Everyone makes mistakes; they are a part of being human and are bound to occur on social media too. With over 2 billion active monthly users, Instagram is particularly attractive to brands aiming to reach key target audiences. Instagram’s moderators, now primarily powered by artificial intelligence, are becoming increasingly strict and precise. Therefore, it’s necessary to keep your Instagram Business account ‘clean.’
Let’s explore some Instagram mistakes to avoid ..
Here are some Instagram mistakes to avoid as a business
1. Not being consistent
The more regularly you post, the more followers you’ll attract. Occasional posting or long absences can lead to followers losing interest or forgetting about your brand. To avoid losing a significant number of followers, prepare a content posting schedule and create a content calendar to plan what and when you’ll post.
Aim for at least 3–5 posts per week to keep your audience engaged, and try using different formats to capture more attention. Running an Instagram account without responding to comments and interactions will drastically reduce engagement on your posts and followers may feel neglected or unimportant.
2. Keeping your account private
While a personal account can be private, a business account should be publicly accessible. A public business account increases the chances of attracting potential followers and reaching a wider audience. On the other hand, Private accounts prevent new customers from seeing your posts, learning about your products, and getting a feel for your brand.
Personally, I wouldn’t bother requesting to follow a private account due to the prevalence of spam accounts. Therefore, businesses should make their accounts public to facilitate easier interaction with followers and other users, and to be part of the larger Instagram community.
3. Neglecting the Quality of Your Pictures and Content
Instagram is a very visual platform where first impressions matter. Poor-quality photos and messy content can make your business look unprofessional and untrustworthy.
Your images and videos should be high-quality and the right size because people judge your brand based on what they see.
How to Ensure High-Quality Content
- Use a high-quality camera or smartphone with a good camera.
- Use editing tools or apps to enhance your photos.
- Create Engaging Videos
- Write clear, concise, and engaging captions.
- Create a content calendar to plan your posts in advance.
4. Incorrect hashtag usage
The main purpose of hashtags is to make content searchable. Using irrelevant or unpopular hashtags can prevent your posts from reaching the right audience. Hashtags are vital for marketing on Instagram, helping to organize and promote your brand.
When used correctly, hashtags make it easier for customers interested in your products and services to find you. However, it’s important not to overuse them or use unrelated hashtags, as this can confuse your audience.
5. Failing to Engage with Your Audience
Instagram goes beyond being just a broadcasting platform; it’s a community. As a business owner, engaging with your audience is crucial to fostering familiarity and understanding their expectations and needs.
One challenge for business owners is the time it takes to respond to customers. We recognize that account managers may require breaks, so consider installing a bot that can interact with customers automatically to provide some reassurance before you’re able to respond personally. Delays in communication can sometimes influence how customers perceive the business.
6. Buying followers & Influencers
( INSERT LINK OF REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD not BUY FOLLOWERS)
Buying followers on social media entails obtaining fake or inactive accounts to enhance a user’s profile.
This action damages the brand’s reputation, undermines its credibility and may breach the policies of social media platforms, resulting in potential consequences.
Numerous platforms employ algorithms to detect and penalize accounts engaged in such practices. If detected, the account could be suspended or permanently banned.
7. Not paying attention to analytics
Instagram provides valuable insights into your audience’s behavior and post-performance. To accurately assess which content connects and which doesn’t, it’s crucial to focus on analytics. Ignoring these metrics results in missed chances to improve your content strategy. You should also analyze data to help gain a deeper understanding of your audience. By recognizing their preferences, interests, and online shopping behaviors, you can customize content to better engage them.
8. Not Leveraging Instagram Stories
Instagram Stories offer a unique way to engage with your audience through temporary content. Not using Stories means missing out on the opportunity to share behind-the-scenes moments, conduct polls, and build a closer connection with your audience.
Embrace Instagram Stories to stay relevant and share timely updates, user-generated content, or exclusive offers, and ensure your brand remains top-of-mind for its followers.
9. Skipping User-Generated Content
User-generated content (UGC) refers to content produced by your customers, providing authentic testimonials and firsthand experiences with your products or services.
Failing to encourage your customers to share their product experiences and repost their content means missing out on genuine and relatable material.
GC adds diversity and variety to your feed, ensuring your content stays dynamic and engaging for your audience.
10. Overlooking the Power of Captions
Although Instagram is predominantly a visual platform, captions hold significant importance in audience engagement.
Disregarding the impact of a carefully crafted caption can result in missed opportunities for interaction. Utilize your captions to narrate a story, pose questions, and prompt engagement. Embrace showcasing your brand’s personality and voice without hesitation.
Read here: [Social media mistakes your business could be making ]
