Ruthie Gray helps Christian women build and grow an authentic Instagram platform to market their book, podcast, or product.
1. When did you get on Instagram?
In 2012, my middle daughter prodded me to download the app and shared how to navigate the platform.
Interestingly enough, she now works for me in my IG coaching business/membership!
2. What topics do you post about?
Instagram education, updates, and strategies to grow a solid, authentic platform to reach target followers, resulting in driving traffic, newsletter conversions, market research, and/or sales.
Also motivational content to inspire and encourage focused productivity and perseverance on the platform.
3. How did you decide to post about those topics?
A knack for the platform, coupled with market research based on follower response via engagement, interaction, story polls and questions.
4. What steps did you take to make your Instagram account more appealing?
Testing, testing, testing, coupled with various visual apps. I think it takes time to niche and determine your target avatar and what they need and want.
5. How do you combine your faith with your Instagram account?
I share passages of Scripture or inspirational readings in stories, and often refer to my faith in post captions or videos.
My membership is based on Biblical concepts and consists of women believers growing their platform to market a book, podcast, or product.
6. What strategies have helped you gain followers?
Being authentic, seeking to serve my audience, and transparently sharing my own life in stories.
My people love this personal side and often are in or around the same stage of life as me.
7. What tools have attributed to your growth?
Honestly? Consistency! So using a calendar and a scheduler – my followers know I live and die by the software, Later!
8. What has been the most effective way to increase engagement?
By engaging! I think most people don’t understand this concept. But you must engage and leave good, value-driven comments. It’s really as simple as that.
9. How has faith played a part in your growth?
Lots of prayer, seeking God’s face for direction, and sharing my faith has attracted my target audience.
10. How have you monetized your Instagram?
By developing a podcast, based on my follower’s needs, delivering value, and sharing authentic client testimonies.
Not being shy to share about my product, but only after delivering value and proven results!
11. What tools have helped you monetize?
- Calendly for scheduling
- PayPal buttons
- Thrive plug-in for WordPress for landing pages
- Teachable
12. What is your best monetization advice to Instagram influencers?
Deliver solid value before asking for the sale. Instead of blasting, “Buy my thing!”, make “How can I help you?” your mantra.
Then, deliver products closely related to the value you’ve delivered.
13. What is the best advice you have personally received as an influencer?
Focus on one to many to create a broader impact and accelerate business growth.
14. What are some daily things you do that attribute to your Instagram’s success?
Remain consistent (ahem, using a scheduler), sharing stories 5-6 days per week, drop value comments daily, connect with followers in the dm.
15. What are your thoughts on faith and money?
I believe God expects us to be good stewards of the talent’s with which He’s blessed us, and it’s up to us to decide how/where to use them and how/where to charge.
I do not believe it’s wrong to monetize, especially if you are helping others in the process, which is my goal. We all have to pay the bills, right?
Blog or website hosting, email providers, marketing software, and let’s not forget compensation for our time.
Nobody expects to go to work for free, right? Same with monetization. It’s ok to be paid for your time.
16. What business book do you recommend?
Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown.
That book revolutionized how I do business and propelled me into my current profession.
I finally realized doing one thing well, instead of all the things frantically, was the best way to make headway!
17. What is your favorite scripture?
Usually the ones about waiting, wisdom, and perception relating to my business.
For 2021, it’s Proverbs 31:18, “She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night.”
I realize building a business requires heavy duty lifting on the front end (thus, the lamp burning), however, perception drives me to work smarter, not harder so I can serve my family well and not run on fumes!
18. List your social media links (and blog if you have one).
- Instagram: @ruthiegray.mom
- Website: ruthiegray.mom
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