Calgary Avansino’s Top 5 Instagram Tips for Keeping It Real

Instagram can be a powerful tool of inspiration and positivity, but it can also sadly do the opposite. I believe it is the responsibility of every Instagram user to try and spread kindness, motivation, laughter and happiness. With that in mind, here are my top five smile-inducing instagram tips:

1) HONESTLY HONEST – It’s easy to hide behind the anonymity of an Instagram handle and think you can do whatever you want without repercussions. It’s not! Every post has a power – it can influence someone, it can affect someone’s mood, it can inspire someone. Use that power of the visual medium wisely – and, most importantly, be honest. Don’t say you’ve cooked things you haven’t cooked. Don’t say, “This is my bum in a bikini” if you have used three apps to alter it, and don’t pretend life is always wonderful, seamless and easy. No one’s is and the more often we connect on a deeper level and acknowledge that the better.

2) REAL TIME – Stay in the moment and post what is going on in your life now. People like real time inspiration, not seeing a picture that was obviously taken ages ago, in the studio or on your last holiday. The immediacy of social media is what people thrive on so use that to your advantage. What you are eating, doing, thinking right now is what’s most covetable.

3) THE CORE MESSAGE – If you haven’t done this already, sit down with a pencil and paper and hash out what you want your message to be. When people scroll through your account, what do you want them to feel, to think, and to take away? That’s your message. Keep it tight and true to who you are as a person. As I mentioned in point 1, authenticity is key.

4) THE PERFECTION GAME – Don’t play it. In the long run people will respect you more for being yourself and not a manipulated, re-touched version of yourself. Avoid the apps that make you look like a wax doll and embrace the realness of the moment. Of course we all like a nice picture of ourselves and there is nothing wrong with choosing the best picture of the bunch and throwing on a nice filter, but don’t go overboard in search of the “perfect” picture. It will only end in negative thoughts and can become worryingly addictive. Embrace a little imperfection, it makes the world a nicer place.

5) KARMA – What goes around comes around. If you support other Instagram accounts you like, others will do the same for you. It’s a community of interaction, so start interacting positively with images and accounts that you like and the goodness will come back to you. It’s what I like to call the ‘boomerang of kindness’.

You can find Calgary Avansino on Instagram @calgaryavansino