By Sophia Young
Instagram is one of the biggest social media platforms in the world, and that spells an opportunity for a smart businessman. Instagram is a very simple platform to use, but mastering it for marketing is quite the challenge. Still, the benefits of a strong Instagram presence are just too good to pass up, and that’s why you need a plan.
Today, we’ll be talking about some of the best tried and true tactics to enhance your Instagram presence. These tactics show you that shortcuts are not the way to success. There are far cheaper and cleverer ways to promote your brand online. You just need to understand the algorithm and remain consistent with your tactics.
Optimize your bio
Before anything else, a proper bio for your account needs to be made. It’s common sense to have a simple and eye-catching profile pic. It’s also pretty obvious that a concise brand name is more appealing. However, too many people don’t put the same thought into their bio. Your bio needs to contain links to your other socials as well as your business website.
Your username, in addition to being concise, needs to be easily searchable. Don’t add symbols or misspelled words. Even if only a small percentage clicks on your bio links, it’s already an ROI since it takes so little effort. Optimize the SEO of your bio as well, so it gets picked up on search engine results.
Post consistently
Regular posts are not the same as consistent posts. Sure, a post can be regular, but what does regular mean? Does it mean you post every day at random times? Does it mean you post whenever you feel like it? This type of regular post is ineffective. You need to have a firm schedule of when to post on Instagram. A brand should have regular posts but at exact hours of the day.
For example, a restaurant should post breakfast items every morning at 6 am. This ensures that you’ll show up on your customers’ feeds before they leave for work. Certain days show the most engagement, but again, all of this depends on your
demographic. What matters is that people know what time you post and how often you do it just from habit. Scheduling posts in advance is a great Instagram hack to have consistent posts.
Start crossposting with other businesses or influencers
Crossposting, or guest posting, on other Instagram accounts, is a great way to get eyes on your account. This is especially crucial for establishing a social media presence for your small business. This essentially acts as a way to get followers from the existing follower base of other accounts. Crossposting isn’t just posting an image with your brand logo, of course.
You have to make a post that convinces other businesses or influencers that they get something out of it too. Perhaps you also give a shout-out on your page to their business. It could be a collaboration you have at a local event. Whatever the case may be, make your business an appealing partner for the long run.
Post your Instagram account in all your other social media
Social media accounts are free to make, so there’s no reason to have some sort of presence on every single one. It’s important to advertise your socials on your other socials. Different people like using different social media. Giving them options and consistent, quality posts on each is a great way to make new connections.
Don’t just ask for a follow, of course, because there’s no incentive. Make sure to attach your call-to-action with an enticing Instagram post. Perhaps a promo that is exclusive to Instagram users, or a competition that only takes entries from Instagram. Whatever you do, make sure that they get something out of following you on Instagram.
Know your audience
Your followers will always have their preferences. It’s important to understand your niche to maximize engagement. Consider investing in Instagram analytics tools so you know which of your posts are doing well and which aren’t. Every detail matters when optimizing your content to be appealing to your audience.
Do they engage more when the social media page is more joking? Be more casual from here on out and respond to followers more. Do they engage most in the afternoon? Make sure your most important promotions are posted around that time. There are dozens of factors at play, and that’s why social media analysis tools are crucial for your success.
Use the right hashtags
Hashtags are one of the most surefire ways to gain new followers. Treat hashtags the same way you would SEO, only it’s specific to Instagram. Marketers who know what hashtags are trending and which are evergreen gain a respectable amount of followers through them alone. It’s important to note that some hashtags are “overcrowded”.
Just like keywords, there’s steep competition the broader your hashtag is. Start getting specific by basing hashtags around things relevant to your business. For example, add your product category alongside the location of your business. A #NewYorkPizzaInOhio for example is probably pretty rare, and people will want NY-style pizza regardless of state. Also, your brand needs to have its unique hashtag, so people know which to search for at a moment’s notice.
Get experimental
People on Instagram have seen it all, so it’s not a good idea to be “safe”, so to speak. Your posts need to stand out by being unique and having a clear identity. Your Instagram page should not evoke a sense of corporate familiarity in users. A consistent personality in your posts should be present.
Your video content and photos should also always be different. Never repost, because the last thing people want to see on their feed is something they’ve seen before. If your content gets too repetitive, some people will unfollow you. Being unique with your content sidesteps the problem.
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Sophia Young recently quit a non-writing job to finally be able to tell stories and paint the world through her words. She loves talking about fashion and weddings and travel, but she can also easily kick ass with a thousand-word article about the latest marketing and business trends.
