I’m Trying Something New On Instagram!
It’s 2019, and we’re trying some new things at MSA! One of the first new projects we’re doing is revamping the MSA Instagram account.
I decided to do a takeover of the MSA Instagram account and give a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to be a subscription box reviewer. Basically, if you’ve ever wondered, “What does she do with all these subscription box items?” this account is for you! I’ll be showing you what my favorite product discoveries are, how I’m using the items, how I organize all my beauty samples, DIY projects, and more. (There will also be giveaways every week!)
I’d love if you follow along, comment, like, and let me know what you what to see from me. (I’m taking notes on all the comments on this post!) I really appreciate your help – any feedback to make the kind of Instagram account you want to follow will be SO helpful!
I’m not sure if my other comment posted and I can’t see it or maybe because I’m late commenting, but briefly, I would like to see the boilerplate templates updated. They are seriously outdated. And, who is the girl who holds the owl crate box image? Her image is used a lot but I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a review by her.
I know it’s been 10 days since this was first posted but hopefully you see this comment. I would love to see updated boilerplate templates. So many are so dated! Most recently I noticed the fabletics template still says they recently added plus sizes. “Recently” is now over a year, probably closer to 18 months. Thanks for all you do!
I enjoy following you guys on IG! It’s helpful to be reminded sometimes when something new is happening or when I should go sign up right away.
One thing that I know generates good content and makes followers feel engaged is setting up specific hashtags and then having people use those for their own posts, you can then re-post their photos (with permission) and show more than just your use for a product.
Something like “Share your favorite subscription box purse!” then people post photos with their purses using your hashtag. You could do a contest or just re-post pictures of your favorites.
I also think stories add a nice level of closeness. Behind the scenes, accidents with sub box items, funny things with the staff, etc. those things make posters seem more human and real.
I look forward to more engaging content, Liz! And more Buckles, of course. 😉
Jackie, those are all awesome ideas! Especially your specific hashtag idea. It’d be great to use one for readers to share their monthly favorites along with the MSA writers (for example) and it’d be fun seeing reader’s posts shared in stories or something to give shout outs.
Love these suggestions, thank you, Jackie!
Hi Liz, I’m so happy to hear you’re trying this new way of unboxing your subscription boxes!! Yes I for one wonder “how the heck you use everything you get” lol, and how to store it all lol!! I only get like 4-6 boxes a month depending on what’s in them and they are mostly beauty boxes so I’m in overload but I can’t bring myself to cancel them!! I’m looking forward to all the tips and tricks you have to share with us, I’ll definitely be taking notes while getting some AMAZING ideas from you!! I love all the traditional boxes you do, but I’d love it if you could incorporate some of the newer boxes in your threads/news feeds!! I love this website and recently started IG and I’m following you!! I love to get all the spoilers you can give bcuz I’m not one for surprises lol I like to know what I’m getting and when I’m getting it!! Thanks Liz/MSA for everything you do, I’m so thankful for what you do, you have the best job in the world!! I’d love to get subscription boxes and get to unbox them for the world to see lol and review all the AMAZING products we get!! Thanks again Liz, I love ya girl and what ya do!😘
It’s simply not realistic for any business (and MSA is a business; one we all love, but still a business), to NOT use the range of social media platforms. I manage social media for a nonprofit and we have a presence on the appropriate channels. Personally, I only have Twitter and Instagram accounts (left Facebook years ago), more as an observer than a participant. Using social media doesn’t have to be an all or nothing binary.
I don’t have Instagram or Facebook accounts. I just don’t have time for it and not interested to read what people had for breakfast and what they are currently doing.
However, I think it is good move for MSA, looks like a lot of people addicted to Instagram.
I just with post on Instagram would be mirrored here.
We’ll definitely do that! The intention here was never to make anyone who visited the blog to feel excluded or that we were keeping content from them, but just an acknowledgment that we can serve our followers on Instagram better! We can make sure all useful content is posted on the site, too. Thanks for the feedback!
Love the new idea! Insta is a great platform for it.
Thanks, Tori! 🙂
I’ll try to check in with your Instagram page since I love your content. I also think it would be very cool (and helpful) if you could do a little more in depth blog post about the Instagram posts on here perhaps! I know that’s a lot of work. The spice wrack storage system just made me want to know more. How do you keep your items straight according to which boxes they came from for review purposes? Do you rotate items? What do you do with items that just don’t work? Do you have a “gift stash” from sub box items haha. Do your friends love coming over and getting goodies that didn’t work for you? See… so many questions and I’d totally read a more in depth blog post about these things! Maybe a behind the scenes at MSA series?
Hi Anna,
Thank you so much for these suggestions! We can definitely do more in depth posts to give more info to our Instagram pics, and I’d be open to a behind the scenes at MSA series, too, if peeps want to see it! 🙂
Liz I can’t wait to follow you on Instagram! I’d love to get a behind the scenes look at what it’s like to run MSA and all that goes into making your reviews, as well as all of your storage tips. God knows we could all use guidance there!
Well I know absolutely nothing about Instagram but when I clicked the link and bookmarked it it won’t let me view unless I set up an account, which ain’t gonna happen.
Try typing Instagram and Mysubscriptionaddiction into Google.
The link is https://www.instagram.com/mysubscriptionaddiction/?hl=en
I’ve been following MSA on Instagram for a while and I think it’s a great idea to share on there. I also think it will be a good idea to share the behind the scenes, DIY ideas, etc on here as well. I prefer reading on the blog as I’m on my computer more than my phone or tablet with social media.
For everybody who is says they don’t want the change because they don’t like Instagram posts that essentially amount to ads: I have some bad news about this blog.
As for me I love them both!
I’ll be the old fart who loves her FB and rarely uses IG. I do have it and I already follow MSA. If y’all think it’s the better fit for this, go for it. I always wonder why IG is so much more preferred than FB, esp. for the younger crowd (and I’m 43, so not THAT old). My thinking has always been that I can do everything on FB that I can do on the other social networks combined, so why switch?
Is there any reason why you don’t want to share it on FB too? Is it that the focus will be entirely on these tips and behind the scenes or will it still have all the posts about blogs and companies as well? Just curious. Good luck either way! I’ll try to remember to check IG more frequently.
I got off social media entirely last year and really feel i’ve made such an improvement in my time/day/what I value etc. Less time on my phone and more time doing…life.
That being said; Instagram was the hardest to let go though. I LOVED memes and all the animal videos….omg the cat ones #alldayyyy
Anyway:
I can see IG and the affiliation of brands/awareness being a great tool to help expand your business/bring in more clients etc. At the end of the day, you need to do what’s best to continue to grow/being innovative and dominating markets/ideas before other competitors, per say. (You are promoting yourself, as a brand as well.)
Sooooo that being said, can you also post on here-this website the same ideas/things but in even more detail?
For example, I went to your IG and saw the spice rack organization, which is cool- but Id love to know how to make that work maybe, for me/everyone (in a regular home/common storage items that might hold that specific spice rack etc- more of what also works in your home/ bathroom etc. and what didn’t work for you and what to avoid/tips etc.)
Your reviews (as well as the other MSA staff) and written content/multiple photos etc. is awesome, and well, like pun intended, addicting 😉
You could link your site with more detailed descriptions etc. at the end of each ig post too, so whoever wants more detail/advice/curiosity can then bring more traffic/clicks/revenue to your site as well. It could be a win/win.
(Oh yeah if you want to hire me on, holla atcha gurl Liz) lol jk….kinda 😉
Thank you Xtina; great post. You are totally right and I would enjoy reading more of your posts! Hire her Liz!!!
Lol thanks TR!!
I would send you a gift basket (of only the finest subscription items) as my first fan 🧺 💁💯
Thank you! Those of us that don’t use Instagram aren’t saying content shouldn’t be posted there. I love the ideas thrown out so far and would love to see it….here too…where I already go to check for updates and news!
Love it, already commented on your intro IG post. Best of luck, you’re the best!
I love what you have done on IG so far. I think it’s a great idea, IG is easier to follow, great job. Nobody has to join IG if they don’t want to, but I get most of my updates from your stories.
I just want to know where you got that drawer organizer in the photo at the top right please – it’s awesome!
Liz replied to someone on IG and said they’re from Amazon – brand is mDesign and they cost $24.99 for two :0)
Best of luck on your Insta, Liz!
For everyone else, I too am a social media avoider. I’ve had my medical records stolen, my credit card info stolen, and my email and passwords sold. Every time some big company suffers a security breach, I’m always one of the victims, so I’m not looking to give the jerks of the world easier access to me and my life. I’m envious of those of y’all who can do social media without having an anxiety attack. I’d so join if I could put my worries away!
Hey Liz,
Just wanted to point out that for every person denouncing Instagram all 36 comments thus far you have 109,000 followers on Instagram and climbing and I look forward to the new “in the life” feature. =)
Agreed, well said.
I’m also hopeful that maybe the comments and interactions on IG will be a little more positive than they have been here on this site lately, it just seems like to me that everyone comes on here to complain and say they hate things. Just my two cents.
I don’t think anyone that is pointing out we dont use Instagram is doing so to discourage Liz from posting there. She has a business and of course has to promote it, herself, and give content to her followers. We are just pointing out that there are also plenty of us HERE that will not see that content regularly and will miss out so we’re just asking if it can be duplicated on this site….which we already look at and follow.
But do you have to have an account to look at the Instagram content? You can’t make comments or get all of the content if you don’t have an account but you can look at the pictures and get a general sense of what she is doing.
Liz is trying to have multiple platforms for her business so some of the content will be duplicated on the various platforms while others will be unique to a particular platform depending on how Liz wants to use it. Each subscriber here will have to decide how much they want to get involved in social media as it relates to internet bloggers. If you decide not to follow on a company’s social media sites, you will be missing out on some content. It’s the same whether it’s Liz here or a company like Sephora or La Mer.
Thank you LB. Well said. I haven’t seen anyone say not to put things on Instagram. The general idea is for Liz to share the info on here as well as Instagram. Personally, I find that if I use other social media platforms like Insta and Pinterest, I tend to “fall down the hole” as I call it. Meaning I get on there and there’s so much to look at and click on that I just get lost for hours. I am able to manage my time much better by reading blogs. Heck I already click on plenty of links here to keep me busy. I just think everyone has their own reasons for their platform preferences and it would be nice to try to accommodate as many loyal followers as possible.
I do eally wish Liz would reply to a few of these comments so we’ll know whether we can stick to the blog or if we MUST use Insta now to keep from missing out on important content.
Exactly! I haven’t seen anyone say not to put things on Instagram. The general idea/request is for Liz to share the info on here as well as Instagram. Personally, I find that if I use other social media platforms like Insta and Pinterest, I tend to “fall down the hole” as I call it. Meaning I get on there and there’s so much to look at and click on that I just get lost for hours. I am able to manage my time much better by reading blogs. Heck I already click on plenty of links here to keep me busy. I just think everyone has their own reasons for their platform preferences and it would be nice to try to accommodate as many loyal followers as possible.
It’s such a shame we can’t just give honest respectful feedback without people getting defensive and seeing major conflict where there is none. I don’t think anyone on here is trying to hold Liz/MSA back from success. I’m sure we all want the best for her and her business. But she did ask for our thoughts so of course people will be posting different points of view.
So sorry for the double post! It’s so weird how sometimes posts show up hours later and some never post at all. Lately it’s been about 80% not at all for me. Guess I should’ve been more patient.
It’s a little overdramatic to say anyone who doesn’t use Instagram is “denouncing” it. We just choose not to use social media…not saying that others shouldn’t. Liz asked for feedback.
The value to me here is in the written content. Insta feels like a collage of the same ads I’m already being flooded with everywhere else.
I’m happy about this, I already follow your insta and would love to see more behind the scenes work stuff or maybe you can show us people using more products? For example-playing with pets with pet sub box items or doing mini insta vids with 2 new eyeliners and we can vote for which eye we like best. lol That photo shoot with the jade roller was fun and informative, I think it would be nice to see those types of things and hopefully they wouldn’t be too time consuming to film/photo.
I don’t use a lot of social media, no instagram for me. I do miss the forum a lot.
Not so much into the social media myself…I still have a Facebook account but I never look at it and consider deleting it on a regular basis. I just don’t like using it or looking at it. I would be much more likely to read something in a blog format. I think “behind the scenes” angles would be interesting, as well as interviews with the reviewers to get to know them better. It would also be cool if you were able to interview owners or curators if sub boxes, to be able to hear more about the inspiration behind the boxes.
Been contemplating starting an Instagram just to follow people (artists mostly). I will definitely follow ya 🙂
Liz, from what I gather, the posts and comments from fellow MSA daily readers are not going to use Instagram, nor Facebook, nor Twitter (ughh) to follow you. You have loyal people who have commented here as to why these topics haven’t been addressed on here before.
I remember one question in particular that was never unanswered was,”what do you do with all of your stuff?” Why not show us on here? I’m turning 40 next month and don’t want to start any social media to get this info.
Liz has 109k followers on Instagram. So yeah, they’re using it to follow her. I like instagram, and I think what she is doing is great. Perhaps what she has in mind works better on the instagram platform.
I really don’t understand why the people who don’t want to start an instagram account are so vehemently against it? Maybe someone can let me know why it’s so bad.
A lot of people avoid all social media, not just instagram, what i don’t understand is how people can simply say that they don’t use social media and to please post the content here, and people get offended. Easily offended people is actually one of the main reasons I don’t use social media.
Yes! Exactly! We don’t all have to feel the same way. I get it, lots of IG followers. That’s great but I’m not going to be a sheep just because there are a lot of sheep out there. I did join FB because some businesses put almost no info on their website, but I rarely log on. I do have an Instagram account but like FB, I don’t visit often.
Why is it so hard for people to understand that we all have our preferences for various reasons? In a world full of options why do people expect everyone to conform to the newest or most popular option or risk this kind of defensive negativity? Maybe it’s a Millennial thing? All I know is that I see so much more nastiness on social media than positivity. Plus I get quite overwhelmed with Insta and other platforms. I’m only 43 but perhaps I’m just too old to keep up. I really hope this will not be another business that basically forces me to use social media to get a decent level of information. But if that’s the case, so be it. I’ll have to join the flock or risk getting left behind. 😄
I do not have Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter or any other social media except Facebook. I do not think any of them are “bad.” I simply don’t have the energy or time to devote to anything else in a day. And, no, I’m not trying to say I’m “better” or more busy than anyone else. I know that isn’t true. Social media is just a time-suck and I find it distracting enough to want to follow and catch up with what all of my friends/family are doing on Facebook, check my personal email, and follow this page in the short amount of time I’m not at work or taking care of my house/chores or trying to get out and exercise and enjoy life with my dog. The reason I fell in love with MSA so quickly was because it was like a one-stop-shop for my sub addiction — spoilers, reviews, deals, releases, information, etc. I no longer had to “waste” time scouring the internet and following each individual company to get all of this info…it was all in one place and Liz and then team did all the work for me! It’s great! So now the thought of having to go to yet another platform in order to get all of the info or insight I’m curious about or would like to know is just yet another thing to do…one more thing to log into and scan every day and get lost in for an hour before you realize it. Just trying to avoid the “traps” as much as possible. But as I’ve said in other places on this post I am not against Liz or MSA having other accounts and actively posting on them. I totally get it and support their growth and revenue! I just hope I don’t end up missing out on too much by only sticking here….
LB, I feel the exact same way with your entire post (except the dog part. I have cats 😄). Thanks for stating so eloquently how I and probably many others feel. Maybe this will help the Insta Defenders understand another point of view better. All we’re saying is that we LOVE this blog and all the content Liz and others provide. No one is trying to discourage the growth of MSA. Some of us just want to still be able to get all this wonderful info without it being a must to use Instagram.
I tried to give you an explanation of my personal beliefs but it hasn’t shown up yet. Hopefully it will. In short I don’t think it’s bad…just don’t use it or want to join any other platform.
It’s owned by Facebook and they have shown themselves to be rather fast and loose with people’s personal data several times over this year, which is why Mark Zuckerberg has been called to testify in Congress (and also in the EU) recently.
I don’t mind if people use it for themselves, but I choose not to be involved.
Well all I can say is my motto has always been “haters are my motivators” so do you and good luck!! I will definitely be supporting you!! Xxoo
No one is “hating” on Liz, MSA or Instagram! Jeez. I don’t understand why people insist on seeing negativity in everyone that has a different point of view. On interpreting any comment that’s different than theirs as “hating”. I see absolutely zero hatred in these comments. Just a variety of opinions which is what comment forums are for. I’m hoping you and some of the others that have somehow taken such offense are just a bit young still. Hopefully at some point you will learn to appreciate different people with different points of view. It makes life so much more enjoyable. I know it took me a long time to be as open as I am now so I’m not criticizing, just sharing some hard earned wisdom.
I don’t do social media. I would love to know what you do with the products, how you store them. Do you finish products. how often do you rotate or introduce new items. Maybe a day or so delay you could post on the website so the rest of us can see and comment.
I would love to get the information you discussed (especially organization tips) but I am a no go when it comes to Instagram and Facebook. I have privacy concerns and find that they are a huge time suck (I had to go cold turkey to get myself off of twitter)! Please consider putting the info on your site as well. Thanks!
I too wish you would post all that new stuff here on the blog.
I’m not a fan of social media. I’m also not a fan of pictures that are marketed as candid but are too perfect. Like all the bottles/tubes are full, unsqueezed, with the labels facing the same direction.
Agree. It’s definitely not a representation of real life, but then again, social media isn’t.
My cabinet of items might not look THAT good (after all, she’s organized it nicely to show you HOW to organize things…it should look neat!) but I like my labels to face outward, be stacked and sorted neatly by item type. Some people are just like that. I also don’t get a ton of stuff, so I have the ability to organize mine without a spare room of clutter.
But then you go to post a photo and you look at it and see how junky everything looks and so you tidy it up before you take the photo again…and only after you post so you realize you’ve contributed to social media’s inauthenticity.
I get wanting realness but I also get not wanting to show your mess to everybody.
Agreed and the overly “Perfect pictures” Instantly take away from the authenticity for me. Hopefully anything that gets posted there will be posted here as well though…sigh.
I’m with you all non-social media people! No Facebook, IG, Twitter, Snapchat, whatever…just a couple of blogs. My husband is addicted to reading Twitter, and it is so annoying. 🙂
I’d love to know more behind the scenes stuff, but not if it’s on social media.
Agreed! I’m not on Instagram either. It would be nice if you post here also. I also miss the community portion of this site.
Liz,
I follow MSA on Instagram and think it’s good that you’re using the platform, since we don’t have a community anymore maybe an MSA Facebook group would be a nice way to let people commiserate on their love of boxes too. I think Instagram is a great place to for sharing stash pics, organization ideas and how you use items. I’d like to see more ideas for reusing shipping materials too. How people upcycle empty boxes and such. I’d like to see how you’re incorporating new beauty products into your routine too. I’d like to see more tutorials and unboxing too.
To those that don’t use Instagram, you don’t have to have an account to view posts. You can view them through a browser.
I have children and none of my family is close by so I cant swear off social media anyway. It’s way easier to share now than It was 10 yrs ago. We’ve not lived near family for over 18 years due to my husband being in the military and now working for the DOD so social media allows us to see family and for them to see the kids.
Love instagram! It’s the only platform I don’t consider quitting EVERY DAY. Great medium fir MSA!
I don’t do social media. Period. I am old enough to know better. Best of luck to those that do.
You’re really missing out on all the cute animal pictures. Seriously, I follow so many dog accounts (mostly pugs). Instagram is probably one I will keep, because I can choose so have a constant stream of happy any time I need it. And for a good giggle, I’ll watch a Mr Bean video
Lol! Mr Bean and dogs does sound like a stream of happiness.
I’m off social media as well. But will continue to stalk this site. 😃
Ditto
I really like this idea. I prefer instagram over FB any day and I like the ideas you’ve presented so far. I also think Kristi(change in appearance due to boxes)and Monah have good ideas.
I would also like to see how the reviewers appearance have changed over the years because of boxes. Liz, when I came across your site years ago I remember that you had super blond hair and bangs in the picture that used to appear at the bottom of your reviews and you look totally different now.
I think this is a great idea! Something else I’d like to see is more information about MSA. Maybe just a one time blog. It would be fun to know more about MSA, the day-to-day operations, more information about the reviewers, full-time, part-time, contract employees, pictures of the office. What y’all like doing outside the office. I would love to know more. From humble beginnings to the powerhouse MSA is today.
Videos of Buckles, tutorials- how to do a scarf with the causebox poncho (can’t figure it out), before/after pics for skin and makeup products 🙂
Love every idea mentioned!!!!
I would love to see makeup looks. It doesn’t need to be a full face. Maybe just a closeup of a lipstick or nail polish.
Oh bummer, I know I’ll be odd man out here, but I wish people didn’t need to have all these social media accounts to get in on the fun. I hate social media and have no desire to have any of those accounts. So that stinks, but I hope it goes well for you.
I agree with you, Pamela! I’m not on social media. I read MSA, why isn’t that enough?
I agree! Why can’t this stuff be posted here?
I also agree
I totally agree. I don’t do Facebook, Instagram or any social media. One thing I do love is watching the Beautylish Lucky Bag unboxings on YouTube. Can you doing something similar with links to beauty boxes on this site via video? And show makeovers with the products included?
I just came here to ask if I’m the only one left without Instagram. Facebook is more than enough for me and my limited free time…well, plus this page. Lol.
I don’t even do facebook….no social media
No Instagram here either. 😔
Probably going to get a lot of hate here but as far as I’ve seen Instagram is just a bunch of pucker lipped selfies by people with bunny noses and puppy dog ears.
It’s not. It really just depends on who you follow. There’s definitely a lot of that, but there’s plenty of other stuff, too.
Not at all. I’m off the social media grid and have zero presence on all platforms but I understand why MSA needs to do this. I’ll keep reading on the site though.
Add me to the list of NO social media accounts. Never have needed to contact my friends this way and never will. Not being a celeb. or anyone selling products or services, I have no reason at all to ever ” share”. I also don’t care one bit what ” others”, whoever they might be, are doing ” out there somewhere”.
I totally agree, I hate social media. I briefly considered it to up my chances to win MSA giveaways, but it’s just not worth it I’ll just stick to reading here love this site.
Same here. Facebook and I check out youtube…that’s about it. We don’t even watch TV here, just rent Netflix. Well, I am an MSA addict… 🙂 There’s that…
Wow I really thought I was one of the few people that didn’t have social media so it’s nice to see how many other people feel the same way! Someone above did mention that Instagram posts are viewable in a browser without having an account so maybe MSA can add a tab for their posts to be clicked on from the site by those who just want to view some of the new content Liz will be posting there. I’ve seen websites with the Instagram posts at the bottom of the main page so maybe that can be added to this site in the future.
Count me as another with no social media presence whatsoever.
Pamela, from the sounds of it, you’re not the only man out. I’m also in the non-Instagram camp and have no desire or urge to join. I barely use Facebook and that’s primarily to stay connected to far away family and friends.
MSA, would love if you could do whatever you plan on Instagram on the blog. Would be fabulous to see do’s and dont’s on layering, alternate uses for items that are sub box oversaturated (someone mentioned in a comment using highlighters or bronzers as eyeshadows); different looks from various palettes (such as the glam bag plus, Boxycharm, etc), one from MSA team, another from blog readers; best and worst beauty products (it’s ok to share ones that haven’t worked or have poor color payoff or longevity, they can’t all be good!), this could also be a list from the MSA team and another that’s blog reader-rated; setting up user challenges (also as a contest with a prize).
Isn’t that always the trade-off when you choose not to do something? You miss out . Why should she cross post here and completely undercut the account? It sounds like what she’s doing there is more IG-suitable than blogworthy. I don’t do social media, so I won’t see these IG posts. But that’s a choice I make. If you really want to see her posts, join instagram. Otherwise, you miss out, just like you’re missing out on everything else you don’t want to do.
Complaining about your own choices seems very strange to me. Congrats, Liz, on what sounds like a great revamp of the account!
Agree I don’t really do social media aside from FB and maybe Snapchat but I don’t post to it. I just really miss the forum and the community there.
Love this!
also agree <3 that answer ^^
#noSMtrain #metoo 😉
Whoops meant to reply to Anya (her comment right above this) 💁