Lots of people are trying to gain more fame and recognition through social media. With more influencers popping up and increased user engagement across all platforms, it’s no wonder why the industry continues to boom. Instagram has more than two billion active users, falling just behind its parent company Facebook and leading other popular platforms like TikTok and Twitter.
But in a highly competitive environment, it is important for those who want to grow their following to create strategies to help them increase their engagement on the site. Here are just a few of the tips you can follow to maximize your following potential on Instagram:
Have a memorable username
Most people don’t think about their username when creating their account, but this can actually affect how people remember you. This is the name that many will associate with you and your branding, so picking one that is memorable or meaningful will help users remember you better. Our previous post on stylish Facebook names highlights that you don’t even have to use your real name when creating an account. You can create a different online persona to separate it from your personal life. Some examples can be found with @ladyironchef and @theblondeabroad on Instagram. They are food and travel accounts respectively, and their usernames perfectly summarize their branding.
Utilize hashtags
Hashtags are typically underutilized when it comes to generating a wider following. Many users believe they take up too much space in captions or that most tags are heavily saturated anyways. But as AskMoney’s tips for Instagram creators highlight, they can actually greatly increase visibility since those interested in the topic can find your account more easily. The ideal number is between three to seven hashtags per post, and it’s important to choose your hashtags wisely.
You’re only allowed to use a maximum of 30 hashtags on the social media platform, and using too many or just using the most popular ones can get you shadowbanned from the site. You can also create a personal tag so followers can see all your posts in one location. This can contain defining features such as your username or a sentiment specific to you.
Maximize analytics and algorithms
AskMoney also emphasizes how algorithms could be your best friend when it comes to growing your following. You can do this by using Instagram’s analytics feature, which tells you a lot about how engaged people are with your content. A few of the factors recorded are your audience’s gender, location, and age. It also tells you which of your posts get the most interactions, so you will be able to know what kind of content people are looking for, the best interval for uploading, and even what time of day you should post. When it comes to social media platforms like Instagram, adapting to the algorithms is key to reaching new people.
Engage in collaborations
There’s no denying that there are many big personalities on the platform. Being able to work with them can be a key factor in bringing more followers to your account. A study published in the Journal of Marketing Innovation found that collaborating with influencers is now a tried-and-tested way to increase brand awareness. You can reach out to other personalities on the platform and ask them if they are willing to collaborate with you in any way possible.
This can include uploading a few photos of you together, featuring in a video with each other, or even just getting a shout-out on one of their posts. Through these strategies, influencers will encourage their audience to look at your profile, which helps increase your visibility.
