Last week we gave you an overview of Instagram, and we will continue to teach you the ins and outs of Instagram for the entire month of March. This week we will dive into the power of Instagram posts. Posts live on indefinitely. They stay on your profile until you decide to delete or remove them. They also show up in your followers’ feed. 

Why is Instagram Critical? 

Instagram is a critical platform, and the statistics back that up. The platform has 3.5 billion daily visits and more than half of Americans check it daily. The average Instagram user spends 30 minutes per day on the platform, and 81% of users say they use it to research products and services. If your target audience is under the age of 35, you should be using Instagram. 

When to Post? 

Ideally, you should be posting on Instagram 5–6 times a week, but we understand that could be overwhelming. If that is the case, a consistent 2-3 posts a week may be a better option for you. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is burning yourself out and ending up with inconsistent posting. According to Instagram, the best times to post are between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Different industries do their best at different times, so experiment with what works best for you. For example, realtors tend to do well when they post in the afternoons, but restaurants should post in the morning so people know about their specials. 

Algorithm

Six factors make up the Instagram algorithm. The first is interest. Instagram will show you posts they think you will like or engage with before they show you other posts. They will show you accounts that you have engaged with in the past, along with accounts similar to the ones you have engaged with. 

Instagram also uses timelines as a way to organize its algorithm. They will show you the more recent posts before the less recent ones. They claim that they will eventually go back to their previous algorithm that was fully based on timelines. This would be beneficial to businesses because their followers would be more likely to see your content. All you will need for people to see your posts is the following. 

The third way Instagram organizes your feed is by relationships. If they see that you are tagging a person in posts and engaging with their content, they will show you their posts more frequently. This is why running contests and giveaways that involve tagging helps your engagement levels increase. 

Frequency is the next way you can move your content up in people’s feeds. Instagram rewards consistency. If you are on the app more or posting more, they are more likely to show people the content you post. 

Following is another way that Instagram decides what posts people need to see. You are far more likely to see people’s posts if you follow their accounts. This is why gaining a following is important to being a successful Instagram user. 

Lastly, Instagram usage determines which posts you are likely to see in your feed. The more you interact with certain content, the more likely Instagram is going to show you similar content. If you check the same profile every day, it will begin to show you posts that are deeper in the account’s posting history. 

Content Ideas 

1. Video Content: Instagram has announced that it will no longer be a photo-sharing app. They will be putting their focus on video content. 

1. How-to posts: Just because you think something is easy doesn’t mean other people find it that way. Ask people what they want to know. 

1. Tips, tricks, and shortcuts: Let your audience in on things that are helpful to you. 

1. Trends: Take advantage of trending sounds and hashtags. People follow trends and sounds, so it helps people see your content. 

1. Quotes: Quotes do great on Instagram. Make sure they are successful in your industry before posting. 

1. Testimonials: People love reviews and hearing other people’s opinions. Not only do you think your business is great, so do other people. Show your audience what other people think about you. 

1. Sneak Peaks: Do you have a new product or service you can share with your audience? 

1. Questions: People love to engage with companies’ social media accounts. You should ask questions to boost engagement (especially if your audience is young). 

1. Behind the Scenes: When people show what they do, they tend to get lots of views. 

1. Memes: People enjoy a good laugh. Be funny. If you aren’t funny, you should hire someone who is. Be careful not to post outdated memes or memes in the wrong context. 

1. User-Generated Content: React to the content your clients are posting about you. 

Why Post on Instagram? 

In today’s world, if you don’t have an Instagram, you don’t exist. Post a consistent amount of content that you can handle each week and explore the different kinds of content you can post. This will create the perfect social media formula that works for you. Tune in next week to learn about Instagram stories and how they can be most beneficial to you!