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Updated: April 21, 2017    

Why You Need Instagram Friends to Grow Your Instagram Account

Welcome to the 10th day of #LoveBlog! Today’s topic is Friendship. You can find the rest of this month’s prompts at the original post. It’s not too late to link up for yesterday’s prompt, Counseling. This post contains affiliate links. 

My husband no longer rolls his eyes when I talk about my Instagram friends. When I first started mentioning Instagram friends, I admit, I felt a little like I was describing my imaginary friends. But they’re real, I promise!

In fact, quite a few of my Instagram friends have become Facebook friends. I recently started the process of adding all of their blogs to my Bloglovin account so I could better keep up with their work outside of Instagram.

Making friends on Instagram isn't just fun--it helps you improve your own account! | Belle Brita

How did I meet these Instagram friends?

It started about a year and a half ago, when I joined a Facebook group call the Instagram Posse. At first the group had just a few hundred members, and we shared information to grow our Instagram accounts. Now the group has over 10,000 members, and the two leaders have released two extensive guides on how to grow your Instagram account. I’ve bought both of them, although I haven’t used the second one very much yet.

Use Code MAKETHATMONEYONINSTATHXTOBRITA1 to get 10% off the Instagram Decoded Course

This group started the original Comment Pods (TM). I’m in three Comment Pods, and I have Instagram friends in all of them. However, my best group is Pink.

I started the Pink Comment Pod last spring, and I now cherish the other women as much as any of my blogging friends. When I talk about my Instagram friends, I almost always mean the women in the Pink Comment Pod.

What are the benefits of a Comment Pod?

From the Social Media Posse website:

Sometimes it just takes one person commenting on your Instagram post to open the door for your audience to start engaging on your posts starting a snowball effect. And it’s not a secret that Likes/Comments help get you into the Instagram Top Posts Algorithms.

While your engagement shouldn’t come from Comment Pods alone, the likes and comments help start the conversation. A few quick likes and comments right when you post also positively affect the algorithm so Instagram will show your post to more of your followers.

Can you actually make friends in a Comment Pod?

Yes! When you create a very niche Comment Pod, you easily become friends with the other members. I actually have great conversations in all my Comment Pods, but the Pink one is just extra-special.

Even though we live across the United States, Canada, and England, all of us are creative women who support each other. We all love the color pink, but also other bright colors. We celebrate each other’s victories both on Instagram and in our personal lives.

I’ve heard complaints from other Instagrammers that their Pod members don’t reciprocate. I’ve largely avoided this problem in my Pods by being selective about new members in the first place. And by privately contacting members to see why they disappeared, and then kicking them out if they don’t respond for several months.

I’ve heard other complaints that Pod members don’t leave good comments. My response is to ask if their posts are good enough to inspire good comments. Not every Instagram caption needs to be a literary masterpiece, but too many Instagrammers think their admittedly gorgeous travel photos and short-to-nonexistent captions should inspire long comments.

I don’t have this problem either. Occasionally someone might take a break from Instagram and then leave short comments when they catch up. Or they might just be too busy to write out long comments. But by choosing new Pod members carefully, and then being an enthusiastic member yourself, your Pod will develop into a cooperate, encouraging group.

3 Ways Instagram Friends Help Grow Your Account

They support your wins.

Last year, Real Simple shared a photo from my test Instagram account. I don’t use any Comment Pods with that account, but I shared my excitement with my Pink Pod. Not only did they all congratulate me, but most of them went to the Real Simple post to comment. Their comments went above and beyond our “rules” for reciprocity because we all genuinely support each other.

Erin’s gorgeous feather art is often featured by Candy Minimal, one of my favorite repost accounts. Nine of the comments on this post are from our Pink Pod.

View this post on Instagram

@erinlightfeather created this #candyminimal palette of feathers 🍭🐤

A post shared by #candyminimal (@candyminimal) on Dec 20, 2016 at 8:48am PST

 

I finally had a big feature on my main account last month. I so appreciated the supportive comments of my Pink Pod!

View this post on Instagram

Did you know we have at least 75 pieces of street art in downtown #yeahTHATgreenville alone? This is the Rose Crystal Tower. Commissioned to honor Harriet Wyche. The eight-foot rose colored tower is made of Polyvitro. A polymer created by Chihuly that looks like glass. Which pieces are some of your favorites? // 📷: @belle_brita

A post shared by VisitGreenvilleSC (@visitgreenvillesc) on Jan 14, 2017 at 10:32am PST

 

They teach you new Instagram tricks.

Many people rave about A Color Story, but I never felt the need to stray from my favorite photo-editing app, Afterlight. Until Jessica posted this photo.

View this post on Instagram

Does anyone else hate when you have an awesome photo but the colors don't match your feed? Cause I sure do. My latest obsession is @acolorstory's hue shift tool. It's hard to believe, but this was a red brick wall!

A post shared by Jessica S. Irvin | Fort Worth (@jessicasirvin) on Jul 18, 2016 at 3:19pm PDT

 

I still mostly use Afterlight for my photos, but now I use A Color Story when I need to shift the hue every so slightly.

View this post on Instagram

Once upon a time I visited the magical city of Celebration, Florida where the bright and colorful buildings brought me such great joy! I am all about transparency on Instagram, so I must confess how heavily edited this photo is. Celebration's buildings are more coral and teal, but I achieved this pink and green shot with some editing magic in @acolorstory. Usually I just make minor tweaks with @Afterlight. How do you edit your Instagram photos? #LaBelleBlog

A post shared by Belle Brita (@belle_brita_inactive) on Sep 10, 2016 at 9:09am PDT

 

I also answer questions about MassPlanner, the tool I use to help me manage my social media accounts, since other women are interested in signing up. We talk about what to do when you’re stuck in a creative rut. Last year we even started our own holiday hashtag, #MyPinkHoliday! Recently we discussed the pros and cons of using white borders in Instagram, like I used to do, and posting horizontal photos instead of squares.

They inspire you!

Connecting with fellow pink ladies inspires me to improve my own content. They all have such beautiful Instagram feeds, and their creativity inspires my own!

I’m not a beauty blogger or Instagrammer, but sometimes I like to share the occasional makeup or skincare products. Trush has the most amazing beauty Instagram and blog.

View this post on Instagram

#LipstickismyVice with this gorgeous @urbandecaycosmetics lip palette (I may have one to giveaway too!)

A post shared by Beauty Influencer 🖤 Trush (@secretstylefile) on Dec 9, 2016 at 1:46pm PST

 

I loved all of her holiday posts! When I bought myself new makeup in December, I found inspiration in what Trush did, and I made my own flat-lay.

View this post on Instagram

Merry Christmas to me! When my favorite beauty blogger @ellesees shared her top @sephora holiday sets, I couldn't resist buying these two palettes for myself 😊 They might not be part of the official gift sets, but I couldn't resist the pretty blushes and eye shadows 😍 Have you bought yourself a Christmas present? #LaBelleBlog P.S. Check out my InstaStory for more on my makeup and these palettes!

A post shared by Belle Brita (@belle_brita_inactive) on Dec 16, 2016 at 9:39am PST

 

Then again, sometimes great minds just think alike. I knew Kris was right for the Pink Pod when I saw her floatmingo!

View this post on Instagram

My favorite thing about my birthday is to reflect, so great to think of all the new friends I have meet through life adventures and all my life-time friends & family that continue to make today and everyday so special! The continual support and love are the blessings I treasure most!🎂🎉 So excited for for another year! —————————— And by the way this cute #flamingo floaty has been a perfect pool accessory thanks to @GoFloats 💗💗💗 #GoFloats #birthdaygirl #latergram #augustbaby #birthdayweekend #ontheblog #blogueiras #pinklover #utahinfluencer #utahblogs #withlovefromkris #sobestfriendsforfrosting

A post shared by Kris Andrade💋 (@withlovefromkris) on Aug 7, 2016 at 3:46pm PDT

 

View this post on Instagram

Way back in May, I decided I wanted a new pool float for my birthday. I literally spent two hours on Amazon researching all my options before sharing them on Facebook for a vote. I decided that @gofloats had the best #floatmingo on the market, with raft-grade material, two cup holders, and a weight limit to hold my husband and me! I'm grateful to #GoFloats for sending me Mingo in exchange for my Instagram coverage. We're having a great summer together! If you want to buy your own fabulous float, my referral link is in my bio. What are you doing this weekend? #LaBelleBlog

A post shared by Belle Brita (@belle_brita_inactive) on Jul 15, 2016 at 8:17am PDT

 

Instagram Comment Pods aren’t for everyone, but if you do them right, you develop valuable friendships. If you’re interested in starting one, I highly recommend going through InstaRevealed! They started the original ones, and their process helps you put together the perfect group.


 

Meet Your #LoveBlog Sponsor!

I love the sparkly earrings from etsy shop VDazzled! | Belle Brita

Facebook // Instagram // Pinterest

Sisters Kayla and Victoria run VDazzled, an etsy shop featuring beautiful wire wrapped stud earrings. Are you looking for the perfect sparkly gift for your best friend, sister, or bridesmaids? Check out the wide selection of beads and colors of VDazzled earrings, available in 3 sizes. VDazzled is a sponsor of #LoveBlog2017.

Meet Your #LoveBlog Hosts!

Join me and other bloggers for #LoveBlog, a daily blog link-up in February! | Belle Brita

Twitter // Instagram // Facebook // Pinterest // Tumblr // Google+ // Bloglovin

Brita Long is the pink and sparkly personality behind the Christian feminist lifestyle blog, Belle Brita. While her first love will always be Paris, she lives happily with her husband Daniel Fleck in the Atlanta area.

Meet Charlene, blogger at Enduring All Things, and co-host of #LoveBlog! | Belle Brita

Bloglovin // Instagram // Twitter // Facebook // Pinterest // Blog

Charlene is a 20-something wife and fur mamma living in Ohio. She uses her blog, Enduring All Things, to inspire young wives to keep God first and their husbands second in everything they do.

Meet Laura, blogger at Do 5 Things a Day and co-host of #LoveBlog | Belle Brita

Blog // Twitter // Instagram // Facebook // Pinterest // Bloglovin

Laura is a big dreamer, full-time marketing manager, blogger, and part-time artist. She aspires to inspire people in their everyday lives and to help them live towards their dreams while making the most of their lives. She has been blogging for about 6 years now and has recently found her glorious niche of sharing her stories, thoughts on life, and daily inspiration.

Join the February 2017 daily blog challenge #LoveBlog! Find 20 days worth of prompts at the link. | Belle Brita

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Do you have Instagram friends? How do they help you?

Blog of Brita Long

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Christian feminist libertarian, making the world a better place one day at a time. Fueled by hot tea and mimosas. Read More…

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