Ignite Your Instagram Game!

It’s July! We’ve made it halfway through 2022! 

Also, July means Fourth of July, which also means… fireworks! 🎆🎆🎆 

Speaking of hot things, is your Instagram account on fire 🔥🔥, or ice cold 🧊🧊 ? In the blog for this month I’ll be giving you a few tips that can help re-ignite your Instagram game for the summer (and longer!)

How to stay relevant

Much like fashion, there are trends on Instagram! And the “funny” part of Instagram trends is that the *only* thing constant about them is that they are always changing… 

Those lip-syncing videos you see? So hot right now. The latest dance trends for social media? You may want to dust off those dancing shoes! That being said, also be sure you’re taking a look at what your competitors are doing on Instagram. There’s also ways to use “trending” audio and sounds on Instagram to compliment the content you’re putting out, so you don’t have to necessarily learn all the words to “Single Ladies” to lip-sync your next Instagram video.

Captivate your audience with Reels

Ironically, Instagram was created to share photo content, but times they are a changin! Video content holds a viewer’s attention longer than an image and generates approximately 1200% more shares than text and image content combined. Instagram is experimenting with different algorithms to recommend content to users, which means creating highly engaging content is more important than ever. Thanks to an aggressive algorithmic push (and a front-and-center spot in the app’s navigation), Reels have become a cornerstone in the modern Instagram experience. Take the time to map out what your Reels content will be, create a storyboard, film segments in advance, and edit as you need. You don’t want to put out hastily thrown together Reels– trust us, the people. will. notice. 

Tips and Tools to maximize your exposure on IG

Trying to keep up with Instagram’s constantly shifting algorithm can be incredibly challenging, and the decline of organic reach has been a pain point for everyone with an Instagram account. One minute, you’re on top of the charts; the next, your engagement has dropped so low that you’re wondering if you’ve been shadow-banned and you’re contemplating buying some Instagram followers (side note: DO. NOT. BUY. FOLLOWERS.) 

If you want to maintain your Instagram reach in 2022, someone on your team is just going to have to learn how to boost and master the basics of audience targeting and paid ads (hey, hey- we can help with that!). Sadly that’s just the reality of social media marketing these days. BUT, out of all types of advertising, social media advertising is one of the most cost-effective ways to generate engagement, new leads, or even just gain more general awareness.

What to do with your followers

Instagram first introduced swipe-up links for accounts with 10,000 or more followers a few years back, but this past fall, links became a more *inclusive* affair. Now anyone (yes, even you!) can now add a link sticker to their story, which opens up a huge opportunity for smaller brands wanting to drive traffic to their website or other branded platform. To add an external link to your story, just tap on the “add sticker” icon in create mode and select the “link” sticker. You’ll be prompted to pop in the URL and have the option to customize the sticker text, too, if you’re so inclined. So you want to be sure that you’re including that link sticker in your stories, or in the other content you’re posting your CTA is telling people to visit “Link in Bio.” Here at AFTW we love linktr.ee!

In late fall 2021, the “Add Yours” stickers started appearing in people’s Instagram stories (we know you’ve seen them). These stickers would ask users to share their own Story based around a specific theme: the last photo on your camera roll, the person you’re in love with, a picture that represents 2021, you get the idea. Tapping on the sticker itself takes you to a collection of photos from everyone else who complied with the theme's request. A collaborative album or thread, if you will! Anyone can create a new theme with these stickers, so consider this a challenge to create a challenge for your brand that fans can put their own spin on and share with their own followers.

Just keep in mind, what’s true at the beginning of 2022 can change a lot over the course of a year. So consider this your starting point! And of course, we’re here to help guide you through your Instagram journey if you ever need it.