Several months ago, Instagram rolled out a Direct Messaging feature, enabling users the ability to swap photos of whatever their hearts’ desire, to a select amount of accounts they follow. When the feature first dropped, I wasn’t overly excited. (Isn’t that what adding photos to group text messaging is for?) But over time, I’ve found quite a bit of value in the ability to share a snapshot with a super select audience through the popular social media app. I want to share four ways I’m using the feature in my day-to-day life in hopes that you can find some use of this tool in your communication, too.
Before I dive into what I’m using direct messaging for, I should back up and give you the opportunity to get familiar with what Instagram Direct Messaging (DM) is, starting with directing you to this link to the IG announcement, including a high quality, swoon-worthy marketing video: Instagram Direct.
You can send a DM by snapping or selecting a photo through Instagram, and choosing your filter and editing as normal. (Before you get started, you will also need to make sure you have the latest download of the Instagramapp.) When you move on to the next screen, you will note an option of “followers” or “direct” – choose direct and select the Instagram friends you want to share this photo with before moving forward in the Instagram updating process as normal. Easy-peezy!
Now on to the ways Instagram Direct Messaging is helping make my life easier and more fun!
Sharing excitement on secret projects.
Before the Best Life Ever Podcast announcement was live, and when I first noticed Instagram Direct Messaging on my phone, I sent this shot to Julie and Kelly to test out the feature and share a digital high-five of “podcast is happening!” excitement.
Direct messaging has proven to be a fun way to stay connected with the women I’m working with across the country. I’m sure Direct Messaging will become a major tool in Healthy Living Summit planning as September draws near. It seems like a great way to share images to collect opinions and share creative planning energy and ideas with our planning team.
Celebrating relationships with inside conversations and jokes.
I’ve sent screen shots of texts to share conversations between friends and snapshots of things I come across that I know will make my family laugh. This DM feature gives us another way to add smiles to the lives of the people we care about.
I love getting a photo update through Instagram of a friend showing off a gift I gave in use, or a blog follower who sends evidence of a DIY project from my site being done on craft night. The notifications I receive when a message of “I’m thinking about you” hits my Instagram account bring such a sweet dose of joy to my technology-filled life.
Sourcing advice from those with experience.
When I was with my family at Christmas, my mom asked me to put together this cheese ball to put out with crackers. I had an idea to swap in the delicious goat cheese leftover in the fridge from a party earlier in the vacation, but wanted to get some advice from my favorite food blogging friends before giving the plan the final go ahead.
Direct Messaging is a great way to poll a select group of friends or followers. Does this font look too wonky? What color scheme works better? So many questions can be asked and answered through Instagram. It is a valuable tool for sharing outfit choices with long distance best friends before important work meetings or nights out, too.
Keeping accountable to my goals.
I’m in a new habit of sending my blogging pals Mindy and Kelly at least one DM a day. I’ve committed to doing a plank a day , and in order to help hold myself accountable, I send my pals a shot of my proof.
These photos are good for me because it lets me sit in the middle of the range between keeping a goal to myself, and feeling the need to share and be held accountable by all of my followers. It keeps me from falling into the comparison trap that I might feel in a large community challenge, but also motivates me to keep my word to my friends.
Have you started using Instagram’s Direct Messaging feature? How does it help in your communication with friends and family?
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