Creating better posts on Instagram and having an increasingly high number of Instagram followers is a goal pursued by most active users of the trendiest social network of the moment. To date, monthly active users on Instagram are more than a billion worldwide, and it is estimated that more than 100 million photos are published every day. In this context, being able to stand out and find one’s own following is not easy. High competition and less and less attention from users make it difficult to obtain important results.
The era of Instagram as a social network of photos taken from real situations, as opposed to Pinterest, which instead presents more qualitative and “postcard” photo collections, has long since ended. Precisely because of the intense competition between users who compete with those who offer the most interesting photo, the very high quality of published content has become a must. It is no longer enough to post content on the fly. We also need images that really conquer, that stand out. Furthermore, it is necessary to have constant attention to the generated engagement and to implement tricks that allow improving the relationship and the involvement of the users. Here are some tips aimed especially at companies – but valid for any user – to create better posts on Instagram and have a wider fan base with an ever-growing number of followers.
Always look at the statistics.
Having an eye on the statistics is essential to know what results in each post gave. Instagram now gives visibility to posts based on the rules of the new algorithm that closely resembles that of Facebook. Each post is shown to people who have already established interaction with previous posts or with whom there is still a relationship. Therefore knowing the level of involvement generated by each post is essential to understand which ones are more valid and which ones leave the time they find.
Companies must create an Instagram Business Account.
Switching your personal profile into a business profile allows you to access some statistics and information data that are not available in the basic account. It is also possible to integrate buttons for call to action into posts, through which users can get in direct contact with those who manage the Instagram account. Finally, you can immediately launch advertising campaigns by sponsoring a post without going through the Facebook advertising interface, with which you normally manage advertising on Instagram.
Create a content plan
Choosing the content of high originality and quality means preparing and planning it, which is not done instantly? Furthermore, contents that have a coherence, which is somehow interconnected by a logical and emotional thread, are winning. In this way, it is possible to communicate identity and character, gaining the interest and constant attention of users and followers.
Reuse of previously published content.
You don’t always have convincing ideas for new posts. In addition, there are posts already published so valid that they deserve to have an extension of visibility. In general, republishing the most popular old posts is not a mistake and will not be perceived by users as a lack of creativity. On the contrary, it can be a way to reiterate the characteristics of your communication style, highlighting the distinctive features of the most successful posts.
Create recognizable and personalized hashtags
If you have started to have a large audience, it is better to start using personalized hashtags, perhaps recalling the brand name or coining expressions that reflect the type of communication campaigns being carried out. For example, if you are publishing a series of posts regarding respect for the environment that your company has, associating a specific hashtag – such as # [company name] for the environment – can lead someone to publish related posts. Especially if you ask your audience: “What are you doing for the environment? Answer with our hashtag”.
Take advantage of relevant content produced by followers.
Many times, Instagram followers respond by posting images in comments to your post. Or they publish content with a hashtag that concerns you or even mentioning it. In this case, if the image of your follower is of value, it can certainly be republished by citing the author in the caption.
Use geotags
Posts that are tied to a specific place via a tag receive more interactions on average than non-geotagged ones. This is because users tend to give more value to posts that have a direct connection with them, including geographic location as well. Even if not all posts can and must be geotagged, thinking about often posting local content is always a winning move.
Use bio as if it were a post.
The bio is the presentation of the company in the profile. A few lines that describe what you do and what you offer. It is the marker of brand identity. However, this does not mean that from time to time, one’s own bio can be used as a direct communication tool that is as if it were a real post expected to last a long time.
Use Stories often
The stories on Instagram are worth even more than the regular post. They are more fun, personal, and full of ideas. Many users open Instagram just to see the Stories. In addition, they may also contain links. Using them to stimulate users with engaging content, but also with very short-term commercial and promotional proposals, is a winning technique.
Instagram is one of the most effective resources for online marketing if the products offered have a high visual and emotional component. Clothing and fashion, food, tourism, cosmetics and body care, cars and motorcycles, sporting goods are just some of the product areas that can take full advantage of good social media marketing on Instagram.
In general, however, the quality of Instagram marketing brings the best results if connected to an advertising plan that makes the most of the opportunities offered by the platform. Instagram advertising is created and managed through the same Facebook advertising management platform. Professionals use the Facebook Business Manager to have total control of all the features that the two social networks make available to companies.