Instagram is the perfect place to share your brand's personality, but it can be difficult to know how to grow a following. With all of the noise on Instagram, it's a good idea to create a strategy that will help you see results.
Instagram is a visually oriented platform that values quality and consistency. Instagram best practices vary from other social media networks because of its visual focus, so we’ve outlined some best practices to help you boost your organic reach on the platform
Make use of the different available content formats
The most popular types of content on Instagram are videos and carousel posts, especially in contrast to single-image posts. For example, carousel posts combine several various media types (such as a picture or a video) into one, enabling you to produce posts with a significant effect.
Whether visitors are viewing a video or browsing through a ten-picture image carousel, both types of content keep them interested for longer. A user is more engaged with your content the longer they interact with it.
Even while video and carousel posts are the most common, you may experiment with other content types (such as Reels and Stories) to determine which ones your audience responds to the most.
Post consistently
Consistency is still key on Instagram in 2022. Consistent posting can help you grow your audience faster and offers more opportunities for your followers to engage with your posts and account. You don’t have to post every day: anywhere between four to six posts per week would be an optimal frequency.
Post at the right time
It's crucial to publish on Instagram at a time when you can reach your audiences when they are online and more likely to interact with your photos. The best way to find out when your audience is most active is to check your Instagram account insights section. That aside, the universal best times to post are between 6 PM to 9 PM on weekends (Fridays, Saturday and Sunday).
Write Engaging Captions
While it may seem like a small detail, captions actually make a big difference in how people perceive your content. They can increase the number of people who engage with your posts by almost 2%, so you should always include compelling captions in your posts.
Leverage Hashtags
In addition to writing effective captions, it is recommended to always add relevant hashtags in your posts. Hashtags allow your content to be seen by users who are not following your account. Hashtags are a great way to attract attention from users who might be interested in your brand. They help you gain new followers and increase engagement from users who don’t know who you are yet.
Monitor Insights
Monitoring your Instagram insights is critically important as it helps you understand what type of content your audience is interested in and who they are. For example, if you notice that most of your followers engage more with Stories rather than Photos or Videos, this could be a signal that Instagram users value temporality over quality. The most impactful way to grow your audience is by understanding exactly what works and what doesn't. Consistently monitor your engagement analytics to make informed decisions that will help you grow better.
Conclusion
Even the most seasoned marketers can struggle with building an engaged Instagram community, but you don’t have to. By following the above best practices, you will notice a considerable improvement in your engagement rate and in your account’s visibility.
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