Last year Instagram surpassed the 1 billion global users mark and the growth is not showing signs of slowing down. With regular feature updates and advertising opportunities galore, we want to make sure your business is keeping up with the Gram. So, we’ve reached out to the experts to share top Instagram hacks to help you reach your audience and ensure your brands posts are engaging and visible to your target audience. 

  1. Ensure your profile is up to date

  First impressions on Instagram are so important for setting the right tone, and creating intrigue and interest in your brand. Dedicate some time to reviewing your Instagram profile, including your biography, profile picture and Story Highlights. Are they up to date? Do they accurately describe your unique selling points? Are they eye-catching? Ensure the contact information is up to date, and that you are driving traffic from your biography link to your key landing pages on your website. 

  2. Post Regularly

  Instagram rewards consistency. You should post regularly to ensure that you are showing up in the newsfeed and being found within Instagram searches. Aim to post something fresh at least once a day. That could be a post, a Story, a Reel video or a live broadcast. Think about telling the stories from within your business. Share updates from your team, showcase your experience, and create FOMO. The more you post, the more your logo will be seen, and you will build better brand awareness.  

  3. Hashtags

  Recent advice from Instagram suggests that using between 3-5 hashtags on your posts, and posting these into your caption, will ensure your content is categorised for anyone searching. Choose hashtags that are relevant to your post content, such as #pubfood, #londonrestaurant and #cocktailhour rather than randomly picking broader tags. Try to include hashtags relating to your location too, as these are certainly searched for. Include at least one branded hashtag which contains the name of your business, to create a community and encourage others to post about their experience too. 

  4. Engage with others!

  Posting to your feed is only half the fun of social media. The other half is all about engaging with others - following, liking, commenting on other users’ posts. Follow your suppliers, other local businesses, influencers and celebrities and valued customers. Be active in the feed, leaving comments where possible. This will ensure your brand goes further than just the activity on your own profile. 

  5. Try Reels

  Reels is the latest feature from Instagram which involves uploading short, multi-clip videos which are set to music. They are a great way to reach new customers, as Reels appear on the explore tab and the best ones are shown to wider audiences. Creative, disruptive and entertaining videos perform best, and Reels get more reach when they are watched over and over again. Have a go at creating a quick Reel showcasing the best bits of your business; the staff, the menu, the interiors, and a guided tour. Choose a funky music track, and make sure you promote the Reels on your main feed and in Stories.

6. Competitions

Competitions are a great way to build your followers quickly, reach new audiences and reward your loyal community. Consider what kind of prize you could offer that is exclusive and unique - such as an experience. Next, consider what you will ask people to do to enter the competition, and how you will pick the winner. The most common type of competition is to ask people to like and comment on your post, but try to be creative and think about what question you could ask them to answer. Use websites such as Comment Picker to randomly select your winner and make sure you announce and congratulate them on your feed!

7. Adversiting 

Facebook advertising offers the opportunity to reach your desired target audience, at incredibly good value. Spending £20 on a boosted post on Facebook can mean you appear infront of thousands of incredibly relevant target customers. Use boosted posts to spread key events and messages and be selective about your desired audience’s age, location and interests. 

8. Influencers

Identify some influential Instagram users who are relevant to your business. Perhaps they are food bloggers, travel influencers or “mumfluencers” - whoever is most likely to attract followers that fit your target market. Once you have found a good selection, contact them individually, inviting them to come and visit you. Make them feel special by offering them an exclusive, complimentary experience. 

9. Repost UGC

User-generated content is content that has been created by your customers. These are posts and Stories, where you have been tagged. Take time to check your notifications and reply to any customer who has taken the time to create this content about you. It’s also good practice to repost the best quality content to your own profile - whether you choose to feature it on your feed or in your Stories. This content is authentic as its created by customers, and so is seen as a trusted endorsement for your business. 

10. Create an Instagrammable business

If you run an ‘Instagrammable’ business then customers will be more likely to post about you positively, endorsing you to their followers. This is one of the most powerful recommendations you can get online, so consider how to encourage as much of this as possible. Include signage around your location, reminding customers of your username and hashtag. Create unique art, decor, signage and interiors so that your customers are more inclined to create content about you, at your locations. 

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Alison Battisby is a Facebook and Instagram accredited social media expert, and founded Avocado Social in 2014 having worked in the social media industry since 2008. Alison has worked with a wide range of brands including Heinkenen, Wagamama, Soho House, Tesco and Pringles. At Avocado Social, Alison runs successful social media campaigns, and trains marketing professionals in the specifics of social media.