1) Choose an Interesting Outfit
Nothing is worse than taking a picture of yourself and editing it later, only to find that it looks like you were trying too hard. Avoid that scenario by choosing an outfit you know will look good on camera. Wear something that fits comfortably and won’t distract viewers with bright colors or patterns. If you want to be taken seriously as a social media influencer, then take yourself seriously enough to choose your outfits thoughtfully. If someone doesn’t take you seriously from your photos, they likely won’t listen to what you have to say on Instagram or any other platform. Don’t give people an excuse not to follow you!
2) Edit Images Well
Photos that are edited well tend to get a better response than those that aren’t. Whether you choose to do it yourself or hire a professional, make sure your images look great before you post them. And if possible, invest in high-quality camera equipment so your images will always turn out looking good. Most consumers (65 percent of the population) consider themselves visual learners, which means they’re going to be turning to social media for their content. That makes it incredibly important that you have visually appealing photos on your Instagram account—or else people simply won’t care about what you have to say!
3) Use Hashtags
Hashtags can help you increase your social-media exposure. By adding them to your posts, you make it easier for people to find your account. The more eyes that see your posts, the greater likelihood you have of getting new followers. And when it comes to Instagram, a user is three times more likely to follow an account that uses hashtags than one that doesn’t. When deciding which hashtag(s) to use, consider how relevant they are to your content and audience and how many other users are using those same hashtags in their own posts—that’s a clear indication of popularity, meaning a higher likelihood of visibility in their feeds.
4) Post at the Right Time of Day
You may think that posting on social media is simply a matter of creating great content, but you’d be wrong. There’s also an art to posting at just the right time—and if you post when your followers are asleep or otherwise distracted, you’re missing out on traffic and new followers. If you want to grow your Instagram account quickly, start by scheduling posts during peak hours—like around lunchtime and late in the evening (between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.) when people are more likely to check their feeds. . . and comment on yours! Not sure what times are best? Use a tool like Later or Iconosquare to see which hours get you best engagement.
5) Post Short Videos
Posting short videos is a great way to get followers. While longer videos are great, shorter videos will allow you to post more often. Plus, users today are much more likely to watch a 2-minute video than they are a 15-minute one (if they even stick around that long). Additionally, your first few seconds of video should be attention grabbing. At least 75% of people watch those first few seconds of the video. It’s easy to draw people in by setting up your camera on a tripod or simply holding it at waist level and filming from there. Include an interesting story or thought that leads you to what you want them to know about your business and why it’s important for them to know about it now!
6) Post Stories at the Right Time
Since Stories only last 24 hours, you want to make sure yours gets seen. Posting them at peak times will help your content get more exposure. 9-10 a.m., noon, and 5-6 p.m. are ideal because most people tend to be posting their own content at those times rather than watching Stories. People also pay less attention in class, so 2-4 p.m. on weekdays is another good time to post if you’re targeting young adults who use social media primarily on mobile devices during school hours
7) Post Regularly (but don’t spam!)
Posting regularly is crucial. No one wants to follow a profile that only posts sporadically, and chances are no one will be captivated by your content if you do it only once in a blue moon. But don’t overdo it! Again, no one likes an account that posts every minute of every day. Consider taking a poll on Instagram Stories or through your account’s comments and asking how often people would like to see you post. That’s not saying you have to take them at their word—but do use their suggestions as guides!
8) Tag Keywords in Titles and Captions
One of your best tools for increasing engagement is to choose tags that are specific to your image. If you’re shooting an image in a coffee shop, tag it with #coffee and #java, then target users who follow these tags. If you can find synonyms related to your tags, such as espresso instead of just using coffee, you may reach a wider audience on Instagram. You can also use location-based tags if they’re relevant to where your photo was taken. Include hashtags that relate to concepts like seasonal events or places you’ll be visiting during your trip; people interested in those subjects might follow you back and engage with other photos on your feed.
9) Engage With Other Users
Be sure to interact with other users in your niche by liking and commenting on their pictures. These likes help you gain followers, as others may be interested in viewing your profile if they see that you like photos similar to theirs. This will also establish a rapport with other users and encourage them to interact with you, which can lead to more followers down the road. Try adding hashtags (like #instagram) to your comments and like photos. Engagement is key when it comes to growing an account!
10) Build Relationships With Influencers
Build relationships with relevant Instagram influencers—people who are already influencing your niche and building an audience. By engaging with these influencers, you can help build a mutually beneficial relationship. Try following them, liking their photos and leaving insightful comments. By doing so, you can establish yourself as a thought leader in your industry and generate new followers and potential leads. For example, if your business sells workout clothes, connect with fitness experts who post regularly on how to stay healthy or motivate others. At best, they’ll share one of your posts with their audience; at worst, they’ll consider you as a resource when planning future posts. Either way, it’s worth a shot!
Conclusion
When all is said and done, there are no shortcuts to building a strong following on social media—you simply have to consistently provide good content that your followers will want to share with their network. Be careful not to get caught up in vanity metrics like follower counts; focus instead on providing great value for your audience through high-quality photos and engaging text. Use these tips as a starting point, then look at how you can adapt them to your own style and goals.
This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional. © 2022 Patrick M
