CONTENT CLUB: 7 Things You Really Shouldn't Do If You Want To Be A Good Instagrammer

CONTENT CLUB: 7 Things You Really Shouldn’t Do If You Want To Be A Good Instagrammer

Posted on 16th June 2018 · Posted in Content Creation, Top Tips & Advice

If you’re new to Instagram, or if you think you’re an experienced Instagrammer, it’s likely there are a couple of key pointers you may have looked over. Making social media work for you, and using it in the smartest and most effective way possible, doesn’t happen by accident.

The best Instagram accounts require sufficient planning, careful execution, and making the absolute most of what the platform has to offer.

Here’s a useful list of what not to do on Instagram to make sure your efforts aren’t going to waste:

1. Don’t Use An Awkward Handle

Your handle, or username, is how people are likely to find you, and tag you. You want to make sure it’s as memorable and user-friendly as possible. Where possible, it’s best practice to make sure your username is the same across all social media platforms.

2. Don’t Set Your Profile to Private

If you are using a personal Instagram account, you may want to make it private so that you can accept or decline followers. However, if your Instagram account is for your blog or business, other users won’t be able to see what you post, and your content won’t be seen in searches, unless you have your profile set to public.

3. Don’t Post Poor Quality Images

You don’t need to be a master photographer to have a successful Instagram account, but you should make sure that images you use are “Instagram-worthy”. Images take pride of place on this social media platform, and are the first thing that will grab a user’s attention and make them want to read your caption.

4. Don’t Post Without A Caption

Instagram may feature images front-and-centre, but you should never post an image without a suitable caption. Captions get higher levels of engagement, and you can mix it up with emojis, symbols, and hashtags. Use a mixture of short and sweet, and longer and descriptive captions, to hold the interest of your audience.

5. Don’t Be A Lurker

If you’re wondering why you aren’t getting tons of engagement on your posts, ask yourself if you are spending time engaging with others? With social media, you get out what you put in, so find like-minded profiles and start liking and commenting.

6. Don’t Go Off Brand

If you’re using Instagram as a promotional tool for your blog or business, you should aim to have an overarching theme or style so followers know what to expect, and to give your page a cohesive feel. This also makes it easier for your target market to follow you, without having to give it too much thought.

5. Don’t Misuse Hashtags

Use relevant hashtags that are meaningful to your audience and industry. #Don’t #Turn #Every #Word #Into #A #Hashtag, and don’t turn normal sentences or phrases into a hashtag that others won’t know to look for. You are allowed up to 30 hashtags per post, but research shows somewhere between seven and 11 is the sweet spot.

6. Don’t Ignore Your Audience

If someone has taken the time to leave you a comment, engage with them! Getting engagement in today’s society isn’t easy when we are bombarded with websites, apps, and content. Tag the user in your response so they receive a notification.

7. Don’t Buy Followers

Yes, this is a thing. Bought Instagram followers won’t serve you in any way. Take the time to connect with and build a quality audience who are engaged with what you have to say.

For more information about the forthcoming Instagram For Businesses Bootcamp training by Watson & Co Chartered Marketing and Training Matchmaker supported by Excalibur Press on Thursday June 21 from 9am – 5pm in Belfast go to www.excaliburpress.co.uk/instagrambootcamp