When you’re just starting a business, it can be exciting to imagine how you can successfully sell your product through social media. And there are many different social media platforms out there now - in fact, more than ever before. Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Tumblr, Pinterest, Snapchat, TikTok (to name just a few). We literally do everything online now, and socialising is one of them. One very popular social media platform wasn't mentioned in the examples given above, and that's Instagram (our focus on today's blog).
Instagram is, without a doubt, one of the most successful social media platforms out there - most of us are on it. But it’s not just about cat pictures and selfies - it’s also become an essential marketing tool for all types of businesses. In fact, it’s become so vital for brand establishment that after you create a website, your next step should be to create an Instagram account.
Marketing on Instagram is an extremely useful way to expose your new brand, and a solid Instagram presence can help your business reach new customers, funnel more traffic to your website and increase sales in record time. But growing an Instagram account is by no means simple - it takes time and dedication for it to be successful. And the truth is, your first 10,000 Instagram followers are the hardest to get. Why? Well, no one knows who you are or what you have to offer yet. You’ve still got to prove yourself as a successful brand.
If you follow this guide on how to get followers on Instagram, you could hit 10,000 Instagram followers in as little as four months. No jokes or tricks - just tried and tested methods! Check it out!
ONLY post high quality images
Eye-catching and visually pleasing content captures the viewer’s attention immediately. People aren’t likely to visit your profile if they run into a blurry, unprofessional photo - no matter how interesting your caption may be. The content you post should be high resolution and as professional looking as possible. NOTE: this doesn’t mean you need a photographer, illustrator, or any expensive gear. You can simply use most smartphones to create, capture and even edit stunning images.
You can also download apps to help you edit your images so they look on point. If you're interested in learning about the different apps that can help you achieve awesome eye-catching images, click HERE.
Diversify your content
Your followers don’t want to see the same thing over and over again. That’s why it’s important to post a variety of different content on your profile, from pictures and video posts to Instagram stories and lives. Diversifying your content also helps reach new audiences that may have slightly different interests.
In order for your Instagram to be successful, you must utilise all available options when it comes to the content you post. It’s a great way to provide more content, without being repetitive. Whatever you choose to post, the golden rule here is to ensure that all of your content is in line with your branding.
Make sure your Instagram bio is engaging
One of the first things people will see is your Instagram bio. This is where you present yourself and what you do. Your bio is limited to 150 characters, so only include the most important points while keeping it visually appealing. Your bio caption should get your audience to stick around and explore more of your page. The other important role your bio plays is it’s the only place on Instagram you can link to external links (unless you’re verified for story links).
It can be difficult to know what to put in the bio, especially as it's got to be short and sweet - to fit in the character limit. For tips, advice and examples that ensure you write a killer Instagram bio, click HERE.
Use call to actions (CTAs) in your posts
Using CTAs instructs your followers what to do after viewing your post. It’s a way to keep them engaged so they return to your page time and time again. Common examples you've seen on other people's Instagrams include: asking followers to tag their friends in the comments below, to click the link in their bio, to come back to the page for a sale late on that day, or to check out the other social media platforms they have.
To get people to actually take action, you need to be creative in your approach. Try testing out various types of CTAs and see what works best with your following. It's a test and measure kind of thing. For 50 examples of ready to use CTAs, that you can simply copy and paste, click HERE.
Use the right hashtags
Hashtags are one of the most basic tools Instagram provides to help users reach new audiences (organically). Before you hit that button to post, make sure to include hashtags relevant to your niche, industry or market to increase your exposure. A good post that gets high levels of engagement may appear in the 'Top Posts' page of a hashtag, or even pop up on the 'Explore' tab. All of which will increase your post’s visibility... potentially getting you more followers than ever before.
If you're wondering how to determine which hashtags to use, we've got some advice. Using hashtags that get used often does give you the chance to be seen by more people. However, you run the risk of getting lost in the noise. It might be buried under hundreds of new ones within minutes, limiting your exposure - the exact opposite of what you want to do. This is why you'll also want to use some less popular ones, as well.
Instagram allows you to include up to 30 hashtags per post, so don’t hold back! Do your research and look into the ones your competitors or others in your field are using (or not using) and go from there.
Simply search hashtags in the search box and see the number of posts it's been used in (the higher the number, the more times it's been used). For some guidance, we've researched a range of different hashtags at the time this blog was written so you get an idea of ones to use or to avoid.
- #fitness (873,154 posts)
- #motivationalquotes (44,544,880 posts)
- #businessowner (16,455,510 posts)
- #happyfriday (16,077,823 posts)
- #beautyfromwithin (227,722 posts)
- #bikerslifestyle (182,220 posts)
- #artofinstagram (14,096,390 posts)
NOTE: For hashtags that are less popular, find ones that have less than 50,000 results. To learn more about hashtags and how to use them, we have an awesome blog that walks you through it all, in great detail. Click HERE to access it.
Post at the right times
You should post at times when you know your audience is active on Instagram and ready to like, comment and share your content. You should do your research into when your followers are active and when they're not. You can also monitor your posts to see what days and times perform best. And don’t forget to consider where the majority of your audience is located. You may live in Australia, but if you’re huge in Italy, posting at 2pm your time probably won’t be fruitful.
NOTE: there’s no need to stress about being online to post something at the right time if you aren’t available. You can always use external tools, such as Later or Sendible, to schedule posts or create ready-to-publish drafts. With ready-to-publish drafts, you’ll only have to go on the site and simply hit the publish button. For other scheduling tools that can help you post on Instagram at the times you're not near your computer, click HERE.
Be consistent with your posting
Like most social media platforms, Instagram’s algorithm loves consistency. Keeping a consistent posting schedule can increase your visibility and help you get new followers. But it’s not just about algorithms. People like consistency too. Your followers will get used to when you post and could come to expect new content at particular times.
There's no one rule of how often you should post, however a good rule of thumb is 2 to 3 times a week. But if you can’t commit to this, simply create a schedule that works for you and your business.
Save your stories as highlights
Stories are one of the most popular features on Instagram. In fact, some people don’t even use regular posts but only post and view stories. So you should definitely use this to your advantage. As stories are temporary and disappear after 24 hours, Instagram lets you pin them to your profile as highlights without a time limit. It's a good idea to categorise the saved stories into various highlights and give each one a name and separate image to appear as the icon. These highlighted stories are one of the first things people see when they visit your profile, so make sure it's presentable. For more information on this, click HERE.
Pay for sponsored posts
Instagram offers users the ability to run paid ads (sponsored posts or stories). This is an incredibly useful tool for businesses and marketers, allowing you to reach massive audiences without having lots of followers.
To do this, the first step is to create a business account on Instagram (free and simple to do). Once this is set up, you can sponsor any of your posts for a selected amount of time for a low cost. Instagram will then show it within your selected market so it reaches the right audience. NOTE: having a business account and using sponsored posts allows you to collect valuable data and analytics about your profile, posts and engagement - so you can see what works and where you can make improvements to your Instagram.
Collaborate with others
Collaborating with others on Instagram is a mutually beneficial way to market your businesses. You can share posts mutually or even create content together. It's a strategic way to introduce each other’s audiences to both of your business pages.
Another popular marketing tactic people use on Instagram is influencer marketing. But what is it? Well, this is when you pay, sponsor or provide free products to influencers in your industry to promote your products. Don’t confuse influencer marketing with sponsored ads, though. Influencer marketing is done without any intervention from Instagram. You’ll find the influencers that fit your brand and strike a deal with them yourself. For guidance on how you can find an influencer and utilise the power of influencer marketing, click HERE.
