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Get More Engagement on Instagram with These Tips

Engagement on IG

Every time you learn to use Instagram hacks to promote your content, the rules and algorithms seem to change. Despite frequent updates, there are timeless tips that can help increase your engagement on Instagram. Following these strategies will help you reach more people, gain followers, and build an online community.

Be Relatable

Be relatable on IG

Instagram is full of users employing filters, effects, and editing to highlight the best parts of their lives. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with this, it can become routine and even boring for followers. What stands out and performs well is when someone shows a different side of themselves or their business. By still using filters and editing sparingly, you can create content that is relatable and down-to-earth, helping followers feel more connected to you.

Adam Mosseri, Instagram CEO, says that one of the primary metrics powering the algorithm is “sends.” Every time a Reel is shared with someone, it organically boosts that video to more viewers. Knowing this, it’s even more important to show various sides of your business that can connect with your audience.

There’s no magic trick to being relatable, but there are steps and strategies you can practice to achieve this successfully. First, understand your audience and identify the issues they want to solve or connect on. Second, create diverse content formats (videos, carousel posts, etc.) that address these issues. You’ll find even more success by sharing personal anecdotes about how you’ve faced similar challenges and found solutions.

Don’t forget to track your metrics. Since you’re putting in the effort, it’s crucial to monitor performance. Instagram’s insights tab provides an easy way to analyze which posts are performing best, identify the optimal times to post, and uncover more about your audience’s preferences. By analyzing these metrics, you can refine your content to resonate more deeply with your followers.

Increase the Quality

Increase the quality on IG

A powerful way to stand out on Instagram and boost engagement is by improving the quality of your posts. Anyone can take a phone and create various forms of content to upload. With 95 million Instagram posts shared daily (according to TechJury), users have endless content to scroll through. However, you can stand out with a few simple strategies.

  • Use captions. A significant number of Instagram users watch videos with the sound off. It makes sense—many people are at work, in public, or around others they don’t want to disturb. If viewers can’t follow along without sound, you’ll lose their attention. Adding captions to videos can increase watch time by 80% (according to captions.ai).
  • Invest in quality equipment. You don’t need a full production studio, but a small microphone, lighting, and editing tools can elevate your content. This extra effort demonstrates your professionalism and helps position you as a thought leader your audience can trust.
  • Plan your content. When recording videos, create a “shot list” to organize your message from start to finish. Your shot list should answer these questions:
  • What is this video about?
  • Who will be featured in it?
  • What is the main takeaway for viewers?

Find Your Niche

Find your niche on IG

You’ve likely heard the saying, “You can’t be everything to everyone.” This is especially true on Instagram. Posting inconsistent or contradictory content can confuse your audience and weaken your brand message. Finding a niche that resonates with your audience is key to gaining consistent engagement and followers.

  • Research competitors. Look at the social media accounts of your competitors to see what they’re sharing and how they’re connecting with your target audience. Do they use humor? Are they more serious? Identify the gaps in their content that your brand could fill.
  • Don’t be afraid to try new things. I would argue that while you’re finding your niche on Instagram, you should be creating content that scares you a little bit. Obviously, you want to be smart about it, but thinking and creating outside of the filtered sandbox will help you connect deeper with your audience.
  • Stay consistent and creative. Once you identify what works, stick to it. Consistency is crucial for maintaining engagement, but don’t let your content become stale. Balance consistency with creativity to keep your audience engaged and excited.

Overnight Success

It won’t happen overnight but rather over months and maybe even years. The number one reason a business doesn’t succeed at growing its Instagram following and increasing engagement is that it gave up too early. You may not see all the results that you’re hoping for in a short period of time. Creating valuable content takes time and so will the results. Keep trying new things, follow the metrics, and connect with people on a deeper level. If you do those things, you’ll become what most people view as an “overnight success”.

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David Loughney
About David Loughney:

David Loughney is passionate about helping brands find and express their voice in the world of social media. He helps to strategize and facilitate social media content to gain brand awareness, increase engagement and generate leads for your business.

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