How to Maximise Your Engagement

“My engagement has plummeted recently.  The algorithm hates me.”

We hear this all the time. Small business owners who hate Instagram and believe that the algorithm is out to get them. They never have time to post and when they finally get around to posting, they no longer get the engagement they used to years ago.  And on and on….. 

I get it.  It can be frustrating when your efforts on Instagram don’t result in the engagement you were hoping for.  Instagram is a powerful tool for businesses looking to reach and engage with their target audience.  However, Instagram is a crowded place with many businesses vying for attention on the platform, so it can be challenging to stand out and achieve a high rate of engagement.

But now it is time for some tough love.  Before you start blaming the algorithm, you need to take a long hard look at your account. The problem isn’t the algorithm.   In this blog will explore some of the reasons why your engagement on Instagram may be low and what you can do to improve it.

Being consistent is vital

Lack of consistency in posting is one of the biggest reasons for low engagement on Instagram.  If you are simply posting once a week, your followers may lose interest in your content, resulting in fewer likes and comments. It’s important to post consistently and at the right times to ensure that your content reaches as many people as possible.  Show up regularly and consistently for your followers and add value with relevant content that puts your audience at the heart of your content strategy.

Poor quality content

Instagram is a visual platform so the quality of your content is critical. If your posts are blurry, poorly lit or simply not interesting, your followers are less likely to engage with them.  Your images need to stand out and stop the scroll. Your visuals are a huge part of what tells your story and showcases your brand personality.  I’m not saying the images have to be perfect. In fact, the more genuine the better.  However they do need to reflect you and your brand.

Is your content boring your followers?

There are several reasons why your content might be boring your audience.  First of all, are you just talking about your product or your services and not actually adding any value whatsoever to your content?   There’s a fine line between being salesy and spammy so you need to get the balance right with what you share.

Perhaps your messaging is too complex and confusing and your audience has no idea what you want them to do.  Succinct messaging and a strong call to action is going to help you.  Further, when putting your content together try and make sure each piece of content either educates, inspires, entertains or informs your audience.

Engagement is a two-way street

If a customer walked into your shop and commented on how lovely one of your products were and you didn’t respond and just turned your back and ignored them, they would probably leave your shop and never return.  This is exactly what it is like when you don’t respond to your followers' comments and direct messages on Instagram.  Your followers feel ignored and then they give up trying to engage with you.  Are you guilty of ignoring your follower’s comments?  Acknowledging your followers input can help build a relationship with them and encourage them to engage with your content more often

Collaboration

Collaborating with other accounts is an effective way to reach new audiences and drive engagement on Instagram. Consider partnering with other businesses that are complementary, or aligned with your brand, to create collaborative content or giveaways. This can help to increase your exposure and drive engagement from new followers.

Get to grips with your Insights

It’s crucial to analyse your Instagram insights regularly. This will allow you to monitor what content has resonated best with your audience and what’s not working.  This will then help you to make adjustments to your Instagram strategy accordingly, and optimise your content for maximum engagement.

Get some help

If you aren’t getting the results you want on Instagram it may be time to get some help.  We offer a number of services including a 90 minute Ask Me Anything session where we can help you tackle your Instagram problems.

This is a reminder that your business isn’t entitled to success on Instagram just because you’re using the platform.  It takes time.  It is hard work. Social media isn’t an easy quick win. If you’re not having success with your current strategy, mix it up and try something new.  Test, test, test.  Low engagement on Instagram can be frustrating but there are steps you can take to improve it and build a strong loyal following on Instagram. 

Hands up if you’re willing to put the time and energy into Instagram to get the results you want.