Instagram has over 1 billion active monthly users. Numbers like that make marketing on Instagram nothing to turn your nose up at. But with so many users vying for attention, how can you drive your own Instagram engagement?
Here are 5 tried and true methods to boost engagement and help your business succeed on Instagram.
1. Leverage Hashtags
Instagram thrives on the use of hashtags. The use of the right hashtags can mean the difference between your post wallowing in obscurity or finding your audience.
Generally, you want your hashtags to be relevant to your brand, your product, your post, and the message you’re trying to send. There are a number of ways to deduce your signature hashtags.
Tools like these ones can help you narrow down niche tags. When in doubt, do some sleuthing and see what hashtags your industry’s influencers are using.
2. Stay Consistent
Consistency is key when it comes to Instagram. This means consistent posting, branding, and tone.
Set up a posting schedule and stick to it. If you’re bad at remembering to post, get a tool that can schedule Instagram posts for you – the time and effort you save will be well worth it.
You should also ensure your posts themselves are consistent. Be mindful of the layout of your grid. This is where choosing a color palette or sticking to a few set filters can come in handy.
Finally, pay attention to the tone of your posts. You should present a consistent look and feel throughout your imagery and your captions.
3. Use Instagram Stories
Instagram stories are a great way to boost your engagement by giving your users a glimpse behind the scenes of your operation. If you’re an artist or manufacturer, try uploading work-in-progress videos or other sneak peeks of upcoming work.
Stories are also a great way to announce sales and promotions. Because they’re time-sensitive, they boost user engagement through a sense of urgency not found in the typical post format.
4. Experiment With Posting Times
One of the best ways to boost engagement is to find your ideal posting times. This can be different for different users, so it’ll probably take a bit of trial and error for you to find yours.
The good news is you can use Instagram’s native analytics tool to get an idea of when your audience is likely to be online. From there it’s just a case of posting and measuring your likes and comments at certain times.
5. Add CTAs to Your Posts
Instagram makes it tricky to add clickable calls to action but that doesn’t mean you’re out of options. The simple act of asking for a comment or inviting users to otherwise engage with your post can go a long way to boosting your engagement.
If in doubt, try asking a question in your caption. This encourages users to engage with the post in a straightforward way and can help you build brand loyalty over time.
Boost Your Instagram Engagement
Instagram engagement is a boon to any marketing effort. With these 5 tips, you’ll be well on your way to boosting your engagement and seeing your business succeed on Instagram.
Looking for more articles like this one? Check out our blog for more posts on everything from studying abroad to social media marketing.