Today we have Serena Agusto-Cox, aka @SAgustoCox on Instagram. Although a veteran book blogger at Savvy Verse and Wit and the owner of Poetic Book Tours, Serena only joined Instagram recently. What does she think of the platform? Read on to find out!
Tell us about yourself! Where do you work/play? What books do you like to read? Do you have any non-bookish hobbies? Any pets? What's your one great ambition?
I read a wide variety of books, though most readers know I love poetry. I work from home in a position that allows me to telecommute and take care of my 4-yr-old daughter. I love taking photos, scrapbooking (though I haven't done much of that, and talking books. I have one dog, Sonia, she's a rescue husky mix (with what we don't know), and she's really the family dog. My ambition is to not only get Poetic Book Tours of the ground and profitable, but also to finish my own poetry collection and get it published.
How did you get started blogging on IG? How long ago?
I just started in February 2015. I saw that a bunch of other book bloggers were on Instagram. Everyone said they loved it, so I decided I'd try it out since I could post about books through my favorite hobby, photography.
What do you like about IG in comparison to other platforms or more traditional blogging?
I love the instant nature of it and the photos. What is there not to love.
Do you have favorite filters or settings you like to use? Is there a particular reason you use them?
No. I like them all. But I also haven't played with them much.
What are some tips you would give someone who was thinking of joining IG or had just joined?
Tips, boy I don't really have any. But if you have tips for me, I'd gladly take them.
Hashtags: What are some of your favorites? Do you have any "rules" when it comes to using hashtags?
#foodporn is one of my favorites. I love taking pictures and posting them of the food we eat at home and out.
What are some NON-bookish things you love posting?
Food, my daughter having fun, the garden
What are some things that surprised you about IG?
That the people I follow don't post that much or at least as much as I seem to. Maybe that's because I'm relatively new to it.
What's one place, person, or thing you think has appeared most often in your photos?
Gardening stuff or my daughter
Selfies: Yes or meh?
NO
They say a picture's worth 1000 words. What story does your Instagram feed tell about you? Do you think it's accurate?
That I love my daughter, my garden, and books; that's a far cry from 1,000 words.
What are some tips you'd give people for photographing their books?
Make sure you have good lighting so people can see the title and cover clearly. But make sure that the light is not directly above the cover when you are taking a picture because you'll either have a glare or see your own shadow.
If you could add/remove one thing in Instagram, what would it be?
Nothing fits this question...yet.
How do you integrate IG with your blog? Or do you?
Instagram automatically posts to the Facebook page of Savvy Verse & Wit. That makes it easy for me.
Blogging's more fun with friends! Who are three people on IG you think are must-follows?
What are four of your best or favorite photos/videos that you've posted in the past year?
Thanks, Serena! Be sure to follow Serena on Instagram and her blog, and check her out on Twitter @SavvyVerseWit and Facebook.
