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).

我们得承认：Instagram抓拍神器是一个游戏；它需要你与人PK谁拍的好，有时又让你苦恼。除非你是卡黛珊(欧版范冰冰)，或是有卡黛珊这样的女友，否则得到更多的“赞”、拥有更多的粉丝可不是容易事。

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

但是你的社交媒体好运来了——我找了个社交媒体达人教你如何玩转Instagram。

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

猜我请了谁？用她的话来说，猜我请谁来“点燃Instagram之火”呢？我还未成年的妹妹格蕾丝（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.

我们得承认：青少年是时尚引领者。格蕾丝在Instagram上经常毫不费力地突破150个“赞”，因为她掌握了其中的规律。很谢谢她在百忙之中抽出时间，为我们这些“老”家伙分步讲解如何玩转Instagram。下面是她讲的玩Instagram这款图像分享应用时的该做什么，以及不该做什么的注意事项，后者更重要。

These are the Rules of Instagram:

玩转Instagram的规则

1. Timing is EVERYTHING.

时机就是一切

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.

玩转Instagram的首要规则是：不要随随便便晒照片。要知道时机就是一切。想象你在杂货店，要趁店员不注意的那一刻偷葡萄。道理相同：把握时机。

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!

那么你什么时候晒照片最好呢？格蕾丝说，周日晚上是得到“赞”的“黄金时间”，因为“每个人都很无聊，也没有作业要做。”我想这个道理在现实生活中也适用！

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

什么时候不要晒照片呢？早上！那些“赞”都很分布得“很奇怪、很零散”。

2. Also, don’t post too much.

不要发布太多内容

 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.”

我不在乎你觉得自己的外貌如何。但是没人想看八张你和另一半约会的照片。这不是自助餐，越多越好；我们只是想一窥你生活中少量片段。记住，像格蕾丝建议的那样，“你不能给别人太多信息，否则他们会很快略过。”

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!!!

如果你一周发布三到四次，那么你就要（用格蕾丝的话说）“再审视一下你的生活”然后“稍微少发布点图片”。我觉得这是实话！！！

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

如果这周有很多值得分享的东西，那就随性多发布点吧。

 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.

当然，规则之外总有特例。毕竟，Instagram的目的是用来记录生活中的重要点滴。格蕾丝说，社交媒体之神不应该因你有很多需要分享的东西而惩罚你！发布了就发布了，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演唱会上，或者校友欢迎会上，或者假日，那就尽情发布吧，“不要因发布太多而担心。这是常有的事，”格蕾丝说，“发布后你自己再缓和一阵，好让人们期待更多。”

4. Selfies have STRICT rules.

自拍有严格要求

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.

你不能写“自拍”时没了“自”（去掉了“我”），不妨这样来思考：你在销售你的外貌。格蕾丝说，由简单的资本供需规律可知，你需要让人们不满足，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:

从根本上来说，不要像明天是世界末日一样到处随意发布自拍。这样做并不可爱。下面是格蕾丝关于自拍的建议：

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.”

“不要无时无刻”发布，即“不要无节制”发布。“如果你觉得自己拍出一张很美的自拍，很好，在Instagram上发布它，但是在你再次自拍前稍微间隔一点时间会更好。”

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

不要把自拍“看得太严肃”。

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

好的自拍才叫自拍。