Want to improve your engagement and grow your followers on Instagram? Here’s where to start.
- All employees should follow your page. It is also important for them to like and comment on the pictures you post, as this will help give others the sense that your content is worth engaging with.
- Have your employees mention your Instagram account in their Stories so that their local following of friends and family can follow your page as well.
- The first 10-20 minutes after you post is crucial. Every like and comment that you get during this period makes it more likely that your post will be boosted to the “Explore” page, where it can gain a wider audience.
Take advantage of this time by going into each hashtag you used and liking some pictures other users have posted. They will more than likely return the favor! (Like pictures found under Recent rather than Top for the best results.) - When you create a post, make sure that you have your caption written out along with your hashtags. Never go back and edit the picture after you post. Instagram considers that spammy and could flag your account.
- Remember to use hashtags in every post. If you want to get new people to follow you and engage on your posts, you must include hashtags. Without them, there is no point in posting. (We suggest 10-15 hashtags, also a good idea to use local hashtags for a local follower base.)
- Keep your content consistent. You should post every day so your followers will start expecting new content from you. If you do this, you can expect consistent engagement on your posts (this does take time, so don’t get discouraged if your engagement stays the same, even after a month or two).
- Posting daily could consist of a story, reel, photo etc. to stay relevant and top of mind to your followers.
- Posting daily could consist of a story, reel, photo etc. to stay relevant and top of mind to your followers.
- Get other accounts to post your content. If you posted a meme or some good advice, tag other pages or ask them if they can give you a shout-out in their Instagram Stories. If you repost them first in your Stories, they will more than likely return the favor.
- Another way to engage more followers is to have your Instagram link listed on all of your other social channels. Do you have a large following on Facebook or Twitter? Tell your followers you also post on Instagram and list the link in your caption, making it easier for them to follow you there as well.
- Have a conversation on a post with one of your followers. Other followers will notice that you reply to your comments and will be interested in seeing what you have to say!
- Once again, use hashtags — and don’t be afraid to get creative. Hashtags are the best way to build your following because they target a specific audience or location. You can even develop your very own hashtags (e.g. #DentistOnMainStreet) and encourage your patients to use them when they post photos of their shiny smile. Then you can easily share those photos on your own Instagram, plus you won’t need to worry about HIPAA!
