Figuring out how to grow your business on Instagram is a balancing act. You don’t want to post so much that people tune you out, but you also need to make sure that your content is relevant and interesting.
One way to do this is by using branded hashtags. This will help you to generate user-generated content and increase engagement.
1. Post more often
Posting more often can help you reach new audiences and improve your visibility on the platform. It’s important to balance the number of posts with quality, as posting low-quality content too frequently can hurt your reach and engagement.
Use your Instagram Insights to find out when your audience is most active and then experiment with different posting times. Once you’ve found a schedule that works for your business, stick to it.
Make sure to include a call to action in your posts, such as asking your audience to tag a friend or follow your account. This will help you get more followers and grow your business.
2. Use hashtags
Hashtags are a great way to reach new audiences and increase the chance of your content being discovered. However, it’s important to use the right hashtags and know how to optimize your posts for them.
Some experts suggest putting hashtags in the caption, while others recommend adding them to the comments. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to experiment and find what works best for your business.
Avoid using banned hashtags or ones that aren’t relevant to your post. This could flag your account as spammy and affect your visibility.
3. Create a community
One of the best ways to build a community is by creating content that gets people talking. This can look a lot different for every brand, but it’s important to find a way to get your audience talking about your business.
This might mean doing Instagram Lives where you can talk to your audience in real time, or maybe it’s sharing something that will generate conversations in the comments. Whatever it is, you should always be focused on your goal for using Instagram – whether that’s to increase brand awareness or boost direct conversions on your site.
4. Experiment with different types of content
There are a lot of different ways to showcase your products and services on Instagram. From photos to videos, carousels and even Stories – the options are endless.
Creating an Instagram growth strategy is the best way to ensure that your content will have an impact on your audience. By setting clear goals – such as increasing brand awareness, direct conversions or website traffic – you can focus on the type of content that will help you achieve these objectives.
It’s also important to track your progress using Instagram’s built-in analytics tool, Instagram Insights. Alternatively, third-party apps like Plann PRO allow you to create custom reports for the metrics that matter most to your business.
5. Take advantage of influencers
Influencers are a great way to get your products in front of a larger audience. Look for influencers who have an audience that aligns with your industry and who have a good engagement rate.
If influencers with large followings aren’t within your budget, try micro-influencers. These smaller creators typically have a tight-knit community of followers who trust their recommendations.
When evaluating potential influencers, take a look at their bio, Stories, and feed to get a sense of their style. You should also ask them about their engagement rates.
6. Take advantage of IGTV
Instagram’s IGTV feature is a promising video-on-demand platform with the potential to rival YouTube. With a growing user base and the ability to upload videos up to 60 minutes in length, IGTV presents an opportunity for businesses to create unique content and build connections with their audiences.
Sephora is one of the brands taking advantage of IGTV, posting makeup and hair tutorials, FAQ videos, and more on their IGTV channel. They also share IGTV content on their main Instagram feed, which helps them reach more viewers. IGTV also allows creators to add clickable links in their descriptions, which can help drive traffic to their website.
7. Create a plan
Once you have a clear idea of what kind of content you want to post on Instagram, you can create a plan to reach your organic growth goals. There are several tools to help with this, including a scheduler and analytics.
One important part of your plan is to ensure that your profile is optimized. This includes a professional profile picture, a short and clear bio, and links to your website or online store.
You can also run Instagram ads to reach a wider audience. This type of advertising is cost-effective and can be highly effective.
