10 Essential Steps to Write an Outstanding Instagram Post

When you want to be able to use your Instagram to grow your brand, there’s a lot more to it than posting an image and getting a million followers. In fact, with thousands of posts being added every second, you need to work smarter than ever before to stand out on social media. Let’s take a look at how you can do exactly that…

The power of social media

We all know that social media is a unique tool, but do we know how powerful it really is? The average American spends at least an hour a day on social media, with Instagram currently the third most popular platform behind Facebook and SnapChat. It has that sticky quality that makes people come back over and over again, and because it’s the king of visual content, it’s not hard to see why. So, how do you harness it to grow your brand?

Here are your 10 essential steps:

1. Deploy video to maximize engagement

Videos account for more than half of all web traffic in 2019, and it’s a trend that’s only set to accelerate according to the experts. If you want to be able to give people more than just great images, give them great videos.

Keep them short and sweet at around 10 seconds in duration, and you’ll be able to keep people on your profile far longer than you were before. The longer they stay, the more invested they become in your content. Which means they’re far more likely to work their way back through your back catalogue, comment, or hopefully both!

2. Image quotes are great for sharing

There’s nothing better than an image quote if you want to turn your followers into your free marketing team. Branded image quotes are a great way to get your message and logo out there at the same time, and they can really resonate with people.

It’s important to have a theme for your quotes, rather than just randomly picking them. If you’re a lifestyle brand for example, then choose aspirational quotes that make people feel good about themselves. Before you know it your followers will subconsciously associate that feeling with your brand, and that’s a really great thing for your future success.

3. Live video feeds are the future of follower engagement

No list of the key Instagram features would be complete without a reference to live videos, and no guide to creating posts would be worth reading if it didn’t recommend them.

Live streaming is the latest way to engage with your followers, and it offers them an insight into your world. Live feeds can be used to humanize your brand, and connect people with core issues that you stand for. You’d be surprised at the difference it makes when people can put a name to a face, and feel like they know you.

4. Product tags are a great way to endorse something you love

Product tags are ideal if you want to endorse something, without coming across like you’re just sending endless ads. No one goes on social media for ads, and most people act as if they haven’t even seen them. To give your profile the right balance, drop a tag in when you need to, and you’ll be all set.

5. Asking your followers to tag their friends can take your posts viral

If you want to create viral content, then you need to get your friends and followers in on the act. By asking them to tag a friend, you can cast your net a lot wider with the click of a button. Do it in a cheeky or playful way, rather than with a sales-orientated call to action, and you’ll soon see that the results speak for themselves.

The most important thing to remember about this step however, is to do it in a relevant way. It’s no use you asking at the end of every post, because people will soon get wise to what you’ve doing and disengage. Choose a couple of posts a week to focus on, and make sure they’re the kind of content that people will want to show their friends. Simply really!

6. Transformations are one of the most popular types of content

Whenever you can show a transformation, post it on Instagram. It could be weight, some home decor improvements, or even a new outfit. No matter what you choose, you’ll see that people love the strong before and after visual.

By focusing on something that’s at the core of your brand, or is a major part of your life if you’re working on building your personal account, you can say it all with a single post. That’s the power of transformations, and it’s something that your followers are going to really love.

7. Create engaging text that doesn’t read like just another sales pitch

Online services such as Trust My Paper are a great tool to have at your disposal if you want to take your content to the next level. There are far too many great images that get spoilt by lousy text, and yet it’s so easy to do something about it.

If words aren’t your thing, just hire a professional to take care of them for you. That way you’ll be able to add the perfect finishing touch to everything you post, and your followers will love you for it!

8. Show your followers things they can’t find anywhere else

Behind the scenes photos and videos are a great way to get your followers to really love what you do. Remember, it’s far better to post little and often, than it is to post sporadically every couple of weeks.

If your followers get used to you creating new previously unseen content, then they’ll be checking your profile daily, whether it’s popped up on their feed that day or not. Just what you want when you’re getting your brand out there.

9. Be authentic by keeping your brand at the center of it all

Trying to be all things to all people is never a good idea, and certainly not when you’re trying to build a brand on Instagram. Make sure each of your posts stays true to who you are, and don’t jump on the latest trends and hashtags just because everyone is raving about them.

10. Don’t go overboard with filters, and other common fails

If you want to see some screenshots of common fails, then be our guest. You’ll all have friends who go crazy with filters just for the sake of it, and you know just how annoying that can be. By learning from the common fails, you can ensure that everything you post truly is outstanding.