A consistent Instagram “theme” is one of the best ways to make your posts stand out. You can achieve this by maintaining a color palette or keeping a similar style with your photos and videos.

Asking questions of your followers allows you to gain valuable insights into their thoughts and opinions. For example, McDonald’s asked followers about their favorite former menu item to generate positive feedback before reintroducing it.

1. Share beautiful photos

Instagram is a visual platform and beautiful images are one of the best ways to attract attention and engagement. Make sure your photos are clear, well-lit and follow the rule of thirds to create balanced posts.

Posting at the right time is also important for increasing your reach and engagement. Try posting during peak times when your audience is most active on Instagram to increase your chances of them seeing your post.

Posting inspirational or thought-provoking quotes is another effective way to engage your followers. Just be sure to source your quotes appropriately and, if necessary, contact the author before sharing their work on Instagram.

If you’re think of checking out Instagram stories without being detected, tools like IGAnony allow you to explore content anonymously while keeping your privacy intact.

2. Create compelling captions

Captions are a great place to showcase your brand’s personality, inspire your followers to act, or encourage engagement. According to Fit Small Business, captions that include a call to action — like double tap if you agree or hit the link in bio for more information — are an effective way to increase your Instagram posts’ engagement.

Caption length is also an important factor to consider. Including long paragraphs of text can be a turnoff for users who are scrolling your content, so try to keep your captions short and snappy.

Additionally, make sure to use line breaks when creating your captions to help them look less overwhelming for readers. And be sure to proofread your captions before posting — typos and grammatical errors can distract from your message and detract from your overall brand image.

Additionally: If you’re unsure what NFS means on Wizz, this guide will explain it. Knowing these terms can help you stay on top of social media trends

3. Use relevant hashtags

Hashtags are a critical part of any Instagram content strategy. They categorize content and help people find what they’re looking for on the platform.

 

When selecting hashtags for your posts, consider the keywords that are relevant to your brand and products. Using tools like Instagram’s search function, an Instagram hashtag generator, or even competitor analysis can help you identify the best hashtags for your brand.

You can also create your own branded hashtags to encourage people to share content with your brand and increase visibility and discovery. For example, plant store The Sill has a branded hashtag #PlantsMakePeopleHappy in their bio.

Hashtag trends change frequently, so it’s important to monitor them regularly. Aim to use a balance of broad hashtags that have wide appeal and niche ones that are specific to your target audience.

4. Include a call-to-action

You’ve heard time and again that a strong call-to-action is essential for engaging your audience, but crafting an effective one can be challenging. This guide offers a comprehensive look at the fundamentals of CTAs, and provides creative and inspiring examples that will help you make a significant impact with your Instagram strategy.

Instagram doesn’t currently allow you to add clickable buttons in your captions or posts, but you can use them in your Instagram ads and profile. Including a CTA in your Instagram Reel encourages viewers to take the next step — whether that’s trying out a recipe, sharing their opinion, or shopping for products.

You can also ask questions in your Reels to gain valuable insight from your followers — McDonald’s, for example, used their Reel to gain free feedback on a former menu item that they were considering reintroducing.

5. Share user-generated content

UGC is a great way to increase engagement on Instagram and improve your reach. It is more likely to be shared and engage with than brand-created content. Plus, it’s often more authentic and trustworthy.

When sharing user-generated content, it’s important to credit the creators and ask for permission. You can do this by DMing the original poster or including a note that says “image courtesy of @___” in your repost.

You can also encourage users to share their UGC by holding contests or Q&A sessions. Just be sure to follow Instagram’s rules on reposting. This includes promoting the contests through your bio and only posting the winning entries on your profile. It is also a good idea to avoid posting anything illegal or inappropriate.

6. Highlight your brand’s personality

If you want to boost engagement, leads and sales on Instagram, you need to share posts that are relevant to your target audience. This includes both personal and professional content that showcases your brand’s personality.

Sharing photos of your team members or a behind-the-scenes look at your office can help build trust and establish a sense of community with your followers. Additionally, if your business is participating in any community events or initiatives, highlight these on your feed.

 

Another way to share your brand’s personality on Instagram is through Stories and live video. Instagram Stories allow you to create a curated collection of photos and videos that can be featured permanently on your profile, establishing a consistent presence for your followers to engage with.

7. Encourage engagement

Using the right techniques can help make your Instagram posts and designs more visually appealing. For example, following the rule of thirds can improve the balance and aesthetic of your composition. Similarly, adjusting the contrast between your elements can draw attention to your focal point.

Engaging with your audience is also a great way to drive engagement on Instagram. You can do this by asking questions in your captions, replying to comments, and sharing user-generated content.

Another way to encourage engagement is by running contests or giveaways. This can be as simple as giving away a free product or as complex as hosting a competition with multiple rounds. It’s important to measure your Instagram engagement rate regularly to see how well your marketing efforts are performing. This metric includes likes, comments, saves, and direct messages.