10 Tips On Using Instagram for Business

In Episode 3 of the T.J. Mousetis Podcast I shared 10 tips on how to use Instagram for your business.  I thought I would also post the 10 tips in a blog format, with visuals, to help you as well.  Make sure you listen to the podcast though because I talk fast and fit a lot into each episode!

1. Have a mission statement specific to your brand's Instagram.

The walk in love instagram mission statement is this: The @walkinlove instagram exists to connect with our customers, promote our products and inspire our followers.

EXAMPLE :  Even in this screenshot of 9 photos you can see us doing all the things in our Instagram mission statement. There are photos promoting products and sales, there is a re-post from our customer using the hashtag #iwearwalkinlove and there is general encouragement!

2. Ask yourself questions about your posts before you post them.

We ask a lot of questions about our posts before we post them.  Like - Does this fit our mission statement? Is this the best time to post this specific photo? What did we post last?  Does this photo add a good variety to our feed?  Is it up to our standard? When did we last post something similar to this one? And so on.  Asking questions about every post is always a good idea because it will help you not to simply post all willy-nilly.  Having a plan of action is always better than not having a plan of action and asking yourself questions is the first step in helping you stick to the plan!

EXAMPLE : We try to post our celebrity photos during a time people will search for them. Like this photo we saved  of Russell Wilson. We posted it while the Seahawks were playing because, you guessed it, more people would be searching for him on social media.

3. Have a schedule.

Do you post once a day? Twice a day? Three times a day?  What is your schedule and are you sticking to it?  With @walkinlove we try to post every 2-4 hours while we are awake on EST.  It's the schedule that works for us and we have the content to support it.   If you only post sporadically, you will have sporadic followers  If you have consistent posts, you will have consistent followers. And consistent followers make consistent customers!

EXAMPLE ABOVE : Here are three photos we've posted today with a 4th on the way.  Stick to your schedule!

4. Post should be good, but don't need to be perfect.

I think it's easy for creatives to obsess over every little thing, insisting that it's gotta be perfect.  We can agonize over every little detail and with that mentality our content will never be "good enough."  But sometimes, most times actually, done is better than perfect. And Instagram is a great place to practice that!  Make sure things are as good as you can produce them at the time, but don't worry about every post being perfect.

EXAMPLE : Brooke takes and edits almost all of our Instagram photos with her iPhone.  They are good, but we don't feel the pressure to take them with a real camera and edit them in Photoshop.  We snap them with an iPhone because, again, they are good, not perfect!

5. Batch create content ahead of time.

This will help you stick to your schedule.  Spend a few hours creating Instagram posts for the next week and you won't have to scramble to post something whenever it comes to your mind.

EXAMPLE : Anytime we get a new shipment of shirt Brooke takes them all to this white wall and takes individual shots of them on the sparkly hanger she made.  It's great filler content for our feed and provides us with lots of photos to spread out over time!

6. Don't overkill aspects of Instagram.

#Have #you #ever #seen #a #post #like #this?  Did I make my point?  Aspects of instagram like hashtags, giveaways and specific types of post are great... but don't overkill them!

EXAMPLE : Sometimes you just need to keep it simple.

7. Rarely try to sell.

When you are always trying to sell something to people they will get really tired of it.  Instead, use Instagram to interact with your customer base!  Keep the sales pitches to a minimum, so when you do need people to purchase something, you can go all in on the posts about your sale or the  new items in stock!  Just like point 6 above, over-selling will create a lack-luster following, who will quickly get sick of the constant sales pitch.  Add value to your followers lives so when you do sell they jump in!

EXAMPLE : See example 6.

8. Interact with your followers.

Answer questions, comment back and re-post photos of your fans interacting with your products.  It's pretty easy!

EXAMPLE : Someone comments and asks a question.  Comment back and answer it!

9. Don't copy.  Be original

I feel like there is a commandment about this one.  Try not to rip people off. Try to be original.

EXAMPLE : If I were to post a photo, don't recreate that same photo and post it. Especially if you're a brand.

10. Have Fun!

It's fun to have fun.  Don't take Instagram too seriously.  Have fun and show your customers your personality.  People will appreciate it.  One of my favorite things is when people tell me, "I feel like I know you because of Instagram."  That's exactly what I want!

EXAMPLE : Have fun.  Think about the things you think are fun and feature them on Instagram!

If you have any questions that you'd like me to answer on an upcoming podcast comment on this post or ask on one of my Instagram photos - @tjmousetis

What's In Your Tool Box?

I absolutely love Jesus.  I believe He is real, wonderful and constantly pulling me towards a better version of myself.  I literally want every single person to know who He is and feel the same life changing power I have felt.  I want people to have their hearts and lives changed by the never-ending, amazing grace of Jesus!

If you feel the same, can I get an amen? (I'm going to assume you just said "Amen" out loud wherever you are!)

So let's open the toolbox!

Let's use every single thing we possibly can to proclaim, share and spread the message of unending grace and amazing love!  If something isn't sinful, it should be in a christian's "toolbox"!

In my toolbox I have t-shirts, Instagram photos, humor, cute baby photos, excitement, a podcast, more t-shirts, meals, money, time, an iPhone app, hard work, passion, excitement and sometimes even video games (Two weeks ago, I told someone about Jesus and that they should read the gospel, all while playing Halo).  I want God to use EVERYTHING He possibly can in my life to draw people closer to Him and most of the time I don't even have to open my mouth for him to do that.

Sometimes all I need to do is smile or have good sportsmanship.  Sometimes it's just posting something encouraging on my social media, because I believe that God can use the silliest, smallest, most insignificant thing to bring someone to His Glory! 

So open your toolbox and let God use whatever He can to expand His kingdom!  I REPEAT, CAN I GET AN AMEN!?!?!?

The cool thing about toolboxes is that they are all different.  A carpenter and an electrician will have very different tools on hand to get the job done. And they both work, and work well.  Sometimes when I see people using different tools than me to proclaim the love of Jesus I think, "Why don't they do it like me?"  I often struggle with people doing things differently than me, but I need to remember that God can, and will, use anything through them like He can through me.  So if you see someone with a different set of tools, don't pick them apart.  Instead, encourage them to keep using whatever they can for His purpose!

We are small, weak and most of the time really stupid. But our God is great, amazing and always at work.  Let's try to play a part in that with whatever tools He has given us.  I encourage you to open up your toolbox and let him use every tool at your disposal for His purpose and power!

9 Albums I Love Right Now!

Brooke makes fun of me because I can't do anything without having music on.  I am constantly walking around the house with my iPhone playing music in my pocket.  It's the way I time how long things take.  When I have to empty the litter box I will say to myself, "It's just one songs worth of work."  For dishes I will say to myself, "I'll be done before the album is finished."  It also helps me stay focused while I work, write or do anything on a computer. 

Because of my music obsession I am constantly searching through iTunes trying to find new bands, albums and musicians.  I thought I would share some of my findings lately.  Some of these albums are newer and some are older.  It' just what I have been really into lately!

Here are 9 albums that I love right now with links to iTunes and my favorite track from each album (in no particular order).

1.  Brand New by Ben Rector // Favorite Track - The Men That Drive Me Places
2. Just Kids by Mat Kearney // Favorite Track - Heartbeat
3. One Wild Life : Soul by Gungor // Favorite Track - One Wild Life
4. Feeling Electric by Parade of Lights // Favorite Track - Undefeatable
5. Black Bear (Hushed) by Andrew Belle // Favorite Track - Sister
6. Kids These Days by Judah & the Lion // Favorite Track - Somewhere In-Between
7. In Your Dreams EP by machineheart // Favorite Track - Circles
8. Sunlight by Jon Foreman // Favorite Track - All of God's Children
9. Carry the Ghost by Noah Gundersen // Favorite Track - Slow Dancer

Fantasy Football Challenge To All Husbands!

Fantasy Football Challenge For All Husbands!

I am throwing down an epic fantasy football challenge for all husbands out there!

Posted by T.J. Mousetis on Wednesday, September 2, 2015

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5 Things I (Try To) Do Every Day.

A few months ago, I found myself in a little bit of a funk.  I was a little sluggish physically, emotionally and spiritually.  Much like The Emperor, I needed to get my groove back, so I decided that I would try and focus on what really matters to me.  It took me a little while to figure out what exactly this newfound effort would look like, but I ended up landing on five things. These are five things that I try to do every single day now.  Somedays I can do all five, sometimes I hit four, occasionally I will only do one or two.  Since I've established the routine and mental checklist of hitting these five points, I can say that my life is better, more full and less sluggish than it has ever been.

1. Spend any amount of time with God.  

I used to think that in order to be a "good Christian" I had to wake up early every morning and spend hours reading, and understand everything in the Bible.  Well it turns out that when I wake up I barely understand how to put one foot in front of the other to make it to the bathroom, much less understand the deep things of God.  So, I would end up feeling really guilty about not spending time with God in the morning and often felt like if I missed the "morning shift" then I couldn't do it later.  That's just crazy! It all counts and it's all important. Sometimes I wake up and feel awesome and read my Bible first thing.  Sometimes I wake up late or wake up with a non-functioning brain and read my Bible while I eat lunch or when I get home, or right before I go to bed or sometimes a combination of them all.  I think there is this false idea out there that if you don't read your bible first thing, you know, outside in a dewy field with a leather-bound journal, while birds swirl overhead, you are failing as a Christian.  That is crap!  Sometimes I get to spend 40 minutes reading and praying and sometimes its just 40 seconds.  Either way, I know it matters to God because when anyone spends anytime with me it matters to me! So, spend any amount of time you can with Him every single day.

2. Do one kind thing for someone.

This simple idea has made my already awesome marriage even more awesome. Mostly because the one kind thing I try to do every day is usually for my wife Brooke and it is usually doing the dishes.  I turn on one of my favorite albums or podcasts and spend 10-30 minutes washing dishes. It's that easy.  I try to listen to a sermon if I can so that I am both spending time with God and doing a kind thing for someone.  That's 2 out of 5 things and I haven't even left the kitchen!  Boomtown! Awesome sauce!  Life is rad!  So seriously, just try to do one kind thing a day for someone.  I guarantee you will start feeling better about yourself, about that someone and about your relationship with them.

3. Shut of the screen and use my eyeballs to watch a moment.

Have you noticed that at concerts or fireworks, or anything cool for that matter, that most people are watching their 4-inch phone screen instead of just watching what is happening?  Now I love taking photos of Brooke, June and all sorts of awesome things, but I find myself taking too many or focusing too much on getting the right photo/video to remember something by instead of just using my eyeballs and brain to remember something.  I have especially tried to follow this practice when interacting with my daughter, June.  Why am I watching her through a screen instead of just watching her?  Why would I want her to see a screen in front of my face instead of being able to see my actual face?  At least once a day, when I find myself getting sucked into my phone instead of what is actually happening, I try to remind myself to STEP AWAY FROM THE SCREEN and use my eyeballs.

4. Be all in!

What is the point of doing something if you aren't going to be all in?  Whether it's designing t-shirts, taking a photo or playing Madden, I desire to be all in.  If I am committing to watching TV on the couch then I am really committing.  My shoes are off, my feet are up and a cool, refreshing beverage is within arms reach.  If I am cleaning my house then I have sneakers on, good music playing and all the necessary cleaning supplies.  If I am typing a blog, like the one I am working on now, I have my notes out, all other internet tabs closed and usually an iced coffee nearby.  I think doing anything with an all in mentality will make you appreciate everything more.  By going all in on the smaller things - like work, dishes or cleaning - you will start to train yourself to be all in on the big things - like loving your spouse, raising your kids and honoring God. 

5. Exercise and eat healthy!

I find that when I feel better about myself physically, I feel better about myself emotionally and spiritually too.  When June was about two months old I noticed that my body had developed some "bonus" features around my mid-section.  It's frustrating when you don't feel the way you want to physically. (And I know full well that sometimes it's not totally in our control.)  But more times than not, I'd say it is.  We can choose what food goes in.  I find that when I think a little more about those choices I feel better in every way.  I also find that when I work out, whether it's a long walk, short run or a random p90x DVD, I look better, feel better, sleep better and live better.  I know this body is temporary and I will get a new one when I walk from this life to the next... but, I also know that this body is a gift from a loving Creator and I want to treat it as well as I can, showing my thanks for such a gift.

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I hope you didn't just skim through and read whatever is in bold, but actually read why I try to do these five things every day.  I think it's a pretty good list and I would recommend that you try it for even just a few days in a row and see how you feel on the other end. I bet it'll be better.

Pin this photo to remind yourself of the 5 things you should try to do every day!

Be Irreplaceable.

I think the best advice I can give to anyone at a job, whether working for me or not, is this:

BE THE PERSON WHO IS IRREPLACEABLE.

ir·re·place·a·ble ˌi(r)rəˈplāsəb(ə)l / adjective

1. impossible to replace.

Synonyms: invaluable, priceless, unrepeatable, one-of-a-kind, incomparable, unparalleled;

That is the ultimate job security.

But instead, we have a workforce of phone checking, unobservant dumb-dumbs who are blown away and shocked when they are laid off, let go or fired.

So, here 5 ways you can stop being a dummy at work and start being IRREPLACEABLE. 

1. GET OFF YOUR PHONE.  How is this not the most obvious thing at work?  Does your boss pay you to text, double tap instagrams or send 500 snapchats?  No. So why would you think for a second that is okay?  And why are you shocked when you get in trouble for such a thing?  Seriously, just get off your phone.  Check it before work, on your break and when you get home.  It's that easy.

2. BE MORE OBSERVANT.  I find myself absolutely amazed at how unobservant some people can be. I will see people stand beside a piece of trash, for example, look at it, all while waiting to be assigned a task, and never pick it up.  When asked why they didn't pick up the trash they will say, "It's not in my job description", or "I didn't know you wanted me to", or "I didn't know where the trash can is."  FIND THE TRASH CAN!  If you are more observant at work guess who is going to notice? Your Boss. Because most people in charge, aka your Boss, are observant.  That's how they ended up being in charge.  They saw jobs that needed to be done and did them.  If you want to get promoted at work just try being more observant.

3. ASK QUESTIONS. I have found that people would rather act like they know what they are doing and do it poorly than admit they don't know what they are doing and ask a question.  How backwards is that?  Just ask a question if you are confused.  People would rather have a few questions and something done right, compared to no questions and something done wrong.

4. DON'T ASK DUMB QUESTIONS. One of the silliest statements in our society is there is "no such thing as a dumb question." Hang out with high schoolers long enough and you will find that statement debunked within minutes.  There are dumb questions, so try not to fill empty space with them. If you have a question think to yourself, "Do I actually know the answer to this?"  Take a breathe and think about that.  If you do, don't ask.  If you don't then it's probably a legitimate question and you should ask.

5. GO THE EXTRA MILE...OR EVEN MILLIMETER.  I have seen employees and co-workers, working for myself or other companies, who are so concerned with "getting what they deserve" that they end up never going a single step extra for their job.  One time I was at a grocery store and the self check out was having a total meltdown.  I made eye contact with an employee, who was already walking toward me, and asked for help.  This employee said "I will be with you in one second" and then slowly, slushing their feet, walked all the way to the other end of the store to clock in - clearly not in any rush to clock in quickly due to some sort of rule or anything. Then, they turned around, walked back, typed in their code on my screen and sent me on my way.  Do you think they could have helped me without being clocked in?  Do you think those two seconds would have gone a long way for customer service?  And do you think if a boss saw his or her employee put a customer in front of themselves that it would have gone a long way come raise or bonus time?  Bosses and managers totally notice things like that. (And if they don't, they probably won't be your boss for very long. Cause their boss will notice. Again, the observant people thing..) They notice if you stay a little late just to finish a task or if you showed up early to get ahead of work.  They notice the extra.  Why would you expect a bonus if you never do any bonus work? Good question, right? And it's certainly not a dumb one.

If you want to remember this post, you can pin this graphic!