The pursuit of gaining more Instagram followers and likes has become a common goal for individuals and businesses alike, driven by the desire for wider visibility, influence, and engagement. With over a billion users worldwide, the competition for attention is fierce, making it crucial to employ effective strategies to stand out in the ever-evolving landscape.
This quest involves a blend of art and science, requiring a deep understanding of audience preferences, content trends, and the platform’s algorithms. Crafting compelling, authentic content that resonates with your target demographic, leveraging relevant hashtags, and maintaining a consistent posting schedule are just a few tactics that can enhance your Instagram presence. Building a genuine connection with followers by fostering meaningful interactions also plays a pivotal role in fostering a loyal and engaged community. In this exploration of garnering more Instagram likes and followers, we will delve into proven techniques and creative insights to help you navigate this dynamic journey of digital expression and connection.
Publish in time:
Before posting your photo to Instagram, keep two things in mind: your audience’s time zone and the time they visit Instagram most often. Most Instagram users log in morning and evening on their way home from work or school. According to analytics company Simply Measured, the best time to post on Instagram is between 5 pm and 6 pm on Wednesdays.
The worst time for brands to post is in the middle of the night, as an Instagram photo typically only survives around four hours before vanishing in followers’ feeds.
Post during the day when you expect your audience to be absent and check their accounts. For example, if you represent a company that targets high school students, post your photo in the afternoons when high school students are on their lunch break. And if your business has a lot of followers in New York or London, consider posting during rush hours when you know people will be stuck on trains or buses with nothing to do but check their phones.
Use popular hashtags:
Depending on the industry you are in, there are popular hashtags on Instagram that you can use to increase the visibility of your photos. Of course, the best way to discover popular hashtags for your industry is to use Google! An easy Google search will notify you of everything you need to know.
Some of the trending Instagram hashtags you will find are #tbt (Back Thursday), #instadaily, #photooftheday, and #instagood.
Remember: Don’t be crazy with your hashtags! The hashtag paragraph, as I like to call it, at the bottom of your photo isn’t clever. It might seem a bit overzealous and messy. Instead, keep using 1-3 relevant hashtags per photo.
Shared trailers:
For product-focused businesses, upload photos to Instagram that show a teaser for a product that’s about to launch, or an exciting event that’s fast approaching. Teaser photos are great for capturing users’ attention and increasing photo likes! Check out a great example of an Instagram teaser photo of California apparel company The Hundreds.
Share authentic recordings:
Think of your brand’s Instagram as a passport to your followers or a behind-the-scenes look at the inner workings of your business. People don’t want to see the same polished images your brand uses in ads, but rather images that are more related and less edited.
Your Instagram account should aim to showcase your employees and their work. Even if your company employs hundreds of people, just introducing a few faces behind your brand will make your brand much more transparent to your followers.
Remember, the content you post on Instagram doesn’t always have to be marketing, it can just be fun! After all, this type of photo is often the best engagement. Stop thinking too much about how to get your brand message across and focus on the essentials of the platform, which is human-centric and fun.
Use Instagram video:
Instagram videos are a new way for businesses to connect with their fans. Here is a great example of the Paris Opera Ballet promoting a new film.
http://instagram.com/p/BFoKNcwtaYY/
In short, brands that use Instagram videos should use them to: showcase their products, tell stories, entertain, and add value.
Greeting a guest on Instagram:
There are many “Instagram Stars” on the platform, which means that Instagram users have a large number of followers. These people have influence. In a matter of minutes, a photo posted by an “Instagram celebrity” can garner thousands of likes and hundreds of comments.
If you are a brand, join an Instagram star and let them take over your account for a day or a big event. This allows you to introduce your brand to a large number of popular Instagram followers. Fashion brandJuicy Couture did just that recently when celebrity blogger Kelly Framel of The Glamourai hijacked her Instagram account to post behind-the-scenes photos from a photo shoot for her upcoming campaign. Another fashion blogger, Chriselle Lim of The Chriselle Factor, recently took over the Nordstrom Instagram account too!
Request applause or feature:
This tip is for my entire PR! Reach out to famous Instagrammers or “Instagram Stars” and ask them to mention your Instagram account or feature your product in their photo.
Use Instagram Bio:
Don’t neglect your Instagram bio! Use this space to include calls to action, branded hashtags, and web links. Or better yet, use ShortStack to create an Instagram campaign that you can easily update without having to change your bio link every day.
For Instagram users who are new to your brand and account, this section is important – it often influences a user’s decision to follow your activity or not.