Things are always changing on Instagram. The Inspired Stock Shop team keeps up with the latest trends on our favorite platform, though, so today, I’m sharing some tips with you. While some of these may sound familiar, they remain true for individuals and marketing firms alike. I hope they help you in your marketing efforts!
Show up on camera
One of the best ways to be successful on Instagram is to show up on camera! Whether you post a selfie or a quick Reel with some helpful hints, your face is magnetic. If you feel uncomfortable posting a selfie, consider booking a photo session with a photographer so you have a collection of images to share online.
Remember Reels and TikTok are different
As Instagram shifts more toward video, it’s easy to assume that Reels are just a new form of TikTok. However, the formats are different, and if you simply repost your TikTok to your Reels, you may find your engagement drop. That’s because the algorithm sees the TikTok nametag on the video and down-prioritizes it as unoriginal content. In some ways, Reels are much easier than TikToks, as you can create a Reel with a Canva template and stock video clip quite easily.
Use various formats
We all know that Instagram likes to change the algorithm frequently, so utilizing different forms of posts is always advisable. For instance, you’ll want to make sure to use individual images, carousel posts, and Reels. Depending on the content you create and the type of account you run, you may find carousels do better than individual images or Reels, for example.
Pay attention to your audience
If it’s been a while since you have checked on your audience and the level of engagement people have with your content, it’s time to pull up your profile insights. This will tell you where your most enthusiastic followers are from, what type of content they prefer, and what format is their favorite: Reels, individual images, or carousel posts.
Post at the right time
Paying attention to your audience and engagement levels will help you understand the best times to post on your account. A universal time, according to the latest research, is posting between 6 pm and 9 pm. Interestingly, the best days to post are Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. However, you may find that your audience is online and engaging with your content at different times.
Post consistently
Consistent posting on Instagram helps keep things fresh with your audience. Four to six posts per week is generally a good goal to set for your account; however, most marketers agree that it’s very difficult to post too much in your Stories, so make sure you’re utilizing that feature as well.
Write strong captions
Including captions on your posts boosts your engagement and the best captions are either quick and short (just 1-20 characters) or longer ones with over 2,000 characters. Your captions should always be engaging, entertaining, or informative.
If you haven’t downloaded it already, get your copy of 31 Caption Prompts to Create Your Social Media Posts in Less Time. Inside, you’ll find engaging caption prompts for Self Care & Mindfulness, Women Supporting Women, Healing & Intuition, Coaching & Mindset, Nature, Relationships, and more.
Looking for more help with your marketing? When you become a member of Inspired Stock Shop, you gain immediate access authentic stock photos, Canva templates, spiritual graphics and monthly caption prompts to help you with your social media.