Let’s face it; Instagram is like fufu, mieliepap, ugali or banku – you either like it and indulge all the time, or you don’t. But what none of us can deny is that Instagram is indeed one of several meals that enrich the soup called social media.
Whether you have 500k followers or 50 followers, as a media gal, you may have to quote your Instagram in a resume – employers are now asking, or you may apply for a job that has social media duties in the future.
So here are 5 ways to make sure you’re using Instagram as a calling card of sorts, which also shows your unique skills.
1. Tell a story – literally
Instagram stories are more than a vanity project; used coherently, they provide your audience with behind-the-scenes footage and video as you go about on the job. Best of all, they provide a chance for more people to get in touch with you on a story, which can provide more sources and perspectives. I have used stories to hint at the danger of an investigation without revealing it, and for ramping up viewer figures for my appearances. To make an Instagram story, go to your profile, click on the plus sign next to your profile picture and upload, type or go live!
2. Curate via Highlights
You can curate the best of the priceless footage you have made as stories under specific sections by using Highlights – this means they last more than 24 hours. I have a “Work & Talks” section of selected Instagram stories. Best of all, you can send a link to your highlights to a potential employer, which makes it a showreel of sorts. #WinWin
3. Provide analysis, strategically
Screenshots of newspaper headlines or memes can show your unique view on news stories. This engages your audience and gives potential employers your perspective. Remember that Instagram is a light-hearted space, so you should try to keep it fun, short and simple. I usually annotate pictures or type my thoughts in Stories, using emojis, and then save this as a picture first, so I can put it on my main Instagram feed.
4. Avoid the social climber look
We are told the fastest way to appear biased and less professional is to fill your Instagram feed with selfie after selfie of famous people (the socio-political elite) and private parties. Name-dropping on social media is just as obnoxious as in real life, even when trying to show you interviewed a celeb. It is a fine line to negotiate, as some sources may pencil you into a box, based on what they see. I try to limit my selfies to everyday people who inspire me and colleagues in the profession and make sure the celeb pictures are taken by someone else, and in a somber mood, because too many pictures where your arm is stretched out in selfie mode, you looking starstruck, can appear very social climber-esque.
5. Do not sacrifice your personality
Never try to appear perfect, because no one is. Be aware that only the employer knows their threshold and limits for selection. So you can only strive to be decent and live your life. Personally, my Instagram feed is a mix of someone who loves sneakers, holidays, etc., so I indulge in the odd joke, food posts, rap lyrics, and even bikini pictures. Because humans wear bikinis, and any employer who cannot understand that media women wear bikinis too, is not someone I want to work for. *insert cheeky emoji*
Image credit: Inside Catholic via Google
Ruona J. Meyer is an award-winning Multimedia journalist with over 15 years’ experience in print, radio, wire agencies & digital outlets across different continents. Her passion for journalism knows no bounds as she is a seasoned professional who is not afraid to go where many dread. Her recent work titled “Sweet Sweet Codeine” explored the effects of codeine use on addicts who live in the Northern part of Nigeria and spurred the government and pharmaceutical organisations into taking necessary action. Ruona lives in Germany.
