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Instagram direct publishing on Content Cal (3 common errors users will likely encounter through Zapier integration with Buffer & how to fix)

Do you use Content Cal as a publishing platform for social media content to one or multiple Instagram accounts? Then maybe you are aware or familiar with the ability to use Zapier to direct publish via Buffer to your the Instagram accounts you manage.

Source: Content Cal

I think anyone who has or currently manages social media account will agree that the ability to direct publish to Instagram using your current social media publishing tool of choice (e.g. Content Cal, AgoraPulse, Buffer, Hootsuite, etc.) is a huge time saver. Especially in today’s technology driven instant gratification societal mindset. Unfortunately, there are still some common errors users will likely experience in setting up their direct publishing on Instagram workflow utilizing the Zapier Integration App to connect Content Cal with Buffer.

I’ve written this short article to highlight these 3 common errors with the intent of expediting the process of resolving these common errors and act an additional resource to whatever guides you may find on Buffer and Zapier for addressing these errors. I understand that workflow efficiency is extremely valuable, both from a monetary and time-saving standpoint, for anyone who manages one or multiple social media accounts. In addition, I also understand that any time spent debugging work flow issues on social media publishing tools could be better spent researching and crafting engaging content and staying up to date with social media best practices. I hope you find this resource valuable in saving you time and effort and you will be able to troubleshoot and resolve these errors on your own without the need to reach out to Buffer or Zapier support via email.

1. Using incorrect Instagram image aspect ratios on Buffer

Below is a screenshot of the error that Buffer should prompt if your image aspect ratio is incorrect.

Instagram REQUIRES that you follow their image aspect ratios(image below) in your post on ContentCal.io, Buffer, or any other social media publishing platform in order for the post to publish. In the event you don’t follow these guidelines you will need to login to your Buffer account on a desktop to see this particular error. Buffer has not made it possible to view this common error on its mobile application yet. Another thing to note: Make sure to crop your image slightly larger or smaller than the aspect ratios below because image cropping tools (e.g. Adobe Photoshop) aren’t pixel specific and your image aspect ratio might still fall outside Instagram’s very specific parameters and prevent the post from auto-publishing on Instagram.

Source: Buffer

2. The Instagram account is NOT properly connected on the Buffer mobile app

I’ve provided a screenshot of the error message you will see on the desktop version of your Buffer Account. You will continue to receive this error messages for your posts to Instagram via Buffer until you have downloaded the app to your mobile device and connected it to your mobile device. As long as this error occurs the direct publishing setup for the Instagram account you manage on Content Cal will not work.

Screenshot of Error Message on Buffer Desktop Account when Instagram is not connected on the Buffer Mobile App

This slideshow below provides a screenshot of the app for download on the Iphone as well as where to find and connect your Instagram account on the Iphone app after logging in.

  • Mobile Screenshot of Buffer Mobile App on Iphone
  • IOS Buffer Mobile App Settings Screen

3.The Zap is NOT turned in your Zapier Account

Always be sure to check that all of your zaps are turned off by simply clicking the toggle button to turn from gray to green as seen below. In my experience I have found that these will inadvertently turn off every once in a while and need to be checked to make sure they are on or you will have a failed post to Instagram from your auto-publish channel on ContentCal.io

Screenshot of Zapier home page on iphone

If you found this short error guide helpful in determining the reason your posts are not auto-publishing on any Instagram accounts you manage on Content Cal please share in the comments below. I also welcome any feedback that will improve the visualization or verbal explanation of this guide. Please feel free to share this guide on social media as a resource for others to use.

Creating a Lasting Impression

Foot print in the sand

How many times have you heard someone tell the importance of “creating a lasting impression” in either in your personal or professional life? I’ve heard it very often, but lately I’ve been reflecting on how do I achieve this in my work as a freelancer because the impressions I create impact my success.
What I’ve come to realize I must strive to work with excellence. Excellence, meaning that I give 110% to every task or project to deliver excellent outcomes and instill trust and confidence in my clients and colleagues. However, I think we can all agree that we face obstacles on a daily basis that make it extremely challenging to continue striving for excellence. Some consistent challenges you may encounter are: putting in more hours on a project without additional compensation, completing tasks that are beyond the scope of your normal duties, providing a client with assistance, or finishing a project outside of normal working hours. What I find interesting is that I experience great joy and ease in overcoming any obstacles when I choose to work with excellence. Tasks that were rather monotonous and laborious are no more and I’m motivated to deliver results that consistently go above and beyond because I become excited and energized about what I’m aiming for. On the opposite hand, when I haven’t pursued working with excellence, I’ve experienced a noticeable decline in the quality of my work which has impacted the overall confidence clients and colleagues have in me and my abilities. Therefore, one thing has because quite clear to me. If I want to create a lasting impression and continue experiencing success as a freelancer, I must continually pursue excellence in everything that I do. Anything less is not an option.

What are your thoughts about how you are success as a freelancer in your work? Share your thoughts and comments below. I look forward to hearing from you.

Navigating as a freelancer in TODAY’s Gig Economy

Welcome,

Have you been contemplating working or are you currently working as a freelancer? Do you have a passion to serve others and are seeking to grow and be challenged in new and exciting ways?

I’m starting this blog to share about my own journey starting a career as a freelancer in the digital media marketing industry.  It’s been a rewarding, but challenging journey to develop skills as a freelancer because I’ve had very little guidance or mentoring to help me learn the various components of working for myself. In addition, all the technical aspects of the projects I’ve worked on I’ve learned mostly on my own with very little training. I hope that if you are contemplating becoming a freelancer you will find valuable tips and insight from what I share that I’ve learned through my journey and you will find them valuable for your own journey down whatever path you are on.

I’ll share some brief history of my own journey of how I came to work as a freelancer.  Since graduating college in 2005, I have worked in several different industries  including door to door sales, insurance sales, a server at various restaurants, banking, health care and studying to become a licensed physical therapist.  Over the course of the last 14 years, my growth journey as a professional has evolved and changed on a daily basis. Career choices that I’ve made that I had anticipated and planned would go a certain way, did not end up the way I had expected. With each new change in my journey I have identified one thing that has caused me to suffer and wallow in discouragement and disappointment rather than grow in grit and determination to push forward and get better.  It’s all about daily choices. It has taken me a long time to come to terms with the simple fact that all successful people choose daily to have a positive attitude and choose to learn how to get better even when they thought they were doing everything well. For a long time I thought it was about having a positive attitude or humbly acknowledging you need to get better at something that you don’t do well in whatever role you find yourself in for work. This has always been hard for me because I didn’t want to pretend to have a positive attitude if I wasn’t happy. I didn’t want to humbly acknowledge my opportunities for growth because of how weak or incompetent it would make me appear to others. However, what it boiled down to was I was making the wrong choice day in and day out. Also, I didn’t want to acknowledge I was making the wrong choice over and over again. The perspective we have about our growth journey and our current circumstances really is all about choice.  Continue seeking and figuring out what things help you choose choice to be excited, remain positive, and be flexible in the face of adversity on your journey of growth and it will slowly shape your view to one of opportunity and joy and not despair and misery. For me it has been my wife, my children, and realizing my true identity as a son of God. The best part is we are all capable of making the right choice and all can benefit in their growth journey in this way.

Feel free to share comments below and any valuable insights you’ve learned in your own growth journey. I hope you enjoyed this post and are encouraged as you continue on your growth path. Have a great week!

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