Instagram has become an important medium of many companies' social presence - generating traffic to their landing pages, establishing engaged following, and increasing conversions. However, if your Instagram presence isn't as strong as you were expecting, here are some ways to increase your engagement and get a higher number of followers.
Post Consistently
Random posting is only going to get you no or fewer results. In contrast, if you post consistently, your audience will know what to expect and be more likely to follow your account. There are plenty of tools out there that let you schedule posts, both for Instagram and other social media platforms.
When it comes to Instagram's algorithmic timeline, consistency is critical for getting your posts seen. If your postings are frequently shared and have good engagement, Instagram's algorithm will most likely place them at the top of people's feeds.
Use Hashtags
Hashtags show up in Instagram searches, which means utilizing them might help you grow your Instagram following for free. Including relevant tags may aid people in finding your profile after a search or by clicking on a hashtag from another relevant post.
Use Good Quality Images
Quality comes before quantity when it comes to updating your Instagram feed. When you post a photo, the first thing people will see is the image itself. If it's blurry or low-quality, they'll assume all of your other posts are as well. Clear, high-resolution photos will make a better impression on your followers, and you'll be rewarded with more likes and comments.
Experiment With Different Content Types
Don't stick with photos of your products on Instagram. Embrace formats like reels, stories, and IGTV, all of which can give your followers a unique, behind-the-scenes look at your business and increase customer engagement.
Posting videos on your feed can also help you gain more followers and engage with your audience. Also, Over 60% of Instagram users watch stories, making it a great option to reach a broad spectrum of your target market.
Promote Giveaways
Giveaways are an easy way to get more attention on social media platforms. Not only does this increase awareness of your brand, but it drives engagement with your content by encouraging people who have already interacted with your brand to return and complete additional actions.
You can further incentivize people to participate in these promotions by offering discounts on their next purchase or free samples of new products.
Collaborate With Similar Companies
Another great tactic for building engagement around your Instagram presence is collaborating with companies in different but complementary industries. For instance, if you offer services related to health and wellness, team up with an organic food producer or healthy cooking blog to produce customized content for both of your audiences. This will increase awareness about both brands and drive traffic back to each of your profiles.
Take Advantage of Instagram's Live Feature
Use Instagram Live to stream content with real-time engagement, making the platform more attractive to potential followers and generating buzz about your brand even if they don't follow you yet. This strategy is especially effective for events, where viewers can chat with others in the comments section or call out questions that you can answer on camera.
Insta Stories are also a great way to engage directly with customers by having them ask you questions about new products or services, letting them interact with you through polls, etc.
Write Engaging Captions
Your Instagram captions should not only inform followers about your product, but they should also be interesting enough to convince them to engage with your post. Try using questions, lists, fill-in-the-blanks, or emojis to get people reading your caption. Also, stay away from being too promotional in captions, as oversell posts are less likely to be engaged.
Conclusion
Instagram is very smart when it comes to content that users like and engage with. By paying attention to what your audience responds well to, you can continually improve your posts and build a following of engaged customers who trust and value your business.