If you’ve seen my Instagram over the last week or so you might have noticed that I talked a whole lot about the #autumnhashtagchallenge that I created. I had a phenomenal response, so many lovely and creative people joining in each day. We totalled over 700 photos in the end which is crazy. I honestly thought it would just be me and my husband. What I loved most about the week was the amazing community we have built. People found new feeds to follow. People were commenting on and liking more photos and everyone was just so lovely.
And what struck me most?
The vast amount of private messages I had, thanking me for creating the challenge. Some people enjoying the community, some people falling back in love with the app they weren’t enjoying anymore and then one message in particular. Thanking me for helping her have a better outlook on life, after having a rough year. I mean it doesn’t get much better than that. I didn’t create the challenge for any other reason than to have fun and I hoped that a few of my “insta friends” would join in. What I got was so much more.
After getting *quite* a few messages asking me to create another challenge. I said straight away that I would create one for Christmas. Which is happening on the 13th December, details to follow soon but the amazing community wanted more and who am I to deny them?
#theweeklyhashtagchallenge
The lovely Laura and I have teamed up to bring you a weekly hashtag challenge. Laura commented on pretty much all of the posts on the #autumnhashtagchallenge too and you can’t knock that enthusiasm so I’ve got her on board to co-host this challenge.
So without anymore ado let me introduce you to #theweeklyhashtagchallenge .
The rules are simple. Each Wednesday a new prompt will go live and before the next one goes live the following Wednesday you can create a photograph around that theme. No daily deadline. It gives you 7 days to create something you’re happy with, without rushing around.
You can take it literally, you can get really creative with it, it really doesn’t matter. Just add the hashtag #theweeklyhashtagchallenge and tag Laura @edinburghwithkids and I @littlepaperswan in your image or in the comments, just so we don’t miss any.
You can dip in and out as much as you like, there is no pressure at all. I would love it if you could comment and like a few other posts on the hashtag as what you get is what you give. So many people commented to tell me that they gained quite a few followers over the period of the week and it was from just being genuine and interacting and engaging with others. Building a community is so much more important that having thousands of followers, like I said in last weeks post. And that’s what we aim to do again. So please join in as much as you can and hopefully we can help to inspire your Instagram and grow your community.
Please re-post and share the image and this post to get the word out. I’d love to see as many, if not more lovely people join in with us!
The Comments
Issy
Love this idea! It’s a shame I missed the autumn one because the community you built certainly sounds like a lovely one! I’ve just followed you both on Instagram so hopefully I can keep up to date with the next :)!
Issy | MissIsGoode
xx
Bella | documentingthedrews
I’m so excited to join in this hashtag challenge as I missed the last one.
Cannot wait for the Christmas one too!
Cathryn Wood
Bella | documentingthedrewsThanks for joining in! So glad to have you on board 🙂
Fi - Beauty Baby and Me
I can’t wait to get involved in this and you really have brought a little community together. xx #dreamteam
Cathryn Wood
Fi – Beauty Baby and MeYay! I’m so glad to have you on board 🙂
Melissa
This is such a great idea. I’m always looking for ways to engage my followers. Sometimes, I’m just out of ideas! <3 Thank you!!
#TwinklyTuesday
Cathryn Wood
MelissaIt’s a great way to build a community and it’s certainly what you give is what you get kind of place! Hopefully you’ll join in 🙂
Mackenzie Glanville
I have been looking at your beautiful autumn pics, but it is Spring time here so i haven’t had Autumn pics to share. I love the idea of this new challenge. I also have to say your photography is just breathtaking, you certainly are one of my favourite Instagram feeds. #DreamTeam
Cathryn Wood
Mackenzie GlanvilleOh thank you. Yeah that was the only trouble I had a couple of people tell me that they couldn’t join in as much becuase it wasn’t autumn where they were. I’m so glad you joined in today! Thank you.
Kelly | and Jacob makes three
I love this idea! I’m definitely in! #DreamTeam
Cathryn Wood
Kelly | and Jacob makes threeYay that’s great to hear! Thank you.
Gaa Gaa Land
Love this idea, especially the community vibe. I am a bit of an anonymous blogger so this poses an extra challenge for me, but one I can (hopefully) rise to! I will give it a crack anyway!
Cathryn Wood
Gaa Gaa LandOh I hope you join in. It’s such a great little community and everyone is so inspiring!
Mama Grace
Great and cool way to be inspired. I will give it a go. #TwinklyTuesday
Cathryn Wood
Mama GraceWould love to have you on board!
Alana - Burnished Chaos
This sounds like a great idea. I’ve made a note of the prompts and will do my best to join in x
#DreamTeam
Lisa (mummascribbles)
What a fab idea. I hope it’s as much of a success as the autumn one 🙂 Thanks for linking up with #TwinklyTuesday
Mummy and the Mexicans (Ruth)
How did I miss the autumn challenge? I definitely want to join in with the new one and I like the fact that there’s a whole week to do each one – that’s my kind of timescale at the moment! #Dreamteam
Annette, 3 Little Buttons
What a clever idea. I can’t believe I missed the autumn one. I love these type of tags as they really help to get you motivated but in a fun, carefree way. I’ll try to keep my eyes peeled for when it starts up in December. Thanks so much for joining us for the #dreamteam xx