Review: Hashtag Authentic by Sara Tasker

Disclaimer: I received this book for review purposes and this post contains affiliate links

I love a good book about blogging and social media-so was really excited to receive a review copy of Sara Tasker’s Hashtag Authentic. last month. It’s taken me ages to get around to reviewing this lovely book-because it really is quite meaty! Hopefully, you’ll find it useful and do let me know if you have any questions!

About Hashtag Authentic

Hashtag authentic is written by Instagram guru Sara Tasker, who blogs over at Me and Orla. I’ve listened to Sara’s podcast (also called Hashtag authentic!) for ages and it’s always full of useful tips on blogging, Instagram and beyond! Sara left her job in the NHS when her Instagram rocketed and she now divides her time between her blog, her online courses and coaching. The book covers photography, storytelling, finding a tribe on Instagram and carving out your own feed.

What I liked about it!

I read/listen to quite a lot of resources around social media-but it struck me that Sara’s was one of the few that came across as extremely passionate about her photos and the platform-rather than focusing on growing and becoming Insta-famous. I’ve been honest before that Instagram really is not my favourite platform but it’s clear Sara is really passionate about it and that’s why her following has grown. How bloody refreshing!

In a world of fashion bloggers posing on people’s doorsteps (one for another blog perhaps), I really enjoyed just flicking through Sara’s beautiful pictures and how she explains the process behind them. She really has created something unique.

The hardback is part photography, part advice-and the advice was much more wide-reaching than I’d expected. The photography section looking at the technicalities of using your camera was fab, as well as the different hacks and tutorials to creating those elusive shots (I’ve always wondered how people can take their own shots of both hands holding a cup of coffee-but I shall no longer!), a theme and just beautiful photography. Considering she also has an e-course, Sara has given away a huge amount of information for a great price.

What I didn’t like

I actually had a bit of a revelation about half way through this book! I was reading a section with beautiful floral images and I kind of thought ‘how does this apply to me (as largely a food blogger who just posts what she’s eating without thinking about the angles!) get to the part on engagement, times to post etc!.

Which was a pretty depressing realisation-I discovered that somewhere along the way I had almost forgotten the part of Instagram that is about taking photographs and just wanted to know the part where I could get more people to watch my stories or follow me. I don’t think I’m alone: we talk so much about algorithms and engagement that we forget that is an app to share and be proud of photography.

Sara’s book absolutely does talk about things like community, engagement and stories by the way but it is probably more aimed at those truly wanting to work on creating the absolute best content they can on the platform. In 2019, my Instagram has grown quite a bit but I have recently realised that whilst I look to like at nice pictures and enjoy snapping away-I just don’t have that desire to truly learn the art of photography.

I probably should have realised this before reviewing the book but I decided that for me, my words (my blog) will always come first because that’s just what’s important to me. Photography seems like a lot of effort (it isn’t, it’s just clear its not where my true passion lies!). Whilst I know other bloggers are happy for their blogs to play second fiddle to their Instagram and have grown rapidly as they pour all their efforts to creating gorgeous images. We’re all different.

So I guess it’s more of a positive that Sara’s book helped me realise this! I’d say if you’re purely focused on growing a following on Instagram, have a think about why? You need to be prepared to put the work in and if that’s about improving your photography then 100% give this book a read. If you’re just more interested in general social media tips on growing a following, there are probably other books that are more suitable.

Verdict

A beautiful hardback book which crams in lots of useful tips and gets you to think about Instagram in a different way. It’s no wonder Sara has managed to turn the platform into her job an it’s so refreshing to see someone so focused on non-cliche blogger type images! If you want to up your photography game this year, this one is for you. You can buy Hashtag Authentic here.