New year, new Instagram goals! Instagram is one of the most popular social media hubs with over 1 billion active monthly users, but how do you find your niche market or “tribe” on such a large social platform? Today, I’ve narrowed down 5 of the most important ways to refresh, rebrand, and grow your following on The Gram.

1.       Grids

I use a 9-grid grid to bring cohesiveness to Instagram profiles. I like to think in a block of 3 colors & 2 styles like blue, green, white and pictures or words. You can also differentiate your posts through font, content (funny or inspiration), and even filters.

It doesn’t need to be perfect, but as long as there is a color scheme paired with mixed post-styles (some picture, some words, some articles of relevant content), your page will look fresh & cohesive.

Pro Tip: Select a theme and maintain the same filter to bring cohesiveness to your page.

2.       Bios

Bios should tell your followers (and soon to be followers) what your page or company is all about. Use it to promote your hashtag, give company information, or explain what your brand is all about. The Instagram bio section is fully searchable, so the more relevant information you have, the better your tribe will be able to connect with you. One of my favorite examples of this is Color Me Courtney’s Instagram Page - she has emojis, cohesiveness, and relevant search information.

Pro Tip: Add emojis, descriptions, websites, and other searchable items to increase your reach.

3.       Video

There’s a reason why YouTube is one of the biggest search engines in the world (and it’s not just because it’s owned by Google). Video can be more informative & engaging than just standard content. Adding video to your Instagram through your regular posts, stories, & IGTV is essential for Instagram growth. Try out a few different types of videos for each but keep them all vertical format (since majority of your followers will be watching this via mobile device). You could make in-grid videos informative, stories fun & spontaneous, and IGTV branded videos that promote new products or services. If you want more details on video, this article from Later.com is a great resource.

Pro Tip: You don’t need a full production studio - pull out your phone and record an authentic, spontaneous video.

4.  Consistency

You don’t have to post every day, but you should post consistently when you’re initially building your brand. Setting up posts in advanced via Later or Hootsuite will help you keep content consistent (even if you’re on a spontaneous vacation). So, schedule your posts ahead of time and leave some wiggle room for spontaneity and user generated content (UGC), within your Instagram stories strategies.

5.   Analytics

So, this isn’t really a way to update your Instagram, but you should look at your analytics at least weekly to determine what type of content your audience engages with the most. If you have 1,000 followers but only 30 likes on average for your content, something is not keeping your followers engaged. Use your analytics to learn what posts your audience loves and how you can incorporate that in future posts. I keep a spreadsheet of analytics because it allows me to see all my data at once and build a story with that information. For instance, if you notice that your photos with people’s faces gets more likes, try to post a variety of “people photos” from selfies to group photos to candids. This will give your audience more diverse content to engage while also keeping your Instagram page unique and relevant.  Hubspot has free analytics tools that will get you started.

That’s it! Five simple steps to help you update & refresh your Instagram page. If you need help with your social media strategy, email BiteSized for your first free consultation. Let me know if you tried any of these tips & how they worked for you. - L