would have thought of that at all. Thanks for sharing and, as always, fabulous post! <3
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AHHH ZOE, YOU ARE SO ENDLESSLY KIND TO ME. HERE IS ALL THE CAKE FOR YOU. <3
AGH GREAT TIPS. I don’t have a bookstagram account but if I did, I think I’d have more of a minimalist style. I mean, I’d love to have the explosion of RAINBOW and COLOR and FLOWERS that you do… but that means that 1) I need more books, and 2) I need more flowers. XD BUT HONESTLY YOUR PICTURES ARE SO AESTHETIC AND I FEEL LIKE I WANT TO PRINT THEM ALL OUT AND HANG THEM ON MY WALLS. Plus you are super hilarious and witty and BASICALLY WE’LL JUST KNEEL AT YOUR FEET NOW OKAY. 🙏
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I totally get that!! Everyone has different styles and that is ACTUALLY REALLY AWESOME. And I love so many minimalism accounts myself. I used to be more minimalism but rainbow explosions are way more me. 😂😂
WE ARE TWINS BECAUSE I JUST DID A POST ABOUT INSTAGRAM WHAAAAAAAT ??? *hugs you and gives you cake* THIS POST IS 10000% BEAUTIFUL THANKS VERY MUCH. I had nooooo idea you could do that text replacement thing??? THAT IS SO HANDY OH MY WORD. I definitely need to try that. I’ve been copy/pasting from a note document on my iPad this whole time *nervous laughter* also algorithms SUCKKKKK SO BADDDD. :””) Why can’t things just HAPPEN THE WAY THEY HAPPEN HUH INSTAGRAM??
ugh.
But yes. Pinning this blog post so I can reference it for all my devious Instagram plans in the future *evil laughter*
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Also this sums up my life: “I suppose you could ask another human to help out, but that seems extreme.”
I’M SO GLAD YOU LIKED MY POST TOO. *eats all the cake and gives you one crumb* We are totally going to get everyone’s instagram games up to awesome levels with our tip posts. 😉 I loved yours!!
Can we all just agree that the algorithm needs to die. 😭 I mean, who offended instagram so bad for them to torture us like this?????
Good advice mixed with Comical advice. A+ darling. I yell at the sky frequently. LMK if you get different results.I do take a month’s worth of pictures at a time. It’s a habit and keeps me less stressed. Keep on taking lovely pictures friend. Yours are one of a kind and beautiful.
I’m pretty sure all our hollering at the sky is going to produce results at some point right??? WE CAN ONLY KEEP TRYING. *shouts vaguely at the clouds*
Also soooo much thank you. 😊
Hack four and the hashtag thing just blew my mind!! Always love your posts!
I’m SO pleased this is helpful!
TBH I wish my bookstagram was as nice as yours. WHAT EVEN. and ERRR I ALREADY never sleep??? (that’s not true i had a nap 2 minutes ago)
I just have, like, no books? and no props??? like I once tried to fold an origami crane but it ended up looking like a paper ball, whoooops.
SLEEP IS FOR THE WEAK. WE DON’T NEED IT. AVASTE YE! *sounds battle cry and attakcs all the books*
Omg I’m sorry for your poor origami crane. 😂 Origami definitely isn’t for everyone but it dooooooes get easier, I promise. 😉 I’ve folded THOUSANDS of them so I can basically do it in my sleep.😂
These are really great tips, Cait! I just started my bookstagram, and so this is great advice to get me going! I’ve been putting hashtags in my caption because I’m super lazy, but it’s nice to know that’s a good idea xD. Sleeping is completely unnecessary. Do characters in books sleep?? Apparently not, so why should we?
Also, I’m kind of dying to know what kind of cake that is in your last picture? It looks delicious.
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I’m so glad the post was useful for you, Lenna! I’M ENDLESSLY PLEASED. SQUEEE. And pfft, sleeping is unnecessary. Who needs it really. It’s just a big conspiracy theory to make us read less. *shakes head sadly*
Oh the cake is a cheesecake! Homemade chocolate brownie cheesecake. Aka the best cake of them all. 😍
I found number 8 extremely useful, I will pursue immortality the moment I finish this comment.
By the way, can I just say that I love your sense of humor. You’re hilarious. I discovered this blog after I saw the interview you did on Bookstr but have been following you on instagram before that xD And joking aside, your tips are great. I didn’t know the one about the hashtags and the fact that poeple love more books in pictures. I’ll certainly keep some of these in mind.
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EXCELLENT. YOU ARE MOST WELCOME and I might just say that immortality is truly the best life decision to go for here. I mean, forget all the other tips: IMMORTALITY.
(Omg thank you for visiting and commenting though! It’s SO nice to meet you! And I’m glad the Bookstr interview has brought over some new friends. *gives you all the cake* 🎉🍰)
Thanks for the tips! I’m always looking for better ways to take photos for instgram. My bookish pics are never that great.
Aww, I’m so glad you enjoyed it! I think sometimes it just takes practise and figuring out your style, right?! I swear, for every one picture I post, I’ve deleted half a dozen.🙈😂
Yeah that makes sense!
Oh I’m sure! I have a new phone and the camera is not as good right now so I have to take a million pictures before I get one that’s half decent. 😛
Awww Cait, I am glad you found the tips useful. I hope your followers would benefit from all your tips. Love the Behind the scenes pictures you have included in this post.
Thanks so much for sharing some of these tips in the first place!! YOU ARE A TRUE LIFESAVER! I wish I’d saved your thread so I could like to your genius properly.🙈
I only discovered bookstagram was even a thing like 3 weeks ago? Maybe 4? I dunno. It was in April. And I blame you, because your posts are so bleepin’ colourful I can’t resist them <3 But since I am a workaholic with like 3 time consuming hobbies, I probably will remain mostly just an appreciator of the beautiful book photos who posts occasional book photos amongst the randomness of the rest of my life 😉
EXCELLENT. I’M WHOLLY HAPPY TO BE BLAMED. 😂😂 I’m so glad you like my themes too, hehe!! And omg yes it is time consuming. I generally take photos on the weekend when I have a bit of free-time but I can literally spend my WHOLE sunday just taking photos. 🙈
Thnak you for this, a life saver, I seem to have a dibilitating brain fart everytimr I want to TRY to be creative with my book photography, I live in house with alot of ‘stuff’ hence its difficult for me to find a space without loads of shite in the background, so i go outdoors mainly, I always find grass a friendly medium!
off to buy some props me thinks!
I’m so glad you enjoyed the post!! 🎉🎉 And I totally get that set-ups and everything are different for everyone! I’m lucky to have a clear floor and good lightning (when it’s not raining haha) but outdoors is great too! I started off with all my photos being taken outside.
I love Instagram and my bookstagram account and follow other bookstagrammers. But one thing makes me frustrated. I want simple yet pretty book images in my feed. Would like to use less props as I don’t have so much 🙂 But still working on how I can make my images less dull.
Great hacks 🙂
I totally get that! I used to struggle with figuring out props too until I turned to fake flowers…buuuut I know that sort of look isn’t for everyone! So I guess it just depends on finding out your style, right?
Absolutely. That’s what I am working on 🙂
Gawd I love instagram. And especially bookstagram. I spend way too much time scrolling through it looking at all the pretty books. Bizarrely my tbr on goodreads seems to grow proportionally to how much I scroll… weird :L
My instagram is mostly my own pictures of nature and other tidbits. Alas, I do not have the patience or time to create beautifully aesthetic book shoots like you.
Bookstagram is pURE PERFECTION I think we can all agree. 😍😍 I’m so glad someone started it off and we all joined in!! hhaha. Aw, I’m glad you like my aesthetic!
I love this! You should totally host your own bookstagram challenge. I will most definitely join:) I also found that just taking a bunch of pics to last the whole week helps, a lot. I always say I’ll take pictures on Saturday but in actuality I usually do it on Sunday #procrastination. I didn’t know the hashtag fact, but then again, I don’t put hashtags in comments. So…no problemo! Taking pics of books that you haven’t read though! Ugh…That. Is. My. Life. I don’t eat food when I’m taking pictures involving food. It usually sits to the side until I’m done. Drinks on the other hand. I will take a sip of coffee and set it back down, snap a picture, and the world doesn’t know. BWAHAHAHA!!!!! I love my coffee involved pics.
I kind of DO want to start a challenge?!? Maaaaybe. 🙈🙊 I’d like to do one that plays off my name, like with the “Fury” part, but do tons of different emotions for people to find books that fit the emotion? BUT I DON’T KNOW. IT SEEMS LIKE A LOT OF WORK. hhaha.
Drinking coffee + taking photos is great! Unless you take too long and the coffee gets cold. Not that that’s happened to me…😂
This was super helpful, Cait! Very helpful indeed. I don’t have a bookstagram, but I do take pictures for my blog. I do have a question though, how do you think of new ways to organize the books in pictures?? My pictures are starting to look very, very repetitive.
Mironiel Blokzyl @The Life of a Mirkwood Elf recently posted…April Wrap Up || Books Galore, Plus All My Favourite Bands/Artists Are Releasing New Music And I Can’t Even
Haha I don’t really! 😂 I mean a LOT of my books are the same set ups, with just me throwing flowers in different places. Sometimes I feel bad and worry people will get bored? But so far it seems to be okay? I think the trick is you can do the same set up, just try shaking up exactly HOW you place things. Like when I take shelfies, sometimes I do book towers, or spirals. Sometimes I put the book in front of my face. Sometimes I just put my arms in the shot. Sometimes I climb on my bookshelf and have my legs dangling. You know that kind of thing? It’s really the same shot, it just depends on where I’m standing. I hope that helps.😜
Thanks! I’ll keep your advice in mind when I next take pictures!
Mironiel Blokzyl @The Life of a Mirkwood Elf recently posted…April Wrap Up || Books Galore, Plus All My Favourite Bands/Artists Are Releasing New Music And I Can’t Even
I need to do the text replacement thing. I have changed my hashtags back to the caption but so far that hasn’t worked in my liking favor. I feel the algorithm changed again though because I keep seeing posts from 5 days ago in my feed as well which I find really annoying.
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Ugh I’m sorry it’s not working for you. It did take mine a few weeks to come back to being reasonable though? I should’ve mentioned that in the post.😜
Bookstagram takes so much brain power, but it is a lot of fun! I like photos that have a lot of books in them because I’m more likely to pay attention to books I know. Self-centered, I know. I also love number 8, trying to decide what to say is such a pain!
It totally does take a lot of brain power. 😂😂 Sometimes I spend like ALL weekend taking photos and then feel guilty that I’ve been taking more photos of books than actually reading them? Whoops. And I’m the same with books I know! It’s more fun to flail over them. 😜
Sooooo helpful Cait! Thanks for sharing!!
I’m really glad!!🎉
#3 HAS OFFICIALLY CHANGED MY LIFE OH MY GOODNESS THANK YOU, YOU BRILLIANT QUEEN!
I AM HERE TO BE HELPFUL. (And, ya know, also talk about cake. BUT ALSO BE HELPFUL.)
These were really helpful. THANK YOU!!!!!!!
I’M SO GLAD IT WAS HELPFUL.🎉
Great post, I’ve been thinking of starting a bookstagram for a while now and these tips will be really helpful when I finally get round to it.
Oh you totally should! It’s SO much fun and entirely worth it. 🎉🎉
I so love your Bookstagram. Honestly, I’ve given up on the idea of making my Bookstagram beautiful. I’ll just admire yours instead.
Hheheh, well I am glad you like my photos! THANK YOU.
Thank you for all these great tips! I’m an exclusive e-reader, so have been trying to figure out how to make Instagram work for me…because lots of my blog readers do hang out there. So your tip relating to that is genius! Will have to play around with that.
Yayyy! I’m glad it’s helpful! I prefer to photograph physical books, but I actually read a TON of ebooks and want to talk about them too.😂 So it’s helpful to have that option, right?!
I actually decided to read this post because though I don’t really focus on bookstagram anymore, I do think many of these tips could be applied to other instagram genres. I’ll have to test the hashtag in the caption vs comments thing, as I mainly do comments because I thought that was preferred. Doing that it the captions would actually be easier anyways because then I could have it all set up on Buffer and not have to do that extra step of adding a comment after! And the text replacement – yes! I do this too. When I started Instagramming again I looked at the things I liked to post most about (dogs, succulents, books, art, etc.), researched possible tags, and made a text replacement for each. It makes things so much easier.
I find the caption thing to be the hardest. Sometimes I wonder if I shouldn’t write anything at all but then I feel like no one will actual comment on the post, but then when I do write a bunch of stuff and no one comments anyways it feels so pointless. So yeah, trying to figure out where I stand with that. Especially because I feel like bookstagram can be a unique community in the way in which its interactive where I find certain other communities don’t do so as much. So we’ll see! But yes, if someone can come up with like a caption-generator where a machine looks at a picture and comes up with one by itself, that’d be great.
The never sleeping thing isn’t possible for me so I’m not sure what I’ll do to make sure I keep up on content. I do try to plan everything out a week or two in advance with my Instagram, so that helps? Since I have two accounts I use Unum to see what each feed will look like with my planned photos and move them around as necessary, so that helps. I have a feeling once I lose my lead though I’ll lose my consistency and then who knows what will happen :O
But yes, lovely tips! I think they’re good for anyone who likes Instagram to check out. (Though even then I don’t think they’ll ever catch up with your decades of knowledge and experiences you’ve been guarding ;D)
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It took a few days (or weeks, I can’t remember😜) for my likes to improve after I put the hashtags back in the caption not the comments. So I hope it works out for you too!! GOOD LUCK. I preferred putting it in the comments, though, so I could fit more hashtags in. When you’re doing a bucketload of challenges as well, the hashtags fill up fast.😭 But I’m glad the tips are useful for general instagram accounts too!
AND CAPTIONS ARE HARD. Ughhh. 😂 That’s why I do so many challenges so I have something to talk about haha.
Ooh you organised queen. 😉
YES YES I HAVE SUCH BUCKET FULLS OF KNOWLEDGE HERE. I can’t even with my immense skills. 😇😇😂😂
With the ebook photos, I’ve even gone as far as to print the cover off and lay it on top of my kindle 😅 im sure no one noticed👀 x
Haha, that’s clever too! Although photo-manipulation does save ink/time too. 😜
CAIT WHY ARE YOU SO GENIUS AND GENEROUS AND SUCH A LIFE SAVER ARGHHHHH!!!
But honestly, this is the most amazing post and I so appreciate it! I’m definitely using all of these tips, especially the text replacement one, and checking out your ebook tutorial!
BECAUSE I JUST CAN’T HELP IT. IT’S WHO I AM, DEEP DOWN INSIDE. #humbletoo
Hahaha SO HUMBLE THOUGH. I’ve been using these tips already and having a fabulous time this month! 😉
This post is extremely helpful. I’ve suddenly gone on a dry spell on my own bookstagram account. i don’t know why. All these tips are very helpful. I’ve been meaning to take pictures ahead but forget. Because apparently I have too much that needs doing. According to my very active brain. I’ve also been meaning to join in more challenges but didn’t know where to look. But now I do. Thanks. Overall hopefully I will start bookstagramming again this afternoon.
Life does like to conspire against all our fun hobbies, doesn’t it? *shakes fist at time which seems to run away from us* 😂 I’m glad you liked the post though! And good luck with restarting your instagram!
OH! This post is a lifesaver! I mostly read ebooks, so I assumed I would NEVER be able to take pretty bookstragam pictures with them! I’ll try the Pixlr tip on my phone since I only read on my Kindle which is simply B&W. Thanks, Cait!
Oops, left in the wrong website. camilleareads.wordpress.com
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Aww, I’m so glad this post has changed your mind about ebook photos!! I’M PLEASED IT’S HELPFUL. *sends you cake*
I just rejoined bookstagram yesterday so this post came at the best time THANK YOU. and I do feel that if you post more and regularly, you get more likes and followers because people remember you! The best thing in this post was Atticus and his toy mushroom. I am not even kidding anymore. I love that ebook photographing hack of yours because it’s really awesome and lighting sucks if I take pictures of ebooks so THANKS AGAIN. MAY GOD BLESS YOUR SOUL AND GIVE YOU 999 BOOKS TO EAT.
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Atticus ALWAYS steals the day with his adorableness, I will not deny.😜😂 And I’m so glad you liked the post!! I AM HERE TO BE HELPFUL. (And also, ya know, talk about cake a lot…but MOSTLY BE HELPFUL.)
(also psst HAPPY BLOGVERSARY CAIT!! *throws confetti*)
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These are great tips! I’m not that great a bookstagram, but I do like to post the occasional thing. I tend to just add my geek jewelry (like if it’s for a Star Wars book) or a funko pop. I love doing challenges, but I just haven’t done one in a long time. I need to find a new one!
Challenges are super fun! And good inspiration for what kind of photos to take sometimes.😜
The algorithm is the worst thing to happen to my bookstagram account, I’m so unmotivated to post now because of it. I love your life hack on posting photos with books in them because it’s bookstagram, amirite? I usually take my photos in advance too, but not when I don’t have time then I don’t post at all.
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Ugh I hear you. I was really unmotivated a few weeks back because my account was just bombing on me and I put so much work into it. Gahghgh. BUT ANYWAY. It can get better!! I hope the algorithm is kinder to us all soon!!
You are a little bookstagram queeeeeeeeen & I loved every one of your tips. I am going to figure out a way to become immortal ASAP.
No, but really, I love you tips & thank you so much for sharing them!! 🙂 🙂
your** although if you want to go by the nickname tips that’s perfectly fine as well
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BECOMING IMMORTAL WILL SOLVE SO MANY PROBLEMS, SO GOOD LUCK WTIH THAT.🎉🎉
I always put my hashtags in my caption. I find it weird when people put it as a comment.
Thanks for the tips. Bookmarking to use as a reminder when I do my next IG photo shoot.
I absolutely love your third life hack! I always find myself copying and pasting instead. (I wrote down the hashtags I use in a note on my phone, but this should be much faster!) Would you mind if I possibly mention that tip in a future blog post of mine? (I do this little Navigating Bookstagram series where I always have to hurry to get a post up every other Monday, but this would help!) Of course, I would link to your blog and this post (I usually do both). If that isn’t okay with you, I understand, and I’ll just share it to Facebook instead! 😉
I love this blog, I also read one last night on how to set up your Bookstagram! I’ve learned a lot from your hints but I think I mostly just enjoy reading your blog. It’s vibrant, hilarious, friendly and extremely helpful. <3 Love to see more 🙂
Aww, thank you ever so much!! That completely makes my day that you enjoyed this.🎉🎉
Ooh, the text replacement idea is totally something I’ll be using from now on!
Also, I’m so happy I discovered your blog! <3
Aww I’m so glad, Jia!! Thanks!!
I haven’t read all of the comments, so forgive me if this is repetitive, but have you discovered Later.com? It allows you to schedule instagram posts and they just updated it so it’ll auto-post for you. So now I can take multiple pictures in a day, but also schedule them to post so I don’t forget to post them when I want them to go up. *grin*
Another one that I’ve found extremely helpful is to assign themes to the days of the week. So TBRTuesday, fresh reads friday. Makes it easier for me to narrow down my choices.
I know this post is old, but I’m finally trying to commit to the #bookstagram thing (DID YOU NOTICE. I’M NOT SUBTLE ABOUT IT), so it’s still useful advice! Do you have any posts talking about how best to use Stories? I don’t understand them at all, although I’m finally making an effort. If not, maybe you could write one, to help the poor confused Instagram noobs like me?
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This is like my second of third time I read THIS post. Seriously, and I still believe that tip 10 is perhaps the greatest thing I’ve read ever and it’s one of the first things I read on your blog and still 10/10 accurate. Plus I’ve tried following some of your tips (like adding books and having tags on the captions even though I did that to start cus I was a newb and had no clue how life worked so I just did the yolo thing and shoved ALL the things in one…woops?????) But seriously, it helps. You are a wise bookdragon, Cait and I appreciate it very much. Plus…I already wanted an over-flooding amount of flowers and I love it and I need it and this has been my excuse….😇 But seriously, still funny.