Get Lucky
Philosophy > Strategy
Our survey of The Art of Instagram this month focuses on philosophy > strategy
Strategy is a map, philosophy is a compass
Most writing on how to use Instagram is just that – a how-to
If it worked to quell insta-dread we would all be one free blog post post or “free Instagram training!” away from contentment
A Land Unexplored
Creativity for each individual is an unknown thing, a land unexplored; there is no map, only tales from others who have made the trek
For that reason, a compass is valuable: to show which direction you’re headed as you navigate the winds and storms
That said, let’s talk philosophy of luck
Today’s post is inspired and informed by a Twitter thread by Sahil Bloom, summarizing 4 types of luck developed by neurologist Dr. James Austin
Here’s how they break down for the Art of Instagram:
Blind Luck
Completely out of your control · Where you are born · Who you were born to · Base circumstances of your life · Truly random occurrences of the universe
We all have phones and access. Check!
Luck from Motion
You’re creating motion and collisions through hustle and energy that you are inserting into an ecosystem · You increase your luck surface area through simple movement · The increase in collisions opens you up to lucky events
The essence of Instagram-for-photographers is luck from motion
Consider Your Footprint
Consider your footprint with the following tools; increasing quality and volume of each one increases your luck
Post · Feed as artform · Story · Highlights · Comments · Hashtags · Shout outs · DMs · Follows · Feature accounts · Guides · Reels · Tagging · Lives · Linktree/equivalent
Exercise: rank order the tools in terms of your time output; would another order be more effective for your goals? What tool brings your highest engagement?
Luck From Awareness
Depth of understanding within a given arena allows you to become very good at positioning yourself for lucky breaks · You can “spot luck” from a mile away because of your knowledge and experience
I call this courting on Instagram
There are specific local clients I’ve spotted and would love to photograph, so I engage more with their content; I can spot it from a mile away – this would be a powerful client
Luck From Uniqueness
Your unique set of attributes attracts specific luck to you · This type favors those with distinctive hobbies, personal lifestyles and motor behaviors · Luck seeks you out
Advice on “being yourself,” “being vulnerable” or sharing your life uses luck from uniqueness as it’s advantage
The more your uniqueness is expressed, the greater luck surface area you cover; like minds are attracted, misaligned collaborators are repelled
The Luck Razor
Bloom ends his thread with this advice: When choosing between two paths, choose the path that has a larger LUCK SURFACE AREA
Instagram as luck surface area is a powerful, predictable compass
The more unique motion you inject, the luckier you get
IC: Ruth Orkin, From Above - NYC, Early 1950's