Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms, with over 1 billion monthly users. But what makes it so different from other platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Snapchat? And what are the top do’s and don’ts when interacting with your followers?
Social media etiquette can be challenging at the best of times, but in this guide, we aim to help you understand how Instagram can help your business without taking over your working day,
The Quick Overview of Instagram
So, here’s your super quick thirty-second overview of Instagram- it’s a visual social media platform owned by Facebook. People use it to share photos and videos (which can be edited with filters and other creative tools) either publicly or privately with their followers.
As well as posting images and videos, users can also post stories- which are short videos or images that disappear after 24 hours. Stories can be tailored for specific audiences, meaning you can control who sees your content.
Hashtags, such as #ourcompanyname or #goldenretrievers, are a big part of the Instagram platform – these help people find content that interests them and make it easy for businesses and influencers to reach a wider audience. You’ll often see branded hashtags as well as ones related to current trends or events.
What Types of Businesses are Best Suited to Instagram?
With that immense number of monthly users, it’s safe to say that there is a vast potential customer base on Instagram. However, some businesses are better suited to the platform than others.
If your business is very visual, so maybe you sell products like clothes or cosmetics, or you offer a service like architecture or design- then Instagram is likely to be a good fit for you. People do use the platform to discover new products and services, and if your content is creative and engaging, you’re more likely to attract attention.
Do’s and Don’ts of Instagram
As one of the hottest social media platforms today, Instagram has a lot to offer users in terms of connection and engagement. However, as with any social media platform, there are right and wrong ways to use it. Here are some dos and don’ts to help you get the most out of Instagram.
Do:
- Use hashtags judiciously: Hashtags are a great way to connect with other users and make your content discoverable. Did you know that the Isle of Wight is the most ‘instagrammable place in the UK? Hashtags make it possible for you to find out stuff like this!
- Post high-quality content: With Instagram being a visual platform, it’s important to post attractive and engaging photos and videos. This doesn’t mean that every image or video you post has to be a work of art, but try mixing things up and keeping your content interesting.
- Be active: One of the best ways to grow your following on Instagram is to be active. Like and comment on other users’ posts, follow people who interest you, and post regularly. The more you put into Instagram, the more you’ll get out of it.
Don’t:
- Post too often: While being active on Instagram is a good thing, you don’t want to go overboard and post multiple times an hour. This will just turn people off from following you. A couple of quality posts a day should be enough.
- Post irrelevant content: Ensure the content you’re posting is relevant to your brand or business. Irrelevant content will just confuse your followers and make them less likely to engage with your posts.
- Neglect your bio: Your Instagram bio is one of the first things people will see when they visit your profile, so make sure it’s interesting and tells people what they can expect from your account. Don’t leave it blank or fill it with random emojis – take the time to write something that will draw people in.
Instagram Updates 2022
Despite their huge success, Instagram isn’t taking a backseat, and the 2022 update showed that they have lots of new ideas and plans for developing the platform. Some of the new features that are proving to be hugely popular include the following –
Schedule posts within the Instagram app
Finally! Your Instagram posts can be scheduled within the app without needing more software to do it for you. This is perfect for businesses that want to post over the weekend or late in the evening but don’t want to have staff working late. It’s also great if you want to keep to a regular posting routine but would really like to go on holiday!
Get rid of ads and suggested posts.
So many people found that their feed was getting jammed with suggested posts from users that you had no intention of following, and then there were those sponsored posts that just didn’t hit the mark.
Finally, you can get rid of all that ‘noise’ by clicking on Instagram in the top left-hand corner and selecting ‘Following.’ Now your feed will only show those posts from users that you want to see.
Instagram grid pinning
While this isn’t new to most other social media platforms, it was a huge hole in Instagram’s functionality. Now you can choose up to three posts or Reels to pin to the top of your profile, so matter how old they are, if that’s what you want people to see first, now you can set it up that way!
Building An Instagram Following
Getting started on Instagram can be tough as it often seems that you need followers to begin with who will share and comment on your posts to develop your following. One option to consider is buying Instagram followers and likes on sites such as Follower24.
Other options include:
Use hashtags
As we mentioned before, hashtags are a great way to connect with other users and make your content discoverable. Use relevant hashtags in your posts to reach a wider audience.
Post regularly
Consistency is key when it comes to growing your following. If you post regularly, people will be more likely to follow you and stay engaged with your content.
Engage with other users
Take the time to like and comment on other users’ posts. This will help you get noticed by others and build relationships with potential followers.
Run giveaways
Everyone loves a good giveaway, so use this to your advantage! Run a contest or giveaway on your Instagram account and offer prizes that will appeal to your target audience. This is a great way to attract new followers and get people talking about your brand.
Use Instagram Stories
Stories are a fun and easy way to connect with your followers on a more personal level. Share behind-the-scenes content, casual snapshots, or anything else you think your followers would enjoy. Just make sure to keep them interesting!
Our Roundup
Social media is an essential element of any company’s marketing plan. However, picking the right platform and then understanding how to use it effectively requires research and some trial and error.
But, if you have a highly visual business and are looking for ways to engage with current and potential clients, Instagram provides a strong case for why it could be an excellent solution for you.
