7 Ways to Increase Your Instagram Engagement

Hi friends! While I realize this post is definitely not for everyone, I frequently get asked about ways to increase instagram engagement. I wanted to be able to put together a reference post that I can refer my fellow content creators to for inspiration.

While I definitely do not consider myself an expert at Instagram, I am very proud of the community I have. I feel very connected to my followers, and that is my favorite part about the platform!

There is no specific secret when it comes to social media engagement. I firmly believe that you just need to be passionate, committed, PATIENT, and YOURSELF. Stay true to who you are, and your people will find you!

Here are a few things that have worked for me…

1 // FORGET THE ALGORITHM

Every time I hear some one complain about the instagram algorithm, I cringe. I hate to say this, but instagram is an app that will always be changing. Just like any other business, they are growing and changing to keep up with their users. There will always be some new feature available. Take the time to learn how to use it, instead of complaining about it! Also, if you are constantly getting on instagram and telling your followers that the ‘algorithm’ prevents your posts from being seen, you are not going to appear relatable.

Instead, get creative and use a call to action to help boost likes and comments on your posts. For example, have a giveaway for your followers who like your photos that month. Personally, I utilize calls to action on my page when I style pieces in my wardrobe multiple ways. I will tease a photo on my instagram stories, and say something like ‘to see this item styled 3 more ways, head to my instagram feed!”.

2 // READ THE CAPTIONS

Engaging with other accounts is a really important piece to getting your own account seen. Instagram wants you to use their app, plain and simple. However, instead of commenting on 50 accounts with generic comments, I recommend cutting that number in half and leaving thoughtful comments instead. I cannot even tell you how many times I have asked a question to my audience on instagram and instead of getting an answer I get 60+ comments that say ‘cute top!’. If you aren’t going to take the time to read the caption, leave a simple like and move on. Recently, I saw one of my favorite bloggers open up on her feed about her struggles with miscarriage, and when I went to leave a comment I noticed so many ‘cute sweater!’ comments. So embarrassing, don’t be that person!

3 // FOCUS ON YOUR CURRENT FOLLOWERS

About 6 months ago, I stopped worrying about obtaining followers and growing my instagram following. Now, I am focused on engaging the audience that I already have. If you are constantly chasing numbers, you are going to lose connections with people who already follow you. Not to mention, constantly worrying about instagram growth is exhausting. I love to utilize the polls and question features on instagram to get to know my audience. You don’t need to have 100k followers to have influence. Even if you have 1 follower, that person valued your content and opinion enough to follow you. Take the time to connect with them! It is SOCIAL media after all!

4 // STOP COMPARING YOURSELF

If you are constantly comparing yourself to other bloggers, you are preventing yourself from being successful. Unfollow the accounts that don’t inspire you. Instagram should be a positive space! Be yourself, people want to see variety. They don’t want to follow 10 of the same person all talking about the same thing.

5 // ANALYZE YOUR CONTENT

Figure out what works and what doesn’t. You will have to do some work here. One day, I took time and went through every single instagram post on my feed and really looked at how well it was received. I stopped posting content that my followers were not interested in. For example, my followers engaged most with flat lays, items styled multiple ways, and capsule wardrobe styling. My audience also prefers iPhone photos to DSLR photos (which is easier for me!). Now, your audience won’t be the same as mine, so I don’t recommend mimicking other content creators. Put in the work, and find out what they like (use the polls, like I mentioned earlier)! Do they like your amazon hauls? home decor posts? recipes? Take it and RUN with it!

6 // FIGURE OUT YOUR WHY

This one really should be done when you first start, but if you haven’t figured out your purpose yet, that is okay, and it’s not too late! If you are doing this only to make money, I hate to break it to you, but people will see right through that. I started my instagram and blog to make connections with other like minded women. I was feeling really lost in my late twenties, and found that I was comparing myself to other women who were in different seasons of life. My purpose evolved into helping women use fashion to help them feel as confident and beautiful as they are on the inside. Mixing and matching different pieces of my wardrobe is therapeutic for me, so I have found a way to help others, while also helping myself!

7 // LOOK AT YOUR FOLLOWING

Who follows you, bloggers, non-bloggers? Random international bots? If you have not done this yet, take some time to really look at your following list. Remove the accounts that are inactive, seem sketchy, or are international men. I did this and removed over 400 people in one week. Yes, this does decrease your following. But that is OKAY, because you are creating a community that is VALUABLE. Those people weren’t following your for your content anyways, say goodbye to them.

There you have it, 7 ways to increase instagram engagement! I know this will only serve a small portion of my audience, but I am always happy to help where I can. I am all about community over competition, and would be happy to answer more questions about this in the comments. #WomenSupportingWomen

Lastly, I will leave you with this…remember that a number is just a number. Don’t get caught up in analytics, stick to your passion…that is what is going to fuel your creativity, not a number on an app. Now, go crush that social media game…girl, you got this!

xo, Kristen

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