Instagram has implemented some big changes recently, such as removing likes, adding IGTV series and a new algorithm that has everyone pulling their hair out!
Despite these changes, there are still a few tried and true ways to succeed on this platform and make it work for you and your biz! Here are my 8 tips to help you grow on Instagram.
1. Post Vertical Photos
The trick to succeeding on Instagram is to get as many eyes on your content for as long as possible. Posting photos that are shot with your phone or camera held upright as opposed to on its side or horizontal helps you do that because they fill people’s screens as they scroll.
The opposite is true for YouTube and Facebook, which support more video content. If you’re active on multiple platforms, be sure the content you’re sharing is oriented for each one.
I used to shoot my travel photos both horizontally and vertically so that I had options to use on my blog and social media later. But since most people view blogs on their phones as well, I now only shoot vertical photos. It’s much easier and I end up with a ton of content to choose from after my trips!
2. Edit Your Photos Consistently
Your goal should be to create a cohesive feed. It’s unpleasing to look at a feed that has too much going on – bright and airy photos next to highly saturated ones next to poorly lit ones next to black and whites. That’s A LOT!
One way to achieve a consistent feed is by editing your photos in a similar way. You can do this manually using a variety of different programs (I shared some of my favorites here). But I suggest sticking to one app and making similar edits each time.
I edit all my photos in Lightroom, which is a powerful program that’s preferred by most bloggers, content creators and pro photographers alike. Lightroom supports “presets”, which is just a fancy name for filters, that allow you to edit your photos in just one click!
The great thing about presets is that you can easily buy them for relatively cheap. You can also create your own and save them. You’ll still need to make small adjustments to the exposure or color grading, but they’re great to have as a starting point to ensure all your photos have a similar look and feel.
3. Add Multiple Photos To Each Post
You can include up to 10 images (or videos) in a single post. This is another great way to keep eyes on your content! Keeping people engaged with your content will signal to the gods of Instagram that people like what you’re creating and therefore it should be shown to others.
I tend to take multiple shots in each location, and I think it’s fun to show different poses and even bloopers! For a while l, I avoided this because I didn’t want to “waste” my content and share all of it at once. But I personally enjoy when people post multiple images, so I decided to stop over thinking and just start sharing!
4. Post Consistently
Since the algorithm changes, it isn’t AS necessary to post multiple times a day, or even once a day. However, it is still good practice to post with some consistency and show up daily in some capacity in order to grow.
This could mean posting stories, adding IGTV content or simply interacting with other people’s content by liking and commenting on their posts.
I have settled into a groove of posting 5 times a week, Monday through Friday, and sharing stories on weekends. Now, I’ll be the first to admit I don’t ALWAYS stick to this schedule, but I definitely try!
5. Break Up The Copy In Your Captions
Captions are an important aspect of your Instagram presence. They can give your audience a fuller picture of who you are and encourage engagement.
If you’re prone to longer story-form captions, you can make it easier for readers by breaking up the text into smaller paragraphs either with blank space or symbols like this: ••• or ===
The trick to keeping your spaces in place is to make sure your cursor is against the the last character you type before tapping return and starting a new line (see the photo above as an example).
6. Utilize Hashtags
Hashtags are the best way for your posts to get more reach. You can add up to 30 hashtags per post and tag 20 accounts directly on each photo.
To avoid looking “spammy”, hide your comments in your caption. And a pro tip to keep them extra hidden is to first type 5 dots before you add your hashtags (see the photo above as an example).
You’ll want to do some research ahead of time so that you pick hashtags that will elevate your content rather than drown it. To do this, head to the search screen in Instagram and type in a word that relates to your photo. There will be a number below each hashtag indicating how many times the tag has been utilized. Try to avoid using ones that have millions of tags. It’s good to find a mix of ones with tens of thousands and hundreds of thousands of uses.
I have several notes in my phone dedicated solely to hashtags and I organize by theme. For example – women travel, general travel, tropical destinations, European cities, fashion/style etc. I also have a few go to’s that I use on most of my posts. Although it’s best to avoid using too many of the same hashtags each time. Switch it up!
If this sounds like way too much work, don’t worry. Sites like All Hashtag will actually generate hashtags for you! Simply type in a word that relates to your photo and it will generate 30 related hashtags that you can copy and paste directly to your post!
7. Share The Love!
At the end of the day, Instagram is not about hashtags, likes or followers counts. At its best, it’s supposed to be a community where you can connect with others and get inspired.
To truly grow on this platform, you have to GIVE! Like and comment on other’s posts, engage with your audience and do it consistently. It’s not always easy, but it really is as simple as just showing up!
8. Forget About The Algorithm
It’s no secret that it’s harder to grow on Instagram than it used to be. Changes to the algorithm have limited the number photos that get shown and your content can easily get buried. The reality is we’re never going fully understand the algorithm and therefore we’re never going to be able to crack it.
Rather than stressing over it, just forget it! Keep creating and sharing your BEST content, stay engaged and keep showing up! Worry about the things you CAN control and growth will follow!
I hope these tips helped answer some of your burning questions. If you have others just drop them in the comments below! And if you have any other tips or tricks to growing on Insta, I’d love to hear them!
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