If you’re here, I am sure you know the importance of Instagram for your business.

Consumers spend more time online than ever, and Instagram is a top platform for creating those targeted consumer relations. With approximately 1.2 billion users, Instagram is an ideal platform for many businesses that want to share visuals and written content. The platform is dominated by millennials and focuses on content that is inspirational, adventurous, and authentic.

While many may see social media as a free and easy business tool, it takes planning to grow your business successfully. You need to approach each social media platform with a strategy, which may vary to fit each platform. Here are seven strategies to help your business thrive and grow on Instagram.

1. Set a clear goal

From the beginning, you need to establish your goal(s) with Instagram. What do you want to do with this platform? Who are you reaching? Do you want to build a following for vanity metrics or to sell a product?

This is all about intentionality. Don’t show up just to show up – show up with purpose. This is the foundational element that will guide you when creating meaningful and impactful content your followers need and appreciate.

Each goal should be clear and measurable. Don’t set an unachievable goal for yourself. Make it simple with clearly defined parameters.

2. Establish your community

This is the most important step in growing your Instagram presence! Instagram is all about community.

Set clear guidelines for the audience you are pursuing. Once you have defined your target audience, you will have a better vision for the content you need. Attract the right audience members and make them feel connected to your business and each other. Venture beyond routine content and share things they can relate to. Show them what content to expect.

Through your posts, let your audience know you are a normal person. You can share personal events, family pictures, or written ideas. Your personal content doesn’t have to be deep – just let them see you every once in a while.  

3. Create engaging & high-quality content

The foundation of a successful Instagram account is high-quality content that appeals to your target audience. This includes visually appealing images, videos, and captions that offer value and encourage engagement. To create content that resonates with your followers, consider their interests, pain points, and what they want to see from your brand.

4. Create content that is highly shareable

In today’s social media landscape, you must post consistently and constantly to stay relevant. Most professionals recommend at least one post per day. While there is truth behind this, be careful not to sacrifice quality for quantity. Posting for the sake of content does not help anybody.

Instead, get to know your audience and define their needs. The best content will flow from this, and it will get easier to produce more as you go along. Your audience will want to engage with and share content that is tailored toward them. This is a huge part of your platform growth.

You will also find content inspiration by walking through common questions in your industry. Find out what topics people want to hear about, or even utilize the Instagram question feature to ask your audience personally.

5. Use hashtags & optimize your caption for SEO

SEO is big in today’s communications world, and this applies just as much to Instagram. Be intentional when choosing your words. Think of the keywords, hooks, or phases in your industry. When chosen with care (and not just as an attention grabber), keywords will bring the right audiences to your content.

It is also wise to base your topics on what is popular or trending, which goes back to knowing your audience’s current needs. This doesn’t mean everything you post has to be “trending,” but you should always consider your audience when creating content.

Hashtags are a powerful tool for increasing the visibility of your posts and attracting new followers. They allow users to discover your content by searching for specific topics. To get the most out of hashtags, research the most relevant and popular hashtags for your niche and include them in your posts. However, be mindful of overusing hashtags, as this can appear spammy and turn off potential followers.

6. Leverage Instagram stories

Instagram Stories are a highly engaging and dynamic way to reach a larger audience. They allow you to showcase more behind-the-scenes content, share quick updates, and engage with followers through features like polls and questions. Utilize Instagram Stories to humanize your brand, share exclusive content, and drive engagement.

7. Collaborate with influencers

Collaborating with influencers in your niche can help you reach a new and wider audience and establish your brand as a thought leader. Consider partnering with influencers who have a following that aligns with your target audience, and provide them with content or products that they can share with their followers. This can help you expand your reach, increase brand awareness, and drive engagement.

8. Engage with your audience

Engaging with your followers is a key part of growing your Instagram presence. Respond to comments and direct messages, and engage with user-generated content by liking, commenting, and reposting it. This helps to build relationships with your followers and increase engagement. Do not post and ghost because you will begin to see people ghosting you. Social is SOCIAL, get out there and socialize. Find other accounts in your industry, connect with your loyal customers, and stay connected with the right circles online.

9. Advertise on Instagram

Instagram advertising offers a powerful way to reach a large, targeted audience. Consider running ads that drive traffic to your website, promote your products or services, or build brand awareness. To get the most out of your advertising budget, target your ads to your specific audience and use eye-catching images and engaging captions. Sometimes just boosting a popular post will drive more traffic to your website and gain you quick followers you wouldn’t have found otherwise.

10. Use Instagram analytics

Understanding your audience demographics, behavior, and performance is key to refining your Instagram strategy. Utilize Instagram’s built-in analytics to monitor your account’s performance, track the reach and engagement of your posts, and understand your audience’s interests and behavior. This information can help you make informed decisions about your content and growth strategy, allowing you to achieve your goals on the platform.

In conclusion, growing your Instagram presence requires a strategic and consistent approach. By focusing on high-quality content, utilizing hashtags, leveraging Instagram Stories, collaborating with influencers, engaging with your audience, advertising on the platform, and using Instagram analytics, you can build a strong and engaged following, increase brand awareness, and achieve your goals on the platform.