Boost Your Instagram Reach

10 Proven Strategies to Increase Your Reach on Instagram and Explode Your Growth! (Plus, a free self-assessment!)

Struggling to get your Instagram content seen by your target audience? In this post, I’ll share 10 proven strategies for increasing your reach on the platform, including optimizing your profile and hashtags, using Instagram Stories, collaborating with influencers, and more. By implementing these tactics, you can get your content in front of more people and drive more engagement on your Instagram account.

Welcome Writer Friends! Let’s learn 10 proven strategies for increasing your reach on the platform and getting your content in front of more people!

To get more eyes on your content and grow your follower count.

Are you ready to kick off the new year with a bang on Instagram? Whether you're a seasoned social media pro or a newcomer to the platform, it's always a good idea to review and refresh your strategy to make sure you're getting the most out of your efforts. In this blog post, we'll take a look at some proven strategies for increasing your reach on Instagram. Let’s get started!

So, what are the best practices for increasing your reach on Instagram in the new year? Here are 10 tried-and-true strategies:

Upgrade Your Content

The #1 thing you can do to help increase your reach on Instagram - share original and good-quality content. Posting original, high-quality content is a crucial element of any successful Instagram strategy. Use visually appealing imagery. Instagram is a visual platform, so it's important to make sure your content looks good. Use high-quality photos and graphics that are well-lit and in focus, and consider using tools like Canva or Adobe Photoshop to create dazzling designs.

How do you know if it is working? Audit your Account.

Step one: Know your Goals for each post. Are your goals to get more views, engagement, or followers?

Step two: Check specific Insights that relate to the post's goals. If you are getting engagement on a post, then that is a sign that it is a quality post. Insights to look at: comments, shares, saves, profile activity, Impressions from the Explorer page, new followers, and website taps. The content with the best Insights is your highest quality content. Double down on this style. See if you can recreate this content in new ways. For example, turn a popular Carousel post into a Reel and a single post.

What if you are not getting these things?

Instagram is first and foremost a visual platform. Evaluate the image. The image must stop the scroll and compel people to engage with the post. What can you put in the image that would achieve this?

2. Hashtags and Keywords

Myth: You need to use popular hashtags to get noticed on Instagram. Reality: Using relevant and specific hashtags can help you reach your target audience, but don't stuff your posts with irrelevant hashtags just for the sake of it.

Research and use hashtags fitting of the content of the visuals and the caption in each post. Take some time compile a list of relevant hashtags that you can use in your posts. This will help make your content more discoverable to users who are interested in the same topics.

Hashtags are a powerful tool for making your content easier to find on Instagram. By including relevant hashtags in your posts, you can increase the chances that your content will be seen by users who are interested in the same topics.

Use keywords in your Instagram content. Including relevant keywords on the images/graphics and in your captions and comments can help increase the chances of your content being discovered by users searching for those terms.

3. Collaborate

Myth: You need thousands of followers to be successful on Instagram. Reality: Engaging with your followers and collaborating with others to create quality content is key to growing on the platform.

Collaborate with influencers. Partnering with influencers in your niche can be an effective way to reach a larger audience. Look for influencers with a similar target audience to your own, and consider collaborating on a post or Instagram story. I follow this strategy several times each month and these types of content are always my best performers.

4. Consistency

Myth: Posting frequently is the key to growing on Instagram. Reality: Quality over quantity always wins. Focus on creating engaging and interesting content, rather than just posting for the sake of it.

Once you identify the number of quality pieces of content you can reliably create each week, stay consistent with that schedule throughout the year. Consistency is key when it comes to staying relevant. It’s also key to building and maintaining a strong following on Instagram. Try to post new content on a regular basis, whether it's daily, weekly, or somewhere in between. This will help you stay top of mind with your followers and make it easier for them to engage with your content.

Hot tip for a Boost in Reach: Use Insights to determine when your followers are most likely to be using Instagram. Posting just before this time can increase the chances that your followers will see your content first. This early engagement is key to boosting reach.

If you need ideas to help keep a consistent posting schedule, check out this article right here where I share all my Top Secret content ideas for growth on Instagram in 2023.

5. Use Instagram Features

Use Instagram's features, especially any new features that the platform is suggesting/promoting. Instagram's features, like Instagram Stories, Highlights, and Reels, can be powerful tools for reaching and engaging with your audience. Experiment with different features to see what works best for your business or personal brand.

Use Instagram's editing tools. Instagram's editing tools can help you enhance your photos and videos and make them look even more professional. Experiment with different filters and effects to find a style that works for you.

6. Engagement

Engage with your followers. Instagram is a social platform, so it's important to interact with your followers and respond to comments and direct messages. This helps build trust and loyalty with your audience and can encourage more people to follow and engage with your content. Interacting with your followers through comments, likes, and direct messages can help build a sense of community around your content and increase your reach.

Here are three ways to engage with new accounts on Instagram in a non-spammy way:

Leave a genuine and thoughtful comment on one of their posts. This could be a compliment about their content or a question related to the topic they're discussing.
Share one of their posts on your own feed, and tag them in it. This is a great way to show support and help expose their content to your own followers.
Follow their account and interact with their content on a regular basis. This could involve liking their posts, commenting, or even sending them a direct message if you feel comfortable doing so. Just make sure to be respectful and not overly aggressive in your interactions.

7. Stories

Using Instagram Stories to build community is a great way to connect with your followers and create a sense of connection on the platform. One way to do this is by sharing behind-the-scenes content, which gives your followers a more personal look at your life, business, or brand. This can help to create a sense of authenticity and connection.

Another way to use Instagram stories for community building is to host live Q&A sessions, which allows your followers to interact with you in real time and ask questions. Mentioning other accounts in your stories can also help to connect you with like-minded users and expose your content to a wider audience.

I like to encourage participation through activities such as asking questions, holding polls, or running challenges. For more strategies to use in your Stories, read more here.

8. Instagram Reels

Instagram Reels is a newer feature that allows users to create and share short, fun videos on the platform. They offer a unique opportunity to increase your reach and drive more engagement with your content. One way to make your Reels stand out is to experiment with trending audio and effects, as well as using original sounds. However, it's important to note that different types of content may work better for your specific account. It's also important to remember that Reels are supposed to be enjoyable and not forced. If you don’t like making them, it will show.

In addition to entertaining Reels, there has also been a recent trend towards creating longer, tutorial-style Reels. These educational videos can be a great way to showcase your expertise and reach new potential followers. Reels can be a valuable addition to your Instagram strategy, regardless of whether you choose to focus on entertainment or education.

You can check out my Instagram account to see a variety of Reels to get you started with ideas. I have also included the Quick Quality Reels Tutorial series to help you get started with creating and posting video content on Instagram.

9. Optimize Your Profile

Make it easy for people to see who you are and what you are about. Important: With billions of people using Instagram, you have only one chance at grabbing someone's attention and getting them to follow you! So your Instagram Profile needs to be in top shape!

Getting people to check out your profile (Instagram Bio) is the key. Once they are on your profile, then your profile must entice them to turn the key and tap ‘Follow’. But how? What should be included in your profile to get them to turn that key?

This is why I created the Instagram Bio Checklist For Growth in 2023. I recommend you check this blog post out next to keep learning all my best tips for growing on Instagram. While there, be sure to print the handy checklist for yourself.

A big part of your Profile are your Highlights. Instagram Highlights are a feature that allows you to group together related Stories into a collection that appears on your profile. Utilizing this feature can help increase the reach and engagement of your older Stories by making them more visible to your audience. Consider including a ‘start here’ or ‘about me’ Highlight to introduce yourself to new followers.

10. Posting Strategy

Here's a 'before you post' task list that can help new users increase their reach on Instagram:

Edit and enhance your content: Use Instagram's editing tools and filters to enhance the quality of your photos and videos and make them look more professional.
Write an engaging caption: Take some time to craft an engaging caption that will capture the attention of your followers and encourage them to like, comment, and share your content.
Include calls to action: Consider including a call to action in your caption or bio, such as asking your followers to share their thoughts or tag a friend. This can help increase engagement with your content.
Post at the best time: The best time is when your post will get the best engagement from your current followers. If your content gets good engagement within the first hour of posting, then Instagram will show it to new accounts and may even feature it on the Explore Page.
Every time you post and interact on Instagram you are training the algorithm to work for you. There are 3 main things you want to keep in mind when teaching the Instagram algorithm:

That your content is engaging and keeps people on the platform.
That your content is the perfect match for your ideal follower.
That your content is quality, entertaining, and current.

There you go! I hope you learned something new that will help you boost your Instagram reach. By following these 10 tips and focusing on creating original, high-quality content, you'll be well on your way to increasing your reach on Instagram and building a loyal, engaged audience. Check out the Self-Assessment Checklist below to determine if you are on the right path to Instagram success!!

Self-Assessment for Instagram Reach

Here's a self assessment checklist that you can use to review your Instagram strategy and see if there are any areas where you can improve:

Am I clear about my goals for my Instagram account and posts?
Am I using relevant hashtags and keywords in my posts?
Am I collaborating with influencers or other businesses in my niche?
Am I checking my Insights and doubling down on what is working for my account?
Am I posting consistently on a regular basis?
Am I using Instagram's features, like Instagram Stories, and Reels, to reach and engage with my audience?
Am I engaging with my followers and responding to comments and direct messages?
Am I creating original, high-quality content that is visually appealing and relevant to my target audience?
Am I using Instagram's editing tools to enhance my photos and videos?
Am I avoiding tactics like using Instagram bots or buying followers or engagement?

By going through this checklist and honestly evaluating your current strategy, you can identify any areas where you may be falling short and make adjustments to improve your reach on Instagram. Remember, building a strong presence on the platform takes time and effort, but by focusing on these key strategies and tactics, you can set yourself up for success in the new year.

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