Instagram is one of the most popular social networking sites and if you’re popular on it, you’re already living an influencer life. Influencers on Instagram earn a very good amount of money just by posting and creating content, affiliating with big brands, and endorsing products for marketing purposes. If you are creative, don’t shy away from the camera, and are comfortable clicking your pictures and making fun videos, you’re already a great choice for a lot of brands to collaborate with.
However, as easy as it sounds, Instagram is a highly dense platform which means you can easily be lost in the millions of other accounts equally good as yours. In order to stand apart and be recognized by hundreds of thousands of people, you need a distinct strategy, unique content, and an individualistic approach to engaging with your followers online.
Instagram is Changing and so should you!
People who have been using Instagram for more than a decade need to understand that the platform has greatly evolved and not only has it made changes to its architecture, but also the form of content and algorithms. What was earlier a space to share pictures primarily is now a 360 content platform with videos, stories, written content, and a lot more. So if you’re sticking to the old tricks, you may be facing trouble getting popular.
But worry not, we have come up with a bunch of suggestions on how to tweak your content to satisfy the new algorithms and monetize through your engagement and follower count. Apart from having a reliable internet connection like Windstream to be active online anytime, these tricks will help you gauge attention in all the right ways! So read on and start making content that matters!
1. Hashtags are dead – Use targeted Keywords Instead
Hashtags are used to rule the world of Instagram and categorize content based on which, the platform’s algorithms curated content for users. However, hashtags are as good as dead now. Instead, the algorithm now picks up on keywords used in captions and alt images to streamline your content and push it to users who are interested in those keywords. So when you’re writing captions for your posts, make sure to include 2 to 3 keywords that you think will rank and are the crux of what your content is about. For example, if you share food videos, you might want to use keywords like ‘cooking tips, meal prep’, etc.
2. Always add alt texts in your posts
Instagram now lets you add an alt text with your photos and videos which are meant for the algorithm to understand what the post is about. So for example, if you’re posting a picture of your breakfast, you will get the option to add an alt text with it. You can mention what the picture has in very plain words like ‘My Breakfast today – poached eggs and avocado’ so the algorithm knows what the picture is, and people with visual impairments can also understand what you’ve posted.
3. Add topics for the reels you post
Just as your pictures are better understood by the algorithm through alt texts, your reels can also be categorized in pre-set themes and topics that are most common and popular on the platform. So if you’re posting a fashion video or a styling video, you can add it to topics like Fashion, Style and trends, Clothing and Accessories, and more.
4. Add location to your post to target an audience
Instead of adding your location on posts announcing where you are, use the geotag option for places you want to target the audience. For example, you might want to engage the younger population after visiting a concert at the weekend. You can simply tag that location and people who have been there will automatically view your story being shown in all the stories of that location that weekend. This way, you’ll be able to attract more followers and gain more engagement on the platform.
5. Turn on your Similar Account Suggestions
Instagram now gives you suggestions to follow similar accounts. When you follow someone, you will instantly view more profiles like that to follow. Just go to your settings, go to edit profile, and turn on this option. Then, follow big accounts that are in a similar niche as you. Interact with their posts, comment, share, and like their content. You can also add their keywords in your own bio and posts, and soon you’ll become one of the suggested accounts for their followers too. It’s that simple!
6. Post Photos as reels
Instead of posting simple photos, add that image in another background or video and share it as a reel. Reels have better reach and engagement and are more likely to go viral than plain photos. So capitalize on your content and play smart!
7. Build a Network with Fellow Influencers
In the ever-evolving world of Instagram, collaboration has emerged as a powerful tool for amplification and growth. Networking with other influencers or accounts in your niche can open doors to new audiences. This strategy involves partnering with peers for joint content creation, which could range from guest appearances on each other’s feeds to co-hosting Instagram Live sessions. Such collaborations offer mutual benefits: you get exposed to your partner’s followers, and they to yours. This reciprocal exchange can lead to a significant boost in your follower count and engagement rates.
Tips for Effective Collaboration
- Identify Suitable Collaborators: Look for influencers whose content complements yours. They should share a similar audience demographic but not necessarily the same content focus.
- Engage Before Proposing: Build a relationship by engaging with potential collaborators’ posts. Genuine interactions can pave the way for a positive response.
- Propose Creative Collaboration Ideas: When reaching out, present unique and creative ideas for collaboration that can excite both parties.
- Leverage Each Other’s Strengths: If your collaborator excels in a particular type of content (e.g., Reels), use that to your advantage.
Ending Note
These are just some of the tips that have worked for many accounts to get popular on Instagram. If you’re struggling to gain followers and increase your engagement and reach on Instagram, try out these simple changes and note the difference they make. And just as you might have heard a thousand times already, consistency is the key. So don’t lose hope. Keep making good content, follow your niche, and have fun!