Has your Instagram growth slowed over the last few months? If this sounds like you, don’t panic! In this episode of The Whin Big Podcast, Katie shares the 3 essential strategies you need to keep growing your audience.
This is Katie’s favourite topic, so pen and paper at the ready and jump into episode 52 of The Whin Big Podcast where you can grab lots of insight and actionable tips. If you’re looking to grow your reach on Instagram – don’t miss this. Relevant links to resources discussed in this week’s podcast are included at the end of the show notes.
This episode is sponsored by our Instagram MOT. This 20-point checklist will take you through all the most important things you need to get right in your Instagram marketing. Hit the big yellow button below to sign up for the free training and download the checklist.
2020 has been the year of extreme uncertainty, but one thing we can be sure of in 2020 is that nothing stays the same for long in the world of Instagram!
A few things have changed over on Instagram since our last Whin Big Podcast on Instagram growth. You can thank the introduction of Reels and an algorithm shift for that. We thought it was time to revisit your strategy, and who better to guide you through it than Katie?
The secret formula to Instagram growth
Meaningful growth is all about getting new, relevant content in front of a new and relevant audience while continuing to add value and quality to your target audience.
New Audience ÷ Targeted Content = Meaningful Growth
3 of the best tools in 2020 to help you get in front of your target audience
Tool #1 – Hashtags
These are the easiest of the tools to use. We’ve listed the Whin’s resources for all things Hashtags in the resources section below. As a guide, you are aiming to:
- Find relevant hashtags for what you do
- Make sure they’re the right size
- Put lots of them on all posts
- Grid posts
- Stories
- Reels
- Instagram TV
How do hashtags help your growth on Instagram?
They signal to Instagram what your story is about and who should see it.
They define which hashtag galleries and stories you appear in.
But they also:
- influence who sees you in their explore feed
- who sees your reels and IGTV
Will you increase Instagram growth with hashtags alone?
The algorithm changes mean hashtag use as a single strategy is no longer as powerful as it once was. You have to use them to show up in the right places, but they’re just one small part of your growth strategy.
Tool #2 – Reels
Reels are the new kids on the block, and they can be challenging – more so if your comfort zone sits in the traditional pictures format on the grid. Katie has a whole episode on Reels planned soon (thank goodness), so don’t forget to hit subscribe so you don’t miss it.
If you’re an eager beaver and want to get started on growing your reach on Instagram through Reels then here’s a few pointers to get you started.
- Brainstorm topics, information, products you want to tell your audience about – like you would for any type of content.
- Go to the Reels section on the explore page of Instagram. Scroll through the videos and take note of videos that feel aligned with you and your skills. Pay attention to how:
- Others use the format
- How they use speech and text
- How they’ve used music and movement.
- Pick a format, and a content idea from your lists and have a go
Don’t worry about getting it perfect the first time – nobody gets it right at first!
How Reels can help your growth on Instagram
Reels are a lot more work than hashtags, but the algorithm loves them right now and will reward you for your effort. Experiment with different types of content, and you’ll soon see an increase in traffic on your page.
Tool #3 – Create shareable content
The best and fastest way to grow your audience is for other people to share your content on their Instagram Story.
It’s not the easiest of the three tools, but it’s the most effective because it happens when someone likes your content enough that they share it with their own audience. It’s a valuable recommendation.
To get this right, you need to experiment till you find something people want to share. Usually, it’s something that feels personal to them, such as quotes, memes and posts that get them thinking.
They won’t share selfies – so if the caption on a selfie does well, take a section and turn it into a shareable graphic and post again a few days later.
If you’re serious about sharing as a growth tactic – share other people’s content and make sure it fits the content your audience wants to say. Listen into the episode for some examples and key steps to make sure you’re getting the most out of sharing posts from others.
Don’t forget to tag the account you’re sharing so they can see you’ve shared their content
How shareable content can help your growth on Instagram
Creating shareable content might take more work and effort, but it’s really valuable for building strong relationships on Instagram.
If you’re actively sharing other people’s content, your audience will start to notice and are so much more likely to share yours and tag you in the process. It’s a positive cycle that the algorithm loves.
There’s no quick fix, but there is always something you can do
If you’ve noticed a drop in your Instagram growth in 2020, it’s essential to take note – and then take action.
Set time aside to really focus on the three tools in this week’s episode and you’ll start to see steady growth coming your way.
How serious are you about business growth on Instagram in 2020?
If you’ve committed to making Instagram the place to grow your business, then listening to the podcast is a great way to get started.
But what if you want to go deeper, to get even more insight and value on all things Instagram so you can start growing your business in just 4 short weeks?
If this sounds like you, then The Whin’s Instagram Masterclass is exactly what you need.
- Get more followers
- Get more comments and messages
- Make more sales
- Make a plan that you want to stick to
Whin Big Podcast listeners can access the 4 part Masterclass for just £97. AND if you sign up fast, you could snag a 1:1 Instagram marketing session with Katie (worth £97).
Tailored, expert support for you and your business
What if you need something more personal and strategic to support your business growth and marketing on Instagram?
Katie has launched coaching sessions to help you do just that. She covers everything from audits, planning, coaching and strategy.
Find out more about The Whin’s 1:1 in-depth marketing support.
