Instagram is one of the most powerful platforms to grow your brand and attract customers. Creating a profile is completely free, you have a huge reach and you don't even have to be tech savvy to do it. But on the other hand, it is also easy to make mistakes that can actually hinder your growth. So read up carefully to avoid these common Instagram mistakes!
1. No Clear Strategy
Many business owners post their content without having a clear plan in advance. They post the occasional photo or video without thinking about the audience or goals they want to reach. This can cause your content to be disjointed and not attract the right people.
How do you solve this? Make sure you have a strong content strategy. Determine your goals (for example, do you want more reach, engagement, followers or conversion?), choose a set style and tailor your posts to your target audience. It's also advisable to use a content calendar so you can plan ahead and stay consistent.
2. Poor Quality Photos and Videos
It almost goes without saying, but it is incredibly important to make sure you have high-quality content. Instagram is a visual platform, and low-quality content can make you look less professional.
How do you solve this? Ensure good lighting, sharp images and a consistent style. For example, consider hiring a professional photographer to deliver high-quality photos in your branding. And if you're low on budget; a smartphone and good editing tools (such as Lightroom or VSCO) will get you a long way!
3. Inconsistent Posting
Many people think it is crucial to post every day in order to grow the fastest. And while being active on Instagram is important, in practice the algorithm works a little differently. Instagram actually rewards profiles that post consistently, whether that's every day or 3 times a week. So if you post a lot more one week than another, that can actually cause your posts to move up less quickly with your followers.
How do you solve this? Find a balance that works for you and be consistent. Ask yourself what is a realistic frequency that you can actually stick to. In general, you can figure that posting 3-5 times a week works best.
4. Too Much Promotion
Many businesses make the mistake of using Instagram purely to promote their products or services. If you only post ads or sales messages, followers may drop out. After all, Instagram is all about interaction and valuable content.
How do you solve this? Follow the 80/20 rule: 80% of your content should provide value (informative, inspiring or entertaining) and only 20% should be promotional. For example, share tips, customer stories and behind-the-scenes content to build a real connection with your followers.
5. Not Using Call-to-Actions (CTAs)
Even if you post content on Instagram that is inspiring and entertaining, it is still important that followers are also encouraged to take action. This could include sending them a DM, going to your website or signing up for a newsletter. If you don't clearly tell them what to do, they are less likely to take action....
How do you solve this? Always end your captions with a clear CTA, such as: "Tag a friend you want to take here!", "Click the link in bio" or "Leave an emoji if you agree!".
6. No Interaction with Followers
It is essential to interact on Instagram since it is a social platform. However, there are still many accounts that focus purely on posting content and completely ignore that interaction. This is one of the biggest mistake you can make! If you don't respond to comments and DMs, followers feel ignored and may drop out faster.
How do you solve this? Get into the habit of responding to comments and posts. In addition, encourage interaction yourself by asking questions in your captions and using polls and quizzes in stories.
7. Not Using Instagram Reels
Reels are incredibly useful for attracting new followers and thus creating more visibility. With the right images, text and audio, you have an easier chance of going viral than with a static post. However, many accounts still ignore this feature because it takes more time and effort than creating a normal post.
How do you solve this? Create short, catchy reels that fit your target audience and capitalize on trends. Research what music and hashtags are trending and make sure your message is clear and engaging. Again, make sure you have high-quality images to be more likely to be taken seriously.
8. Not Using Hashtags
Hashtags are an important way to get more reach on Instagram. Yet many accounts don't use them, or use them incorrectly. When you use random hashtags or repeat the same ones every time, they lose their function.
How do you solve this? Research which hashtags are relevant to your niche and target audience. While doing so, use a mix of popular and niche hashtags, and use about 10-15 per post. No inspiration? Tools like Hashtagify and Instagram Insights can help you find the right hashtags.
So Build a Strong Account At
Instagram is a great way to be successful with your business, but it is important to avoid common mistakes in doing so. By using a strong strategy, posting consistently, interacting and using the right tools, you will build a strong Instagram account.
Have you made these mistakes on a regular basis? And are you looking for someone to help you completely change course? Then contact us and we'll get to work on a strategy that really works!