033: 11 Tips To Grow Your Instagram Account, With Danielle Granger Nava

Instagram is undeniably one of the most important social channels around, and any marketer not yet using it is missing out on something big. Whether you manage the social media of a big corporation, a small business, or you’re using it to promote your own personal brand, incorporating Instagram into your marketing strategy is a must! Today, I will share 11 tips you can use to grow your Instagram account! These are not just random tips...I personally use all of them, and they have helped me grow my Instagram following to over 27,000 followers!

Here’s What You’ll Learn [1:15] 11 tips to grow an Instagram following [2:30] Growing an account could mean more business, more future opportunities and connections [4:00] More followers means a greater chance of getting published or collaboration [5:00] Social profiles are the new “currency” [7:00] #1 Decide on a niche [9:15] #2 Optimize your bio [13:30] #3 Take great pictures [17:30] #4 Become an expert editor [21:45] #5 Think of your account as your profile [24:15] #6 - Be authentic - people relate to authenticity better [26:00] #7 - Share stories in the caption [32:30] #8 Engage with your followers [36:30] #9 Plan your post [38:15] #10 Collaborate [41:00] #11 Use insta-stories [43:45] Instagram is the #1 social platform, and you should be using it! [44:45] Toujours Worth Software - Guided Wealth Portfolios [46:30] Worth It Inspirations The basics

#1 Decide on a niche: The first step in finding your Instagram niche is finding out what you like (and deciding what you don’t like). Once you’ve got past the initial stage of finding what you like, then stick to it because chances are, once people start following you, it’s because they like the specific content you post. I would stick to 2-3 topics at most...this keeps your feed pretty specific and your audience interested!

#2 Optimize your bio:It takes less than two-tenths of a second for an online visitor to form an impression of your account. And if you’re using Instagram for business, it’s REALLY important for that first impression to be a good one! I like to separate my hashtags from the main content, so it’s easier to read. Since Instagram does not create page breaks when you are typing, I write all my posts in my notes app, then copy/paste them into Instagram. This little trick means I can control how the text is displayed, which is often cleaner and easier to read!

 

#3 Take great pictures: The better your photos, the more likely that people will like, comment on and share them! The quality of photos is also directly related to how many new followers you will receive! Here are a few things to remember...use natural light when taking pictures, especially food! Use the rule of thirds, pick a color scheme, and use a variety of angles. If you need inspiration, it’s a great idea to follow other accounts that take great pics.

People will judge a book by its cover

#4 Become an expert editor: You should develop an eye for detail, it will pay off! I almost always brighten the photos I post and often adjust the saturation (just don’t overdo it!). Cooler tones (blues, purples) get better engagement on Instagram, so consider using a filter to adjust your photos. Don’t just use them at random, but plan which ones match your theme and embellish the content!

#5 Think of your account as your profile: The truth is, people on Instagram will judge the book by it’s cover...the great thing is, you can control the cover! If you have a bunch of old photos that don’t fit, it’s totally cool to just delete them! You can even create a Pinterest “mood board” for inspiration as to how you want your profile to look! In addition, there are several apps that allow you to preview your feed before you post. Check out the resources below for a PDF sheet with all the apps I use to assist with my Instagram account!

#6 Be authentic: The simple truth is, people relate to authenticity. You want your feed to look great, sure...but sometimes life is chaotic and messy and does not go as planned. The more authentic you are, the more people will be able to relate, and the more they will trust and like you!

Everyone loves a good story

#7 Share stories in the caption: If you have a cool story behind a photo, share it in the caption! People love stories...it makes them feel like you have invited them “behind-the-scenes” for a VIP look, and that is gold! When you share those stories, use great hashtags in addition to the text.

#8 Engage with your followers: Don’t just put your account on autopilot, it can actually hurt your following. Message people back, like their comments on your posts, and check out their posts in return!

#9 Plan your post: Just because something cool is happening right now does not mean that you have to post right now! Snap a few pics for later, then post them after you have thought through the content, caption, and hashtags. There are several apps that let you schedule your posts. I list them on the Instagram PDF in the resources below!

Find your tribe

#10 Collaborate: This may be the best way to get more followers and grow your Instagram account! Reach out to other people who are passionate about the same kinds of things you are, even if they are competitors! As you share each others posts, links, and content, you can tap into their followers and vice versa!

#11 Use Instagram stories: This is a new feature on Instagram, but it’s gaining popularity like crazy! The format is similar to Snapchat, like having your own little channel where your followers can watch the latest content you post! If you have more than 10,000 followers, you can even include a link in that story, which is an amazing way to push people towards your blog or website!

Resources & People Mentioned @Showmeyournola @DanielleGNava Toujours Worth The Influencer Podcast Layout App Link In Profile App Danielle’s Instagram App List Connect With Danielle and Dustin Ask your questions! On Facebook On Twitter

Connect with Dustin on Twitter: @DRGranger