Instagram is one of the most used social media platforms, so you want to increase Instagram engagement. With over 2.35 billion monthly users, Instagram is one of the best ways to get your product or service seen. Instagram engagement is about building relationships and initiating conversations with your followers. By doing so, you are increasing your brand awareness and keeping your brand top-of-mind.
What’s your engagement rate, and how can you increase it? This article will cover eleven tips to boost your Instagram engagement and create conversations.
- 6 Tips for Successful Social Media Marketing
- 5 Reasons Your Social Media Campaign Stinks (And How To Fix It)
Tips To Increase Instagram Engagement
A great way to increase your ranking and ability to be discoverable is through the use of hashtags. But be strategic – hashtags can make or break you. So be wise with your chosen ones and ensure they relate to your image.
You can use a maximum of 30 hashtags per post. Focus your hashtags on your target audience and location. If you need some ideas, check out our Instagram.
2. Geo-tag Locations
With every post, you can geo-tag locations. This is an excellent way for your page to be visible within a location tag. If your business has a location tag, use it! By using common locations (coffee shops and restaurants), you are more likely to be seen.
3. Post Valuable Content
Often, we see many people posting content irrelevant to their target audience. Content is king, and when it comes down to it, your followers are there to get value.
What will your followers take away from the image or the caption? Are you sharing tips, an experience, or asking for advice?
One of the easiest things to implement is a call-to-action (CTA). A CTA can ask questions or start a discussion on a specific topic.
By including a CTA, you are inviting potential customers to talk to you, and in turn, you’ll be able to nurture them and convert them into paying clients.
4. Use Emojis
Express yourself in emojis. From your Instagram bio to individual posts, emojis are a great way to showcase who you are. We like to use similar emojis across all our posts and profiles that fit our brand.
Another opportunity to use emojis lies in stories. Start using them through the polls or GIF functions.
5. Instagram SEO
It may be hard to believe, but Instagram has its own internal SEO. One of the easiest ways to optimize your profile is to add critical terms and phrases to your bio.
Look at the difference between the two:
In the image on the right, we include “Digital Marketing” in our profile name. Because our company name doesn’t specify what services we offer or what industry we’re in, it’s essential to include it. In addition, this allows us to be more visible within Instagram SEO.
When someone searches “Digital Marketing,” we’re more likely to appear in the search results.
You can also use keywords in your bio description as well. Although they do not rank as high as your profile name, they’re still essential for searches.
6. Engage, Engage, Engage!
Instagram’s algorithm relies heavily on engagement. Those engaging often rank higher than those that do not. The algorithm can recognize your activity level – so cultivate conversation. Authentic engagement matters!
Spend a set amount of time on Instagram daily to leave genuine comments. Engage with current clients, potential clients, and those who could benefit from the products and services you have to offer.
7. Be Consistent
Stay consistent when it comes to your feed, patterns, and branding. Are you using a cohesive theme, color palette, or design? Make sure you use strategic image selection and that your photos represent you.
This will keep your brand top-of-mind and be recognizable with and without your name.
Here are some examples of Instagram users who have consistent branding and imagery. What do you want people to feel and think when they come across your brand?
8. Know Your Audience
Who’s following you, and why are they following you? Dive deep into your audience and create content that interests them. Using Instagram Business Analytics, check out the demographics of your followers. You can also see the posts they are engaging with the most.
If you do not have this function within your account, you may not have a business account. Link your business Facebook page. Use this to create a plan.
9. Post at Optimal Times
When are your followers most active? In the morning, at lunch, or late at night? You can post at optimal times by diving deep into when your followers are active on Instagram. This creates an opportunity to have the highest number of eyes on your post.
Not sure when your followers are most active or what times your posts do well? Use the business functions within Instagram or a third-party app like UNUM.
If you’re posting a photo that showcases another brand, be sure to mention or tag them! Doing this notifies brands, which means you can get reposted. Brands love it when they are tagged because it gets them exposure. Plus, it allows them to repost user-generated content.
11. User Generated Content (UGC)
One of the best ways to increase engagement is to share user-generated content. UGC is original content created by an individual or group. Instagram users often showcase other brands (hopefully yours) in hopes of being noticed. By sharing UGC content, users are more inclined to mention your brand if there is a possibility they might be shared.
Increasing your Instagram engagement can seem daunting, but keep at it. Once you get the hang of it, it can be a breeze. The next time you create a post on Instagram, try to incorporate a couple of the following tips.
Take notes to see how it affects your engagement. Remember, Instagram’s algorithm likes to see users engaging with other content.
Be sure to be engaged, but also be authentic.
Let us know if you need more help managing your social media! Our social media experts can help grow your business, so you can focus on what matters most – running your business. We can also help you advertise on Facebook and Instagram. We’re a leading Facebook advertising agency.
Related Posts
Website Design 101 – 5 Steps To Design Websites That Convert
WordPress Hosting vs Web Hosting: Key Differences
My Old Web Designer Won’t Release My Website: What Can I Do?
Affordable PPC Management: PPC Marketing With A Small Budget