Move over, Facebook! Instagram has claimed the title of most popular social networking platform, and it’s easy to see why. Photo-based content is fun and easy to review, and Instagram doesn’t seem to encourage the same bad behavior and arguments you can find all over Facebook and other social media sites, making it a fairly enjoyable corner of the web to spend some time browsing.
With well over 800 million users, it can seem impossible to stand out from the crowd and curate an amazing Instagram profile, but with a little effort, you’ll be impressed by the amazing Instagram content you’re able to produce. Not convinced? Here are ten easy tips to help you on your way:
Know your audience.
Who do you want to love your Instagram content? You aren’t going to please everyone with your profile, so think long and hard about the type of person you’re really going after and hone in on what will resonate with them. Let this guide your content strategy, and you’ll be well on your way to sharing images and posting captions that get great engagement.
Don’t neglect your captions.
Coming up with clever things to say about your pictures can be tricky, but including calls-to-action and posing questions to your audience can be a great way to get people engaged and build your brand through Instagram. Give ‘em something to read and see how they respond!
Use Instagram Stories.
Invite your audience into your life through the use of Instagram Stories, which allows you to share quick glimpses of what you’re up to with your followers.
Consider your background!
You can have a lot of fun using a fun wall or mural as a backdrop for an Instagram-worthy photo shoot that’ll really stand out from the crowd. Think about what spots exist in your town and coordinate an outfit to suit the scene. Not interested in a selfie? Convince a friend to join or invest in a tripod and timer.
Pay attention to contrast.
Contrast is what really makes your photos “pop,” so it’s a good idea to incorporate the concept into the photos that make their way onto your Instagram account. High-contrast photos can easily capture your audience’s attention as they scroll through their feeds, causing them to linger a little bit longer on your image.
Use your grid lines!
Many photo apps for cell phones allow you to overlay a 3 x 3 or 3 x 4 grid when snapping photos. These grid lines can be used to align your photo and makes it easy to follow the rule of thirds, a common photography rule of thumb that some photographers swear by as a winning strategy to take captivating photos.
Use throwbacks sparingly.
A nice #tbt is always welcome once in a while, but people are on Instagram to see fresh new photos on their feed – not old, stale ones. While a repost is acceptable once in a while – especially if it’s a great shot – you should strive to keep your Instagram content new if you’re going to engage your audience.
Stick to a filter (or two).
One of Instagram’s most popular features is the ability to add a filter to your photo. With the swipe of a finger, you can give an image an entirely different look and feel. Don’t go too crazy here. The shots in your Instagram photo should all have a similar look and feel, and one easy way to do that is to create a little consistency by sticking to one or two filters.
Get creative with third-party apps.
When creating images to share on Instagram, you don’t have to live exclusively within the Instagram app. Instead, there are lots of apps out there that can really enhance your ability to create compelling content for the platform. You’ll find apps to help you edit your photos, add in words and different design elements, or compile several images into a single collage. Other apps exist to help you manipulate video, enhance your story, or simply boost your engagement with your followers, so do some research and install a few that might help!
Be yourself.
Many people use social media to portray a version of themselves that isn’t real. Putting on an act is exhausting, and it can be hard to stay motivated to create compelling content when you can’t be authentic. Embrace your true self and all the things that make you unique and put it out there for the world to see. Odds are, you’ll be well-received.
There are endless strategies out there designed to help you enhance your Instagram and attract your ideal audience. The tips shared here are just a handful of the rules I follow to create amazing Instagram content to share with my followers. Have a tip I didn’t include here, or want to share your thoughts around the piece of advice that’s been the most helpful for you? Leave a comment and let me know!
