Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms out there. As of 2018, Instagram has over one billion monthly active users, with 500 million of those users using the platform daily. Compared to other social media platforms, its growth is unprecedented, making it an essential part of any business plan.
While Instagram is user-friendly and provides insights for business owners, it is crucial to understand how to get the most out of your account. Here are some do’s and don’ts for using Instagram.
Do Post Regularly
As with any business practice, consistency is key. Stay engaged with your followers and keep them up to date by posting regularly. Some accounts post daily, while others stagger their posts throughout the week. Users want to see that you are making an effort to engage with them, making them more likely to follow you and tag you in posts.
Don’t Make it Complicated
Simplicity is the name of the game when it comes to Instagram. According to a study, the average attention span of an online user is only eight seconds. If your posts are too wordy, not engaging or complicated, users will keep scrolling. Keep things simple by posting clear, clean photos. Keep captions short and simple and do not overdo it with hashtags.
Do Use Reels and Stories
Instagram is more than just a place to post photos. With new editions like Stories and Reels, users gain more insight into your business and learn more about you. Stories work well for posting sales, quick updates and sharing posts. Stories are placed at the top of the user’s timeline for even more engagement.
Reels is Instagram’s newest feature and is a response to the popular app, TikTok. If you want to appeal to younger users, utilizing Reels is a must. Easily make 15-30 second videos, add filters and music.
You do not have to know anything about video production and you can keep things light and fun. Reels can be posted to your feed, story or Instagram’s explore page to maximize views.
Don’t Rely on Graphics
While graphics made with Canva or Illustrator have their purpose and look nice, do not rely on only posting graphics. Switch it up by posting real photos of you, your team, products or services. Users want to put a face to a name so they can get to know you. This study tested user engagement between graphics and photos and found that photos attract a lot more attention and result in higher engagement.
Do Focus on Engagement
Followers are not everything. Instagram is riddled with bot accounts and inactive users, making user engagement a much better tool for planning your marketing strategy. Luckily, Instagram offers weekly insights for business pages that allow you to see what posts attracted the most engagement. Insights also tracks user demographics, locations and popular posting times.
Don’t Spam Your Followers
The last thing you want to do is spam your followers. Users do not want to be solicited, so avoid asking for follows whenever possible. If users like your content, they will follow you organically. Avoid posting too many photos in a short period of time, as this will annoy your followers. Post spamming may also trick Instagram into thinking that you are a bot account.
Let Us do the Work for You
Navigating the ins and outs of social media is difficult and time consuming. We know that you are busy running your business, which is why we offer a variety of social media services. Let our content creators make your graphics, take photos, keep track of insights and plan for higher user engagement. Contact us today for a free consultation and let us do the work for you.
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