The Dos and Don’ts of Social Media Marketing:
A Guide to Instagram Success
Photo by Alexander Shatov
Social media has become an essential part of any digital marketing strategy.
With over 1 billion monthly active users, Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms to engage with potential customers.
However, just creating an Instagram account and posting content isn’t enough to achieve lasting success.
Here are some dos and don’ts of social media marketing, specifically for Instagram.
DO Create a Content Strategy: A content strategy is essential for any social media platform, including Instagram. Plan out what type of content you will post, how often, and what message you want to convey to your audience.
Photo by Brett Jordan
DON’T Post Inconsistent Content: Inconsistent content can lead to a loss of followers and a lack of engagement.
Be sure to stick to your content strategy and post high-quality content consistently.
DO Use Instagram Stories: Instagram Stories provide a unique opportunity to share behind-the-scenes content, offer exclusive promotions, and engage with your audience in real-time.
DON’T Overuse Hashtags: While hashtags are a powerful tool to help increase your reach and visibility, overusing them can make your posts look spammy. Use relevant hashtags sparingly.
Photo by Ian Baborák
DO Engage With Your Audience: Respond to comments, DMs, and mentions from your followers.
This shows that you care about your audience and helps build relationships with them.
DON’T Buy Followers or Likes: It may be tempting to buy followers or likes to increase your account’s popularity quickly. However, this can harm your brand’s reputation and lead to decreased engagement.
DO Optimise Your Profile: Your Instagram profile is often the first point of contact between your brand and potential followers or customers.
By optimising your profile, you can make a strong first impression, establish your brand identity, and showcase what you have to offer.
This can lead to increased engagement, more followers, and ultimately, more conversions.
An optimised profile includes a clear profile picture, a descriptive bio, relevant hashtags, and a call-to-action that encourages visitors to take a specific action, such as visiting your website or purchasing your product.
DO Post User-Generated Content: User-generated content is an excellent way to build trust with your audience and increase engagement. Repost your followers’ content and give them credit.
DON’T Ignore Analytics: Instagram provides valuable insights into your account’s performance.
Use this data to refine your strategy and improve your content.
DO Collaborate with Other Brands and Influencers: Partnering with other brands and influencers can help increase your reach and credibility.
Choose partners who align with your brand values and message.
DON’T Forget About Instagram Ads: Instagram ads are a powerful tool to help reach new audiences and increase conversions.
However, ensure that your ad content aligns with your brand’s message and values, and only invest in paid ads if you can achieve a high ROI.
For more help optimising your time on social media, check out Sustainable Scalable Social Strategy.
Social media marketing on Instagram can be a highly effective way to connect with your audience and increase your brand’s visibility.
By following these dos and don’ts, you can create a successful Instagram marketing strategy that engages your followers and increases your brand’s online presence.