Did you know that Instagram has more than 1 billion active users a month, and 90% of them follow at least one business profile? This means that Instagram should be an integral part of your business marketing strategy. Growing your account can set you one step ahead of your competitors, establish you as an industry leader, and help you expand your customer base by reaching new audiences.
Wondering how to drive engagement and sales through Instagram in the long run? Read on to learn which techniques you should implement to improve your Instagram growth strategy.
Use Hashtags the Right Way
Hashtags are some of the best tools to reach more people and drive engagement on Instagram posts. To get the most out of this tactic, you should pick up to 30 hashtags that aren’t too popular but also not too rare.
Generally, you should choose hashtags that have between 50,000 and 300,000 posts. The goal is to get in the top 9 for the hashtag in order to boost visibility, which is almost impossible if there are too many posts for that hashtag.
Post Consistently
Posting high-quality content consistently is the key to capturing the attention of your target audience on Instagram. Instagram’s algorithm now shows posts based on interests, timelines, and relationships. This means that your audience will see your posts if they have previously interacted with your brand and are interested in the subject.
It’s recommended that you post 1-2 posts a day along with at least 5 Stories. Occasionally, publish a live video or create an engaging, on-brand reel. Ideally, you should plan your content strategy in advance to keep it consistent. Monitor the Instagram Insights, learn when your most active followers are, and schedule Instagram posts accordingly.
Sign Up for a Reputable Growth Service
Growing your Instagram can be challenging, and you’ll have to work hard to build a robust presence in your industry. So, it might be wise to tap into growth services. But, you have to be careful with these. Keep in mind that whenever something seems too good to be true, it most likely is.
Luckily, there are reputable and legit growth agencies like Path Social that deliver on their promise. According to a recent Path Social review, you get an in-house team of professionals who leverage a proprietary AI targeting algorithm to track down the right audience for your content. Most importantly, their strategy is compliant with the best practices for organic Instagram growth.
Leverage User-Generated Content
Sharing user-generated content can help you reach a new audience and boost Instagram growth. You’ll be engaging your followers while also getting unique and creative content you can use on social media. UGC is a surefire way to build trust and influence buyers to take specific actions from social media.
Consider creating a campaign around a branded hashtag or photo contests with a giveaway. Then, encourage users to share their content using the hashtag and promote the best posts on your feed. Another option is to post a question and encourage your followers to share a post and tag you. Finally, testimonials and product reviews are also popular forms of UGC.
Engage Your Community
Being active and engaged is an excellent way to reach new people and get users to follow you and engage with you back. Always take time to leave comments, respond to DMs, like images and videos and more.
Moreover, connect with other niche accounts and join in relevant conversations by commenting and keeping the discussion going. As you engage with these accounts, users will see your comments, might pop over to your account to check it out, and give you a follow.
Tap Into Cross-Platform Promotion
Cross-promoting your Instagram account can be very effective in reaching new audiences. For example, you can direct followers on other social media platforms to your Instagram account for exclusive content or offers. Additionally, consider adding social buttons in your email newsletter or email signature. Moreover, place the Instagram icon linked to your feed on the website’s footer and large digital ads.
You can even promote Instagram offline leveraging a QR code to prompt brick-and-mortar visitors to follow you on the spot. To increase the chance they follow you, consider adding an incentive like a discount or other special offer.
In Conclusion
You can’t grow your Instagram overnight. You need to put in the time and effort daily, follow the best practices, and track your results. Posting high-quality content consistently, using relevant hashtags, and engaging with followers are some of the tried and true tactics for Instagram expansion. Don’t forget to tweak what isn’t working and continuously refine your strategy for best results.
