Instagram has remained one of the best social networks for brands, a platform where visual content is king. Not for nothing is the second social network with more interactions, according to Emarketer (2018). It is no secret to anyone that everyone wants to be on Instagram, create a community and stay among the first places of search as a mark of authority. To achieve this result, it is necessary to increase the engagement on Instagram. And, just that, we teach you in this note.
Engagement? What is it?
Increasing engagement on Instagram is the main objective of most brands. However, do you know exactly what this term refers to? It has become so popular in the digital medium, that many mention it, but few know what it is.
Engagement is, in essence, the level of commitment between consumer – brand, and the degree to which this (consumer) interacts with it (brand). Instagram engagement can be appreciated by the level of community interaction. That is, depending on the number of followers, what percentage “likes”, comments and shares the publication.
In this way, the belief that “the more followers, the more popular a brand” is ruled out. The true popularity of a brand in social networks is measured by its ability to create a community of value.
Tips to increase engagement on Instagram
The best way to increase engagement is to create fidelity and love for your brand, to the point that your audience identifies with it, defends it, shares its values and recommends it with other potential users. How to get all this? By applying the following tips you can increase engagement on Instagram:
Create and maintain an attractive profile
The first thing your users see when they log into your account is the biography and the feed. So both must be complete and attractive, in order to immediately captivate the attention of your target audience and invite you to learn more about your brand.
In the case of the biography, be sure to place an attractive image. If it is a personal brand, put a picture of yourself (professional). Now, if it is a trademark, put the isotype (symbol/icon) of the company.
In addition, it persuasively complements the biography data. In the first line say what your brand does, for example: “we create digital marketing strategies”. Integrate a link to your official website, and remember to share your contact information.
In the case of the feed, keep harmonious and visually appealing posts. Arrange your posts in the same style, perhaps chess, alternating a photo with a phrase.
Share content periodically
To increase engagement on Instagram you must demonstrate to the algorithm of this social network that your brand is important for users. How? By sharing valuable content, easily consumable by everyone.
Establish a calendar of publications based on the consumption habits of your potential users. Did you know that more than 500 million active users use the platform daily? It is an excellent opportunity!
Of course, take into account the days when your users are more active. For this, it considers that it is a mobile application, therefore, users usually enter it more than anything on weekends or after work hours – academic. Similarly, research your sector.
Also, study very well what kind of publications attract your attention. Visit some competing brands that your users frequent, and see which publications have more interaction.
Maintain interaction with the public
Do you answer the DMs that your users send you? Do you listen to the comments they post in your photos? Do you encourage interaction with your audience? To increase engagement on Instagram, all these questions must have affirmative answers.
And it is that interacting directly with your audience is the best way to humanize your brand. So start targeting your users threateningly! Make your publications more personal, respond to their concerns and frequently asked questions, encourage their participation, ask them questions, create conversations …
In short, start creating a true community. Set aside publications and robotic behaviors. Good content does not get great visibility and reach if you do not approach your target audience humanely.
Vary the contents
The images are the focus of Instagram … but, who says the videos don’t get good numbers? Studies confirm that sharing videos on social networks increases the emotional bond with followers.
You have many options to share videos. You can, for example, promote your products and/or services through this format. Or maybe, use IGTV to comment on relevant content that needs more than a minute. You also have the ease of using stories to share small tutorials. Or, maybe, do influencer marketing campaigns with personalities of interest to your audience.
You just have to try to find out which option offers you the best results to increase engagement on Instagram.
Hold contests
The word “free” causes phenomenal actions in your users. Take advantage of the contests! They are a good way to strengthen lasting ties with your audience, and it is a way to promote your products and/or services.
Just don’t be part of the bunch of brands that always give an iPhone, a TV, a computer … NO! You must be more authentic, and take advantage of the contests to promote YOUR brand, not that of third parties. Now, if you sell phones, televisions or computers, you can opt for this type of prize. However, try to innovate.
Give relevance to hashtags
Did you know that Instagram allows the integration of up to 30 hashtags per post? Sure you have seen brands that drive crazy and reload their hashtags contents. In the end, they have more tags than the content itself. Error!
The recommended average is 5 hashtags per post, no more than that. Research which ones generate the most traffic in your sector, and use them to reach your audience. In addition, bring originality to your posts with hashtags about your brand. It is a good tactic to create brand recognition.
Ready to increase engagement on Instagram? Put these tips into practice and tell us how you are doing!
