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MBXam: Polly Barks and Instagram for Startups

Published Monday, August 12, 2019

MBXam is MatchBOX Coworking Studio's monthly free and open meetup for freelancers and creative entrepreneurs. Polly Barks of www.pollybarks.com joined us to talk about Instagram for startups and how to effectively use the platform. 

Polly's Insta boasts a 25k following, with content that focuses on sustainability. We're sharing four of her top tips from her talk. 

1. BE CONSISTENT

Posting regularly, giving your audience the kind of content that they're responding to, and having consistency in the styles and types of content you post are important components for growing a following that engages and responds to your content. 

2. KNOW THE ALGORITHM

Polly asked, "What are the Insta-Overlords delivering?" We know that algorithms drive what your followers see. Instagram's latest information indicates that users first see posts and accounts that they engage with, posts that are timely, and from accounts that are consistent with large followings. 

3. KNOW WHAT INSTA CAN AND CANNOT DO

Instagram can drive traffic to your site. It can help you encourage followers to sign up for a call or consult. It can leverage efforts to increase event attendance. But it cannot "grow sales." Know your goal and frame it around the feasible outcomes from the platform. Use a single sentence to explain your "WHY" to ensure you use the platform in a way that makes sense and feeds that goal.

4. KNOW YOUR POST TYPES AND SCHEDULE

Determine the types of posts that you'll share on your account and keep that rotation consistent when you're scheduling your content. Types of content include education within categories, behind the scenes glimpses in Instagram stories, and live posts for events or in-depth information shares. 

You can follow Polly and MatchBOX on Instagram, and let us know some of your secrets for maximizing social media efforts for your startup. 


Fellow members:

Revisioning the concept of traditional work environments and moving to a collaborative space has been an amazing opportunity for our organization to remain engaged with our constituents and expand our connections in the community.

—Kitty Campbell

"MatchBOX is helping my company (One Fact) survive and prosper. The affordable space is only the start. It is the connection with the other co-coworkers that is proving helpful. MatchBOX gets a share of credit for any success One Fact sees in 2017!”

—Cortland Starrett

MatchBOX is where I met some of my newest best friends, Amanda, Emily, Matt, Ed, and sometimes Ryan. It's conveniently located near Kathy's candies and a bunch of places to get drinks during lunch. Could use a couple more Pokestops though.

<3 Austin Toombs

MatchBOX has provided an incredible opportunity for getting my work done, collaborating with others (at least 4 projects so far), hosting meetings for organizations I'm part of, and meeting other independent contractors in the area. The feel and ambience of the place just adds to the fabulous workplace -- not to mention the coffee and snacks! I have friends around the country who are jealous of our MatchBox space.

—Johanna Merritt Wu

My Enactus Purdue team got a tour of this studio recently. The environment is outstandingly innovative! Everyone there is incredibly friendly and hospitable and passionate about what they are doing. What a great place to see opportunity in the city of Lafayette!

—Acaimie Catron (from Facebook)

There is such a positive, creative vibe to this space. I participated in Lafayette Writers' Studio events and classes at MatchBOX fall, 2016. It is easy to access, convenient to downtown Lafayette and parking is not difficult in its area of town.

—Sandra B. (from Yelp)

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