If you’re a micro-influencer, an aspiring influencer, a small business owner, or just someone who wants more Instagram likes, you’re probably wondering how you can stand out in such a saturated feed. The answer? Instagram has trends, just like fashion! These tips and tricks can help you maximize your reach, engagement, and follower count. Keep in mind that social media trends and best practices change often, so you’ll want to do your research regularly to stay on top of them.
Content Is King
What brings followers to you and keeps them with you? Your content. What you’re posting has always been and will always be the key to success on Instagram. People want content that feels authentic and real. It’s easier for an audience to connect with an influencer or brand they can relate to. Showcasing the ups and the downs of your life creates a certain level of trust in your relationship with your followers.
Overuse Instagram Stories
Instagram Stories are great for so many reasons. First, they’re at the very top of the feed. So if a user is stopping by quickly, Stories are some of the easiest places for them to check. They also come with a sense of urgency, since your followers will “miss” your stories if they don’t check in at least every 24 hours. Stories are also great for feedback: Capitalizing on sliders, polls, and stickers can help you better understand what followers like and what they don’t want to see.
Rethink Reels
It may be tough to put yourself in front of the camera, but Instagram Reels offer a great place to hop on trends, share fun finds, or create educational content. It’s one more tool that allows you to provide real value to your follower base and reach new audiences via the Explore tab.
Get to the Explore Tab
Speaking of the Explore tab… What is it? It’s that in-app page with a grid full of content that seems somehow tailored to your tastes (because it is). As a creator, you want your content to land on that page. There’s no exact science to earning a spot on the Explore tab, but there are things you can do that help your chances, including using the right hashtags, choosing strategic posting times, tagging locations, including calls to action, and engaging with users in your comments.
Social media is a great instrument for advancing your influence and earning potential. These tips will help you achieve greater success on Instagram in 2021 and beyond.