How To's
Secrets To Getting More Instagram Followers
Published
9 years agoon
These and many similar questions are now commonplace across the internet as Instagram overtakes erstwhile popular social networks like Facebook and Twitter in popularity. Unfortunately
“How to gain more followers on Instagram?” “My photos are awesome, but I don’t get enough likes!” “I need more followers on my Instagram account!” “How can I get more people to view my posts?”
These and many similar questions are now commonplace across the internet as Instagram overtakes erstwhile popular social networks like Facebook and Twitter in popularity. Unfortunately, answers to the questions above are difficult to come by, for Instagram hasn’t been as widely researched as the other two networks have.
In this post we’ve revealed five secret nuggets that will help you get more Instagram followers and likes. These secrets have been dredged up post intensive research and reading – you’d find them useful.
Secret No.1 Photos don’t have to be square
Instagram=square photos. It is funny how we’ve come to accept this limit, play within this restriction and never explore other possibilities.
Not all photos are meant to be square. In fact, horizontal, landscape images tend to be more appealing, hence the 2:3 standard aspect ratio in most cameras.
You need not be bound by Instagram’s square photo restriction. There are several apps online that can help you post your uncropped images on your timeline. Try these:
iOS: Instasize https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/instasize-post-entire-photos/id576649830?mt=8
Android: NoCrop for Instagram https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rcplatform.nocrop&hl=en
Windows: Cropic http://appcrawlr.com/ios/cropic-post-full-size-photos-on
Secret No. 2: Instagram posts with faces are more popular
We are subconsciously pre-conditioned to pay attention to human faces. No matter where they are – on the streets, in meetings, in videos, on websites and social networks.
Georgia Institute of Technology and Yahoo Labs researchers analyzed 1.1 million Instagram photos. They found that:
Likes on photos with human faces = 38% higher than likes on photos with no faces
Comments on photos with human faces = 32% higher than comments on photos with no faces
So, what does that say about the future of selfies? Here to stay, it looks like.
Even if you are a business, using human faces in your updates should be a part of your Instagram strategy. National Geographic’s official account does this really well by using humans in several of their photos. Have a look at their account.
Secret No. 3: Yellow and blue images drive more sales
If you are a brand or small business on Instagram, looking to sell your products on there (for instance, a fashion brand), yellow and blue colors will work best for you, as per a study by University of Winconsin and Olapic, the latter being a platform that allows retailers to host a curated feed of Instagram images on their websites.
Secret No. 4: Longer captions trump shorter ones
Longer captions tend to give people better context about your photos and, therefore, lead to more engagement in terms of likes and comments.
Also, as far as sales are concerned, the Uni of Winconsin and Olapic study found product photos with longer captions lead to more sales than those with shorter ones.
So, irrespective of what your intention for using Instagram, longer captions that tell the story behind your photograph are the way to go.
Secret No. 5: Red, Yellow and all things bright
Aditya Khosla of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and others studied the predictors of the popularity of an image and presented their findings in a research paper titled ‘What Makes an Image Popular?‘. Their research used a dataset of 2.3 million photos on Flickr. Of the many predictors they analyzed, color is the one most relevant for our Instagram application.
Instagram colors
Notice how duller colors tend to have almost half the popularity that brighter colors have. So, add some brightness to your photos (Instagram has a default setting for that) and choose brighter reds, yellows and blues.
Did you know of any of these already? Used them on your Instagram? Share with us in the comments below. For more tips right in your email inbox, subscribe to the blog using the option in the sidebar.
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YouTube Is Redesigning Its Descriptions for the Web, With a Greater Focus on Comments
Published
3 years agoon
July 2, 2021By
EditorYouTube is reportedly putting a new description section on the Web to the test. The revamp aims to make the comments, video view count, publish date, and video description more prominent. The video description, which presently appears beneath the YouTube channel name, will now appear directly beneath the video title. Other improvements are being tested as well, with the goal of putting a greater emphasis on user comments. When these modifications will be available to all Web users is unknown.
The view counts and published date are much bolder than previously, appearing just below the video title. The video description appears right after the publication date and requires more concise content than before. If the video description is too long, the new design makes it appear tight, and if it spills over to the second line, a “Show More” option emerges. With this makeover, the ability to create connections may be more challenging. Depending on the size of the window, buttons for like, unlike, share, and save show next to the video description. In a barely drawn area below the view count is the channel name. The number of comments and the top comment are both noted in different boxes next to it.
The option to add a new comment will be located just below the channel name, followed by other less popular comments located beneath the video. This redesigned description for YouTube Web users is still in beta and is only visible to a select users at a time. There is no guarantee that it will be commercially available, and Google may decide to scrap it during the development phase. The design is also a little confusing and cluttered, and Google may make some changes before deciding to give it out to everyone.
Articles
Get Financial assistance through the Bold.org Scholarship for US Universities
Published
4 years agoon
August 14, 2020By
EditorTuition waivers or scholarships are financial assistance incentives intended to help students pay for an undergraduate or graduate degree. A scholarship is only just a one-time test. Other school scholarships are annual and provide money per semester or school year for the students. These grants are special from student loans because they don’t have to be paid back.
Students will earn the money in their name directly as verification. In other instances, the money is donated to the school for the student. The student would then pay the school in those cases for the difference on any money owed for tuition , fees, room , and board. If the scholarships and other forms of financial aid are adequate to cover the direct costs of education, the applicant may be refunded the excess money.
About Bold.org
Bold.org is a Scholarship website established in 2019. The platform’s concept is simple: corporations, charities, and even individuals can build a personalized scholarship, internship, or student grant opportunity. Such programs could be targeted at helping a range of high-potential individuals with a wide array of interests, talents, and backgrounds.
The kind of Scholarship in Bold.org
Bold.org scholarships tend to be very precise, which is a very positive thing for students. There are scholarships for students who love reading, Native American youth scholarships and scholarships for students who want to have a major in philosophy.
Like several other sources of scholarships, the programs aim to help a wide variety of education levels from high school students to medical students! Below are some of the best scholarships we profiled at Bold.org:
- Minority Women in STEM Bi-Annual Scholarship
- One Move Ahead Chess Scholarship
- High School Social Leaders Scholarship
- The “Be Bold” No-Essay Scholarship
- Bold.org No-Essay Community Scholarship
- Recent Immigrant Scholarship
- Elevate Women in Technology Scholarship
How do I get signed up?
You can get signed up for free on the Bold.org website. Signing up is easy should only take five minutes or so.
My Profile in Bold.org
How To's
Scholarship Tips: Go to your desired school fully funded
Published
4 years agoon
July 8, 2020By
EditorNew college students want to know how to get scholarships to pay for tuition. The good news is there are thousands of fantastic scholarships out there and you just need to apply.
Here are a few simple tips to help you find scholarships which can reduce the cost of college.
1. Start early.
There’s no need to wait until application slots opens. Start researching your options early. Getting a head start gives you more time to investigate which scholarships value your time and energy. Once you know the best options, there is plenty of room for you to complete the applications that other students might have skipped. Some scholarships in high school are available for freshmen and sophomores, so knock those applications out of the way as soon as possible!
Tip: Many scholarships have limited appropriations. That means the sooner you submit, the more likely you will be recompensed before the budget runs out. Moving on with a move is even more of a explanation. Learn more on How You Can Apply for Stipends (Year Round).
2. Use a scholarship matching tool.
The days of paper requests are gone. Now you can quickly search thousands of available scholarships online through huge databases. You can find those through filters and keywords that suit your skills, perspectives, history or special interests. Focus on the scholarships you’re a good match for and rule out the ones where you don’t meet all the requirements. Don’t get overwhelmed by all the options. Just take your time narrowing down the scholarships that make sense.
Here’s a list of sites you can use for your search:
- U.S. Department of Labor’s free scholarship search tool
- Scholly
- Cappex
- Unigo
- Fastweb
- Scholarships.com
3. Be focused.
Be specific with your goal. One of the most assured way of securing a scholarship especially for Graduate students is getting a supervisor. You have to make sure that your research goal is clear and specific. Also, this your research goal must be in tandem with that of your potential supervisor. Not having a research objective is a red flag. Anyone reviewing your application in 10 seconds can be able to decode whether you’re a focused individual by checking your research goals and that of the supervisor.
4. Lean on your advisor.
A great sounding board for finding the right scholarships is your high school counselor or college adviser. Although you might not be applying in their office, they will help you decide which scholarships to apply for are best. Sometimes, advisors take the time to review your submissions and help you develop your essays and requests. You can also learn a lot by checking out past scholarship winners and how they approached their submission.
Ask your guidance counselor which scholarships are the most popular and which are more tailored to your background. You can also work together to find specific scholarships from the schools you want to apply to. Talking with an expert will help you focus your search so that it serves your needs more efficiently.
5. Tap into your network.
Spread the word to your employer, coaches, friends, and members of your community that you’re looking for scholarships. Ask your parents to check with their friends and HR departments at work about scholarships for family members.
There are usually a lot of locally offered scholarships which are not particularly well advertised. These can often be found in the local paper or in the library through your high school counselor. Check with local foundations, community organizations, and local businesses directly to see if they also offer any scholarships.
6. Polish your online presence.
When applying for scholarships (or jobs or colleges), you might be Googled by the person reviewing your application. Make sure that they get the right sort of performance. Many students tend to privatize their social media, but you should know that colleges also have ways of seeing what you share. Refreshing your LinkedIn profile, social media pages and personal website is a smart idea.
If you don’t have a personal website or portfolio, now is the time to make one. Sites like Wix, Squarespace, and Weebly offer free, easy-to-use website builders. It’s never too early to invest in a domain name and website you control. Getting your name out there and highlighting your strengths and interests is a great way to make yourself known and available.
7. Look beyond your grades.
You don’t need a 4.0 GPA to apply for the scholarships. In fact, some scholarships do not even take into consideration the grades. Aside from your GPA, it ‘s important to find a way to make your apps stand out from the crowd. Once you begin filling out the paperwork, consider what makes you exceptionally eligible and worthy of the scholarship.
What special talents or skills do you offer? Perhaps you can demonstrate your perseverance in the face of adversity as a first-generation student. Maybe your leadership skills on the basketball court are what make you unique. Find an area where you excel or that means a lot to you and focus on that. Your passion will shine through when it comes time to describe your extracurricular activities in your scholarship applications.
8. Collect letters of recommendation.
Applications for a scholarship and college usually require a few letters of recommendation from teachers and community leaders who know you best. They can include your boss, teachers, coaches, high school counselors, or other adults who may bear witness to your talents , abilities, and motivation.
Since you’re asking for a significant favor, it’s best to provide as much relevant information as possible to the letter-writer. You might even want to provide a Word template for them to use as they write your recommendation. Here are some other things you can provide:
- Overview of the scholarship (if it’s for a specific application)
- Your key strengths as related to the requirements AND your relationship to the reviewer. (Example: If you’re applying for a leadership scholarship, you might ask your Honor Society advisor to address your successful reelection as president.)
- A copy of your resume
- Any other plans for the future, like which colleges you’re applying to and what major you will pursue
After you collect your letters of recommendation, make sure you thank your reviewers for taking the time to help you.
9. Apply to Big and Small Schools/Scholarships.
There is no such thing like a big or small school/scholarship. Earning enough scholarship money to pay for college will likely come from many different sources. You’ll need to apply to lots of scholarships to cover all your bases. Don’t overlook those with smaller awards. Winning $1,000 here and there will add up quickly. Plus, the more you apply to, the better your odds of winning.
Make applying to scholarships your new habit. Set a goal to apply to one or two each month, starting sophomore year so you’re ahead of the curve. There are scholarships available for high school students, undergrads, and graduate students, and some scholarships allow you to enter multiple times. For example, you can enter to win our College Ave $1,000 scholarship sweepstakes once a month. To have a good shot at the numbers game of applying to scholarships, make sure you keep your numbers up!
10. Write a great essay.
Many students shy away from scholarships that require essays, but a well-written essay can be your ticket to standing out from the crowd. If you don’t have great writing skills, consider working with your advisor or attending a writing workshop to help you develop a memorable essay, which is also great practice for college applications.
Tip: You may be able to reuse portions of your essay for more than one scholarship application. Just be careful to follow the scholarship rules, including essay word count. The most important thing to remember is to answer the question that’s being asked. Don’t reuse another essay because it’s well written. Make sure you understand the prompt and can show your comprehension and writing skills simultaneously.
11. Practice your interview skills.
Some scholarships require an in-person interview. Being a good interviewee takes time, so practice answering questions about your background, interests, achievements, and aspirations. Remember that the more comfortable you are chatting with the interviewer and answering questions, the better the interview will go. Don’t be nervous; your interviewer wants to get a real feel for who you are and what makes you a good fit. Now’s your chance to show them.
To earn scholarships, you need to give yourself enough time to research your options, complete thoughtful applications, and lean on people at school and in your community for support. With just a little bit of work, you’ll save thousands of dollars on your education and start college on the right foot.
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