The world of Instagrammers has been abuzz with the latest changes in the algorithm that controls this addictive social media application, which rules the world of visuals.
So Team TUB thought it a good idea to help you make sense of all the jargon and technicalities and simplify the algorithm so you can upgrade yourself on Instagram, and help put your talent out there for the world to see and increase your engagement.
The gyaan here has been shared by admin Rahul Singi or @photowale.bapu and he definitely knows a thing or two about Instagram!
#1 Content Is King
Quality content is the key to success on Instagram. Social media success is ultimately you putting your best foot forward out there. So post nothing less than the best on your handle.
#2 What Your Handle Name Does For You!
Your Instagram handle name should be catchy and easy to recall. Avoid names that sound desperate to impress or are downright difficult to remember.
Here are some examples of handle names of individual handle names:
| @zecknos | @paryatanpremi | @photowale.bapu | @theuncommonbox | @metal_baba | @bhulibhatki |
#3 Link It Up
Make sure you link all your social media accounts to get maximum footage and reach. If you are on Facebook, Tumblr, Whatsapp, Twitter, just go ahead and share your Instagram posts at the time when you post. Let your photos reach the four corners of the World Wide Web!
#4 Genre Loyalty Counts
This is a debatable point but experts usually advise you to stick to your preferred genre- whether it is photography, poetry or any other category, while posting on your handle. You shouldn’t forget who is your target audience. If you are a travel photographer, it would be more consistent to post on instagram travel content, so that your followers know what to expect from your handle as well as find it satisfying to follow you. There are countless dedicated photographers who are very particular about the handles they follow. Keep your Instagram account clean. Adhering to a particular palette and toning while dealing with colours is also advisable. Marked variances in colour toning often create a negative impact on followers. Using Instagram filters or VSCO is advisable as well.
#5 Get The Timing Right!
Early likes and comments are important to take your post to the top on Instagram. Therefore, schedule your post at the right time, when your most of the followers are active. An easy way to do this will be to transform your account into a business account. This kind of account aids you to check from the insights, what is the correct time to post, from which country most of your followers belong, their gender, and other relevant data.
#6 Don’t Buy Followers- Earn Them!
Don’t use shortcuts to get the followers. Never follow – unfollow and buy followers. This will only get you ghost followers, which means that you might get 10k followers but engagement on your posts will be low mostly. This means that according to the new algorithm, your post will not be rated amongst the top posts. So it is better you get rid of ghost followers.
If you have inadvertently got yourself ghost followers, use any available app to remove them from your profile. That would mean a lower follower count but higher organic content engagement which will up the reach of your post.
#7 Be Hashtag Smart!
Instagram allows you to use up to 30 hashtags. Use them all. You can use 60 hashtags- if you post 30 in the caption and 30 in the comments.
How to select the relevant hashtag:
- Use the specific hashtags related to your profile, genre, and photos
- Do your homework and use them ONLY if the total posts under that hashtag are less than 5 lakh!
- Change the hashtags every 15 days.
- Geo-tag your images- that uses location tags on them. This can get you as much as a 70% increase in your reach.
#8 Use All The Features Of Instagram
Use all the features of Instagram like Insta story, Live feed, and video to make an impact. Be creative with your stories. In fact, Live saves get you more reach on your handle.
#9 Grab Attention With Catchy Captions!
Never underestimate the power of words added to a fantastic visual. Add catchy captions or captions that draw the attention of your follower to your post.
Tip: Photographers can always collaborate with writer friends to get themselves that perfect caption!
So these were the 9 ways to get yourself a handle that you are proud of. Yes, we recognise the fact that it can be a bother to keep track of all this, and that the fun of Instagramming might seem lesser. But for those who are serious Instagrammers, this would be worth a read.
Mail us your queries on the algorithm issue and we will answer them too!
Have fun Instagramming!
Do you have the gyaan on any topic that needs your expertise?
Mail us at theuncommonbox@gmail.com or use the Submit Your Story option on the website.
? Follow us @theuncommonbox and hashtag us #theuncommonbox on your uploads to be specially featured in our community on Instagram and on Facebook Group and Facebook Page.
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