We all know social media is important for business, but it can be a challenge to know what to do to get the best results! Here are the ten simple steps we followed to get our first 10,000 followers on Instagram.
1. Set the tone
Is your brand bright and bubbly, thoughtful, funny or quirky? Establishing a clear voice for your business will help build relationships with your followers and make your brand stand out. Don’t feel like you have to sell in each post – focusing on what you can give to your audience will nurture a loyal following.
2. Define your style
Instagram feeds need to tell their own visual story to encourage new followers. Thinking in rows of three will help create a more seamless transition between each post, and smartphone snaps can work as well as professional photography as long as you keep lighting and framing in mind.
3. Deliver variety
Different types of content will appeal to different people, so consider posting everything from behind-the-scenes snaps to informational resources and inspirational images.
5. Consider first impressions
Capture attention initially with eye-catching visuals, then follow up with your text. You want to give viewers a reason to stick around! When writing your caption, keep in mind that only the first two lines are visible before a user has to click to read more.
2. Post regularly
But not at the expense of quality! Active accounts attract more followers. You want your followers to feel like they can count on hearing from you, so decide on a regular routine that feels right for you and pre-schedule wherever possible. Consistently sharing creative and inspiring content will not only keep your current followers engaged but draw a global community of Instagram users to your account.
8. Ask questions
People love sharing their opinion and weighing in on hot topics! Posts that ask for a quick “Yay or Nay” or “This or That” often generate great engagement.
4. Use hashtags
The difference in exposure for posts with hashtags can be huge! This is one of the only ways for Instagram users who aren’t yet following you to find your content.
6. Give credit
Be sure to mention any people or brands involved in creating the content you post, even when sourcing from Pinterest or reposting from other accounts. This can help kickstart engagement and build goodwill for your brand.
7. Get social
Engaging with other users by liking and commenting on posts helps build relationships through the platform and awareness of your Instagram profile.
9. Set benchmarks
Posting a variety of content and analysing how well each post performs will help you learn what resonates best with your audience and what delivers the greatest return on investment for your business.
10. Use the link in your bio
There’s no easier way for your followers to get more information about your product or service. Refer to it in your posts and update it regularly to drive website traffic.