Using Instagram to boost your business is a smart move. It’s one of the top social media apps in the United States. To turn your Instagram presence into tangible results, focus on building engagement.
Instagram engagement includes likes, comments, shares, and saves – ways users interact with your content. Strong engagement indicates that your audience may connect with your brand, leading to potential purchases.
Increased engagement also helps your content gain priority in the Instagram algorithm, reaching more of the right people interested in your brand.
A large follower count alone doesn’t ensure high engagement. Focus on building an active community loyal to your brand.
What is a good engagement rate on Instagram?
Calculate your Instagram engagement rate by dividing the number of likes and comments per post by your total followers, then multiply by 100. An engagement rate between one and three is good; above three is excellent.
To boost your Instagram engagement, follow these nine simple steps.
How to Increase Your Instagram Engagement
Track Your Instagram Engagement
Check your current Instagram engagement by accessing your profile and tapping the hamburger menu in the top right corner. Select “Insights” to find the metrics you need in the “Overview” section. Detailed breakdowns are available based on your specific needs. Note that these insights are only accessible with a Business or Creator account. Understanding your post, Story, Reel, Live, and feed engagement is crucial before putting more effort into growing your account.
Create Valuable Content
Saves and shares are among the most valuable types of engagement on Instagram. To achieve these, provide content that users find worth referencing and sharing, while keeping it visually appealing. Instagram marketing thrives on strong visuals.
Eye-catching infographics can offer helpful tips or insightful facts. Use visual breakdowns of step-by-step processes or design colorful charts and graphs. Complement these with captions that add context or highlight key points.
Passion Planner’s Instagram profile is an excellent example of valuable and engaging content.
For content-heavy posts, use an Instagram carousel. Carousels allow you to present multiple graphics, keeping the text uncluttered. They are the most engaging type of Instagram post, making them effective for boosting profile stats.
Master Your Aesthetic
Visuals are crucial on Instagram; they create the first impression. Without consistent branding, a user’s first engagement with your brand could be their last.
Instagram users expect aesthetically pleasing content in their feeds. To earn and retain followers – and increase engagement – you must consistently deliver high-quality visual content.
Your Instagram grid serves as a portfolio. Users scrolling through it should see on-brand graphics, complementary filters, and cohesive design elements. Consider using similar color schemes or alternating post types, like SLP Now, to create a visually appealing and cohesive profile.
Embrace Video Content
Experiment with new content formats. Instagram is prioritizing video, especially user-created Reels – short TikTok-style videos featured in their own tab.
Use your business account to go live, post to IGTV, and upload short animations to your feed and Stories. Animated graphics catch attention and convey emotion, even when users watch without sound.
Video is essential on Instagram and across the web. With 91% of active users watching Instagram videos weekly, incorporating video into your strategy can boost engagement.
You don’t need professional editing skills to succeed with video on Instagram. Like top influencers, small business owners can stand out by simply talking to followers on camera.
Engage with Instagram Users
Always respond when a follower engages with your brand. Ignoring followers or just tapping the heart icon is not enough. Thoughtfully reply to comments, DMs, and posts where you’re tagged. A meaningful response can encourage future engagement and build strong relationships.
To grow your engaged community, take the initiative. Comment on posts from accounts with similar audiences to increase your visibility. Follow relevant hashtags to find and engage with potential clients directly on your feed.
Use Hashtag and Location Tags
Add hashtags and location tags to your Instagram posts to increase their visibility. If a user follows one of your hashtags, your post may appear directly in their feed. These tags can effectively boost engagement by placing your content in front of users with related interests.
To choose the best hashtags, focus on relevant and less saturated ones. Niche hashtags like #midcenturyhome are more effective than broad ones like #interiordesign, as they target your audience more precisely. Use Instagram’s search bar to find hashtags with 5,000 to 500,000 posts—ideal for generating interest without getting lost.
Apply the same strategy to location tags. Tagging your city or community often works best for attracting local followers and generating engagement.
Get Creative with Instagram Stories and Reels
Instagram offers multiple ways to post content beyond traditional posts, including Stories, Reels, and Live features. A multiformat approach captures different audience preferences and increases engagement. Choose the best format for your message and review analytics to stay on track.
Using all of Instagram’s content options allows you to post more frequently without overwhelming your audience. Experiment with different posting times and days to find what works best. Consider incorporating user-generated content by reposting Stories and posts from followers, customers, and collaborators.
Produce Consistent Quality Content
Maintaining an audience on Instagram requires consistent quality content. Your content should be visual, relatable, aspirational, and engaging, showcasing the human side of your brand. Use the “people test” – ask others if they would relate to or engage with your posts. If your content doesn’t resonate, it might not be suited for Instagram.
Host a Giveaway Contest
Giveaways are effective for boosting Instagram engagement. They encourage users to interact with your brand in new ways.
Design your contest to meet your engagement goals. Set clear rules and offer a prize that is appealing and valuable to encourage participation.
For example, Fenty Beauty’s Game Day Giveaway offered two tickets to the Championship Game, including flights, hotels, and transportation. This contest received over 17,000 likes and nearly 18,000 comments.
Post at Optimal Times
Posting at the right time is crucial for maximizing engagement. The best times to post on Instagram are 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursdays, 11 a.m. on Wednesdays, and 10 a.m. on Fridays. Tuesday is generally the best day to post. Use these times as a guide, but also consider your specific audience and adjust your posting schedule to find what works best for you.
Don’t Forget the Basics
More followers can lead to more consistent engagement. Ensure your account looks legitimate by paying attention to these basics.
Choose and format your Instagram profile picture carefully, as it will be cropped into a circle. Instagram bios are limited to 150 characters. There’s no need for SEO/SEM optimization since bios are not searchable. Ensure your profile picture and bio align with your brand’s values, visuals, and tone. If you include a link in your bio, make sure it engages your audience.
With these basics covered, you’re ready to apply your skills. Plan content in advance, regularly review your Instagram analytics, and continue refining and experimenting.
