Optimizing Your Business Instagram Strategy
In the bustling digital marketplace, Instagram is still a great platform for any business looking to amplify their reach and make more personal connections with their audience. However, businesses need to do more than post some photos on the platform. The secret to distinguishing your brand lies in Instagram content optimization.
This comprehensive guide looks at strategies and actionable steps to elevate your Instagram game, spotlighting the potential for more engagement from your audiences.
Dive into the art of effective hashtag use, the strategic application of alt text and keywords, the dynamics of tagging and collaborations, and the critical role of analytics. For businesses poised to refine their Instagram approach, these strategies lay the groundwork for a successful Instagram strategy.
Hashtags: Unleashing Visibility
Instagram hashtags continue to be essential tools for visibility. For businesses, using the right hashtags will help connect your content with your ideal audience.
Now, how many hashtags on Instagram are too many? In 2024, Instagram allows for 30 hashtags per post but we recommend sticking to 3-6 hashtags for Instagram growth. Too many can appear spammy and overwhelm your audience.
As you continue to use the platform, use various Instagram hashtag analytics tools like Later or Sprout Social. We personally love Later for their easy-to-use platform and great pricing!
As of 2022, you are able to use 30 hashtags per post, but make sure you find the right hashtags for your posts. Hashtags on their own will not solely create the highest ranking. The more organic engagement you are able to achieve, your post is more likely to show up in a relevant hashtag search.
Alt Text
Elevating How Audiences Discover Your Brand
The alt text feature on Instagram, often overlooked, is a potent tool for helping audiences discover your content. Detailed descriptions with targeted keywords not only make your content more accessible but also provide the Instagram algorithm with context to better index your posts.
Instagram SEO
Using Relevant Keywords
Placing relevant keywords in your captions and bio can significantly elevate your profile's visibility. Tailoring your content with terms that resonate with potential audiences enhances your visibility on the Explore page, opening connections with both current and new audiences.
Another great place to incorporate keywords that are relevant to your brand is within your account bio. This is a great method for how you can optimize your Instagram profile. You can use this space as another area to describe your business in niche words that will allow consumers who find your content relevant to stick around, follow, and engage with your content.
This feature is found in “Advanced Settings” when you are posting a photo.
Tagging and Collaborations
Broadening Your Reach
Tagging and collaborating with other businesses and influencers can dramatically expand your reach. This strategy leverages shared visibility to attract a wider audience that you may not normally reach. You're essentially getting endorsements in front of other audiences, amplifying your credibility.
Track and Optimize
Without reviewing your analytics, it's nearly impossible to determine what works. Understanding what resonates with your audience through engagement rates, follower growth, and content performance insights is key to refining your strategy and better serving your audience.
We would suggest checking these measurements regularly to find the best results. Once you’ve surveyed your analytics, it is easier to evaluate what type of content succeeded and what did not do as well. You can then take these notes and improve your content to attract more users and your target audience.
Optimal Posting Schedule
Timing is important on Instagram. Identifying the optimal Instagram posting time can enhance your content's visibility and engagement. While the best times can vary depending on your specific audience, general patterns have emerged from various studies.
For instance, posting between 10 AM and 2 PM on weekdays can catch users during their mid-morning break and lunchtime lulls, which are peak times for Instagram activity. On weekends, aim for slightly later in the day, around 11 AM to 1 PM, when people are more likely to be leisurely scrolling through their feeds.
As for frequency, aiming to post once a day is a good benchmark for keeping your audience engaged without overwhelming them.
Remember, consistency and quality trump quantity, so it's more important to maintain a regular schedule with compelling content than to post frequently at less than-optimal times.
Utilizing Instagram's analytics tools can provide insights into when your specific audience is most active, allowing you to tailor your posting schedule for maximum impact.
Leverage User-Generated Content
Embracing user-generated content (UGC) enriches your content strategy with authenticity and engagement. Encourage sharing, feature UGC prominently, engage with contributors to foster community, and track performance to guide future content endeavors.
Things to Avoid on Instagram
Avoid common missteps such as:
Neglecting Instagram Stories and Reels
Low engagement with audiences
Posting inconsistently
Using irrelevant hashtags
Overlooking the insights offered by analytics
Not having an aesthetic feed (we show you 5 tips to improve your feed)
Transforming Your Instagram Strategy
Optimizing your Instagram content is merely the first step towards leveraging the platform's full potential for business growth. Partnering with a seasoned agency can transition your strategy from mere visibility to dynamic engagement and substantive connections.
As a digital marketing agency, The Sampson House is an expert in content and social media strategy. Our expertise spans content creation to digital marketing, all tailored to align with your unique needs.
Explore how we can illuminate your Instagram account as a beacon for potential clients and partners, transforming it into a pivotal component of your digital marketing strategy.
