Instagram is one of the top 5 social media applications today. Like most other social networking tools, it allows instant contact with potentially millions of people. The format also personalizes the interactions by allowing direct messaging and commenting.
Instagram can be fun, but it can also be a very useful tool in branding yourself or your product, and even attracting brands that may be interested in partnering with you. There are some tricks of the trade, so to speak, to creating the most engaging Instagram feed you can. The tips below will help you hone your photo sharing skills in no time.
Create a theme
Creating an Instagram theme is a sort of unofficial rule. If you are unfamiliar with Instagram themes, it is probably only in the sense of the term, itself. A theme is simply a similar aesthetic that is applied to each photograph you upload to your account.
The similarity can be something as simple as the background your pictures are taken against. For instance, you may look for solid black walls or backgrounds and choose to only take your photos against a black back drop. Eventually, all of your Instagram photos will contribute to your “theme” and you will start to see it come together.
A theme can also be achieved by applying the same filter to each picture before you upload it. As with choosing a consistent background, your filtered look will begin to develop into your feed’s theme.
When coming up with a theme that works best for you, always consider how your feed will look as a whole. If you were to print out each picture and make a collage, you would want the overall look to paint a picture that best expresses what you want to put out to the social media world.
Be consistent
Aside from developing a theme, consistency is also key to getting the most from you interactions on Instagram. The people or companies that follow you, do so because they either enjoy how your pictures look, or they enjoy the message you use your pictures to send. Being consistent in uploading will keep followers engaged and interested. You may even want to schedule when you upload photos. However you decide to do it, come up with a way to give your followers what they want on a regular basis.
Be social
At the end of the day, Instagram is a social media platform. You should use it to be social. Comments and direct messages allow followers easy access to you. Reply to comments and messages and encourage conversations below your pictures. You can do this by placing a question in your photograph’s caption. If not a direct question, you can caption your picture with a provocative phrase or even a call to action that suits your brand.
Don’t spam
Spamming is always frowned upon. It is no different in the world of social media. Genuine engagement with followers is what yields the best results. There is no wrong in promoting your business or brand or even using calls to action; just do it sparingly. Your followers should not feel like each time they go to your feed, they are being asked to do or buy or support something that benefits you.
As listed above, the main goal is to engage and encourage interactions, while presenting an accurate image of what you stand for, to the Instagram world. That being said, the majority of your actions on Instagram, or any social media platform, should be aimed at interacting with people you may not otherwise have access to.
Return the favor
Following other Instagram accounts and liking and commenting on their posts, is a great way to stay involved with other users. By staying involved, you will remain up to date on the current mood of the environment, so that you can adjust accordingly and keep your own posts relevant.
Also, you will make contact with others who share your interests. If you are following and commenting on a particular account, chances are, the other people following that account also share some of your interests. This is a great way for others to find you and follow your Instagram account. It also leads you back to one of the basics, which is engagement.
Overall, Instagram is one of the most powerful social media tools available. With its ease of use and accessibility, there are endless possibilities for interaction and direct branding with your audience. With these tips, you should be able to take your photo sharing to the next level.