Instagram? Yes, Please.

I shared some thoughts last week about what makes social media work in a business.  And before you think I know anything about the subject, please know that on last Thursday alone, we gained four new Facebook fans, lost one, and had one person elect to unfollow all of our posts, but still be our fan.  And suffice it to say, I spent more time than socially acceptable thinking about those unlikes and in particular, the unfollow.  (On a side note, someone should totally create a Xanax vending machine that dispense JUST ONE to you in a 90 day period without a prescription.  Because I could have used it on Thursday.) So, this is just my long way of saying that I couldn't sleep on Thursday night.  Between obsessing about people I don't know, people I do know, and 12 other things that likely don't even matter, I found myself listening to "Not Ready to Make Nice" by The Dixie Chicks eight or 15 times in a row and updating apps to my new iPhone 6...because that is relaxing at 12:45 am, right?  As the new Instagram update loaded, I decided to commit some time to learning how Instagram works for business.

In full disclosure, my baseline Instagram knowledge is limited.  I know that all THE KIDS these days (hint:  people 25 and under) prefer Instagram to Facebook.  I know it is the preferred social media medium for posting an artistic photo of your dinner.  I know that whomever invented flattering filters for photos that instantly make you look younger and thinner should be awarded a Nobel Peace Prize immediately.

Two hours after logging into the PJP account, I want seven new puppies, a labor intensive manicure, and a ticket to Paris immediately.  In short, I TOTALLY GET THE INSTAGRAM ADDICTION.  Like a compelling twist of Facebook and Pinterest, Instagram is my spirit animal.  By its very nature, you can look through endless streams of photos without providing any sort of commentary.  Search for #pies on Instagram and find 1,930,444 different pictures.  Search for #pieishome and find 22 different pictures.

As I started to add pictures to the PJP Instagram account, I felt like I could be a little less formal in what goes out via Instagram rather than Facebook or Twitter.  On a daily basis, I think of something or see something and really have to work through whether that would be a good Facebook post...would people like it?  Would the tone come across as anticipated?  If I post twice in one day, will someone roll their eyes and unfollow us?  (Clearly, the answer to the last question is YES.)

But here is the thing...Instagram is decidedly more low-key.  I like that I can simply like someone's picture without providing my "SO CUTE!!!" commentary.

While this likely isn't something that I would post to Facebook because the audience that will appreciate it is probably a bit more esoteric than our 2,635 Facebook fans.  But yet, in terms of branding our image, this is pretty spot on to how both Jeanne and I think on occasion.  Maybe Mindy Kaling is my spirit animal, come to think of it.

If you want to check out my margarita selfies, find us on Instagram at "Peggy Jean's Pies."  No, Jeanne doesn't understand how it all works (her feelings on the topic are "Insta-Who?")...but my feelings are pretty clear, because it is like Instagram already knows me...