In the social media sphere, Instagram stands as the ultimate platform that allows you to share your brand story. It enables for versatility and creativity in visual communication comparable to no other App. In the same breath, it can also be a Pandora’s Box of goofs and inconsistencies, which can result in bland communication and brand misrepresentation.
Otto von Bismarck that famously said, “Fools say that they learn by experience. I prefer to profit by others experience.” In the same spirit, you too can observer those that came before you so that you never repeat their mistakes.
For your consideration, here are a few things you pivot away from if you want the enterprise to enjoy continued growth on the gram.
1. Heavy Use of Stock Photos
As a startup, there is little time to take pictures and edit them to the standard that Instagrammers expect. The temptation to use stork images creeps in for this reason. There have been many cases of companies using similar pictures in their Ads. They are at time blurry or and tacky it all stacks up and makes you appear to be an inconsistent amateur not only at Instagramming but also your core business.
2. Lazy Copy Writing
We all know that Instagram’s mode of communication is predominantly visual. However, there is no reason to slack on the quality of your captions. Captions lend a voice and much-needed context to your visuals.
You may want your post to serve as a call to action or a question that needs to get answers from your audience. Neglecting captions makes followers just like your post and scroll to the next cat video.
3. Inconsistent Posting
One of marketing’s core principles is “consistency builds trust.” When your following is engaged and engrossed in you, they will learn when post and focus on more than what pops up on their feed. For this reason, your post should be on a schedule. Instagram have analytic tools that show you when your core following’s activity is at a peak.
Why not get started with bumped.in and obtain insight into follower behavior. Data from them will help you in posting at the right time and have more solutions in sustained growth.
4. Focusing Too Much On Like for Likes/Follows for Follows
The most common misconception with IG is that it’s a numbers game. For this reason, many people buy followers or get bots to target and follow others on their behalf. In recent years, Instagram algorithms have been adapted to recognize the engagement of a prosperous profile.
Using tags like #f2f is also a common way of getting others to follow you if you do the same. They work, but in the end, you are getting followers that are not passionate in your business.
5. Apps and Websites for Followers and Engagement
You may have come across ads promising real followers and authentic likes. It may be tempting, but it is a bad idea. Nothing is free in this world; most of these Apps later demand subscription fees or other payments to give your full features. The only way to grow on IG is through quality content and honest engagement.
Very little in the world that comes free is worth the hustle of seeking it out. Only getting to know your followers will grow your following and your business.
6. Making Promises, You Can’t Keep
Trust is a core virtue in business, friendship and every aspect of life. Loads of people may use Instagram as a distraction. But then again, they will take your brand seriously and take you for your word. If you ever make a promise on Instagram always, make sure to deliver on it. If you fail at this, you will ruin your credibility even outside Instagram.
We live in a world of superb internet connectivity, and people are experts in spreading bad news, so keep it real.
7. Concentrating On Quantity Instead Of Quality
The fact that it is not a numbers game on Instagram cannot be stated enough. Most IG users focus on putting out as much content as possible to shore up the numbers. As a brand, you should concentrate on spreading the best possible quality instead of making many posts. Visual communication directly influences human sensory memory. Consequently, a viewer will subconsciously believe that a brand with low-quality Instagram content also has low-quality products and service delivery.
To read more on topics like this, check out the social media category.