New and established businesses often find it difficult to grow their Instagram followings. However, doing so doesn’t have to be a challenge. Use the following tips to grow an Instagram following in less time than one can imagine.
If you want an easy way to get more followers, purchase them from a reputable provider. This is an effective way to increase the number of followers a site has, but it isn’t a long-term solution. Organic followers produce the best results, so use the paid followers to fill in the gap as other methods are put into place.
The process of building a solid following takes time. This is why many businesses choose to purchase them. When doing so, however, ensure the provider is reputable. Paid followers only benefit a business if they are of high quality.
Choose the Right Instagram Handle
Thanks to the popularity of this social media site, choosing a handle that matches the business name may not be possible. In addition, this handle should match the business’s handle on other social media sites when possible.
If the desired handle is already taken, try to come up with something that is as close as possible. For instance, use the company name with the location to help identify the business. Many business owners add the location after the company name. Try moving it in front of the name to see if that handle is available.
If not, consider adding the zip code to make the handle memorable. Many people will remember the zip code, particularly if the business is a local service provider.
Quality, Not Quantity
Business owners often want to see a significant number of followers and will do anything to increase this number. However, the focus needs to be on quality followers rather than quantity. What is the difference?
Quality followers engage with the business. They comment on posts, like these posts, and share them with others. When they do so, those who see the post may also become followers, as they have similar interests. This helps to grow the following organically and benefits the business far beyond a like or a share.
Outstanding Content
A business can distinguish itself by producing outstanding content that cannot be found elsewhere. Consistency is key here, as followers want to see this content regularly. It’s easy to produce one great piece and then assume that is all that is needed. However, the business must continue delivering or followers may choose to unfollow the page.
The content needs to be useful and relevant to the industry. This might be a post with tips on how to use the products or facts about how they were made. Every post should be thoughtful and speak to some aspect of the follower’s life. However, there are other ways to generate interest in a page.
Set up a poll or run a contest. Followers will share the post with their followers, which attracts more interest in the page. Posts should capture the person’s attention and keep it. This isn’t always easy to do, as there are so many posts, they can choose from to engage with.
There are many ways to make a post entertaining. An attractive design is one way to do so, while another way is to elicit emotion from the viewer. Humor is always a good technique to use when creating content.
Search Engine Optimization
Many business owners don’t realize search engines take social media into account when ranking sites. In fact, Instagram now allows users to search by keyword rather than by hashtag or account. A business owner can benefit from this and possibly increase their website ranking in the process.
Use keywords when creating the bio and captions. Always include the business location on Instagram, as local SEO is another factor search engines consider when ranking a site. Alt text should be added to images for search engine optimization purposes, as well.
Promote the Page
Businesses should promote their Instagram account everywhere they can. Links to all social profiles should be included in the website footer. Use these same links in email templates and signatures.
Take this a step further, print out the Instagram handle name, and display it in the office using a cute picture frame. Let followers on other social media sites know how to find the business on Instagram. Branded hashtags should appear wherever possible to increase brand visibility.
A business owner can never assume people will look on Instagram for the company. It falls on the business to tell them where to find it on the popular site.
Being implementing the above tips today. Business owners who do so find they start seeing results. However, an instant following will require the business owner to purchase followers. Don’t overlook this option, as purchasing these followers does come with benefits. When combined with organic results, a business should see its followers grow in little time.
