Tips for creating Instagram pods

It probably comes as no surprise to anyone that I’m an Instagram junkie; I don’t think I could go an entire day without posting, engaging or lurking on Instagram (and I don’t think I want to try!). I love Instagram for its simplicity – it’s so easy to use – and for it’s power – it’s a great channel for growing your personal brand, business and digital influence.

If you love Instagram and are looking to find new ways to grow your channel, consider trying Instagram pods. We discussed Instagram pods during my recent panel on growing your Instagram presence at ShiftCon and I was surprised that so many people were unaware that pods were even a thing; in fact, I think almost all but maybe three hands went up when we asked if people didn’t know what an Instagram pod was.

If you think about the name “pod,” which typically means like a tribe (think dolphins) – it’s a community or tribe who live together and support one another – it’s easy to understand the purpose of Instagram pods.

Instagram pods are engagement boosting groups; the members of your pod will become your Instagram tribe and you will all work together to grow through likes and meaningful comments. The members of the pod will engage with the content from others in their pod as soon as the post goes live in order to communicate to Instagram, that particular content is generating engagement. Thereby, hacking the Instagram algorithm.

To create an Instagram pod, you do do one of three things:

1. Add everyone that you want in your pod to a group message on Instagram (keep the group small and relevant) and come up with a fun name your pod. Have everyone post in the group message whenever they post an image. Then, everyone else can go comment and ‘like’ that image.
2. Add everyone that you want to be in your pod to a group message on Instagram (again keep it small and relevant) and have them turn on post notifications for everyone. Then whenever someone in your pod posts a picture, everyone will be notified and they can go leave it some comments, likes and emoji love!
3. Create a link love group on Facebook and have a daily thread. Ask members of the group to comment with a direct link to their latest Instagram post. Require each person who posts to comment on the five links above their post.

Pro Tips:

• Use more than four words in your comments
• Avoid generic phrases
• Make sure your comment is relevant to the content posted
• Consider tagging the person in the comment or even tagging another friend who might like the content (only do this if it’s truly relevant to the person you are tagging – don’t spam your Instagram friends!)

Pods are a great way to connect with others, build your community and support others whose content you love; they are an easy and fun way to boost engagement for your tribe and for yourself!

Are you in pods? If so, how do they work for you?

Stay sweaty friends!

XOXO

Jamie