Since May, The Indian Sun has been delivering a media training and capacity-building program with support from the Victorian Government. The project aims to help Indian community organisations across Melbourne and regional Victoria improve how they connect with the public.
The latest online session, led by Saleha Singh and featuring digital communications expert Renata Carli, focused on how to use social media more effectively, with an emphasis on Instagram. Rather than offering a tech-heavy masterclass, the session asked community groups to pause and ask why they were posting in the first place.
“What are you trying to achieve? Who do you want to reach? And what’s realistic for your time and capacity?” These were the questions Carli encouraged participants to sit with before jumping into content planning. With more than a decade in not-for-profit digital media, she kept the advice grounded and practical.
Participants were introduced to a simple approach to strategy: set big and small goals, define your voice in three words, and align every post with purpose. The message was clear. Volume doesn’t equal value. It’s better to post less, with intention, than fill a feed for the sake of it.
Instagram took centre stage during the session, but the discussion touched on everything from Facebook photo albums to using YouTube for community interviews. Carli explained what each platform does well, what its limits are, and how to make that work for your organisation, especially if you don’t have a dedicated media team.
Participants were shown how to make their content more human, more visual, and more engaging without expensive gear. Candid moments, quotes, behind-the-scenes snaps. These are the ingredients that draw people in. “People connect with people,” Carli said. “Use faces, show action, keep it honest.”
Photo tips included the basics: clean your lens, shoot in natural light, frame with purpose. But Carli also offered reminders that often go unspoken. Ask someone to be the designated photographer at events. Don’t be afraid to crouch down for a better angle. Use what you already have. Repurpose, reuse, refresh.
The workshop also offered a quick tour of tools like Canva for visuals, Buffer for scheduling, and Linktree for organising links on Instagram. Each one, Carli noted, should be used based on your needs, not because they’re trendy.
The conversation eventually turned to AI. While tools like ChatGPT can help break a creative block, Singh urged caution. “AI can’t attend your event or understand your community. It can help you write, but it can’t feel. The voice still needs to come from you.”
Participants appreciated the balance between creativity and clarity. There was no push to go viral or compete for attention, just encouragement to connect better with existing audiences. The goal wasn’t reached. It resonated.
This session, part of a growing series from The Indian Sun, reflects a broader shift happening across Victoria’s Indian communities. Organisations are realising that storytelling is not a luxury or a side task. It’s part of the work. And with the right tools and confidence, they’re learning how to do it themselves, one post at a time.
The Indian Sun acknowledges the support of the Victorian Government.
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