Do Instagram's algorithm changes have you feeling panicked?
Engagement is down. Reach is down. And not all of your followers are seeing your posts.
This isn't Instagram trying to ruin your biz, so don't freak out.
Here’s the hard truth: we’re going to see a natural decline in organic reach as Instagram continues to grow as a platform, which means we'll also see a natural decline in engagement.
There’s only so much people can consume in one day. With the massive amount of content being shared on Instagram daily (95 million posts!), it only makes sense that organic reach is declining.
Don’t worry - it’s not all doom and gloom over here! There are still surefire ways to get your content seen.
Here are 7 ways to increase your Instagram reach and engagement TODAY...
Track your analytics
Before you go blaming the algorithm, you need to make sure you're sharing content your audience WANTS to see. The best way to find out how your audience feels about your content is by tracking your analytics.
The amount of likes, comments, saves, shares, and direct messages you receive per post or Story tells you whether or not this is something your audience wants to see more or less of from you.
Check in on your post analytics weekly, and your overall profile stats monthly, then use that information to create posts similar to your highest performing content.
If you post content your audience loves, they'll engage MORE and that signals to Instagram that your content is important to them, which pushes your future content higher up in their feeds!
Want to learn how to easily track your stats and know exactly what content your audience wants to see? Check out my instant download: the Instagram Analytics Tracker!
Your Instagram analytics don’t have to be overwhelming!
This Instagram Analytics Tracker sheet will show you how to easily track your analytics, the most important numbers to watch for your business, and exactly how your content is performing.
Start growing your business using Instagram today!
Engage more than you post
Go out and FIND the people who you want interacting with your posts. The truth is, you can't sit back and expect potential clients and customers to find you... you have to put in the work to find them and bring them back to your profile.
Spend at least 30 minutes a day getting in front of your dream customers and engaging with them. Hang out in targeted hashtags and locations engaging with new people. Check in on your competitors, see who’s engaging with their posts the most, and engage with them on their accounts.
The more you engage, the more results you'll see.
Use more targeted hashtags
I recommend always using a full set of 30 hashtags for every post you share, but niche down the hashtags you're using so you're reaching more of the RIGHT people. Stick to hashtags with 2k-200k total posts to hit that sweet spot of visibility and reach.
Use Instagram Stories
You’ve heard it a million times, but it’s worth mentioning again... People are spending more time watching Stories than scrolling through their feed. Use hashtags and location tags in your stories to reach new people, share about yourself or your day, and use Stories to push people back to your feed (and vice versa).
Read more: 5 Ways to Grow Your Business Using Instagram Stories
Instagram/SotoSocialMgmt
Instagram/SotoSocialMgmt
Cross Promote
Seek out opportunities for you or your biz to be featured in blog posts, podcasts, other Instagram account, and more to reach new people.
Invest in paid ads
In 2018, boosting posts is gonna become the norm for many businesses as reach naturally declines. Luckily, it's super easy to do and even $5 a day could help you increase reach and get your content in front of new people.
Start with a small daily budget and an eye-catching photo, run your ad for a few days, then tweak it until you're happy with the results. Remember, it's all about trial and error!
Ignore the fearmongering
If it sounds ridiculous, it most likely is. There are articles circulating that claim you need to jump through hoops to get your posts seen (like posting hashtags in the caption and only using 10 hashtags instead of 30). These are silly and not really based on anything, so ignore them and keep testing what strategy works for YOU.
Bottom line: Instagram will continue to change, but it's still an AMAZING platform for marketing your business, building and nurturing relationships, and sharing your story.
Which one of these tips are you most excited to implement? Share with me in a comment below.
