5 Instagram Rules You Should Follow

I’ve been on Instagram for upwards of 26 days. I’m what you would call an expert or aficionado in all things Instagram. Take this little tidbit, for instance: did you guys know you can post videos on Instagram now? I’ve not posted an Instagram video yet, but it’s true; more on this hot story as it develops.

Long before joining Instagram, I held many preconceived notions. Some of those negative notions were quickly confirmed. Other opinions, positive and negative, have developed the more I’ve explored this “Picture Twitter” realm.

What follows are some hard and fast Instagram rules I intend to keep in Instagram Land. Take them or leave them, but these are some solid Instagram rules I’d suggest for anyone.

Instagram Rule #1: No Meal Pictures. Ever. Mostly.

This was the big one. When I was on the outside of Instagram looking in, I’d see pictures of dinner and breakfast and brunch and midnight snackage aplenty.

The dreaded “mealies.” Oh heavens.

Unless you’re a food blogger or otherwise tied to the food business, your ever-flowing stream of meal-pictures makes me either a) hungry or b) weary. I’ve actually committed myself to never posting a mealie. Ever.

I’m not saying an occasional meal-picture is immoral. If you’re eating Tibetan yak and cilantro-mango salad, please, by all means, post that picture. I won’t judge you too much.

Just make your “mealies” meaningful. More on this in Instagram Rule #5.

Instagram Rule #2: Limit Your Selfies. But Still Do Selfie.

When I first visit your Instagram, I would like to see at least a few pictures of yourself. I’d like to know who exactly I’m following, after all.

But if what I see when I enter your Instagram Castle is a shrine of you and various angles of your bathroom, it’s easy to get turned off.

So, go ahead and take a selfie now and then. Post it without shame. Just make sure the background is epiK. Once again, refer to Instagram Rule #5 for more depth.

Instagram Rule #3: Go #NoFilter Now and Then.

Even though sunrise/sunset photos (“sunnies”) can get awfully cliche along with mealies and selfies, I never tire of a solid sky. Or pictures of nature in general. Nature is beautiful.

Here’s the thing, though: for any nature picture on Instagram, try going #NoFilter.

It’s kinda depressing to see God’s glorious creation as seen through the lens of an exploding sun or a squinting dog.

There is beauty in the natural, y’all. Let it be.

Instagram Rule #4: Enough. With the Hashtags.

Yes, hashtags are important. Yes, hashtags are useful if categorized properly. Yes, hashtags are hilarious even if they’re not “properly” utilized.

But an Everest-esque mountain of tic-tac-toes stresses me out. I get weak in the knees. I get dizzy spells. The snow overtakes me. Help.

When I post to Instagram, I use 5 hashtags max. I’ve generally found 3 hashtags are enough to describe everything that needs to be said — usefully or hilariously or otherwise.

Instagram Rule #5: Post Quality Pictures.

And here’s my greatest Instagram rule of all: don’t post all of your photos to Instagram. Post quality stuff.

Really, this rule could apply to blogging or tweeting or otherwise producing any creative content. Quality over quantity, right?

When I first joined Instagram, I originally intended to post one picture everyday. But I quickly realized I just don’t see that much interesting stuff on a daily basis.

Maybe you do, but I’ve since backed off my post-everyday aim. Instead, I average about four Instagram photos a week. And you know what?

To this point, I don’t believe I’ve “wasted” a single photo. There’s a distinct story behind each of my precious Instagram pictures, and I like that.

And therein lies my main draw to Instagram: letting my pictures tell my stories for me.

It gets weary, being a writer all the time. Sometimes, I need a break. And an Instagram picture, after all, speaks 1000 words.

(Not 1000 hashtags.)

What about you? Do you have any hard and fast Instagram rules? If you’re on “Picture Twitter,” follow me at thomasmarkz and let’s be friends!