How do you increase your Instagram engagement as a content creator? If that’s a question you’re constantly thinking about, you’re not alone.
Instagram is no longer just about the number of likes and follows you receive. If you want to begin collaborating with brands, you need to start considering your engagement rate. To see how your Instagram account is performing, brands are now looking at metrics, such as saves, shares, comments, and views to determine how connected you are with your audience.
The higher your Instagram engagement rate is, the more influencing you’re likely to have over your followers. For brands, that means you’re more likely to provide a better return on their influencer marketing spend.
With this in mind, we collected our very best tips for improving your engagement rate. Here are 16 simple ways to increase Instagram engagement as an influencer.
16 Tips to Implement into Your Instagram Strategy In 2021
1. Post at the right time
Did you know that there is an optimal time for you to post your Instagram content? Publishing content when your followers are most active is one of the most effective ways to boost your engagement rate, especially as the algorithm favors posts with good engagement in a short space of time. To determine the best time to post, analyze your analytics over a period of time.
2. Post quality content consistently
According to research, users should aim to post between 1 to 3 times per day on Instagram. While this may seem overwhelming, you can easily publish consistent and high-quality content by using regular posts, Stories, live video content, and Reels. There are many tools, such as Hootsuite, which allow you to schedule content in advance.
3. Create a strong brand
Branding isn’t just for businesses. Building a cohesive brand for yourself presents clarity and consistency. If you want to increase your engagement rate, try establishing brand colors, using hashtags, and creating an aesthetic which keeps your feed looking fresh. By showcasing consistent and positive branding to your audience, you’ll start to build a loyal tribe of followers who regularly engage with your content.
4. Initiate conversations using stickers on Stories
Instagram Story stickers are a great way to engage with your audience, particularly as they can get to know you on a more personal level. There are many different types of stickers you can use:
- Question stickers so your followers can ask you about a particular topic, or you can ask them a question instead.
- Quiz stickers for polls with multiple answers.
- Countdown stickers for launches, promotions, or special events.
5. Use links in your Instagram Stories
You can only use links in Stories if you have over 10,000 followers and a business account. However, this is an effective way to increase your engagement. You can use links to products you adore, important news stories, or your own website.
6. Post shareable content on your feed
Shares and saves on Instagram are highly important for increasing Instagram engagement. To create shareable posts, consider what content your audience loves and will likely save for a later date. This could be quotes, helpful hints and tips using carousel posts, mini blog posts, style posts or videos, etc.
7. Host a contest
If you’re looking for a powerful strategy to increase your engagement on Instagram, then start hosting contests. A giveaway can use likes and shares as an entry method. You can also ask users to tag others too as a method of entering your giveaway.
You can collaborate with a brand on a giveaway or host one yourself simply by purchasing the prizes. You’ll need to carefully plan how you’ll run your giveaway. For instance, will it be a ‘like to win’ competition, or will you have several ways of entering.
Once you’ve planned and posted your contest, remember to promote it via Instagram Stories, using hashtags, and on your other social media platforms.
8. Share data-driven content your audience will eat up
Publishing data-driven content that fits your niche can help to boost your engagement levels. People love stats, particularly when it relates to a topic they’re passionate about. For this, you could post data relating to your own social media statistics, how much time you’ve spent online, shopping habits, and more.
9. Write long captions that help your followers to solve a problem
The maximum length of Instagram captions is 2200 characters with up to 30 hashtags. Start using longer captions and you’ll probably find that your engagement metrics start to skyrocket.
The amount of time spent on a post contributes to the Instagram algorithm, meaning you’ll get more eyes on your content, and more people to engage with it. One of the best ways to produce long captions is to help your followers solve a problem. People interact with content that resolves an issue they’re dealing with – whether that’s the best black dress to flatter your figure or sharing easy vegan breakfast recipes. It doesn’t matter what niche you’re in, just consider what types of problems people may have. You could even post a poll on Stories to ask your followers.
10. Go behind the scenes
What is life like as a social media influencer? A behind the scenes look at your morning routine, evening, or day in the life, is an effective way to improve your engagement. Showing your authenticity helps you to develop a deeper connection with your followers, building engagement. This could include sharing your vulnerable side, business and life struggles, or achievements.
11. Use emojis but don’t spam
95% of online users have used an emoji. When used correctly, emojis inject personality into your Instagram account, showcasing your fun side. Just remember not to add too many emojis to your content as they can look like spam.
12. Create more Reels
The Instagram algorithm loves Reels. Since being introduced in 2020, Reels allow users to create short, 15 second content, featuring multi-clips, music, effects, and sound. They are Instagram’s answers to Tik Tok videos and using them can put your content in front of more eyes, helping to boost your engagement.
Think of Reels as bite-sized, mini videos. You can use them for fun content or to educate your audience, such as:
- Life hacks
- Quick product review
- Recipe
- Fashion look
- Make-up look or hack
- Quick behind the scenes
- Sneak peak
- Before and after video
Here are more Instagram Reels video ideas for your business.
13. Add a call-to-action to your content
A call-to-action instructs your audience to take action. This could be a simple ‘sign up now’ prompt or ‘learn more here’. A call-to-action normally has a link so they’re best used on Stories (if you have 10,000 plus followers), in your bio, or anywhere that Instagram has a CTA button.
You could use a call-to-action to drive your followers to your blog, affiliate links, news articles, email list, and more. No matter what you decide, there’s no denying that they’re super powerful for increasing engagement on your Instagram account.
14. Use SEO
Using SEO tactics on Instagram may help your content to perform better in the algorithm. The easiest way to do this is to ensure your account name reflects what your content is about. For example, you could write “fashion blogger and content creator”. Alternatively, you could add a key word relating to your niche. Try to consider what words people use when searching on Instagram.
15. Drive your Instagram followers to your email list
Having an email list helps you to drive more traffic to your website, alongside monetizing your content and increasing your Instagram engagement. If you have over 10,000 followers, regularly promote your email list on Stories with a link for people to sign up.
If you have less than 10,000 followers, the best way to encourage your audience to sign up to your email list is to place a link to it in your bio. By doing this, you can then use your posts to drive people to click on this link.
16. Promote your Instagram account
If you want to grow your account alongside your engagement, then promoting your Instagram is the best way forward. People won’t actively follow and interact with your Instagram content unless they know that it’s being published.
Promote your Instagram account on your other social media profiles, personal profiles, and on your website (if you have one). Instagram has cross-promotional tools which enable you to post from your account direct to Twitter, Facebook, and other platforms, driving traffic back to your feed. Just ensure that you mix up your content so that you’re not posting exactly the same thing on each of your social accounts as this could lead to your audience suffering from content fatigue.
Level-up your Instagram account to start increasing Instagram engagement!
With our easy ways to increase Instagram engagement, you can start implementing these tips immediately to boost your account and influencing career. Ready to get started collaborating with brands? We’re a community of creators. Find the best opportunities for content creators at Insense.
