The Instagram algorithm. It’s coming.
We don’t yet exactly know what the algorithm will look like. However, if I were to guess, based on Facebook’s (not a huge leap, considering Facebook owns Instagram), a great deal of the algorithm will be connected to engagement.
You see, with Facebook, the more engagement you get on your post, the better reach your post gets. If Instagram’s is going to be similar, then it’s going to be more important than ever to get likes and comments on your Instagram posts.
Today’s infographic shares 25 ways to engage Instagram followers. I won’t list all 25, but here are a few of my personal faves:
Consistency: the key to Instagram, like any other social network, is simply to show up regularly. For you, maybe that’s 3 times a week, or maybe it’s 3 times a day, but it’s important to create regular content. And, because this is Instagram we’re talking about, make sure your photos are pretty!
Time of day for posting: Play with posting at different times of the day to see when you get the most reactions. For me, it’s between 8-10 pm, and mostly on weeknights, less so on weekends. I try to post daily every evening, but not always on the weekends.
Hashtags: Take advantage of trending hashtags. For example, if it’s #macaronday, post photos of macarons. Have a standard 7-10 hashtags that you use for most of your photos that are the popular ones, then add a few extras that are more specific and not as popular. Use an app like Grama to discover new hashtags related to your subject.
Interact! If you want engagement on Instagram, you need to give engagement! That means replying to people who left you comments, and then commenting on others photos. I’ll often do this by hashtag search, using a hashtag that I often use on my photos. A sincere quick couple of words (try to keep it specific and not generic) and/or a well-chosen emoji are all you need. Book 10-15 minutes per day to do this and you’ll see it make a big difference.
Video. You can now do up to 1 minute videos on Instagram. Take advantage of this longer time and create fun tutorial videos, behind-the-scenes, etc.
Ask questions and create CTAs. In your description, ask a question about your photo. What’s their favourite way to use the ingredient you are photographing? Have they every been to the location in your photo? Alternatively, Ask people to “double tap” or “raise their hand” if they agree with your sentiment or like your photo.
Curate others’ content and give shout-outs: Re-gram your followers’ photos (with permission) especially if they are of your brand, or using your product. Alternatively, shout out your faves and ask for follows for them. They may reciprocate.
Contests: Everyone likes getting stuff for free! Give stuff away via Instagram.
Here’s today’s Infographic: 25 Ways to Engage Instagram Followers
Infographic courtesy of Brandon Gaille.
What’s your Opinion about purchasing some Instagram followers and likes to growing an account?
I understand why people do it, but I think it’s a terrible idea. When I’m working with a client, and they are interested in looking at infuencers on Instagram, I am always looking at their engagement rates. I hope that businesses are getting smarter, and looking past just the “followers” number to see whether or not that person has an engaged audience, which, IMHO, is worth so much more.