Are you struggling to grow your Instagram account despite posting original content consistently?
There are over two billion accounts on the platform. Plus, only 10% of your content appears in
your followers' feeds. These stats mean you have to go the extra mile to be
unique, valuable, and memorable on the site.
Learn how to get more followers with
these creative strategies.
Brand
Your Page
After registering for your free
Instagram account, your first step is to brand your page. You're allowed a
profile photo, a 150-character bio, and an image grid.
Ideally, your brand identity should
be ready to go before signing up for Instagram. If not, go back to the drawing
board and brand your account when you have the following elements:
- Logo
- Brand colors
- Slogan or tagline
- Bio
- Brand font
You should also have a month's worth
of content ready to go. Don't create too many posts in advance. You'll want to
monitor your metrics and make necessary changes to encourage growth. You don't
want to sink more resources into posts that aren't working.
These instagram tips will help you optimize your pages and posts with the right
keywords for maximum search visibility.
Target
the Right Followers
You already know there are two
billion Instagram accounts. Thus, you can't just wait for followers to come to
you. You must reach out to other users, as well.
Of course, you don't want to blindly
reach out to random users. Focus on users who fit your target demographic.
For example, if you're a florist,
you would likely target the following demographics:
- Event planners (weddings, funerals, etc.)
- Expectant parents (baby showers, etc.)
- Couples (Valentines Day, anniversaries, etc.)
- Photographers and art directors
- Venue managers
- Religious and spiritual directors
As you populate your Instagram page
with high-quality content, gradually engage with these demographics
organically.
Start by following top influencers
in these niches, like popular wedding bloggers and floral photographers. This
strategy helps increase trust and credibility with future followers; plus, the
app is more likely to recommend your page to similar accounts.
You can conduct your own outreach
marketing by following Instagram's own suggested accounts. You'll need a
spreadsheet app to organize your prospects too. This process can be quite
time-consuming, but social media marketing management services are available to
help.
How
to Craft Engaging Instagram Posts
Of course, you can't drive organic
engagement without high-quality posts. Quality itself isn't enough, though.
Your posts must be unique, compelling, and valuable with so much competition
and ideas. Before you post, ask yourself if the content enhances followers'
lives.
You can also repackage evergreen
content in fun, fresh ways. Evergreen content works year-round, too; plus, you
can cross-post to Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest.
Take advantage of new features when
they pop up, like reels. Create plenty of stories too. These points reinforce
the importance of diversifying your Instagram grid. Not only is it
aesthetically pleasing, but this strategy also engages more followers.
You don't need to be a graphic
designer or videographer to make compelling insta-content, either. For example,
candid, all-natural reels do great on the platform; plus, they help you connect
better with your followers by showing the real you.
Social media content builders also
provide perfectly-sized templates for posts and stories. Simply upload your own
photos or use any of the billions of available stock photos. These programs
align text and graphics for you, so you don't have to worry about off-center
fonts.
Original content is best. While you
can edit stock photos to create fresh posts, taking your own pictures is even
better. It may be worth hiring a professional photographer to take shareable
Instagram photos; it's also crucial for keeping a compelling grid aesthetic.
You can even turn to your own
audience for content ideas when you're low on inspiration. Share a poll asking
your followers about their favorite topics. Instagram also provides analytics
revealing your most popular posts and posting times.
Analytics are only available to
Instagram business accounts. It's free to upgrade to a business page; plus, the
app's advertising program is pay-per-click (PPC), which is cost-effective for
small businesses.
Think
About Your Grid
You may not think about your
Instagram grid as an element itself, but it's more critical than many users
think. Grids enhance the visual experience of the page; Instagram is a visual
platform, after all.
First, settle on a theme.
For example, if you're a spa owner,
you may want to use lavenders, soft pinks, calming greens, and light blues.
Patterning keeps the theme intact on your grid; one example of a pattern is
alternating between colors. Some accounts use multiple posts to create a more
extensive grid image.
You're not married to your Instagram
theme, either. Check your analytics regularly and compare themes to previous
themes, noting any rise and falls in engagement rates. You can always start a
new theme if the current one is missing the mark.
Connect
through Instagram Stories
Instagram stories are a secret
weapon if you use them right. They're your chance to get personal with your
followers, while you can use your grid to showcase your work.
Stories are quite versatile, but
here are a few ideas to start:
- Quick storytime videos
- Follower polls
- "Day in the life" videos
- Cool finds
- Follow shout-outs
- Favorite brand highlights
- Behind-the-scenes videos
- Quick messages
You can also save your favorite
stories in highlights. Plus, you can categorize them to showcase your work and
life further. Accounts often have several highlights for separate events and
projects.
Learn
How to Get More Followers Today
This guide is just the beginning of
your first Instagram strategy. Keep digging to learn how to get more followers
even faster.
Do you need more resources for your
social media marketing?
Discover a wide range of topics in
the blog!
