When it comes to social media, there seems to be a lot of “rules” to follow. Some of these rules make sense and some are not entirely necessary. One of those unnecessary rules is having a themed Instagram.
Aesthetically Pleasing
I can’t deny that a themed Instagram doesn’t look aesthetically pleasing. It does! But really, that’s the only result you get from a themed Instagram. It’s pleasing to the eye. Sure, it can also be a sign of branding. But you don’t need to have a themed Instagram to create a solid branding strategy.
Here’s what this really comes down to. Yes, your profile looks neat and clean. But that’s just about looks. Instagram is so much more than looks. It’s about content.
Sure, you’re page looks pretty, but are you providing your followers with excellent content as well? Now, I’m not knocking having a themed Instagram. If that’s something you choose to have, that’s totally up to you! (I’ll touch more on that later). But don’t get too bogged down by creating themed images that you skimp on offering great content.
The Personality of Social Media
Let’s break down the term “social media” for a minute. Being social means to interact with others, to learn about them, to share things about yourself, and finding community. People on social media are looking for a connection. That’s why it’s so important to infuse your personality into what you post online.
That’s where I think some themed Instagram accounts can really miss the mark. There is one account in particular that comes to mind and she has a great themed Instagram. Her images are her. You can see her personality in her images and you know it’s her without seeing her username. One day, I decided I wanted to learn more about her and I looked at her profile. I don’t think there was one image of her. It was all the themed images. They looked great, but all together like that, it kind of seemed repetitive.
We can’t discount the importance of “face-to-face” interactions, even online. Adding an image of yourself or something a bit more personal allows others online to really feel that connection with you.
Differentiate Branding and Theming
Having cohesive branding is independent from having a themed profile. Branding means using colors, fonts, and styles that define your brand. Most themes I see deal with the layout of the image and the filter/lighting that is used. Can it be considered part of your branding? Absolutely! But there is so much more involved in branding than that.
Sometimes, themes can feel limiting. If you’re working on trying to do a theme and you’re struggling with it, you might want to ask yourself why you’re choosing to have a theme. You can absolutely throw away the idea of theming and stick with focusing on your branding, which can give you a bit more freedom with the images you create.
If you have any questions about branding and want to learn more about it, I will be coming out with a future blog post on this topic. In the meantime, you can feel free to email me any questions you have about it and I would be glad to assist you!
It’s Your Instagram Account
At the end of the day, your Instagram account is yours. Do what you want with it! Do you want a theme? Create one! Don’t want a theme? Don’t feel obligated to have one!
I’ve talked before about how easy it can be to compare ourselves to others when it comes to social media. I know that I’ve been guilty of this. I’ve said this mantra before and I’ll say it again: “Their journey is not mine.”
You have to be confident in what you’re doing on Instagram (and social media in general). Own it! If it’s a style that’s all your own and one you love, keep it up. Don’t get bogged down by “the rules.” Create something you love and that works for you and your message.
