Fun fact: As of September 2017, Instagram has more than 800 million active users. Of that massive number, more than half – about 500 million – use Instagram daily. So, if you’ve ever been in doubt of Instagram’s importance in the grand scope of social media, it’s time to put that hesitation to rest.
Over the past few months, we’ve been publishing handy guides on how to promote the blog content you buy with various social media platforms. Now that we’ve tackled the more text-based platforms of LinkedIn and Twitter, we’ll move on to Instagram, an essential tool for nearly any brand.
Instagram at a Glance
Let’s get started by delving into what it is that makes Instagram an obvious choice for any blog strategy.
The most notable difference between Instagram and its competing platforms is its focus on visual content, whether that’s in the form of photos, videos or Boomerangs, which are basically Instagram’s proprietary response to the .gif.
When it comes to posting, users have the option to either post an individual item or a group of multiple photos and videos – up to 10 are allowed in any given post. Customization is made easy thanks to a variety of filters and more precise adjustments, and you can tag other users in photos and label posts with a location to help ramp up engagement.
Finally, each post offers plenty of space for a lengthy caption, where you can place hashtags, which make your company’s posts easy to find by users around the world.
How to Promote Your SEO Content Writing on Instagram
Instagram can prove indispensable for virtually any type of business – especially those seeking to promote their content. Here, we’ve assembled a collection of handy tips to keep in mind when you’re ready to harness Instagram’s power as a source of blog traffic.
1. Make sure your visuals are impossible to miss.
Because Instagram’s primary focus is imagery, the app truncates captions with a “more” button to make certain that photos, videos and Boomerangs get the most real estate. This means that your visual content is considerably more likely to draw attention than your captions. So, if you’re trying to promote your blog posts, consider actually posting a screenshot of the headline to let users know you’re offering them useful content. Other options can include posting an image that’s relevant to the topic, creating an infographic or even posting a short video with kinetic typography.
2. Don’t write captions without a hook.
Want your followers to visit your blog? Since you can’t place clickable links in Instagram captions or photos, you’re going to need people to read your caption, where they’ll typically be led to the link in your bio (which should send them directly to your blog). It’s also important to bear in mind that only up to 3 or 4 lines of your caption are actually displayed before clicking the “more” button, which makes it that much more critical to create captions that are immediately enticing.
Popular caption tactics include asking questions, using emojis and more. But no matter which caption-writing strategy you employ, make sure the must-see information comes first, so your followers know what they’re in for once they hit that “more” button.
3. Develop a personality in line with your brand persona.
Instagram is worlds away from professional platforms, like LinkedIn, which means that prim and proper behavior is not only unnecessary, but a potential liability. Instead, be sure to develop a unique voice based on what your brand is looking to accomplish and who your content caters to.
This personality should not only show up in your captions, but in the types of visual content you post. Blog screenshots are well and good, but a brief video from a workplace party, for example, could provide your followers with a lighthearted glimpse into what happens behind the scenes, and below it, you could include a caption that introduces your latest blog discussing employee engagement.
4. Model your Instagram routine after your blog schedule.
Although infrequent Instagram use is better than nothing, sporadic posts look almost useless when compared to the benefits of consistency. Daily posts are a good option, but since the vast majority of interaction your posts will receive will take place within the first few hours, you have the option to post something else later on in the day without much risk. Regardless, knowing they can expect a certain amount of content in a given time will keep your followers checking their app for more on a regular basis, so consider adhering to a consistent schedule. A 2016 study from Forrester indicated that the top brands on Instagram posted 4.9x each week, so this may be the perfect starting point.
Looking to create an editorial calendar to house your blogging schedule? Be sure to consult our handy guide.
5. Boost social media engagement with the story feature.
In August 2016, Instagram launched their Stories feature, an idea lifted from Snapchat. Not unlike your standard posts, Stories can be photos, videos or Boomerangs, except they disappear after 24 hours. You can also insert location tags, hold polls and much more to grab your audience’s attention. So, the Stories feature offers an excellent way to maximize engagement and drive traffic toward your blog. And to boot, more than 300 million people already use the feature daily.
Working on a brand-new website feature? Post a sneak preview on your story. Holding a company event? You guessed it – add a photo or video to your story. As icing on the cake, if you have more than 10,000 followers or have successfully verified your company’s Instagram account, you’ll be able to add a link to your story, which viewers can access by simply swiping up. Otherwise, however, you’re stuck with directing followers to a link in your bio here, too.
6. Make sure to use hashtags.
Be sure to include hashtags with every post, as they’re the key to boosting your follower count by making your Instagram content easily searchable. Plus, according to one study, posts containing at least one hashtag also receive 12.6% more engagement. Just don’t go overboard, as that same study indicates that 91% of Instagram’s leading brands post content with no more than 7 hashtags.
The hashtags you use will depend on many things, from your company’s general goals to the specific content of the blog post you’re promoting. Furthermore, you might use generic hashtags, like #business, or branded hashtags, like #ShareACoke.
Need More Blog Posts? Hire Professional Content Writers
Keeping up with a tried-and-true content schedule isn’t always an easy task – especially when your business is already short on time and talent. If you’re looking to beef up your business blog and distribute that content on your social media platforms, look no further than Virtucom Group’s expert writers.
