Instagram can be a blogger’s best friend, but many bloggers are unsure how to maximize their efforts on this platform. Or why they should even bother. Yet there are many compelling reasons to incorporate Instagram in your social media mix.
Instagram can be used quite effectively to develop your brand. It can generate interest in your blog and has the potential to drive significant traffic your way. Here are six tips to amp up your Instagram this week.
1) Strategically use hashtags.
These days, there is a hashtag for literally every topic under the sun. Instagram is very hashtag friendly, as users actively search hashtags to connect with others or to find what they are seeking. You can use up to 30 hashtags in a post, but that would make you appear spammy and desperate. It’s best to use one or two in your initial description and then save the rest for the comments below. That way you can delete them and update them with new hashtags later.
2) Showcase your niche.
Capture your niche with images to generate. If you are a DIY or food blogger, show off your creations. You can also generate interest by showing the progress of a current project or recipe. If your blog is informative, share information in an image.
3) Optimize the link in your bio.
At least for now, the link in your bio is the only link your audience can click. Make sure the link takes them exactly where you want them. Typically, a link to your home page makes the most sense. However, you may want to occasionally link to a specific post to take viewers to a current campaign or popular topic.
4) Incorporate Instagram into your day.
Since Instagram is smart phone based instead of desktop based, I am guilty of forgetting to post on busy days. To remember to post regularly, make a habit of doing it once in the morning, perhaps right after breakfast, and then again at lunchtime. You may be better off to set an alarm to remind you to post once or twice a day.
5) Use Bit.ly to track your traffic.
When a viewer clicks on your link in Instagram, their phone will ask to open it in their browser. This has the same effect as if the person went to your site directly. By using bitly, you can track the effectiveness of your Instagram efforts to drive traffic.
6) Create images in WordSwag.
The WordSwag app is the perfect tool to create professional, eye-catching images. It is both quick and easy to use. I created all the graphics in this post on my iPhone in 10 minutes. I’m addicted to WordSwag, and you will be, too!
What are your best practices to amp up your Instagram? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!
xoxo,
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Thanks for the tips Andrea! I am pretty new to Instagram so I still don’t know much about it or how to make it work for me. Your tips are very helpful. I’ve never heard of WordSwag got to check it out. Thanks! Sharing!
Thanks for stopping by!
Awesome tips! We are new to blogging and instagram, so I found all of this very helpful.
I’m so glad you found it helpful!
So many great tips that I had to pin for later. Thanks for sharing! {stopping by from the FDTR link-up}
Thank you!
Thanks so much for the tips! I’ve never heard of WordSwag. I’ll have to check it out! 🙂
Glad you stopped by!
I really haven’t been using Intagram like I should be. Thank you for the tips!!
Great tips! Never heard of WordSwag. I’m checking it out now. And I never thought about adding and deleting hashtags in the comment section. Pinned it. Thanks Andrea!
Thank you for tips! I will check out Bitly 🙂
Hope you like it!
Wow, what a GREAT post! Gotta remember hashtags, bitly, and word swag! I’m so excited to implement these, thank you for sharing!
Saw your post over on Wonderful Wednesday! I am entering the empty nest, so I’m going to check out your adventures too! Following!
Awesome, Ruthie!
This is a great post. I spent a month working on building my instagram, posting everyday using different hashtags and it grew, but its not something that I think to use everyday like I do with Twitter.
Glad you thought this was helpful! I have a harder time with consistency here too.
These are some great tips! I’m just now adding instagram to my social media regime and these tips will help me out tremendously! Thanks so much and you have a new follower!
Thanks so much for sharing this information with me! I need to up my instagram game!! Thanks again.
Abbi @ Seasons of a Homemaker
Me too!
Awesome tips! Downloading Word Swag now! I would love for you to share your awesome post at this weeks Happiness Is Homemade Link Party! Have a terrific week!
Thanks, Cathy!
I love Instagram but I don’t utilize it well. I am going to take your tips and work on it. Thanks!
I love to search a hashtag I like, comment on pics or like pic and often I find people begin to follow me. ### are my favourite.
Wonderful tips, Andrea!
I need to utilize tips 5&6, thanks for sharing.
XOXO
Love this.. I am Instagram obsessed! Great tips here
Wow. Pinned this for further study. Currently, I am not on Instagram. There is so much work to do with blog parties, social media that I am using and writing that i said “No, not one more!” However, I am willing to rethink it if my readership will grow exponentially. Thanks for sharing these tips.
Tonight my Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop goes live. (7pm EDT Tues) Would LOVE for you to come by and share this post and any other gems you may have. Hope to see you there. I will now be following you on all your social media (except Instagram, LOL —- till sometime soon)
Sinea from Ducks ‘n a Row
I signed up for Instagram years ago but never really used it. Now that I’m blogging I need to learn a lot about it. I like the tip for setting reminders.
I have been struggling with instagram for a while now. I use hashtags but didn’t know about the deleting idea. Thanks so much for these tips.
Great information! I’ve never heard of WordSwag. I’ll have to check it out. Thanks for sharing. Pinning…to remind myself in the future as well. 😉
Great tips! I need to focus more on my Instagram and this is so helpful! Thanks for sharing at Best of the Weekend. 🙂
Fabulous tips!! I am pinning this one for reference. Instagram is my favorite of all Social Media and your post is just what I needed to read tonight. 🙂 Thanks for sharing on Home Matters Linky Party!! I hope you’ll stop back by next week. The DOOR opens at 12am CST Friday.
Thanks for the tips! I’m new to IG, so I’m trying to figure out my way around. Wordswag sounds like fun – I’ll definitely be checking that one out! Heading over to follow you now…
Excellent tips! I especially like the one where you suggest using Bit.ly links to track traffic from Instagram. I know that Google Analytics doesn’t track IG, so its good to know there’s another method to do so.
Thanks for linking up at Turn It Up Tuesday!
Learned alot thanks
Thanks for this simple explanation. Being new to instagram this will ease up my way of using it.
-FarZain
@http://colorsofourrainbow.blogspot.ae/
I love these tips and will definitely use them to improve my presence on instagram. It’s the one social media app that I have yet to explore and really use effectively. Great tip about wordswag! Im checking it out now!
I’ve been using Instagram personally for years, but I’m now trying to implement it for my blog. I’ve read a lot about the best ways to use it, but you’ve shared some great ones.
Instagram is something that I really have no idea how to use. I’m learning though and this post is awesome! Unfortunately I’m stuck on my Windows phone for awhile but I can’t wait to check out the app for the iPad.
Wonderful post, I just started using Instagram. Thanks for sharing!
-Jenn
I needed this. Pinned and tweeted. We appreciate you being a part of our party. Please stop by on Monday at 7 pm. Happy Saturday! Lou Lou Girls
While I absolutely LOVE Instagram, I am still learning how to get the most from it. Thanks for this post! I pinned it to my board of social media tips.
Thanks for sharing at last week’s Weekend Wind-Down party! We are going to feature this post on the party tomorrow night, I hope you’ll pop back in and see your feature!
Nicole =)
thanks…..now that i’m ready to focus on my social media presence this is really helpful!!