Stop Everything and Get Insta-festive!

This post is a collaborative post. As always, all opinions and ideas are entirely my own.

Cue the Vince Guaraldi Trio… “Christmas time is here..."

If you’ve been posting green and red photos on your timeline, you know what that means; Christmas is the most magical time of the year for everyone active on social media. It’s the perfect opportunity to make your feed super festive (maybe even gain a little traction), reach out to old friends and make new ones. All you need to do is share the festive spirit with the most exciting pictures.

However, don’t be fooled into thinking that the festive season stops right after Christmas. You can surf on that positive vibe until mid-January if you’re smart about it. All you need to do is share with your Instagram followers how you do Christmas and how you make the most of its unique magical spirit. Chances are that you’re already all booked for Christmas, but that just means all of the more opportunity to spare some time around New Year’s Eve or right after New Year’s. Or if you’re a Capricorn, maybe you have a birthday in there somewhere. I know I keep the activities going all week long!

Take this opportunity to celebrate Instagram-style and boost your profile. And, after all, who wouldn’t want to become the next party influencer on Instagram?

There is still time to book your first 2020 holiday.

Make it count. If you’re going to share it on Instagram, you need to make sure that your first 2020 picture sets the trend for a memorable and magical year. Take the time to pick a fantastic destination for a cheeky getaway weekend around New Year’s Eve. I know I’ve been exploring hotel deals in Niagara Falls, New York, a trip to Disneyland or even another ski town stay near the ice castles!  If you’re local to New York City or Jersey, Cleveland or Washington, you’re only a short flight away from Niagara Falls. Can there be a more magical place to start 2020? If you’re traveling with your bae, make the most of the romance package, which guarantees a cozy overnight somewhere!

Since you have an idea of where you might be traveling to, be sure to plan your photo captions ahead so that you don’t have to spend time coming up with them in the moment.

No travel plans for the first few days of the New Year? No problem! Send out some teasers on where you’re headed to next and have your followers guess along!

Don’t forget about Christmas features!

Did you know you can add features to your Instagram filter options? Scroll all the way to the end of your filters and it will take you to a huge library of effects and fun filters to work with!  In case you’ve missed it, the Christmas Snowman is the latest Instagram filter that makes the festive season just as magical as you’ve always dreamed it could be. The snowman reacts to your head movements and facial expressions so that you can virtually turn yourself into a festive snowman (or snowwoman!) and wish everyone a happy holiday. It doesn’t replace seasonal sceneries, but it’s a lovely addition to reach out to your followers during the winter season. Especially if you’re spending the holidays in a not-so-winter wonderland, like me, in the desert!

Learn to caption like a pro.

You don’t need to do anything out of the ordinary to share your winter photos this season. Sometimes a low-key Christmas jumper with the appropriate caption can go a long way. However, with it being Capricorn season, everyone is feeling determined and bold, so it’ll be a tough algorithm crowd to beat out. Ultimately, throughout December and during the first days of January, you’ll be competing against an active social media crowd, who is determined to maximize their ‘gram from the start of the year. But here’s the thing, if you’re an enthusiastic lifestyle blogger or an ambitious side hustler, you can do the same. A little fun with your caption and holiday photos can get you the attention of a new audience.

Lengthy captions are key here. The more words, the merrier on both fronts. You get to be a little authentic with your followers and they start to feel like they know you better! This also tells Instagram that people are engaging with your photos, pushing them all the way to the top of your follower's feed!