Interacting with people online may have once been taboo, but there’s no arguing that, today, many of our relationships originate in the digital realm. And for artists, creators and storytellers of all mediums looking to build community online, there’s no place more ripe for creating connections than Instagram.

Perhaps no one knows that better than the platform’s newly minted Rings winners, who were recently recognised for their contributions to the platform. Handpicked by a panel of 13 judges, the Rings awardees encompass a wide range of professions. Everyone from Aki and Koichi, a beloved fashion influencer duo, to Nigel Sylvester, a professional BMX athlete, made Instagram’s inaugural list.

With musicians, comedians, photographers and creatives of all kinds gracing the list, it’s clear that no two Rings winners are quite the same. What they do share in common, however, is their ability to not only create content that makes an impact, but also to build and maintain an engaged audience.

Ahead, we asked Rings winners about their own Instagram communities, as well as their best tips for making friends online.

Nigel Sylvester

How would you describe the community you’ve created on Instagram?

My community on Instagram is global, diverse and deeply connected through shared passions. From BMX riders to sneaker lovers, artists and athletes to everyday dreamers, it’s a space where people come together around creativity and movement. They’re supportive, engaged, and always pushing me to go further.

What do you enjoy the most about your online community?

What I love most is that it feels like a two-way exchange – I’m sharing my world, but I’m also inspired daily by theirs.

Futura

How did you develop your online community, and when do you feel most connected to them?

I had the concept of connecting with my new online community, mostly through educational access, which hadn’t emerged yet. I always thought about the world at large, and found my audience and my satellites, some of whom I still know and have built bridges over time in geography and culture.

Today, I feel very much connected to the community. I enjoy the engagement and hope, my own words, might stimulate dialogue and conversations which could transcend the devices we are communicating with.

What’s your biggest tip for making friends on the internet?

That’s so easy, let’s start by making friends in real life.

Cole Bennett

How would you describe the community you’ve created on Instagram?

I feel my community on Instagram is a place where people get to feel like they’re watching something develop in real time. I’ve kept all my Instagram posts up since high school so that it feels like a story you can follow. Even if I don’t feel the things I posted five years ago represent who I am today, it’s still a part of my story. I kind of treat it like a book.

Life on Film

How did you develop your online community, and when do you feel most connected to them?

Our early community formed almost overnight; the very first Life on Film Reel went viral, hitting 30 million views and bringing in 150,000 followers. People instantly connected with the idea of seeing the world through someone else’s eyes, and the nostalgia of analog, cinematic storytelling.

Since then, staying connected has meant far more than posting videos. We talk with our audience constantly, through comments, DMs and story Q&As, and their input genuinely shapes what we create. They’ve inspired us to explore new places and give cameras to strangers whose stories might’ve otherwise gone untold. Hearing how our videos encouraged them to plan their own trips or start shooting on film reminds us this isn’t just a community of viewers – it’s a community of storytellers. That’s when we feel most connected: when their creativity loops back into ours.

What’s your biggest tip for making friends on the internet?

Most people, creators included, hesitate to reach out first. But everyone appreciates a genuine message. We’re always DMing artists and creators of all sizes just to say we loved something they made or that it inspired us. Those small messages have led to friendships, collaborations, and even teammates. Early on, we learned so much from creators ahead of us who were generous with their advice, and now we try to pay that forward. Some of our good friends and biggest opportunities started with a single DM sent because someone’s work moved us.