How To Get More Shares on Instagram & Boost Engagement

Ready to build a strong presence on social media for your business? If so, you should know how to get more shares on Instagram. Instagram content shares are organic publicity that speaks volumes about a brand’s authenticity and value. They can help you rake in more followers and achieve higher engagement.
Boosting your Instagram shares gains followers and sustains your growth on the platform. This should be one of your Instagram business goals. To get shares on social media, you need to create content that reaches and engages your target audience. Add this how-to guide to your content marketing strategy to help your posts spread far and wide through shares.

How Do You Share a Post on Instagram?

First things first, you’ve got to figure out how to share on Instagram. Why? Because it’s one of the first steps in how to get Instagram shares back. When you share a post on Instagram, and it appeals to others, they’ll want to share too. In the meantime, you can only repost your IG stories. However, you can also screenshot and post to your feed. Curious about how to share something on Instagram? Well, in a few easy steps, you’ll be on your way to sharing all the content you want. 

Follow Our Steps for How to Share Instagram Post to Your Stories

It’s easy to learn how to share an Instagram post to your stories. Follow our quick and simple steps below:

1. Once you decide what you want to share, check to see if the owner allows sharing. Tap on the paper airplane. If the content is shareable publicly, you’ll see the “add post to my story” option. If it’s not sharable, you’ll only be able to share to friends via direct messages. 
2. If the content is sharable, tap on the “add post (or reel) to my story” option. 
3. You’ll be able to make edits to add a caption, stickers or music. You can also add a link to your Instagram story. 
4. Tap on “your story” and then the white arrow at the bottom of your screen. 
5. The content is now shared to your Instagram stories.

Extra Tips for Instagram Shares to Stories

When you’re learning how to share a post on Instagram, you should remember a few key things. Keep in mind that Instagram stories are only active for 24 hours. For non-video content posts, you can screenshot and share them on your Instagram feed. 

Don’t forget to caption and add relevant keywords in hashtags for more reach before you share your post. This can also help to boost the number of shares, ultimately increasing your Instagram growth. Last, make sure your settings allow visibility for your Instagram accounts. You might have limited access to who views your content on Instagram. 

How To Get More Shares on Instagram Using a Content Strategy 

Think you’ve got Instagram’s algorithm and the tricks for how to get people to share your content figured out? Maybe not. The platform likes to pull the rug from under you and change the rules of the game constantly. But there are best practices that continue to be effective despite algorithm updates and evolving social media trends. We have put together a list of the best ways to get more people to share your content. These tips help you optimize your content strategy for high post shareability.

Create Content That Users Love

How do you share Instagram posts that people love? It’s all about the value your content delivers to your audience. Ultimately, your target audience decides your content’s shareworthiness. These types of posts almost always receive shares and populate on Instagram’s algorithm:

• Posts that make people smile or laugh
• Inspiring or heart-warming posts
• Beautiful images overlaid with quotes that promote positivity and wellness
• Timely infographics
• Posts promoting awareness for a cause or movement
• Posts that inspire nostalgia

Remember when creating shareable and interesting Instagram content to always stay on-brand. If you must jump on the latest trending bandwagon, make sure it’s relevant to your business. Additionally, users love it when you create original content. This helps maintain your credibility.

Write a Scroll-Stopping Caption

Users view a blur of images as they quickly scroll through their Instagram feeds. If you’re wondering “How do I share an Instagram post that stops users scrolling?”, there are a few things to consider. Try posting a photo or video content with a caption that stops them in their tracks. Captions are also useful when posting to your Instagram stories.

Your caption must seal the deal and convince your audience to hit the share button. It could be a witty remark, a thought-provoking statement, or a positive sentiment. Captions are especially important when you post videos. Great captions make video posts easily accessible even when people mute videos. Don’t forget to include popular hashtags and a strong call to action. Once you capture your audience’s attention add a well-written caption. This ensures your post is worth their time and a share.

Prioritize Content Formats

Creating content in formats that users prefer is another way to get people to share your content. Beautiful images are a dime a dozen on Instagram. So, how do you share posts on Instagram that stand out from the crowd? Give your audience something different by posting short video tutorials. Try a behind-the-scenes clip or even a bite-sized video ad for your brand. These content formats hold the viewer’s attention longer. 

Carousel Instagram posts are another popular format as viewers have to stop scrolling to view your photo series. Infographics allow you to present a collection of data in a more appealing and easily digestible visual.

The longer you’re able to hold your audience’s attention, the better. You’ll have a greater opportunity to convince them to share your content. So make sure to provide quality content they’ll want to post to their walls and share with their followers. Give them something new, interesting, surprising, or educational in a format that breaks the monotony of still visuals.

Keep Up With the Latest Trends

Thanks to the fast-paced “turnover” of information on social media, most trending topics have a limited lifespan. Don’t get left behind with outdated content. Stay up-to-date on the latest trending hashtags (particularly within your niche/industry), memes, and issues. Accounts with the most followers on Instagram are a great source for the latest trends.

When riding a popular wave to score shares, remember to create trend-based content appropriate for your brand and audience. Not sure what are the latest trends for your niche? Look no further than your recommended IG feed. The Instagram algorithm will highlight what’s trending for your brand based on what you’ve been researching. 

Nail Your Timing 

How do you share an Instagram post that boosts engagement? One of the best methods is to get your timing right. You won’t get people to share your Instagram content if your timing is off when posting. This is one of the common reasons why posts get minimal or even zero engagement. Plus, more engagement is better for Instagram’s algorithm.

It will take trial and error to determine the best times to post your content and reach your target audience. Keep an eye on your posts’ performance through Instagram Insights. You’ll see when your target viewers are most active and when your posts get the most engagement. Do some research to find out the recommended best times for your industry and audience type. 

Post Interactive Content

A great method for boosting Instagram shares and engagement rates is to involve your audience. You can do this directly by posting interactive content on Instagram. People are more likely to share content they feel connected to. Here’s how you can leverage interactive formats and get those shares:

• Polls & Quizzes – Instagram Stories offer polls, quizzes, and question boxes, which are fantastic for encouraging audience participation. For example, you can use polls to ask your followers about their preferences, such as “Which product/service do you prefer?”. This can also give you a better idea of what sort of products and services to offer! Run a quiz related to your niche that gets people involved and sharing. Or, host live Q&A sessions where followers can ask questions and receive real-time responses.

• Contests or Giveaways – Contests and giveaways are tried-and-tested methods for encouraging a large number of shares. You can ask followers to share your post or tag a friend in the comments to enter the contest. You can also use this to encourage user generated content. 

• Implement AR Filters and Stickers – AR filters and interactive stickers can create a buzz around your brand. They make your posts even more shareable. Partner up with a graphic designer to create a branded AR filter that aligns with your specific brand. This not only encourages shares but also helps build brand recognition.

How To Ask Someone To Share Your Post on Instagram

You can get people to share your content on Instagram by simply asking them to do it. Start with a strong call to action as part of a promo for your business. This is the first step to take when deciding how to ask someone to share your post on Instagram. 

Something as simple as, “If you liked this post, please share!” Or, “Please like and share this post to spread #positivevibes!” can make a world of difference.

Creating content specifically for an awesome and limited-time promo that requires sharing the post almost always delivers amazing results. Regularly schedule Instagram contests and other special offers. In turn, your followers will always be on the lookout for another opportunity to score cool stuff. As a result, you can always expect to get tons of shares.

If you’re wondering how to get people to share your content on Instagram, start with these basics. Over time you’ll watch your follower count grow as well as your engagement reach.

Enlist the Help of Influencers

Some influencers’ shares are better than your average user’s or compared with other influencers. When an influencer shares your content, you can reach a much larger audience. Plus, you’ll gain an abundance of followers who are genuinely interested in what you have to offer. 

Ideally, you should partner with an influencer within your niche who has a higher follower base than you. Make sure they’re getting a decent level of engagement on their posts. Here are some tips to help you cultivate a mutually beneficial relationship with an Instagram influencer:

• Ask the influencer if you can tag them in your post. The post should give them good enough “publicity.” Even if you have a smaller follower base, they’ll want to repost it. 
• Share their content and add an engaging caption. Do this several times to get them to notice you. Like and comment on their posts regularly, as well. 
• Get straight to the point and ask them to share your content. Send them a DM to introduce your brand. You can also suggest the possibility of a collaboration.
• Ask the influencer if they would like to create content together. It can be through an interview if they’re an expert on something related to your business.

Aim for User Generated Content

User generated content is a great way to boost engagement and get people to keep sharing your posts. Ask your followers to share photos or videos of themselves using your product and tag your account. You can make this work whether you’re using a business or creator account. It builds social proof and promotes your brand organically. Offer incentives like discounts or freebies to encourage user generated content and increase the number of shares.

Instagram Share for Share

Many Instagram accounts use this strategy. It basically involves partnering with another Instagram user or brand with an agreement to share each other’s content. This helps expand both accounts’ reach and visibility on the platform. You can do Instagram share for share with multiple accounts for a steady stream of engagement-boosting collaborations. These collabs help your posts reach new audiences much more quickly.

Buy Instagram Shares

Are you asking “How do you share on Instagram to get the most followers”?. The best way is to achieve organic growth. That means following the steps outlined above to create content that is compelling and useful to your target audience. However, some users might opt to buy Instagram followers or shares to boost their presence on the app. It can give you an initial boost, but you need to be careful. Many services pose a security risk. They often provide fake or bot-generated activity. This can heavily reduce your engagement and potentially cause Instagram to ban your account. Always do your research and use caution if you decide to buy Instagram shares.

How to Monitor and Boost Your Instagram Shares 

It’s important to track Instagram shares. Doing this helps you understand your engagement levels and optimizing your marketing strategy. Monitoring shares gives you valuable insights into what reaches your audience and keeps them engaged. Then, you can keep making more content that people share widely. Here’s a guide on how to check out your Instagram shares.

Use Instagram Insights

You can see content analytics here, whether you’ve got a business or creator account. Here’s how you can access this data:

1. Go to your Instagram page and tap on the three lines in the top right corner.
2. Select “Insights”.
3. Choose the specific post to view its performance.
4. Select the “Shares” metric under “Post Interactions.”

The number of shares shows how many times your post was shared either through messages or to a story. Posts with a high number of shares usually have compelling content that resonates well with your target audience. If you’ve got a lower number of shares it might be time to reassess your content strategy.

Watch for Trends in Share-Worthy Content

Pay attention to which kinds of posts receive the most shares. Are they funny memes, carousels, heartwarming videos, or beautiful images? Look out for patterns in color palette, audio, content style, topic, or format. These will help you understand what makes your audience want to share these posts. For example, if inspirational quotes overlaid on colorful visuals seem to perform well, focus on them. Monitoring these trends will allow you to replicate share-worthy posts and adjust as needed.

Track Shares on Your Stories

You can track the performance of your Instagram stories within a 24-hour timeframe while they’re active. Follow these two easy steps:

1. Open your Instagram story. 
2. Swipe up, and check the “Shares” under “Interactions”. 

You can keep a record of your story shares by taking screenshots. Or, do it the old-fashioned way and simply write down the numbers before the story expires. Why not save your most shared stories to Highlights for future reference?

Try Third-Party Tools

If you’re looking for a more in-depth analysis, third-party social media tools might be useful. For example, they can help you monitor your Instagram shares across time. With these tools, you can compare share metrics across multiple posts. You can also generate reports to measure content performance. This way, you can identify high-performing posts with ease. Remember to use caution and always select reputable third-party tools to avoid any security risks.

Don’t Forget Engagement Rates!

While tracking shares is important, don’t forget to evaluate related engagement metrics. For instance, likes, comments, and saves. A post with a lot of shares but low engagement may indicate high reach but your audience isn’t engaging. If this is the case, you’ll need to refine your approach and consider better ways to connect with your audience.

Experiment With Different Ideas

Once you understand what people share, it’s time to experiment with new content ideas and formats. Keep on tracking their performance and compare them to your benchmarks. Use this valuable data to figure out whether your strategies are increasing shares and engagement.

Why Instagram Shares Matter for Organic Growth

For digital ad campaigns, one way to measure success is through the number of shares. Not all posts that go viral, however, are quality posts that actually deliver value. If you want to increase your follower count and engagement organically you need tools. 

One of these tools is learning how to get more shares on Instagram. Sometimes, getting your posts out there can be pretty difficult with all the competition. If you want to achieve real, lasting organic growth, why not partner up with Path Social? Take advantage of our advanced AI targeting algorithm and in-house experts. Start growing and gaining Instagram followers today!

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