How to Up Your Instagram Game, 16 Tips from Chris Burkard (2M Followers)

COOPH is back with another great video, this one featuring world-class travel photographer and TED speaker Chris Burkard. Burkard, who boasts over 2 million followers on Instagram, is here to share some tips on how you can “up your Instagram game” and get on his level.

The rapid fire tips video is punctuated by glorious photos and examples from Burkard’s own account, and even if you can’t afford to go on the amazing adventures he goes to, the advice still holds. Scroll down to read all 16 tips, or check out the video above for a more interactive experience:

The Tips

1. Only posting selfies is [boring]… Go on adventures and look for great light
2. Use hyper lapse app and get speedy
3. Keep it chill with slow-motion
4. Keep it consistent: Same look & feel, same themes
5. Use editing apps like VSCO & Snapseed
6. Focus on telling a great story, write a great caption
7. Add a location to your photo for higher engagement
8. Only use relevant hashtags
9. Use Instagram Stories to engage with your audience
10. Search hashtags you love and drop likes & follows
11. If you comment, most people will check out your account
12. Look out for accounts that regram (like @thecooph)
13. Share your Instagram handle everywhere (e-signature, website etc.)
14. Stop monkeying around with #followback
15. Stop ghost following
16. Don’t steal other people’s photos, get out their and take your own

The one thing not mentioned here, probably because it’s a given, is that you have to post great work. Burkard has a signature style that’s immediately recognizable, but just as importantly, he creates spectacular work in that style.

Here are just a few examples that show up in the video:

To see more of Burkard’s impressive work—and some great examples of social media marketing done right—be sure to give Chris a follow on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Image credits: All photographs by Chris Burkard, courtesy of COOPH.