In 2010, Instagram launched and since then the platform has grown substantially. Today the platform has over 800 million daily active users and has the highest engagement rate among all social media platforms currently on the market. Instagram continues to grow more and more each and every day. This platform alone generates approximately 4.2 billion likes per day and contains over 40 billion uploaded posts. With so much activity and users populated into one platform, there is really no reason why your business should not be on Instagram!
Are you a business or individual that has been struggling to grow your presence on Instagram? At Quick Marketing Group, we’ve come up with the secret sauce that will help you grow your Instagram following… organically! Keep reading and take note of these tips that’ll help you get your Instagram page noticed!
1. Turn your account into a business profile
The difference between a personal account and a business account? Business Instagram accounts give you access to analytics and insights on how your posts are performing. In addition, with Instagram business profiles, you’ll also be able to create ads and add clickable contact information to make it easier for customers and users to get a hold of you.
2. Post consistently
On average, Instagram users typically post 1-2 times per week. To gain traction and grow your followers, we recommend posting 1-2 times per day.
3. Good quality pictures make good quality posts
Remember, Instagram is a platform based on visuals. With that being said, it is important that all the content you post is visually appealing. Consistency is key, so make sure the photos you are posting align with the same theme or mood. Try using the same dimensions on photos and the same filters to make your Instagram profile more clean and cohesive. Think about preparing your content ahead of time so that posting becomes quick and easy, and you don’t find yourself spending more than half an hour thinking about a caption for your photo.
4. Create a unique bio
Make sure you create a clear and concise Instagram bio. Bios on this platform have a limit of 150 characters. Use this brief space to make your bio fun and unique. Users want to see what you have to offer on your page and what you’re all about. Kind of like an elevator pitch, users typically read bios to see if they share common interests with you before making the decision to follow you or not.
5. Geotag
While you can find a person with their username or hashtag, the same goes for location! If you’re posting a picture at an event or a new location, be sure to geotag. Geotags help users find your content easier.
6. Hashtag, hashtag, hashtag!
Hashtags are a great way to increase engagement and categorize content to make it easily discoverable. Keep in mind, however, that there are two types of hashtags – community hashtags and branded hashtags. Community hashtags are the generic hashtags that everyone typically uses, such as #Instadaily, #PhotoOfTheDay, #Like4Like, etc. On the other hand, branded hashtags are specific hashtags that are used solely to facilitate engagement in regards to you and your business, such as #QuickMarketing, #QMG, #BeQuickToClick, etc. In fact, 70% of hashtags on Instagram are branded! We recommend using a mix of both for maximum results.
7. Encourage user-generated content
It is a great idea to encourage users to create content, also known as user-generated content (UGC). Whether you were mentioned through a hashtag or tagged by an influencer, it is a good idea to share any user-generated content on your profile! This shows the Instagram community that your products and services are out there and being enjoyed. In addition, it also makes the users feel appreciated and noticed, which can increase brand loyalty.
8. Run contests and exclusive promotions
Let’s face it, everyone loves free stuff or a good deal. Think about using Instagram to run a contest or promo. Have users tag their friends, repost your content, like the photo, or follow your account to qualify. This is an easy word of mouth strategy that does wonders for your business.
9. Cross promote
If your business can also be found on Facebook, Linkedin, Google +, or Twitter, use these platforms to cross promote. Whether you put out a tweet or share your Instagram profile as a link on Facebook, both are great ways to get your followers on one platform to also follow you on another!
10. Keep tabs
Lastly, keep tabs on how your posts are performing. Revisit posts that didn’t perform well and see where you went wrong. From the time you post content to the captions you’ve created for your photos, there’s always different ways you can improve going forward.
While these things may seem like they take a great deal of energy and time, we strongly urge you to resist the temptation to take shortcuts. What is the point of having thousands of followers and little to no engagement? Remember, while buying followers may seem like the easy way out, in the long run, it can actually result in a loss of money and loss of credibility. On the other hand, gaining an authentic following can actually create brand loyalty and increase potential customers. Good things take time, so don’t beat yourself up if you don’t see results right away. Try incorporating some of the tactics above into your marketing strategy and see what works best for you.
Don’t have time? We’ve got you covered! Contact Quick Marketing Group today at 1-800-807-8784 or visit our website to inquire about our Social Media Marketing and Management services!
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