This post was originally published on (11/05/2021) and was updated on (5/03/2023)

Information in this blog post was obtained from Hubspot, SaveDelete, and Carro.

With 2.35 billion users, Instagram continues to be the number one social media platform used around the world. This makes Instagram one of the best platforms to market yourself and your brand. However, it’s not always so simple. When Instagram first started, we’d pick up our fancy first-generation iPhones and snap a low-pixelated photo of a butterfly and call it a day. Now, Instagram has become arguably the best place to share a glimpse of your everyday life with your friends, loved ones, and sometimes, complete strangers depending on your brand. After struggling to grow my Instagram account for years, here is the data I’ve collected from other sites as well as the tricks I’ve learned myself to help my business succeed on Instagram. Below is a list of the data and an explanation of how you can apply them to help your Instagram business account to succeed.

Essential Tips for Instagram Growth

1. Switch to a Business Profile

There are many advantages to having a business profile. These include creating and publishing Instagram ads without using Facebook. There are also a wide collection of Instagram analytic tools that allow you to analyze your posts such as tracking your followers and engagement, customizing your target audience, and detailed insights about your demographics.

2. Switch to a Creator Profile

Similar to a Business Profile, the Creator Profile allows you to get many of your metrics/insights through Instagram’s Creator Studio. This is great if you’re an influencer trying to gain a following and brand yourself. While using a Creator Profile, you have access to many of the mainstream music/songs for your reels and stories. This is not available on the business profile.

3. Use the Instagram Marketing Tools

See where your success lies by carefully examining your Instagram insights per post. It’s clear to see which content your followers enjoy based on the engagement rate. You can also see how many people each post has reached. Through insights, key Instagram metrics can be analyzed, including impressions and engagement data. Measure your follower growth in the form of likes and comments. You can also measure your URL click-through rate.

4. Post Enticing Product Teasers

Similar to product placement in films, a subtle nod or push may entice your Instagram crowd to buy your product. Often, viewers can sense desperation, so it’s best to post captivating teasers versus blatant selling. Make sure the content you create entices your audience to engage with the post.

5. Create Sponsored Ads

With sponsored ads, you are no longer restricted to your audience. Sponsored ads can reach a much larger targeted demographic. Choose your sponsored ads wisely. Promote posts that are eye-catching and likely to have significant engagement. These ads will be your first impression for many users, so make it count.

6. Post Instagram Stories

Instagram stories are a great way to showcase your product or yourself. People are likely to watch stories because they are quick and usually live. Stories are a great way for you to show what’s going on at the moment or share what’s important to you (i.e. sharing someone else’s post).

7. Create an interactive branded hashtag

Interactive Branded hashtags and other hashtags should be unique for your company. They should be creative. These branded hashtags are essentially free advertising. Therefore, every time someone posts a photo using your branded hashtag, your company is highlighted.

8. Post at the Right Times

Timing your posts is critical. Research shows that you should be posting on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Overall, the best time to post is between 12 PM and 6 PM. But the best time to post always depends on when your specific audience is the most active so make sure to try posting at different times to find which time works best for you!

9. Collaborate With Influencers

Influencers have a much larger audience. By using their audience, you can showcase your product and therefore, ideally increase sales. Make sure to partner with the influencer that’s right for you. It’s important to have a talk with your chosen influencer to make sure your values align. Cancel culture is very prevalent these days. Avoid being associated with the wrong people by thoroughly screening your influencer first.

10. Collect User-Submitted Photos

This method has your audience submit photos to your account. This can increase engagement and provide a significant volume of material to post. This also engages the audience by having them constantly on the lookout for their photos to be shared. They may also share the photos with their page and expose your Instagram to their followers. There’s no going wrong here. Users will submit photos that they are proud of and will feel like they’re part of a collaboration versus a typical audience member.

11. Be Open With Your Audience

You can smell authenticity. Followers are humans who are passionate people just like you. If something resonates with you, there’s a good chance it will resonate with someone else as well. Social media is an outlet for people to escape to. Have fun with it and be true to who you are. There’s no need to be perfect and polished and it’s important to note that your followers don’t expect you to be.

12. Set SMART Goals

S.M.A.R.T is an acronym for Specific, Measurable, Obtainable, Relevant, and Time-Based. By setting goals that fall into these criteria, you will be able to gauge your success and specify what works and what does not.

13. Create Appealing Content

Instagram is a visual medium and that means the content you post should be eye-catching. All creators should strive to create appealing content to keep their viewers most engaged. Of course, all content should be brand-related. Avoid posts that users did not sign up for (i.e. a plastic surgery page should keep it medical versus posting about animals and clowns).

14. Get to Know Your Audience

This is where demographics are so important. Knowing your audience will help you create content that will engage and resonate with your followers. This doesn’t mean you’re limited to this specific demographic, but it’s always important to know with whom you are talking. Make sure to interact with your audience using Stories and in the comments.

15. Giveaways and Contests

Another great way to gain followers and get traction is by holding a contest or giveaway. You should plan to give away a product or service that is in high demand amongst your followers. If your followers tend to be middle-aged women, the giveaway will be much different than if your followers are mainly men in their early 20s.

16. Post Reels

TikTok has taken off in the past couple of years. Instagram's response is Reels. Reels invite you to create fun videos to share with your friends or anyone on Instagram.

You can record and edit up to a 1-minute video with audio, effects, and new creative tools. Reels are shared with your followers on your feed. In your public account, you can reach an even larger Instagram audience with a new space in Explore. Now, anyone can create a video for the world to see.

If you are interested in learning more about how to effectively use Instagram to grow your following, make sure to check out this article by Rita Yuan, this one by Elizabeth Stoeck, and/or this one by Eidree Chapin.

References

Donawerth, S. (n.d.). Home. Carro. Retrieved May 3, 2023, from https://getcarro.com/blog/instagram-creator-vs-business-account

Newberry, C. (2023, February 22). 15 tips for a better Instagram engagement rate [calculator]. Social Media Marketing & Management Dashboard. Retrieved May 3, 2023, from https://blog.hootsuite.com/instagram-engagement/

Shah, K. (2021, September 8). 8 Instagram Marketing Tips & Strategies to use in 2021. SaveDelete. Retrieved May 3, 2023, from https://savedelete.com/business/instagram-marketing-tips/426049/