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Looking back, I arrived in UAE in 2013 with very little money and a handful of friends in my sleeves. To get by, or 'survive' as they say - I applied 'part time' as a badge scanner for some of the biggest events in Dubai while looking for a regular job. This 'part-time' money allowed me to go around UAE job hunting, fed me, buy me phone credits - and even bought me a pair of comfortable shoes to walk miles and miles in between job interviews. Don't be fooled, it is not easy starting a career (or looking for a job) in UAE.
I started my social media profession when a company in Dubai saw me online doing some social media posts for my restaurant in Tacloban City Zaibatsu Cafe Restobar. They hired me remotely and trained me to handle brands on Facebook for Aeropostale, Giordano and Aldo Shoes in UAE. Sadly, I lost my restaurant during typhoon Haiyan, the deadliest typhoon to ever hit the world. I lost everything in that moment.
Looking for a job as a social media strategist, I couldn't sell myself as Cristina Magallon. First, I was up against big multi-national agencies that have established themselves in the region. Second, I was Filipina. I found this harsh realities that companies do prefer to work with expats from Europe, America or Australia and I would jokingly say to myself that I was the girl with the wrong passport in UAE. And third, if they do hire me, they offer to pay me pennies. I said no.
Coming from the Philippines, we really don't LinkedIn. THANKS to my online trainings, I came to UAE with zero to having 12,000+ direct connection here in a span of three years. My company page on LinkedIn UAE DNA (note: a very small start-up) have amassed a 90,800+ following - and I am extremely humbled with this trust you put in me. I taught and shared on this page social media and content writing tips for free. I also drive my UAE DNA stories here and learned that people are really interested to know about other people and their accomplishments. Over 50% of my connections are from UAE, and 80% of my followers are from the Middle East. I was just targeting.
My social media mentor couldn't stress it enough that if I truly want to meet professionals (and real) people in UAE, I must LinkedIn - and I must deliver social proof. That is the incomparable power of LinkedIn that no other social site gives you. Some of you I am honored to meet personally through this social media platform that allowed me to enforce business collaborations and yes, even just friendship (which we all truly need).
I have a website now
www.uaedna.com that just writes about people. This is recently going through a lot of upgrade to become more interactive as we offer an online publishing platform that can benefit my influence on LinkedIn and Twitter. Hope you continue to support me with this endeavor.
The idea perhaps is, when things don't go your way - by all means make your own lane. It will not be an easy road and I guarantee you that you will fail so many times and will face that test of perseverance. This very failure is what ultimately will shape you.
Most social platforms have goals to boost engagement with their service. To ensure people are interacting with their service and spending time on it, they often reward those posts they think will increase engagement and view-time. For instance, YouTube does this by promoting certain videos and posts to you as well as recommended lists to check out. Getting your content caught up in this cycle can grow your views and followers exponentially.
Each time a fan visits one of your online or in-person presences, it should be easy for people to find you and follow you. Add follow buttons and links all over your online presences and email. Also, add links and QR codes on your physical banners and posters. Promote the fact they can interact and contact you there.
I am launching a website soon and I have setup a Scenario to send a Daily Slack Message to update me (and our team) on KPIs across instagram, linkedin and our website. We have yet to launch so impressions and profile views are expected to be low/near zero.
For technical issues or bugs like this, directly contacting support can often lead to a faster resolution. They have access to your specific account details, scenario and scenario logs, server-side logs, and internal tools and resources, which allows them to investigate more thoroughly than what you have access to. Additionally, sharing sensitive information about your situation might not be suitable for an open forum discussion.
Turns out it is not a bug, but it is definitely not clear. If you have less than 100 followers then it will return zero bundles. (Also, if your account is not a business account then it may return 0 bundles, but that was not the issue in my case.) Just wanted to share here in case someone else runs into the same issue.
You see, I fucked it up years ago. I completely screwed myself over and made the algorithm hate me forever. But, I was just another real estate agent with a shitty IG profile that no one cared about. What could I have possibly done?! Stay with me..
Well, I was so focused on the follower count that at one point I bought 2500 followers just to get over the coveted 10,000. At that time you needed 10,000 followers to get the swipe up link functionality and I wanted it. Little did I know that they were going to offer the link feature TO EVERY SINGLE ACCOUNT a couple years later.
I was sick of the slow growth and leveled up my content dramatically, using the main feature that IG was/is pushing. I knew it would take a month or two before I could really judge if it was working, and I luckily did see a decent boost in views and engagement. Finally after 2+ months of posting high-quality Reels, every single day, I had my first real glimmer of growth. My reach increased and my followers increased too. But, it fell off. My content was still hitting a ceiling every time, so I went into my IG Insights to see what the data showed.
Let's dive in! Instagram has cemented its place as a powerhouse in the realm of digital marketing and audience engagement. Whether you are an artist, entrepreneur or aspiring influencer acquiring a sturdy Instagram presence is key to unlocking doors of opportunity. But here's the kicker amassing that first cluster of 1000 followers can feel like scaling a digital Everest. ?️
Why pinpoint the 1000 mark, you might wonder? It's more than just a number, it's a milestone that symbolizes your growth from a casual user to a serious 'Instagram contender'. It opens up new layers of credibility and starts to get you noticed by both followers and brands alike. It's where the magic truly begins.
But how does one navigate this bustling social landscape and magnetize a thousand pairs of eyes (and thumbs) to hit that follow button? Fear not! This guide is the compass you need. I'll share actionable insights and practical steps to bridge the gap between starting out and celebrating that 1000-follower victory dance. ?
So brace yourself, set your sights and be ready to embrace the algorithms. With this guide we're not just sprouting numbers, we're crafting a legion of followers who resonate with your vision. Let's embark on this journey together armed with savvy strategies and tips that are primed for Instagram growth in 2024. Let the adventure begin!
First things first, let's talk about profile optimization. Imagine your Instagram profile as the front cover of your personal brand's story. Your bio needs to hook visitors instantly, clearly reflecting who you are and what value you offer. Keywords and emojis can play a pivotal role here, helping you pop in searches and connect with your audience on a more personal level.
Engagement is a two-way street. It's about creating content that resonates with your audience and also showing that you care about them. Back when I was hovering around the 100-follower mark, I decided to dedicate time each day to reply to comments and engage with other accounts. The results? A surge in activity and followers that felt genuinely connected to my journey. ?
Never underestimate the power of a personalized DM. In the early days I attempted to send a quick note to new followers thanking them for their support. It felt like such a small gesture, but the bonds it formed were invaluable. A personalized touch can convert a casual observer into an active participant in your Instagram journey.
Remember that growing your Instagram following isn't just about the numbers it's about the people. Focus on authentic engagement, valuable conversations and community building. With a little patience and the right strategies in place, you're on your way to reach that coveted 1000 follower milestone. Stick with it and watch your Instagram garden flourish!
Have you ever seen an artist collaborate with another and thought, "Wow together they create magic!"? That's the power of joining forces and the same magic can happen on Instagram with cross-promotion and collaborations. It's essential for expanding your reach and capturing the attention of new followers.
Zaap.ai can be a central hub in this cross-promotional whirlwind. Imagine being able to guide your followers seamlessly from one platform to the next or centralize all your content with a single link. It's like giving your audience a treasure map to all of your digital nooks and crannies and believe me, they love the adventure.
Collaborations can truly inject life into your growth efforts. When you collaborate with other creators or brands, it's like opening the doors to a grand hall filled with potential new followers. Maybe it's a shared post, an IG Live Q&A or even a feature on their stories. The key is to synergize with collaborators whose followers would naturally vibe with your content.
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