When done correctly, scheduling Instagram posts can help your business to increase its online following, engage with a target audience, and even drive traffic and sales. However, not all businesses schedule their Instagram posts in the best way, and as a result many do not reap the rewards of an expertly curated feed. Although it is difficult to determine exactly why a post on Instagram might underperform, there are steps businesses can take to improve the chances of their content doing well. Let’s discover 3 common Instagram scheduling mistakes that can hold businesses back.
Failing to Engage with Followers
Each and every one of your posts should be curated with a purpose. Essentially, this means that your content should convey information and context that is relevant to the images used. Engagement is a huge determining factor within success on social media, so be sure to engage with your followers. This should include replying to comments on your posts and stories as well as commenting on posts relevant to your industry.
Maintaining a consistent posting schedule is fundamental, and so if you are serious about growing your Instagram following, you could also consider using an Instagram scheduling platform such as Sked Social. Additionally, the language you use on Instagram should be natural and tailored to spark a conversation. Use hashtags that resonate with your audience and consider posting stories with interactive elements such as polls, questions, and reaction sliders to generate buzz around products and topics that interest your audience.
Scheduling an Instagram Post that Contains a Link
A mistake that a lot of businesses make early into their foray with Instagram is attempting to attach a link to their posts. Unlike other social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn Instagram only permits users to post one link to an outside site, and this link is featured within your bio. Moreover, it is crucial that the link you include is of value to your business. Therefore, if you do want your audience to follow a link, including the hashtag #LinkInBio can encourage them to click.
Furthermore, only accounts with more than 10 000 followers can utilize the ‘swipe up’ feature in Instagram stories that attaches a link. With this in mind, if you do want your followers to visit a certain page, you should include a call to action in your posts and stories to send people to your bio. CTAs can take various forms, but some of the most effective include the verbs ‘try’, ‘learn’ and ‘join’.
Neglecting Analytics
Although there is no magic recipe for developing an Instagram posting schedule that works for your business, ignoring your analytics can hold you back and lessen the impact of your posts. As with anything social media related, there are always going to be lots of factors to consider but looking at analytical data can help you to find a time when your posts seem to perform best. Finding your optimal posting times is often a case of identifying which of your posts got the most engagement and asking questions to determine why.
Often, businesses can notice patterns that will vary depending on the target audience. For example, do your posts perform better in the morning or in the evening? Compiling a calendar and posting at the most active times can help your posts to extend their reach and accumulate higher levels of engagement. Over time this builds a community and boosts your following. Finding your Instagram sweet spot for posting involves experimenting with content to explore what works for your business and, most importantly, your audience.
Ultimately, whether your business is an Instagram scheduling saint or sinner, it is never too late to make some changes to your posts that can engage your audience in new and exciting ways. Building a loyal online following requires interaction from your followers and therefore by taking time to focus on your posting schedule, your Instagram account can become a useful marketing asset.
Instagram is a popular social media platform that home businesses can use to grow their brand. Looking for more digital marketing tips to help your business thrive? Check out this useful guide to online marketing for home businesses.
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