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Ian Michael Black's Top Tips for Instagram Posts
At Aveda's Dare to Dream event, Sept. 11-12 in St. Petersburg, Florida, top stylists, business experts and corporate team members have gathered to inspire and grow together.The approximately 1,000 attendees were treated to presentations ...
Lauren Quick・Contributor
2 min to read
At Aveda'sDare to Dream event, Sept. 11-12 in St. Petersburg, Florida, top stylists, business experts and corporate team members have gathered to inspire and grow together.
The approximately 1,000 attendees were treated to presentations fromDavid Wagner of Juut salons, Tom Petrillo of The Salon People, Van Council from Van Michael Salons and many more—with day two promising another bevy of talented speakers.
During Aveda's Dare to be Different panel on Sunday afternoon, Kathleen Turpel, J'Keren Sears, Shelley Simmons and Ian Michael Black talked about how to market your brand and stand out in the very crowded social media space.
Black is well-known for his carefully framed Instagram shots and expertise in receiving a strong response on social media for his work. He shared some of his top pointers for creating content that engages your audience.
Ian Michael Black's tips for a good Instagram photo
Find the right light
Shoot on a plain background
Use a high resolution
Take multiple photos from different angles
Don't try to show too much in one photo
Avoid mirroring photos or collaging
Try to shoot on square mode
Shoot with more space around the head than you think you'll need
Don't use filters
Develop your own personal style
Remember—it's small! It will be seen on a phone, most likely.
"Don't kill yourself over trying to take a perfect shot," Black says. "Let the hair be the hair."
Black also recommends storytelling within your text. Of course audiences always appreciate a formula or step-by-step for how you achieved your cut, style or color, but there are a few other things you should consider including, according to Black.
Telling a story with your caption
Add location
Explain what you're showing
Is there a story behind the image?
Include formula, products used when applicable
Break up text with emojis
Utilize hashtags intelligently and sparingly in main caption (you can add more in the comments, so don't junk up the caption too much)
Engage with others by liking and commenting on posts; but BE NICE! Nobody likes a troll.
Remember most people don't know you personally
Stay tuned for coverage from day two of the Dare to Dream event!
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