You’ve mastered Google Ads and your Facebook page has lots of likes and engagement, but still aren’t seeing the following you want? While both of those platforms are great for many reasons, more brands and companies are expanding their digital reach by utilizing Instagram. Yes, Instagram –– the app once known for its simple feed of filtered photos has blossomed into a dynamic platform capable of generating business leads and even revenue. 

If this all sounds too intimidating, don’t worry. The following tips are easy enough to implement in the here and now, yet robust enough to keep you working toward your goals in the long run. Here are 17 steps you can follow to take your Instagram followers and engagement to the next level.

1. Completely fill out your profile

It might seem obvious, but filling out all the profile fields is the first step in creating and maintaining a successful, engaging Instagram account. Don’t be shy; tell the world who you are!

• Link to your website so your Instagram followers know where to find more information about you, your company, or your products and services. Instagram has a designated field specifically for a website link, so it’s clickable in your profile bio. However, if one link field is not enough, consider using a service like Linktree or Milkshake that allows you to optimize your “link in bio” possibilities.
• Use up your profile description characters to tell people who you are and what you’re about — keep it informative, but not stuffy. This is social media after all.
• Add a profile photo! If you’re a two toned gray silhouette, nobody’s going to take you seriously because they’ll assume you don’t know what you’re doing or that you’re a bot. Make sure whatever you choose is on-brand.
• Add in contact info. Business accounts on Instagram get a Contact button right underneath the bio field. Include a phone number and an email address so your Instagram followers have a choice in how they get in touch with you.

3. Post content regularly

Your goal is to show the world who you are, so make sure you’re doing that frequently and regularly. Try to aim for at least 2-5 grid posts per week and 1-3 daily stories. Make sure the content is interesting and relevant to your followers. Take inspiration from what you see on your own feed and ask yourself if your posts should be pretty, informative, or calls to action. 

Instagram analytics for business accounts is your friend, so consult it regularly to inform your posting. Make sure you’re posting at times when users are most active and followers are most likely to see your content.

4. Use the right hashtags

Find relevant hashtags with the right amount of content associated with them. For example, if you use a hashtag that’s been used over 1 million times like #love or #foodstagram, your content will get lost in the sea of posts. 

You’re much better off finding and sticking to a few hashtags that have been used a few hundred or a few thousand times; another few that have been used between 20-100 thousand times; and a couple that have been used 150-300 thousand times.

5. Follow accounts similar to yours, then follow the accounts who follow them

Find relevant hashtags with the right amount of content associated with them. For example, if you use a hashtag that’s been used over 1 million times like #love or #foodstagram, your content will get lost in the sea of posts. 

You’re much better off finding and sticking to a few hashtags that have been used a few hundred or a few thousand times; another few that have been used between 20-100 thousand times; and a couple that have been used 150-300 thousand times.

5. Follow accounts similar to yours, then follow the accounts who follow them

Following is a two-way street. If you have lots of followers but don’t reciprocate and only follow a small handful of accounts, you could come across as elitist. 

Think about it like degrees of separation –– if you post about architecture, find other accounts that post about architecture. Then, follow the users who follow those accounts. If you post compelling, relevant, aesthetically pleasing content, there’s a chance they’ll take a look at your profile and give you a follow.

6. Follow relevant hashtags

Beyond just people and businesses, you can follow hashtags too. This is a great way to interact with, find, and follow accounts related to the topics about which you’re posting that you might not otherwise discover. 

Following hashtags is also a great strategy for staying on top of industry trends and news as well as diversifying whose content you’re seeing. Like the photos from this stream and maybe those profiles will return the favor.

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