Let’s face it: Instagram is a game; cutthroat and at times agonizing. Garnering likes and followers is no easy task unless you’re a Kardashian (or have dated one).

我們得承認：Instagram抓拍神器是一個游戲；它需要你與人PK誰拍的好，有時又讓你苦惱。除非你是卡黛珊(歐版范冰冰)，或是有卡黛珊這樣的女友，否則得到更多的“贊”、擁有更多的粉絲可不是容易事。

But your social media luck is about to change, because I have a social media whiz to help step up your Instagram game.

但是你的社交媒體好運來了——我找了個社交媒體達人教你如何玩轉Instagram。

Who have I enlisted to “achieve Instagram fire,” in her own words? My teenage sister, Grace.

猜我請了誰？用她的話來說，猜我請誰來“點燃Instagram之火”呢？我還未成年的妹妹格蕾絲（Grace）。

Let’s face it: Teenagers are tastemakers. My sister routinely breaks 150 likes on Instagram, no sweat, because she just GETS it. Thankfully she was able to take time out of her busy schedule and break down the science of Instagram for us “old” folk. Here’s what to do and, more important, what not to do on the image-sharing app.

我們得承認：青少年是時尚引領者。格蕾絲在Instagram上經常毫不費力地突破150個“贊”，因為她掌握了其中的規律。很謝謝她在百忙之中抽出時間，為我們這些“老”家伙分步講解如何玩轉Instagram。下面是她講的玩Instagram這款圖像分享應用時的該做什么，以及不該做什么的注意事項，后者更重要。

These are the Rules of Instagram:

玩轉Instagram的規則

1. Timing is EVERYTHING.

時機就是一切

Rule No. 1 of Instagram: You can’t post photos willy-nilly. Think of it like sneaking grapes at the grocery store when a clerk isn’t watching: TIMING IS EVERYTHING.

玩轉Instagram的首要規則是：不要隨隨便便曬照片。要知道時機就是一切。想象你在雜貨店，要趁店員不注意的那一刻偷葡萄。道理相同：把握時機。

So when DO you actually post? Sunday evening is “prime time” for likes, according to my sister, because “everyone is bored and not doing homework.” I guess that applies to the real world too!

那么你什么時候曬照片最好呢？格蕾絲說，周日晚上是得到“贊”的“黃金時間”，因為“每個人都很無聊，也沒有作業要做。”我想這個道理在現實生活中也適用！

When not to post? Mornings! The likes are “weird and sporadic.”

什么時候不要曬照片呢？早上！那些“贊”都很分布得“很奇怪、很零散”。

2. Also, don’t post too much.

不要發布太多內容

 I don’t care how much you’re feeling your look. No one needs to see eight pictures from your date night out with bae. This isn’t a buffet; we want small, indulgent morsels of your life. Remember, as my sister recommends, “You can’t give the people too much or they will be over it real quick.”

我不在乎你覺得自己的外貌如何。但是沒人想看八張你和另一半約會的照片。這不是自助餐，越多越好；我們只是想一窺你生活中少量片段。記住，像格蕾絲建議的那樣，“你不能給別人太多信息，否則他們會很快略過。”

If you’re posting three to four times a week, my sister says to “reevaluate your life” and “chill a bit.” I see no lies!!!

如果你一周發布三到四次，那么你就要（用格蕾絲的話說）“再審視一下你的生活”然后“稍微少發布點圖片”。我覺得這是實話！！！

3. BUT if it is a big week in your life, feel free to post more than usual.

如果這周有很多值得分享的東西，那就隨性多發布點吧。

 Of course, there’s always the exception to the rule. After all, Instagram was meant to chronicle important moments in your life. The social media gods shouldn’t punish you for having a lot going on! Just remember to take it easy after, my sister said.

當然，規則之外總有特例。畢竟，Instagram的目的是用來記錄生活中的重要點滴。格蕾絲說，社交媒體之神不應該因你有很多需要分享的東西而懲罰你！發布了就發布了，不要太在意。

If it’s Rush, or Homecoming, or the holidays, “don’t feel bad for instaing a lot. It happens,” according to my sister. “Just make sure you chill out afterwards and let the people want more.”

如果是的Rush演唱會上，或者校友歡迎會上，或者假日，那就盡情發布吧，“不要因發布太多而擔心。這是常有的事，”格蕾絲說，“發布后你自己再緩和一陣，好讓人們期待更多。”

4. Selfies have STRICT rules.

自拍有嚴格要求

You can’t spell “selfie” without “sel” (minus an “l”), so think of it this way: You’re selling your look. By the simple capitalist laws of supply and demand you need to leave the people wanting more, according to my sister.

你不能寫“自拍”時沒了“自”（去掉了“我”），不妨這樣來思考：你在銷售你的外貌。格蕾絲說，由簡單的資本供需規律可知，你需要讓人們不滿足，想要更多。

Basically, don’t just go around throwing up random selfies like the world is ending tomorrow. It’s not a cute look. Here’s what my sister had to say about selfies:

從根本上來說，不要像明天是世界末日一樣到處隨意發布自拍。這樣做并不可愛。下面是格蕾絲關于自拍的建議：

a. Be “spontaneous and fun.”

自然而有趣

b. “Not all the time” aka DO THEM SPARINGLY. “If you think you look good in a selfie fine Instagram it but wait a while before you do it again.”

“不要無時無刻”發布，即“不要無節制”發布。“如果你覺得自己拍出一張很美的自拍，很好，在Instagram上發布它，但是在你再次自拍前稍微間隔一點時間會更好。”

c. Selfies are “not to be taken seriously.”

不要把自拍“看得太嚴肅”。

d. “Selfies should only be when you have a GOOD one.”

好的自拍才叫自拍。