With 500 million active users daily, Instagram is one of the most popular social networks and, for many, becoming a successful influencer, who makes Instagram posts their profession, is a dream.
Focused on mobile, since posts are made directly from the cell phone, the Instagram is a social network for images, whether static (feed, carousel, stories) or mobile (IGTV/Reels). To be successful on the app, the content creator will have to think about factors that make a difference when it comes to growing organically. But how can you be successful on Instagram using only your cell phone? A basic tip is frequency. Learn how to have a routine for making your posts, as photographer Luh Testoni teaches in your profile.
Check out other tips below.
Understand the channel
Rapha Falcão, digital strategist and professor of Digital Marketing at @dicasdigitais, highlights that you need to be patient and consistent to achieve success, because organic growth doesn’t happen overnight. “You have to do a little bit every day, posting valuable content that can help people, who pay by buying something from you or recommending you to others. If you only focus on sales, you won’t get results on Instagram.”
It is also important to understand the possibilities of the social network. After all, Instagram is not just about photos and each format (Reels, photos, Stories, carousel, etc.) has a purpose, according to him:
“Reels is becoming more viral and reaching more people. Stories are more informal and connect more people. In the feed, it is possible to convey more technical information, which is important for gaining followers and achieving organic growth”, explains the expert. To have a good content strategy, the ideal is to combine all possibilities and, consequently, success on Instagram ends up appearing.
Quality cell phone also counts
A cell phone with a good camera and editing options makes all the difference in the success of an account, since the profile is the user's calling card on Instagram – whether they are an individual, digital influencer, brand or company. “I usually say that if you buy a gift, you need to wrap it in a box before giving it to someone, otherwise it will look bad. It's the same on social media: the content needs to have a design to better package your knowledge and information”, teaches the strategist.
Quality matters a lot
Good images generate more sharing, engagement and results. In the case of videos, André Wendler, marketing manager for Latin America at the editing platform InVideo, recommends that users use a tripod to avoid shaking and, if they don’t have studio lights, that they record near natural light sources, such as windows. “The light source should be in front of you and shining in your direction,” he recommends.
The maximum length of videos on Instagram is 60 seconds, and in this one minute you need to convey an entire idea. According to André, the suggestion is to have a successful content plan. He suggests some ideas that can engage on the social network:
- An informative video where you showcase or describe your profile and let your subscribers learn more;
Video announcing some events or partnership;
A 'how to' style video;
Video advertising your website or content on another network.
The ideal is to bring dynamism to videos, through editing and effects, such as transitions, stickers, sound, speed, etc.
“Remember that both the technical and emotional components matter. You need to create a beautiful, engaging video and also interact with your audience, listen to their opinions and produce content that will be useful to them,” says André.
Slow content
Rapha Falcão says that, to be successful, you need to remember that Instagram is based on algorithm which is based on the frequency of posts, chronological order and engagement to show content to followers. Therefore, anyone who misses a day of posting ends up opening space for the competition if they do not invest in ads.
“There is a trend that has been gaining strength in the United States called slow content, which involves producing increasingly better content in less time so that you don’t become a slave to social media,” says the strategist at Dicas Digitais, who points out that there are many people working this way, posting once a week or whenever they feel like it.
This strategy is not recommended for organic growth, but if combined with a strategy of investing in sponsored posts, growth can be significant.
“On any social network, growth requires patience, consistency, delivering value and not focusing solely on ego metrics. There are people who buy followers, hold giveaways and don’t think about the medium and long-term content strategy,” says Rapha Falcão, former manager of Sebrae Digital.
Feed Summary
There is no magic recipe or formula, but some things can make a difference in your Instagram success:
- Have really cool content
- Interact with followers through comments and DMs
- Have a cool look
- Show up to build trust (and sell more)
- HBC: “I say that digital marketing is not a pyramid scheme. It requires dedication and time/ass/chair, that is, sit your ass down in the chair, study, read books, watch courses and practice to retain information and evolve on social media”, concludes Rapha Falcão.
Furthermore, it is worth remembering our initial tip: create a routine and maintain the frequency of posts.
Image: Artem Podrez / Pexels / CC