Are you guilty of any of these Instagram mistakes? If so, you’re not alone! But don’t worry, we’re here to help and guide you through social media changes and best practices. Read on for tips on how to fix your mistakes and improve your Instagram strategy. And, before we dive in, make sure if you’re a business on Instagram, you’re set up with a business account!
Common Instagram Mistakes
1. Posting too often or not enough
2. Not using hashtags (or doing hashtag research)
3. Not including a link in your bio
4. Ignoring comments and messages
5. Posting irrelevant or low-quality content
Posting too often or not enough
This is a common mistake that a lot of people make. If you’re posting too much, you run the risk of annoying your followers and driving them away. On the other hand, if you’re not posting enough, you won’t be able to build up a following or gain any traction. The key is to find a happy medium. Try posting once a day or a couple times a week and see how that goes. Changing up the type of content also helps keep your followers engaged, i.e. carousel posts, reels, stories, etc.
Creating a social media calendar helps with consistent posting. There are also a few tools out there that can help you with scheduling. Try using an app like Later or Hootsuite to schedule your posts in advance. That way, you can take the time to plan out your content and make sure you’re not overdoing it.
Not using hashtags (or doing hashtag research)
Hashtags are a great way to get your content seen by more people. When you use relevant hashtags, your content is more likely to show up in searches and on explore pages. But, it’s important to do your research first. Make sure you’re using popular, relevant hashtags that will actually help you reach your target audience. If you’re posting about an event, conference, or product, check to see if there is an “official”, previously established hashtag everybody else is using.
And don’t forget, you can also use hashtags to find new content to post! Search for hashtags that are relevant to your niche and see what kind of content pops up. You might be surprised at what you find.
Not including a link in your bio (or using call to action)
This is a mistake that a lot of people make, especially when they first start out on Instagram. They forget to include a link in their bio and may even put it in the photo caption instead, even though links are not active within Instagram captions/text! If you’re not including a link, you’re missing out on a valuable opportunity to drive traffic to your website or blog. Many people use a social media reference page such as Linktr.ee to drive people to specific links, rather than their main website. It’s a great way to include more than one link at a time in Instagram too.
If you want people to actually click on your link, make sure you’re using an effective call-to-action. Something like “Click the link in my bio” helps remind people what to do next. And finally, make sure your link is working! Test it out before you post and make sure it goes to the right place. Feel free to change up your link in your bio too, such as direct to your event tickets, donation page, or current offer.
Ignoring comments and messages
Ignoring comments and messages on any social media platform is a big no-no. If someone takes the time to comment on your photo or send you a message, make sure you respond! Engaging with your followers is a great way to build relationships and keep people interested in what you’re doing.
If you’re not sure how to respond to comments, try using some of these tips:
– Thank people for their compliments
– Ask questions to start a conversation
– Share additional information or resources
– Respond to critical comments in a constructive way
And if you’re worried about getting too many comments, you can always turn off comments for specific posts. Just know that this might make people less likely to interact with you.
Posting irrelevant or low-quality content
Remember, quality over quantity applies to social media posting on Instagram too. Do not post content that’s irrelevant to your niche or brand, or low-quality photos or content that doesn’t offer any value to your followers. People should be able to look at your profile and get a good idea of what you’re all about – make sure your content is reflective of that.
It’s important to only post high-quality content. That means doing your research, using relevant hashtags, and making sure your photos are well-lit and in focus. This also means avoid stock photography at all costs and letting your authentic, organization shine through in candid/real-life moments!
The VI Team is Here to Help!
These are just a few of the most common Instagram mistakes we see all too often. The world of Instagram, Facebook/Meta, and social media is always changing, so it is a constant learning process. If the team at Vivid Image can help you manage your social media presence, offer coaching, or help with other marketing strategies, reach out!
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