Although TikTok has been getting a lot of attention lately, steadfast platforms like Instagram still reign supreme, with about 4.25 billion monthly visits and 1.39 billion daily global visits. active users only. This means that marketers and social media managers should always be thinking about ways to engage their followers and create meaningful content that grabs attention.
But especially for new businesses, it can be an uphill battle to get to grips with social media. To help, the members of Council for Young Entrepreneurs recommend eight tips for increasing engagement on your business’s Instagram and explain why these tactics are so effective no matter how big your following is.
Members pictured from left to right.
Photos courtesy of the individual members.
Table of Contents
1. Define your brand voice and audience
Define your brand voice and target audience before curating your content. With such a proactive approach, you can optimize the budget usage for social media. Do you want to appeal to students who are looking for affordable holidays? Parents looking for products that simplify childcare? The tone shifts will be different when showing beach pictures or furniture that is safe for babies to use and easy to assemble. Your content will also vary as a result. Different demographics prefer videos over images, or vice versa. Knowing these preferences in advance will help you plan media projects more efficiently with your video editor. – Duran Inc, Optimal7
2. Create “Above And Beyond” content for your niche
Once you’ve chosen your niche, focus on the depth and quality of content in that area. Work to create foundational, best-in-class visual content that is authoritative and unique. It might be easier to get 1,000 likes in one piece than 100 likes each in 10. Spend the time developing one or two amazing visual masterpieces in your niche, and then you can also use them as examples for your marketing agency to promote. set the bar high for them. – Miles Jennings, Recruiter. com
3. Focus on the value you provide customers
Be laser-focused on your target audience. What do they like? What will appeal to them? What are they already doing? What problem are you solving for them? Too often, especially in the startup phase, we get so excited about what we’re doing for the world that our posts are centered entirely around us and our service. Break out of that box and define how you add value to your customers; it typically falls under the categories of educating, entertaining, or promoting. Try to be more entertaining and educational than advertising, because that’s what will build your following the fastest. Finally, post, post, post. Don’t worry about getting that “perfect” phrase or hashtag; those skills come with time. Post one to three times a day, get comfortable, adjust and keep posting. – Shane Levinson, Carpets of Arizona
4. Ensure consistency across the board
It is crucial to understand that consistency is the foundation of social media success. By maintaining consistency in your messaging, message schedule, and engagement with your audience, you can build trust and position your brand as a trusted source of information and entertainment. Furthermore, experimentation should not be avoided as every audience is unique and what resonates with one may not resonate with another. That’s why it’s essential to test different types of content, posting times, and engagement strategies. Use analytics to track your progress and make adjustments if necessary. By consistently interacting with your followers in a genuine and authentic way, you can foster loyalty and increase engagement. – Abhieet Kaldate, Astra WordPress theme
5. Make use of user-generated content
The most creative and authentic way to increase user engagement on Instagram is through user-generated content (UGC). Sharing content created by your followers is a great way to show appreciation for their support and can also be a powerful way to increase engagement. When people see their content being shared by a brand, they feel valued and seen, which can encourage them to continue interacting with your content. You can encourage your followers to tag your account or use a specific hashtag when they post content related to your brand. This makes it easier for you to find and share their content. You can then share their user-generated content on your own feed and stories. Brands can also host a UGC contest or challenge. This can be a fun way to get people excited. – Kelly Richardson, Infobrandz
6. Invest in high-quality photos
When you start your social media campaign for Instagram, you need to factor in the cost of hiring a photographer. The most successful Instagram posts are those that have visual appeal, be it beauty, humor, uniqueness, or anything else. A low-quality image will quickly be skimmed and lose viral value. Thus, the cost of the professional’s operation and equipment will yield a higher ROI. – Peter Boyd, PaperStreet web design
7. Keep the content light
A new business may not be a well-known brand, but recognizable and fun content is welcome for everyone. Keeping your feed light-hearted can help increase engagement on Instagram. With a visual platform, attracting attention works with recognizable and light-hearted messages. Instagram offers a lot of functionality that can help with user engagement of photos and videos. Think memes, sticker stories, user-generated content, and more. This works because memes are very relatable. They are funny or smart and become familiar with people’s daily lives. Plus, they’re easy to consume: people can quickly glance at them and understand the joke or point without reading a full caption. Not only will this help engage followers, but it can also help a new business create a strong community around its brand. – Tonya Bruce, Lead Beautiful, Inc.
8. Experiment to find what sticks
It’s hard to get the right foothold on social media, and to be successful you need to be willing to experiment with new formats, styles, and themes. Try different angles for your product, industry, and overall benefits until you find the ideal formula that resonates with your specific audience. While you may be tempted to simply recycle existing branded content, you may need to take a completely unique approach to growing your audience on Instagram. – Firas Kittaneh, Amerisleep mattress
