7 Instagram Tactics To Help You Dominate

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Instagram is one of the fastest growing social media platforms of 2014. This mobile apps allows its users to easily share photos and video with friends. Why should you care about this social media network? Let’s take a look at some of the data:

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][milestone symbol_position=”after” color=”Default” number=”51″ symbol=”%” subject=”Class of 2014 Usage of Instagram”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][milestone symbol_position=”after” color=”Default” number=”76″ symbol=”%” subject=”Users who check Instagram daily”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][milestone symbol_position=”after” color=”Default” number=”68″ symbol=” million” subject=”Instagram photos posted daily”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Instagram really pushed on the accelerator in terms of growth after being acquired by Facebook (see graph above). Their acquisition was worrisome to me after seeing what Facebook has done to their own social platform in recent years. As of September 2014 Facebook has done a good job letting Instagram do their own thing and not overloading the platform with ads or filtering content in users’ feeds.

You may be wondering how you should use Instagram as part of your social strategy. Here are 7 things you need to know to dominate Instagram:

1. It’s all about pretty photos

When people first get on Instagram they think they can treat it like Facebook– that’s a no-no. Don’t try and post graphics or other forms of visual advertising. You need the best and most creative photography you can find. Pretty photographs or interesting snapshots– that is what Instagram is all about.

Should you use your cell phone or digital SLR to capture images? If you’re going for a more personal “behind the scenes” feel use your phone. If not, use a digital SLR camera and bring them into your phone via e-mail for in-app editing.

2. Use hashtags to increase your reach

On Twitter, you barely have room for them. On Facebook your community has disdain for them– on Instagram you need to put tons of them in your content! Hashtags are common on Instagram and really help you reach a broader audience. Don’t be afraid to use 5-10 hashtags on your content.

When posting Instagram content use dashes and equal symbols to organize your content and give it a clean look. Click here to see an example.

3. Don’t be a hermit– engage with others

Use tools like Iconosquare to engage with other Instagram users by liking and commenting on their photos. Engaging with others is a surefire way to grow your following and is what social media is all about– being social!

4. Don’t overload your followers’

Remember that millennials like Instagram because it’s uncluttered. Don’t post multiple photos per day. Some research has shown no negative side effects from posting every day. However, my own research has found evidence to the contrary. Every community is different, but a general rule of thumb is to post 2-3 times per week.

5. Follow the users who follow you

Follow your community. Find out who your most engaged followers are and follow them back. This will allow you to follow their photos and continue to build social capital with them by engaging them in conversation.

 6. Ask your Instagram community questions

I’ve seen Instagram engagement outpace Facebook page engagement by as much as 300%. Ask your community questions or for them to share their feedback. Given how frictionless Instagram is you’ll be surprised with how many of your followers will respond.

7. Feature photos from your Instagram community

Your community is like a roving army of great content. Monitor your hashtags and feature great photos that your community posts. Credit them in the description and they’ll love you even more. Using this tactic demonstrates you’re listening to your community as a brand and you love them enough to share their creativity.

Do you currently use Instagram? Let me know what tactics you’ve been using and how successful they’ve been in the comments below.