With more than 300 million active monthly users, it’s no surprise that Instagram is one of the best social media sites for reaching your target audience.
In order to maximize engagement on your photos and grow your following, here are six tips for effective Instagram use.
1. Understand Your Audience
Before you upload a single photo, you should understand who you’re trying to reach. Create a persona that describes your ideal customer and use it as a filter for every photo you post on Instagram.
2. Upload Quality Photos
You can’t grow your following if they aren’t seeing or interacting with your photos. For professional-looking photos, make sure the lighting is good and the image is in focus. In addition, choose the right size and crop the photo so that there’s minimal white space—you want your customers to see as much of your store or product as possible.
3. Choose the Best Filter for Your Photo
Instagram has a range of filters you can use to customize your photos and give them a cohesive look. You can use three types of filters: a normal filter, a black and white filter, and a retro filter. In general, try to avoid sepia-toned photos as they tend to be outdated. The best time to grab your customers’ attention is during the first few seconds that they browse through their feed, so make sure your photos pop.
4. Use Hashtags to Increase Engagement
Hashtags are a great way to connect with people beyond your current following, so they should be included in every photo you post on Instagram. In the caption of your photo, include 3-5 relevant hashtags that will help potential followers discover your account. As a rule of thumb, use hashtags that are popular but not overly used.
5. Create a Consistent Feed
Although everyone on Instagram has their own unique style, it’s important to stay consistent with your feed’s aesthetic. Use the same filters and type of photos for every post so that people have an easier time navigating through your account. If you keep your feed cohesive and easy to navigate, then your followers will be more likely to return.
6. Post at least Once per Day, More if Possible
Instagram’s algorithm favors accounts that are active in users’ feeds, so it’s important that you post multiple times per day in order to gain visibility for your account.
“If you’re not an active user, then your photos will get buried quickly”, says Melvin Brewing.
Remember to keep the quality of your photos consistent with the persona you’ve created for yourself—and remember that hashtags are an integral part of every photo!
In addition to feed posts, remember to also add in some IG stories, reels, and lives if possible!
Conclusion
Instagram is one of the best social media sites for reaching your target audience. To grow your following and maximize engagement on your photos, upload quality photos using the best filter for your photo and hashtags to increase visibility. Keep your Instagram feed consistent with the persona you’ve created and post at least once per day for best results.
Angela Spearman is a journalist at EzineMark who enjoys writing about the latest trending technology and business news.