The holy grail of Instagram influencers and marketers is engagement. With each new version of the platform, more people like, follow, share, and tag other users, making it easier for potential consumers to find your company. Many little firms – from coffee shops to make-up artists to vintage clothes stores – as well as major celebrities, have found success in engaging their followers on Instagram. And with over 4.2 billion photos liked every day and 50 billion posts shared to date, you want to get involved now.
In reality, it all comes down to the amount of involvement your content has from your audience. The degree to which they are interested in and interact with your postings can be seen in how much they like, comment on, and respond to your stories, posts, and comments. Now that you know what engagement is, let’s move on to how you can improve yours:
1. Use Relevant Hashtags
There are billions of hashtags out there, and more are being created every day. So, how do you know which ones will help your content be seen by more people? The answer is research. You can use sites like Hashtagify to find popular (but not too popular) hashtags that are relevant to your business. For example, Let’s say you own a vintage clothing store. You might use hashtags like #vintage, #retro, or even something specific to your location like #NYCvintage.
2. Use Engaging Content
This one seems obvious, but it’s worth mentioning because it’s often overlooked. If you want people to engage with your content, you need to post things that are interesting and/or useful to them. No one is going to bother liking or commenting on a boring photo or post, no matter how many times you ask them to. So, take the time to create high-quality content that will get people talking.
3. Host Giveaways and Contests
People love free stuff. Hosting a giveaway or contest is an excellent way to get people to engage with your content. Make sure to create rules and guidelines that are easy to follow and make sure the prize is something that your target audience would want.
4. Use Instagram Stories
Stories are a great way to add a personal touch to your business. They let your followers get to know you and your brand better. You can ask people to answer questions, vote in polls, or even just give you their thoughts on something.
5. Go Live on Instagram
Going live on Instagram is another great way to add a personal touch to your brand. Connect with your followers in real-time. It’s also a great way to encourage people to engage with your content. You can answer questions and interact with viewers in the comments.
6. Use Instagram Ads
Instagram ads are a great way to reach a wider audience and get people to engage with your content. You can target specific demographics, interests, and even locations with your ads, making sure that your content is being seen by the people who are most likely to be interested in it.
7. Collaborate with Other Users
Collaborating with other users is a great way to get your content seen by a new audience. You can team up with other businesses or influencers in your industry to create joint giveaways, contests, or even just to share each other’s content.
8. Use the Right Filters
Filters can make a big difference in how your photos and videos look. They can also be a great way to make your content stand out from the crowd. Experiment with different filters to find the ones that work best for your brand.
9. Post at the Right Time
If you want your content to be seen by as many people as possible, you need to post it when they’re most likely to be online. The best times to post on Instagram are weekday mornings and afternoons, and weekends.
Conclusion
Engagement is essential for any business that wants to succeed on Instagram. By using the right Instagram hashtags, posting engaging content, and collaborating with other users, you can get more people to like, comment on, and share your posts. So, what are you waiting for? Start working on your engagement today!