Did you know that 85 percent of large brands are already using Instagram? The photo-sharing platform has over one billion users, who post 800 million images every day generating 1.2 billion likes. The key to Instagram marketing success is visual content. Then, only having your brand’s presence is not enough if you want to build engagement because you need to stand out on this platform and interact with your existing followers, making them involved to build engagement.
Engagement is essential because no matter what products you sell, without customers, you will not enjoy the fruits of success and profit. Then, how challenging is it to build IG engagement? Well, you will get all your answers in this article.
According to an article published on https://www.huffpost.com, there are many ways to increase Instagram engagement organically. These include driving engagement, posting different kinds of content, and using hashtags wisely. Read on to learn more about how to boost Instagram engagement to woo your followers.
- Publish content daily and at correct times
You can increase IG engagement if you do not post high-definition photos and videos for your targeted audience to build connections. Instagram is a visual social platform, but what matters more is timeliness. Yes, you need to post content at the right time. We recommend that you share jaw-dropping content regularly and have an active Instagram presence. Since most people access IG on their mobiles, especially working professionals, they often post content after working hours as well as during weekends.
What you need to understand is your followers’ activities on this photo-sharing site. The best time to post content is between 8 am to 9 am and not between 3 pm to 4 pm. The best days are Mondays and Thursdays. Again, if you post a video on Instagram, do so at 9 pm for 34 percent more likes and engagement. Also post content when people are not working, avoiding the peak hours.
- Focus on making your profile appealing
It will not help you if you just create an Instagram profile and sit back relaxed. No way. You need to create an attractive profile that is complete and accessible so that your followers can reach you.
First things first, add a good Instagram profile picture related to your business. The best option is a logo, as most successful brands use the same. Additionally, you need to write an interesting bio explaining what your business is about and why people should prefer your brand. Include a web address so that visitors can find your business. You also need to amplify your products to drive traffic, especially to your landing page or blog. Make sure your pictures are original and stunning.
You can highlight the minute details of images to pique audience interest and fan following. It’s the quality of your photos that build more engagement.
- Focus on posting videos
Though photos garner likes and comments on Instagram, videos do better provided your moving images are outstanding. Several studies indicate that posting Instagram videos improves the emotional connection with your followers. Did you know that 78 percent of online visitors consume videos each week and another 55 percent do so every day?
Before posting videos, you need to study those brands performing well on Instagram, especially companies like Red Bull. Not all things go well as far as visual content is concerned and therefore, ensure both videos and photos are stunning and awesome to increase the number of followers and quality engagement. This way, you can buy Instagram views that are real and help in boosting engagement levels.
- Develop interaction with your Instagram followers
There are a couple of things to try for improving follower engagement on IG, which is direct interaction. Post content and reach out to them, make your posts look more personal, ask questions, motivate followers, build conversations, and reply to your follower’s comments. You should give your followers valid reasons to build engagement.
Booking.com for example, a travel website for tourists ask their followers to show off their travel adventures on Instagram leveraging the hashtags the brand has developed for travel lovers. The brand shares the content builds interaction and boosts social engagement.
- Use calls-to-action
Calls-to-action is effective in building Instagram engagement and CTAs work, no doubt. You can ensure follower commitment by using effective CTAs, making them take some action after seeing your IG photos and videos.
You might be wondering how to use your CTAs. Well, be to the point and direct without leaving the caption section blank. Describe your photos or videos and let your followers what you expect from them in every post to increase better results and commitment.
Some popular brands use emoticons to make their posts wittier and fun, and these businesses manage to garner thousands of followers.
- Leverage Instagram hashtags
Have you thought about what your posts are like, sans the hashtags? These hashtags are used to improve the visibility of your posts. Therefore, take some time out of your busy schedule to learn more about the hashtags that would work for your business. You need to learn which of these hashtags will work best and drive quality traffic. Use the relevant and popular hashtags to reach out to your targeted audience.
You can walk the extra mile by creating a couple of hashtags exclusive to your business and products. You can use them regularly or when promoting your brand. Using the popular and most relevant hashtags will help you to improve commitment with your audience by motivating them to use those hashtags in their posts. For example, if your followers dine at your café and take pictures of latte and sandwiches, they can use your brand hashtags in the posts they publish.
Starbucks, the coffee giant uses this strategy when they created #StarbucksOnIce to inspire their customers to upload photos with the product. Starbucks also uses emojis to build engagement.
Conclusion
Now that you have the useful tips handy, implement them when posting your Instagram content. Use high-quality visuals, videos, and relevant hashtags to drive more engagement. Post at the right time.
