It’s not easy to keep up with social media apps and the seemingly constant stream of changes to how they operate. Methods that worked a few months ago – for driving traffic to your channel or ensuring your content gets seen – no longer work. Social media marketing requires you to continuously adapt to the ever-changing algorithms.
Some of the techniques listed below for how to attract engaged followers to Instagram may sound familiar. However, there are some minor tweaks to help you adapt to the new rules and algorithms.
#1: Optimize Your IG Profile for IG Search and Explore
Add the keywords to your profile that your target or ideal customers might use to find your business or the services/products you offer. Also, include links to your IG profile’s most engaging or compelling content. For example:
- Include IG story highlights that showcase your company and make them want to see more
- Provide social proof by including branded hashtags that feature user-generated content
- Include a link in your bio that helps them find resources, shop, etc.
#2: Prioritize Creating Original IG Content
Sharing or reposting content from others is easy and convenient. However, it’s no longer an effective method for growing followers because IG now ranks content for originality. So create original content to increase your chance of appearing on the Explore page.
#3: Focus on Publishing IG Reels and Video
IG now primarily displays short-form videos and Reels on the Explore page. Check the Planner tab from within the Meta Business Suite for inspiration. You’ll find a variety of content templates to get you started.
#4: Allow People to Remix Your IG Video Content
You can now allow Reel remixing so that others can use your videos as inspiration. If someone else remixes your Reel, your IG handle remains in the new, remixed Reel. Can you say “Hello” to free advertising?!
Enable remixing under settings, then create video content that inspires your audience to create. For example, create a challenge, offer advice, show a product in use and ask users to share how they use it.
#5: Use Relevant Hashtags
As of March 2022, adding hashtags to your content no longer has much impact on views. However, they do still help you appear in search. Technically you have up to 30 hashtags to use, but IG suggests three to five. Keep track of the hashtags you use so that you can remain consistent.
Make sure one of your hashtags is a branded hashtag and ask IG users to include it when posting about your products or services.
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Don’t forget to regularly publish to retain all your new followers and keep them engaged.
