Seven key elements of a successful Instagram page
Success on Instagram is a constantly turning wheel, made up of several key components. The secret to an irresistible Instagram account is to ensure each segment of the wheel is complete, that way your Insta wheel whirls as smoothly as the one at the hydro plant – except that instead of generating electricity, you’re generating clients!
Did you know that there are currently more than 200 million business accounts on IG? To stand a chance of being noticed above the clamour, you need to put the work in; or else those precious hours spent stacking up content on Instagram will have been in vain.
So, if your IG account needs a freshen up, you’re finding the whole Instagram-life a little draining right now, or you simply need some inspiration, these top tips will help to generate the results you need to reinvigorate your passion for this platform.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Here’s the ‘How To’ of transforming listless Insta accounts into scroll-stopping must-sees, that transform followers into clients.
- Amazing Content
There’s a reason content is at No. 1. If you’re putting out amazing content, the rest should follow. Instagram is full of photos, graphics and videos, so what is it that makes people stop scrolling and pay attention? The first thing you need to do is know your audience. Once you know who your audience is, you can tailor your content to suit them. Once you’ve got that first part pegged, the content is simple: best-selling content is content that tells a story, shares an experience, garners empathy. If you’re still struggling, smiling kids, cute animals and seasonal references to key calendar dates are a safe bet. Another thought: successful brands use the same filter for every post, so keeping consistent really is key. And remember: high-level content converts followers into clients.⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
- Strong branding
Coca Cola knows it, McDonalds know it, Kate Middleton knows it, in fact all the biggest companies across the globe recognise that it all comes down to branding. Branding is what makes your business easily identifiable to followers; it’s all in the visuals. Great branding works on so many levels. As well as increasing your brand awareness amongst followers, branding builds the audience’s trust in you (the comfort of familiarity), it represents your personality and values and helps the potential client build a rapport with you. So, decide on your tone, font style, colour scheme, genre (vintage…retro…formal) and BE CONSISTENT.
- Clear bio
So easy to overlook, but actually a clear bio is essential to establishing your brand on Instagram. It’s basically your ‘first impression’ opportunity to connect with your clients and let them know why they should follow you. Your bio needs to correlate with your brand identify. Your Instagram username will be displayed prominently on your page – so don’t miss out on the opportunity to slot in a well-searched keyword here – your full name can always be your business name in the ‘name’ section. Your profile picture should resonate with your brand colours too – logo or photo; either way make sure it’s recognisable. Your bio gives you 150 characters to convey exactly what it is that you are about. Remember you can update your bio whenever you like – so you could even use it to share great deals and offers.
- Calls to action
If you don’t ask, you don’t get, right? Calls to action are essential if you want engagement on your posts. Whereas it’s easy to focus on the swipe up function on Stories, there are a number of other, subtle ways in which to call your viewers to action on your profile. Add a CTA into your bio, use powerful language and imperatives to command your followers to act: ‘click on’, ‘buy now’, tease them with a preview…’new offer coming soon’ followed by a date of the launch. The subtle psychology can extend to adding in a sense of urgency to promote prompt action eg. ‘ending soon’, ‘limited offer’ or ‘first X to buy receive…’.
- Personality
Let your followers get to know the real you. Whatever it is that you’re selling, try to put it in a real-life setting. If you make doggy costumes, take a snap of your pup in your latest design; if you’re a business coach, demonstrate your skills with a few videos to show your personability. If you’re frightened of getting up on the camera – even just a shot of you holding your product can help connect with your audience. Try to include a behind the scenes post every now and then and invite your followers into your life.
- Engagement
Engagement is a sure-fire sign that you’re getting it right. Be sure to review your posts and tally up which ones are getting the most recognition and response. Analyse the timings of your posts and try to work out what’s a success and what needs a rethink.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
- Strategy
Your strategy should be about gaining loyalty from your audience. Once they know what you are about, they will know what to expect from you in terms of what you post and when. So, it’s important, even when the follower numbers start to rise, to stand firm to your strategy.
When all of these lucky seven components come together, the magic happens. Your audience will understand you, you will find it easier to make content and, crucially, you will see results.