Have you been struggling to grow your brand on Instagram? Many business owners do; even when they have the time to run it themselves, they are often at a loss when it comes to growth. Sometimes there’s high engagement along with new followers, other times it can be entirely dead with no notification in sight.
Luckily, there are ways to grow on Instagram, but it’s important that we first cover some fundamental basics.
Now, what exactly defines “growth” on Instagram? The answer: Followers.
Most businesses are on Instagram to promote, engage, and maintain relevance. As of July 2022, 1.4 billion people use Instagram worldwide. It is one of the best places to share your product and services to a greater audience; however, there are many other businesses trying to do the same.
Marketing on Instagram can be incredibly difficult due the saturation of content, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t possible. Most businesses have found immense success on Instagram. There are tried and true methods that focus on optimization, and allow you to really build your presence and overall business.
Let’s get into some of the best strategies, but remember there are other methods too. Be sure to check out other blog posts to learn more.
Content Production and Content Diversity
Lack of originality or diversity in content are very common mistakes business owners make when running their Instagram pages. They can get trapped in what they like and completely forget they are trying to appeal to others. It is vital to invest in your content production and content diversity.
Create content that changes from post to post. The best way to consistently do this is by hiring a production company like ours, but more on that later.
It’s important to maximize the uses of Instagram. There are ways to share stories in short clips and photos. It isn’t easy to create, but it is worth it.
Users go on Instagram to lose themselves in content. We have all gone and scrolled for far too long. So, you always have an audience waiting for you.
Here are some examples of the various types of posts that can be made on Instagram:
Reels are 15-60 second videos that appear on the feeds of your followers and shared across the entire platform. It grants flexibility that can show the various aspects of your business. From highlighting staff to promotional deals to testimonials and so much more. You can create a more personable and open connection with users.
Carousels are not new, but they are not always utilized. Instagram carousels are posts that consist of multiple videos and/or photos. Many people underestimate how curious users are when scrolling through Instagram. When the caption engages with you and encourages you to swipe, it is very hard to resist. The curiosity takes over and people want to see at least the first three photos or videos. This is a great way to highlight specific events and business information.
Stories are underrated. The most active Instagram users look at stories more than anything else. According to Statista, over 500 million people post and watch stories every day. Instagram stories are 24 hour posts that can either be photos or videos. It is a great way to keep your audience up to date and develop a stronger parasocial relationship. Parasocial relationships are typically one-sided relationships with a persona, brand, organization, or public figure. Stories can help build trust and bond with your audience, who will begin to create a daily routine that features your account.
Highlights are saved stories that are featured on your profile. It is a great way to introduce frequently asked questions, relevant deals or events, your products and services, accomplishments, or whatever else you’d want “highlighted” when visiting your profile.
There are other types of posts such as the traditional photo and video; however, it is important to underscore reels, carousels, stories, and highlights as they are often underutilized by business owners.
Active Instagram users enjoy having options, and it is important to give it to them. It requires time and effort to maintain an active business page, and social media is very necessary for businesses in today’s world. Simply because that’s where the people are.
Hiring a production company is a great way to sustain an interesting, dynamic, and stable presence online. For example, at Pathfinder, we create reels, skits, photos, videos, and more. Our clients come to us with their vision, and we take care of production and post production.
Collaborate with Others Within Your Niche
We all know brand ambassadors, influencers, and spokespeople. They exist to be the face of a brand. A face that exemplifies the company’s values and mission. Working alongside recognizable and highly regarded members of your niche is a perfect way to gain more exposure.
There are business owners who only see those within their niche as competition, but that’s not really true. Yes, they are your competitors, but not all of them are. There are many owners who are more than willing to join forces with like-minded people and brands. It creates a stronger sense of community within the niche, and it’s a great way to expand your reach.
Use Hashtags (wisely)
There was a time on Instagram when using a bunch of hashtags was normal and even encouraged, but those times have since passed. Instagram still gives power to hashtags, just not as much as before. Instagram has reported to limit hashtags to 3 or 5 if you want the best reach.
Many users are still unaware of this and apply many hashtags within their captions, but it’s not necessary. Instagram has said 5 hashtags equates to 30, which is their hashtag limit. Take the time to narrow down which hashtags are the most relevant to your brand and business.
Users often follow hashtags that interest them the most, and understanding your target market will make it easier to narrow it down.
Stay on Top of Instagram’s Updates
Instagram is constantly updating. They add and remove features every month, and it is important to stay on top of it. These updates tend to make the platform more immersive and that can benefit your business greatly.
Although Instagram updates are notorious for being unlikable then quickly changed, it doesn’t negate the value of understanding how Instagram continues to evolve. Currently they are heavily focused on expanding selling options for businesses. This allows users to purchase the products they see featured in posts. If your business sells clothes, for example, it would only benefit your business to see all the new ways you can feature, promote, and sell your products there.
Post Consistently
Last, but not least, CONSISTENCY IS KEY. No strategy works without your persistent effort on posting and engaging. Brand visibility can increase your business profitability. Again, it is not an easy thing to do; however, you have options.
You can manage your Instagram on your own or, as previously mentioned, hire a production company. There are also some social media agencies that exist just for this, and at Pathfinder Productions you can get both.
As a production company, we have high-quality equipment and a decade of experience within many industries and fields. We have filmed across the country for various commercial and business projects.
With our ability to create such top-quality content, it was natural for us to work in social media as well. We have taken our clients from 1k followers to 10k. We have helped our clients gain new customers, expand their reach, and their market share.
Be sure to check out our case studies, they highlight the consistently excellent quality we produce for our clients. We can help you create and film your content, then help you maximize your content online. We understand how these algorithms work, so let us help you.
We are proud and passionate about what we do. If you are interested in learning more strategies to grow your business, reach out to us today. We are looking forward to it!
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