11 Instagram Marketing Tactics To Boost Your IG Presence

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Karen Lin

Instagram Tips | Aug 28, 2024

Want More Real Instagram Followers?

Over the years, Instagram has cemented its position in the digital marketing world as a force to be reckoned with. It provides plenty of opportunities for content creators to grow, allowing them to get more fans and close more deals. But if you don’t use key Instagram marketing tactics to your advantage, it’s difficult to succeed in this dog-eat-dog platform. 

Today we’re sharing our top growth techniques for content creators. With our tips, climbing your way to the top of the influencer world can become a bit easier. Keep reading to see our tried-and-tested marketing techniques for Instagram that will help put you on the map!

A crumpled piece of paper with the words “marketing strategy” on it next to an iron on an office desk.

Why Is Instagram Good for Marketing?

There are many reasons why marketing your personal brand on Instagram is a terrific idea. Here are just some benefits of maintaining a presence on the platform:

  • You can reach lots (and we mean lots) of people: According to Statista, Instagram has over two billion monthly active users. And they’re not just passive users. Instagram is people’s social media go-to, making it the perfect place for others to discover your brand.
  • It’s a favorite among younger audiences: According to Oberlo, 31.7% and 30.6% of Instagram’s user base fall within the ages of 18-24 and 25-34, respectively. So, if your goal is to catch the attention of Gen Z and Millennial fans, Instagram’s the way to go. 
  •  It’s a primarily visual platform: If you love creating lifestyle content that is a feast for the eyes, Instagram is definitely for you. The platform is known as the “aesthetic” social media platform. If you can wow audiences with your knack for producing beautiful photos and entertaining videos, success will be within reach. 
  • There are many ways to make money: Instagram is known for its thriving influencer community. It’s where brands go to tap creators for partnerships and influencer campaigns. That makes it incredibly lucrative for creators who want to earn from their talents. Plus, Instagram offers creators ways to monetize their content, like through Instagram bonuses.

So, why is Instagram good for marketing? In a nutshell, it’s an amazing avenue for reaching a wider audience. It’s a place where you can show off your photo and video skills while being your most authentic self. And if you reach, engage, and connect with the right audience, it may just catapult you to social media fame.

How To Market on Instagram: 11 Tactics To Boost Your Online Presence

The key to succeeding on Instagram as a brand is to have a solid marketing strategy. This strategy should allow you to express your creativity while reeling in new fans or potential customers. That way, you can hit two birds with one stone. You’ll meet your personal brand or business goals while getting the Instagram fame you’ve always dreamed of.

Can’t wait to grow on social media and rise to the top? Here’s how to market on Instagram to get more eyes on your content and boost your online presence.

1. Optimize Your Bio To Come Up Better on Search

You know how when you search keywords on Google, the results provide the most relevant websites related to those words? That’s basically what happens on Instagram search, too. When users search words like “fashion stylist,” “sports,” or “pet photography,” the algorithm shows them relevant accounts in those niches.

So, how can you crack the Instagram SEO code and show up in the platform’s search results? By optimizing your bio to include important buzzwords about your niche, of course.

In your bio, describe what kind of creator you are and the type of content people can expect from you. Don’t just say “traveler” or “skincare lover” in your bio. Be as specific as you can. That way, when your niche target audience searches those words on Instagram, your account will pop up in the results. Optimizing your bio like this is a great way to drive traffic to your page.

Someone holding a mobile phone with an IG profile with a descriptive bio displayed on the screen.

2. Curate a Unique, Attractive Visual Aesthetic and Stick With It

Attract new followers by curating a stunning aesthetic and translating it consistently in your IG feed. The goal here is to make your post feed look visually appealing and like a feast for the eyes. The more aesthetically impactful it is, the more likely it will be for people to follow your page.

Think about what aesthetic style represents you best. Are you the loud, bold, and energetic type who could rock the vibrant Barbiecore look? Or perhaps you’re more of a clean girl who loves minimalist photos and videos. Pinpoint a style that encapsulates your personality and will attract your target audience to your page.

When you know the style you want to exude in your photos, iron out the details. Decide on a color palette or overall mood to stick with for your feed posts. Consider your signature photo filters. Then, ensure that you apply all these elements to your content moving forward to create a consistently stunning feed.

A female content creator taking a selfie with colorful umbrellas in the background.

3. Use Hashtags and Location Tags in Your Posts To Boost Reach

One way to boost your discoverability and reach on Instagram is to use relevant IG hashtags and location tags. Each of these tags has its own “feed” on the platform. Every post that includes that tag will end up on the feed, with the most engaging ones at the top.

Hashtags are excellent for ensuring your content is pushed out to users who are interested in your niche. Use popular tags related to your key topic or theme, such as #OOTD for fashion content or #wanderlust for travel posts. Note that you can only include up to 30 tags per caption.

Location tags, on the other hand, are excellent for connecting with people from specific cities and communities. Tag your posts’ location, whether it’s a bustling city or a neighborhood café. People who take a peek at photos posted in their favorite places might discover your page for the first time!

A yellow sticky note with a hashtag symbol written on it.

4. Add a Link to Your Bio To Drive Traffic to Your Website

Do you have a personal website you want to promote, such as a blog or e-commerce site for selling products? One way to market your site to your audience is by adding the link to your IG bio. That way, it’s one of the first things people see when they visit your page. It’s one of the simplest yet most effective Instagram marketing techniques for driving web traffic.

Remember—clickable links aren’t allowed in captions on Instagram posts. So, don’t forget to include a CTA in your post captions to check out the link in your bio. That way, people visit your profile and visit the page from there.

Want to share more than one link with your fans? Use a tool like Linktree to compile all your links into one site. Then, add the link to that page on your profile to drive traffic to multiple pages.

5. Run Instagram Ads To Reach Your Target Audience Fast

One of the best marketing tactics for Instagram is to invest money into running paid ads. On Instagram, you can either set up a new ad campaign or “boost” an existing organic post. Your ad will then be delivered to an audience you define, ensuring your niche target market discovers your page. It’s the most accurate way to target a specific demographic on the platform.

What’s awesome about ads is that you get to define your own campaign budget, too. You tell the platform how much you’re willing to spend. Then, it’s the algorithm’s job to deliver the ads to as many people as possible to meet your campaign objective. And it does that all within your budget.

When your campaign is done, you can check your ad insights to see how each material performed. Note your campaign’s strengths and weaknesses, and use what you have learned to improve your ad content moving forward.

6. Experiment With All Sorts of Creative Content Types

Every content creator’s worst nightmare is becoming boring—so boring that nobody follows or likes their posts anymore. So, always keep your audience on their toes with fresh posts utilizing different types of content.

It’s easy to just stick with what you know how to make, whether it’s photo or video content. But it’s important to diversify your feed to make your posts more exciting for your audience. Mix up your content calendar with alternating image posts and Instagram Reels, and throw in a carousel, too! The more creative formats you experiment with, the better.

Different content types allow you to show off different sides of your brand personality. You can use Reels for funny, relatable, entertaining clips, and images and carousels for more aesthetic, aspirational content. It’s a chance to showcase your versatility and creativity, keeping your audience hooked.

Someone filming a vertical video on their phone of a man and a woman dancing.

7. Post Instagram Stories To Create a Deeper Connection With Fans

Speaking of different creative formats, one trending content type today is Instagram Stories. These vertical photo and video posts go up on your profile and expire after 24 hours. That means there’s no pressure to curate a certain look or aesthetic or earn many likes on these posts.

Creators can use Stories to share casual, candid content with their followers. You can post selfies, life updates, day-in-the-life photos, and even fun surveys and polls. It’s a fun and easy way to connect with your audience deeply without having to think too much about it. Talk to your fans with Stories to strengthen your relationship with them and boost your engagement rates!

Two female friends taking a selfie to post on IG Stories while having drinks at a bar.

8. Encourage Fans To Make User-Generated Content Centered on Your Brand

If you run a brand, encouraging your fans and customers to produce user-generated content (UGC) is a must.

UGC refers to any spontaneous, authentic, non-sponsored post someone creates featuring a brand, such as product reviews and demos. It’s social proof that a brand is worth trusting because someone they know is happy with their products or services. So, it enhances how authentic a brand looks, making it more attractive to new fans and potential customers.

There are many ways to entice your current fans to create user-generated content surrounding your brand. For example, you could give out discounts and vouchers to those who voluntarily make content featuring your products. A personal shout-out or sharing their post on your Story is also an awesome way to acknowledge these UGC posts.

9. Form a Connection With Your Fans by Responding to Comments and DMs

If your business goal is to boost brand loyalty, there’s no better way to do it than engaging with fans. And on Instagram, you can easily make genuine connections with your followers by responding to their comments and direct messages.

When you reply to your fans’ comments and DMs, you’re basically telling them that you value and appreciate their thoughts. Thank them for their support, and joke with them in a lighthearted manner. This is a terrific way to make them feel like you’re friends, which helps strengthen your relationship and build loyalty.

Be as authentic and candid as possible in your replies to humanize your brand. Your goal here is to make people see you as not just another influencer on the internet but a real friend.

A person holding their phone and typing a comment under an IG post.

10. Collaborate With Other Influencers Who Are Well-Loved in Your Niche

Collaborating with other IG influencers is a strategic way to reach a whole new audience. By making content together and promoting each other’s pages, your profile will be exposed to their followers. This gives you an opportunity to generate some buzz around your page and attract new followers.

You can go about a collab in many different ways. You can film a Reel together, stitch your clips into one video, or do something simple like do a joint Q&A session. The important thing is to have fun with it and do something both your fanbases will enjoy.

The secret to a successful collaboration is to choose the right creator to work with. Go with someone well-liked in your niche and has a significant follower count. You should also ensure this person has a good relationship with their fans. That way, your association with them enhances your credibility and trustworthiness.

Pro tip: When posting collabs on Instagram, publish it as a collaborative post. These posts are pushed out not just to your audience but also your collaborator’s followers. More people see them, which means you could potentially drive more traction and engagement for them.

Two content creators in hip orange clothes recording a video with a mobile phone and tripod.

11. Run an Exciting Giveaway To Boost Your Follower Count and Engagement

Last but not least, consider running a giveaway for fun! Tell your audience you have a prize up for grabs for participants willing to do a few simple tasks. Enticing prizes include limited-edition products, freebies from popular brands, or even a meet-and-greet with you!

Build your mechanics depending on your social media objectives, whether it’s getting more followers or boosting your engagement rate. These mechanics can include liking your post, following your account, tagging friends in the comments, and more. Then, pick a winner from the pool of participants as you bask in your high reach and engagement. Easy-peasy, right?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best strategy for Instagram marketing?

Content will always be king on Instagram. So, at the end of the day, the best marketing strategy is to consistently come out with high-quality content. Play around with all kinds of creative content formats and leverage on trends and viral challenges. 

Post helpful tips, demos, reviews and more that can make an impact in your target audience’s lives. It’s the only surefire way to catch people’s attention and grow on the platform.

What are the 3 C’s of Instagram marketing?

The three C’s are content, consistency, and creativity. Content means producing relevant, interesting, engaging posts that people will love. Consistency refers to being able to deliver those posts on a regular basis. Finally, creativity means always pushing the boundaries and coming up with fresh, captivating, groundbreaking ideas for your content.

How does Instagram do their marketing?

Instagram is a brand in its own right, too, and it does amazingl with marketing itself. The team behind the platform leverages its strong influencer community and targeted ads to land partnerships.

They work with businesses and creators to give them opportunities to grow online while boosting their own platform’s power.

Follow All These Instagram Marketing Tactics To Find Success on IG!

Creating Instagram content is undeniably fun, especially because it’s primarily a visual platform. But you also have to be strategic about how you grow your page. By building a solid content strategy, engaging others, and collaborating with big names, marketing yourself online becomes that much easier. Elevate your social media game by following all the Instagram marketing tactics above and see how fast you grow online!

And if you want to grow even faster to meet your business goals quickly, Path Social’s growth services can help. You tell us who you want to target, and we make sure they see your content. Before you know it, your follower count and engagement will skyrocket. Grow a solid community of fans on Instagram with Path Social today!