When visual stimulation is flooding our eyeballs every second, creating a feed that is not attractive enough, is not an option. To create a mark in this small square grid on a mobile screen, within a fleeting scrolling second is really a challenge. So let’s take up this challenge, with the right and FREE tools up your sleeves. With these easy tips, I'm sure you will soon be acing your social media game with panache.

1. DESIGN BETTER LOOKING CONTENT - 

One of the most critical parts of having a good instagram social media account is the aesthetics of it. Of course after content, but they both go hand-in-hand. And good content can get killed

• You can do this too, without hiring a graphic designer or paying to an agency or buying an  expensive software to do that. Simply get familiar with some of the free but highly efficient apps/ websites to create amazing looking content. 

  Our favorite is Canva. Canva is one of the most widely used platform. It offers you an   exhaustive list of templates for all kinds of requirements - from facebook cover, to invite, to poster to instagram story, to social media posts, to animated posts - it has it all. Simply choose the category, the template, upload your images and logo. And customize the design the way you like. 

   There is also a mobile app to use it for quick layouts. And simply download the layouts as jpg, png or pdf.

Other apps that you can explore are Pixlr, Pablo, Desygner and Fotor. 

• Be sure to create content in the best resolution and recommended sizes. This will ensure that your content gets posted, without any unnecessary cropping. 

• Be consistent with your choice of fonts and color schemes, to give your feed a unique character and easy recognition. Don’t forget that clutter is a spoilsport in this visual curation and try and keep it light on the eyes, with keeping your feed clean. This will help in your viewers revisiting you again and again. 

2.  SCHEDULE YOUR POSTS - 

You have created the perfect posts. But have no idea of when to post. Well take the stress out of posting, by scheduling your posts on the best days and time for your business. Go to your instagram insights and see under the ‘audience ‘tab,  when exactly your audience is online. You can use a scheduling platform like Later which is free to use for unto 1 login.  And link your instagram, facebook and twitter easily on it.

It gives you an opportunity to think through your post descriptions well in advance, upload all your content, add and save your hashtags for future use, schedule it on your preferred date and time. And best part is that you get to view your feed on how it will look with all the content planned. Thus giving you a chance to make some tweaks in your future posts. 

This scheduling and visualizing your content, ensures that your feed is well thought through and hence no need to scurry your brain at the last minute for random posts.

There are many other Free apps that you can use like  Planoly, Unum, Preview and Plann (only available on IOS)

3.  Use Hashtags effectively : 

    Hashtags are like group names given to individuals and if we need to find a certain type, we know which group to find it in. But it’s not as easy as it sounds. Finding the right hashtag for your post, ends up being a guessing game or a creative outlet , like #mymondaymorningsucked or #letsmakeindiancurrytonight. But is your audience really searching with that hashtag?

• Find Relevant Hashtag - For this purpose, use the website - Display Purposes - type 2-3 of your chosen keywords, and it will showcase wide selection of relevant keywords with their search volume. So you can pick and use the most effective ones. And see what difference that makes to your visibility.

• Follow Hashtags. Yes you follow people and accounts but might not be aware of following the hashtags relevant to your business or profile. For example for a graphic designer in London, it would be of great help to see posts from different accounts about #graphicdesigntrends or #graphicdesignerlondon to stay up-to-date on both trends and competition. And also to get inspiration for future content. For this simply type a hashtag in search tab, and click on the hashtag which has most search volume, and click the follow button. 

• Keep a watch - Lastly keep a watch on the content of the ‘thought-leaders’ and micro-influencers of your domain. What keywords and hashtags they are using. In simple terms, what works for them; will be helpful to you too if the goals are similar.

4. USE STORIES MORE EFFECTIVELY:

     We all love browsing right and left on all the fun and quirky stories that pops up freshly on our feeds everyday. While the posts have a more curated and refined aesthetics and appeal, stories are more real and slice of life. Guess for the fact that it has lower shelf life (till its saved in highlights), makes it more spontaneous. And gives an opportunity to play with gifs, videos, and adding different layers of creativity.

• Use Location and trending hashtags, to increase reach. 

• Tag other people and brands (as and when relevant), to increase chances of reposts. Like tagging the restaurant where you dined, the school where your kid studies, the show that you attended etc

• Create more engaging content - Stories are THE best way to start conversations (because hello “reply to Stories” feature 👋). Just don’t post your images but try and have a conversation going. Like having polls, ask a question, have a countdown, going live, etc

• Save your stories in nicely curated highlights, for future viewing. Create a visually appealing highlight cover in few minutes on canva and see how it uplifts your feed.

5. START INVESTING IN BUILDING YOUR COMMUNITY: 

  I know it’s easy to talk about oneself and keep promoting your products or brand. But it’s equally vital to have an external communication as well. Because unlike your website, instagram is a social media, where the intent should be to have a social communication and to build your community.

• Follow like minded people and accounts. Also follow key influencers and micro-influencers to get relevant content

• Share content of others as well on your feed. Example recipes you liked of someone, designs you liked of another designer, etc to keep the spirit social and positive and open

• See if you can find a group or challenge or activity that’s happening in the insta world that you can participate in. Like as a photographer, I found many such like minded photographers on the challenge groups. It gives an excellent opportunity to learn, as we well build my community on the gram.

• Comment and like content of others on regular basis, to show your appreciation. Engage with their stories too.

Now go and explore it and share your thoughts in the comment section below. ⚡😊

Note - This is Part 1 of the series of posts on blogging and Social Media.

"The only thing constant is change. But comfort is in being wrapped with familiar."

How do we bridge this gap, of being surrounded by our sense of the known as we tread towards the unknown, every passing day. Specially in today's times, as we face the trying times and turbulence, we can bring little nuggets of joy, through our food and kitchen. 

I love a good brownie and I love rich chocolate cake. And what happens when these two get combined in a sinful combination. Well this rich, dense, dark chocolate mud cake.

Honestly I came back to blogging because I missed my online diary, of recipes, of sharing and creating memories. It's so easy as well to just click on the website and find a recipe I loved and had made, than to browse through tons of notebooks. Specially when you are in the kitchen and inspired to make something. What about you? how do you like to save and find your favorite recipes?

I have been making this recipe for last 8 years, and it has always warmed my heart with its simplicity. But be sure to use really good quality chocolate, since that's what gives all the flavor to the cake.

Cadbury's Mud Cake Recipe

1. Preheat oven at 150C. Grease a 6" cake pan pan. Keep aside. 
2. In a saucepan, add butter, sugar, coffee and chopped chocolate and let it all melt on medium heat. Keep stirring and do not let the mixture boil. Once sugar is dissolved and chocolate melts, remove from the heat and let it cool completely. You can keep in fridge to cool faster.


3. Sift the flour, baking powder, salt and cocoa powder and keep aside.


4. Add egg to the cooled chocolate mixture. Beat well. Now add the flour mixture in 2 batches and fold well after each addition, till all the flour mix is well combined. 


5. Pour this batter into the prepared cake tin and bake for about 50-60 mins, or till the tester comes clean from the centre of the oven.


6. Let it cool, before removing from pan. Dust lightly with cocoa or icing sugar.