It’s no secret that Instagram is booming, and the platform has recently introduced a live feature, much like Facebook. I dare say it’s going to become very popular among its many users.
Since Facebook owns Instagram, the similarities are massive, and new features are constantly being launched.
I’ve previously written about Instagram ads and marketing.
Today, we’ll take a closer look at how you can get more out of your Instagram posts — for free.
Let’s get started!
Call to actions
Which posts go viral the most?
The ones where people engage — obviously!
Not getting many comments on your pictures? You can change that.
Tag a friend
It’s always fun to share funny photos with friends.
That’s why cute, funny or quirky cat videos get loads of comments.
We all know a cat person, right?
Something everyone can relate to — like Mondays being tough.
You can also cheekily ask questions that lead people to tag their friends (but note that this is not allowed in competitions).
Examples:
- Do you also have a friend who is always late? (If you sell watches)
- We all know someone who loves Nutella (If you sell Nutella)
Ask questions
Another “easy trick” is asking questions.
For example:
- Where can I buy this? (Everyone wants to look smart and helpful)
- Where would you like to travel? (If you’re a travel agency)
- How do you bake the perfect bun? (If you’re a supermarket)
Caption & hashtags
The million-dollar question many Google when starting with Instagram marketing is: What should I write to accompany my photos, and how many hashtags should I use?
Let’s explore this a bit more.
Number of hashtags
There are many rumors about how many hashtags you should use.
Most studies show that using up to 20-30 relevant hashtags gives the most visibility.
Use relevant hashtags
When you start typing a hashtag, you’ll get a list of suggestions.
Make sure to choose hashtags that are not overly saturated but still have decent activity.
It’s hard to give precise recommendations on which hashtags to use in your specific niche. I suggest testing different sets of hashtags and seeing how your posts perform afterward.
Bonus tip: Use your to-do app or notes on your computer
One downside of Instagram is that it’s a mobile app, and writing long captions and hashtags on your phone can be tedious. Of course, you can connect a Bluetooth keyboard — many bloggers do this.
Alternatively, use a note-taking app that syncs between your phone and computer.
This allows you to write your content on your computer, then copy it into Instagram on your phone.
You can also save templates for different types of posts and hashtags.
Apps I’ve used:
- Wunderlist – my current to-do app
- Evernote – one of the most used note-taking apps worldwide
- Notes (pre-installed on Apple devices)
Caption
When you post, you’ll add hashtags as covered above.
You’ll also include a small text — called a caption.
This small piece of text should be motivational, inspiring or invite interaction.
Unfortunately, you can’t do a Kim Kardashian and just post a black photo and expect millions of likes.
You need to offer valuable content that creates space for interaction.
Post often and consistently
Just like there’s a lot of advice about hashtags, there’s also plenty regarding posting frequency. Naturally, this depends on your level of fame. If you’re Kendall Jenner with 70 million followers, you don’t need to post as often — growth happens naturally.
For the rest of us — bloggers, small creators or professionals looking to grow — data-based recommendations are:
- 1 to 2 photos per day
- 5 to 10 stories per day
- 1 to 2 live videos per week
Follow other users
Being part of a social network means following others too. It’s about being active and engaged on the platform.
Check out the top influencers and bloggers in your niche and follow them.
There’s a good chance they’ll follow you back, and there could be potential for a shoutout.
Comment on others’ posts
Remember old-school forums like ARTO? (If you’re my age, you probably used it.)
What made platforms like that successful was how people interacted with each other.
The same logic applies to Instagram.
If you want more engagement on your own posts, engage with others. Comment, like, join conversations.
All of this contributes positively to Instagram’s algorithm (owned by Facebook), boosting your overall score.
Shoutout for shoutout
Some big names naturally gain followers quickly.
Take Brooklyn Beckham, for example. His parents — David and Victoria Beckham — tag him in all relevant posts. With their following, he’s grown to 8 million followers. Wild, right?
You don’t have to be famous or have celebrity parents to grow a following. Instead, find other Instagram users in your niche at roughly the same level as you.
Ideas for shoutouts
- Team up with another Instagram user and create content together that you both post on your profiles
- Be a guest Instagrammer for a company — maybe even the one you work for
- Create content that inspires replication or trends — like beautiful cake recipes paired with great photos
Tag your lokation
When posting a photo, Instagram lets you add a location.
When others browse that location, they’ll see your post — boosting your chances of being discovered.
Under “Add location,” you can choose nearby places.
Tag brands, places and friends
If you’ve built a strong relationship, tagging relevant brands can help you become more visible.
For example, if you post a picture of yourself in a great outfit, tag some of the most well-known fashion profiles.
Bloggers do this a lot — and brands, too — because it increases the chance of being featured by others, giving you more exposure.
Just make sure your tags make sense and are relevant to the content.
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