Tackle your instagram strategy and content this year.

It's an exciting day because it's time for the Instagram Challenge to begin this Monday at 10:30am EST over on Instagram @PonderTrail.

Let's dive into all the details for how the challenge works, how to begin, and what to expect.

And if you haven't signed up yet, there's still time. Sign up here:

Why Take the Instagram Challenge?

Instagram has so much potential for growing your brand and making sales without making you seem sales-y or making your followers run for the hills. It’s a great space to build hype and create an atmosphere where your brand can thrive and welcome more audience members.

But us creative business owners often find Instagram overwhelming because:

• It seems like you have to share 736 posts a day to stay ahead of the algorithm

• Everyone is on Instagram, so the competition is high

• You don’t have a spare 3.5 hours to dedicate to Instagram each day

• The time you’re put into coming up with those 30 hashtags doesn’t seem to be working

• You’re not quite sure how to “promote” and “launch” without seeming pushy or spammy

• Your brand has something great to offer, but you’re not quite sure how to get in on the attention

• You’re just hoping to up your game this year

Sound familiar? Then join in on the Instagram Challenge!

How the Instagram Challenge Works

Here’s the run-down:

Instagram Challenge Purpose:

The purpose of this challenge is to show you how instagram can benefit your brand and grow your business. It will show you how to tie instagram into your marketing strategy so it fits with the rest of your brand and content. The challenge will also walk you through methods for using instagram as an effective strategy without spending hours on the app each day.

Challenge Timeline:

Each day, Monday-Friday, I will walk you through the one simple and actionable step, showing you exactly what to do. By the end of our 4-week challenge, you will have a custom Instagram strategy that works for you, and you will be in a posting routine that fits your life and schedule.

Challenge Format:

Join me on Instagram @PonderTrail at 10:30 EST where I host each day's lesson content in Instagram stories or a live segment. I’ll post a lesson recap and recording to the blog that evening. And I will send you lesson content via email, too, so be sure to sign up with one of the buttons in this post.

Instagram Strategy:

My approach to creative business is to find the most leverage possible without wasting time—that’s where strategy comes into play.

Because you don’t want to post content for the sake of posting; instead, you need your content to pull its weight and benefit your business. It’s important for your time and efforts to propel your brand forward and convert into engaged followers, sign-ups, and sales. So we will keep ROI (return on investment) at the forefront of each decision.

Straightforward Process:

It does take some brainstorming, work, careful planning, and dedication to bring your unique Instagram strategy to life. And you need to show up a little each day. But I’ve outlined a straightforward process you can follow to keep things simple and easy. With this approach, you will only need to spend about 15-30 minutes a day on Instagram to get results for your business.

Extra Instagram Tools + Goodies

Includes:

• 5 stock images to use throughout the challenge as you get into a posting rhythm

• 5 engaging caption templates

• Q+A sessions

• $5 coupon in case you want to grab my corresponding Instagram Planner. Just use the code IGYAYJAN at checkout.

Giveaway + Incentive Prizes

To encourage you to work through the challenge action steps each day, I’m offering some prizes!

Giveaway:

• 1-hour Brand Strategy Coaching Power Session

• 6 months subscription to the Treehouse Brand Strategy Membership

How to enter: Tag @PonderTrail on Instagram in a story or photo and caption. Each time you share a photo of your process or mention the challenge and the Ponder Trail Instagram Planner, it gives you an entry to the giveaway—up to 3 entries each day. I will announce the winner to the giveaway towards the end of the challenge.

Incentive Prizes:

On surprise days, the first person who shares a photo or a video of their completed homework on Instagram will win 3 months subscription to the Treehouse Brand Strategy Membership.

How to enter: Tag @PonderTrail on Instagram in a story or photo post. I will announce the winner to the giveaway towards the end of that day.