The hallmarks of a successful Instagram profile

So you've got your brand new post content and you're ready to slap them on Instagram, but hold up! Have you curated the rest of your profile to accompany your updates? Or have you typed in an informative bio? This week's OMDIGI Bytes is all about some of our must-dos for a thriving Instagram profile, so keep on reading!

A regular posting schedule

If you want to keep your followers engaged, increase your following, and maintain a professional image, posting regularly is a must. Not posting enough or posting irregularly can also affect your position in Instagram’s algorithm, making it less likely that your followers will see your posts.?

Ideally, you should be posting at least once a day. Instagram Analytics can help you determine the best times to post to achieve the best reach and follower engagement.?

Interesting content?

Share interesting content with your followers. Create eye-catching media using editing tools such as Canva, Adobe Photoshop, and video editing software. Make sure that your images are high-quality, as low-quality images make you appear less professional and may cause you to lose engagement and followers.

A recognisable username

If you’re a real estate business, don’t name your Instagram account ‘ILoveCats21’. Include your business name and make use of underscores, and full stops if it is taken. This also applies if you’re a freelancer or influencer – use your name so that people will recognise you.?

An informative bio

Your bio gives your followers information about your business. Keep it informative and be sure to include the name of your business, what you sell, your contact information, and a link to your website.?

If you want to include multiple links in your bio, you can make use of platforms like Linktree. When a user clicks on a Linktree link, they will be directed to a landing page. Here you can list multiple links, such as other social media pages, online stores, and company websites.

A visually appealing theme

Choose a theme and keep it consistent throughout your entire feed. Instagram is a visual platform and creating aesthetically pleasing content will increase your likelihood of success. Your theme could be simple, such as a certain filter, or more complicated, such as alternating between black and white image backgrounds.?

The right hashtags

Though you can use up to 30 hashtags on an Instagram post, this isn’t recommended if you want your account to be successful. Using too many hashtags or generic hashtags can look repetitive, desperate, and straight-up spammy.?

Instead, choose between 5 and 9 hashtags that are specific to your content. Avoid using generic hashtags like #photooftheday or follow or like-swapping tags like #like4like.

Engaging captions

Though Instagram allows up to 2200 characters in a caption, only the first two lines will be seen before a user taps ‘more’. Use these two lines to engage and intrigue users, leaving them keen to know more.

What’s more, people often skim read captions, especially if they’re long. It’s best to keep your captions short and to the point. For organic posts, it’s a good idea to keep them between 130 and 150 characters, while for ads you should keep them at around 125 characters.?

Consider breaking longer captions up into paragraphs, as these are easier to read and users are less likely to lose interest.?

Replies to followers

If a user comments on your post, reply to them. Even if you simply ‘like’ the post or respond with an emoji, it shows the user that you took the time to acknowledge them. If you interact with your followers, they will be more likely to engage with you in the future.

And don’t just reply to positive comments. If someone leaves a comment complaining about a product or service, reply to them in a friendly and respectful manner. It’s best to encourage them to take the conversation out of the comment section by prompting them to message you privately or send you an email.

Influencer partnerships

Inviting an influencer to partner with you can benefit both of you. It can help build your reputation, increase your reach, and both of you may gain new followers. Influencers build a community of trust around their account, and their followers will usually trust their judgment about a product.?

Instagram shop

If you're a business, setting up an Instagram shop is a sure way to increase sales. Instagram shop allows you to create your own online store within Instagram itself. This makes it easier for your followers to purchase your products. There is also an Instagram Shop tab on the explore page, which allows users to search for and browse products without leaving the app.?

Need some help? We've been there, done that, and can get you on your way, just get in touch with us today!