80+ Instagram Marketing Ideas: How to Boost Engagement, Gain Followers & Grow Your Brand

Want to take your Instagram account to the next level? Take a look at these 80+ powerful tips.

Check out over 80 ways to grow your brand and get more followers on Instagram.
Instagram Marketing Tactics That Drive Results

• Optimise your business profile with strong bios, branded links, and contact options
• Drive engagement using stories, reels, carousels, memes and consistent visuals
• Use contests to collect UGC, grow followers and boost interaction
• Track performance with analytics tools and double down on what works
• Build your audience with hashtags, influencer collabs and cross-platform strategy

With its 500+ million daily active users, Instagram is the world’s second-biggest social network. This is a remarkable achievement considering the app is exclusive to mobile phone users.

Even more remarkable than this is the vast number of brands marketing on Instagram. From socialites like Dan Bilzerian and Kim Kardashian to corporations like Mercedes and Warner Bros, just about everyone is now tapping into this network to grow their business.

White truck climbing steep red rock formation in the desert

Case in point: there are over 200 million businesses and social media managers marketing their products on the platform and as many as 70% of consumers turn to Instagram to find inspiration for their next purchase. Marketers are talking with their money, and they’re saying that Instagram is an essential part of the marketing mix (And a major reason for Facebook’s increased revenue!)

The question is, how can you use this growing platform as an effective marketing tool?

We found that there’s no single answer, but rather a long list of things you can do to succeed on Instagram. In this post, we’ll be sharing 80+ of them with you so you can have an epic Instagram marketing strategy.

After reading through this comprehensive list you should be ready to take your Instagram account to the next level! So let’s get started.

Your account is the basecamp for your marketing operations. It’s where you engage your audience and convert users to take action. If it sucks, it doesn’t matter how great you are at everything else – you won’t get anywhere.

That’s why these next 10 points are so important, starting with #1 – which is to…

An official business account means you get a little blue “verified” badge and a “contact” button that allows users to message you directly.

Creating an Instagram business profile is a simple way to increase credibility and authority with users without paying anything. Instagram makes it dead easy to sign up with detailed instructions available here, and the direct-message function is helpful for customer service, too.

SkinnyMe Tea Business Instagram Account

Your screen name is the first thing people see – and the first place you can deploy effective marketing messages. This means you should avoid names like “RockerGuy99” or “ElephantZeppelin”.

Instead, find an Instagram name that matches your brand, matches your other social media accounts, and is easy to remember.

Take Fortune Magazine for example, getting @fortune would have been ideal however it wasn’t available so they chose @fortunemag.

Fortune Mag Verified Instagram Account

And you may need to do the same if you can’t get the name you want, take us here at Gleam for example. @gleam isn’t available so we might need to go for something like:

  • @gleamapp
  • @gleamio
  • @gleamcompetitions
  • @teamgleam
  • @usegleam
  • @getgleam

And speaking of your other social media accounts…

Did you know that 5.17 billion people use social media as of 2024, which is equivalent to 63.82% of the world’s population? It’s surprising, but true – and it means that you can engage your users much more effectively by reaching out to them across a multitude of platforms.

All you need to do is drop social media links in your Instagram bio. Highly engaged users will want to view more of your content and click through, allowing you to further promote your brand and increase audience engagement.

A great example of cross-promotion comes from Gretta Rose, who uses her Instagram bio to promote her Snapchat account as well as several of her businesses.

Cross-Promotion in Instagram Bio

95% of all Instagram users are also on Facebook. Connecting your accounts on the two networks allows you to take advantage of this through cross-platform promotions, enhanced targeting with the Facebook tracking pixel and the ability to cross-post or share at the click of a button.

Share Instagram Post to Facebook

This can be especially useful when you want to quickly add a successful Instagram post onto your Facebook Business page.

You’ve linked Instagram to Facebook – now do the same in reverse. It’s a free way to cross-promote via different platforms, so why not?

All you need to do to create an Instagram tab is to use our Gallery app. It provides a beautiful way to show off your Instagram images and videos inside Facebook.

Here’s an example of the end result for Victoria’s Secret, you can’t even tell it’s a 3rd party app:

Victoria's Secret Instagram Gallery on Facebook

Ask your informal acquaintances if they’d like to follow your page. Don’t be pushy, and don’t assume that people owe you anything, but who knows? If people like you personally, there’s a good chance they’ll enjoy your content!

The best way to get this started is within the Instagram app itself, you can import your phone contacts (and follow them all), import your Facebook contacts or direct message users about your page.

Invite Facebook Friends to Follow on Instagram

If your competition is successfully engaging with their audience it can be worth checking out what they’re doing to get an idea of what your audience is looking for.

Instagram Top Posts Example

You have a whole range of ways you can do this:

  • Create a separate Instagram account and follow all your competitors
  • Use a tool like Keyhole to see which posts from competitors perform the best
  • Your competitors might not be who you think they are, look at popular posts on specific #hashtags

Being aware of how your competitors post, engage with fans and launch promotions is something worth adding to your weekly checklist – it can provide inspiration and insight beyond your own plans.

Something we often see is people posting random content to Instagram. This is a mistake that’s indicative of not understanding what you’re Instagram page is trying to achieve. What you want to have is a clear call to action, consistency in marketing messages, and a single vision for your images. This will help you engage users, maintain a consistent position in their minds and ultimately drive growth.

Abstract black and white artwork showing starry texture forming a silhouette profile

Once you’re done with all of the above steps you can move on to figuring out…

Adults don’t get them. Millennials can’t live without them. (Most) marketers still don’t use them effectively.

We’re talking about hashtags, of course!

These short words and phrases can make or break a marketing message’s success – and in the next few minutes you’ll learn how to use them correctly. Step #1 is to…

Creating a brand hashtag makes it easy for users to find your marketing messages – and for you to find people talking about you. These tags are also convenient for tagging contest submissions, customer service questions and much more.

For example, take a look at this MercedesAMG post with several brand hashtags, including #Mercedes and #MercedesAMG

Green Mercedes-AMG GT R parked on cobblestone road at sunset

Create your own hashtag and run powerful campaigns to grow your audience, drive engagement, and generate awesome user content.
Learn More About Running A Hashtag Campaign

Create your own hashtag and run powerful campaigns to grow your audience, drive engagement, and generate awesome user content.

Outside of your brand hashtags, you want to use whatever’s hot and relevant in your niche. See which hashtags are popular with brands like yours using the ‘discover’ function, then add them to your own captions.

A good way to do this is to search the Instagram web interface for a more general tag like #travel.

Then start drilling down into the top posts for the #hashtags they use and compile a list.

Person wearing a hat walking through red rock slot canyon at sunrise

You can easily use some #hashtag that relate to days of the week in order to keep your posting on Instagram consistent.

Blake Scott sitting on a bed in a tailored outfit, looking out a window with a Cafe Bustelo mug on the nightstand

Try these:

  • Monday: #monday, #mondays, #mondaymorning, #mondaymotivation, #mondayblues, #mancrushmonday, #musicmonday
  • Tuesday: #tuesday, #tiptuesday, #takemebacktuesday, #tunesday, #transformationtuesday
  • Wednesday: #wednesday, #humpday, #wednesdayworkout, #woofwednesday
  • Thursday: #thursday, #throwbackthursday, #thursdaythoughts
  • Friday: #friday, #followfriday, #ff, #fridaynight, #afterworkdrinks
  • Saturday: #saturday, #weekend, #saturdaynight
  • Sunday: #sunday, #weekend, #sundayfunday, #selfiesunday

If you see that a hashtag’s trending, use it to get free exposure from thousands (or tens of thousands) of users. Just be sure to keep it relevant and avoid spamming; nobody likes that.

GoPro found away to take advantage of #NationalPetDay while it was trending and they were met with hundreds of thousands of views. The power of trending hashtags is undeniable, so don’t be afraid to put them to work for your brand.

Shiba Inu dog smiling as its cheeks are gently stretched by two hands

A trick that some people use here is go back and comment on their own post with extra #hashtags.

Three people smiling on a ski lift-style ride above a lush green forest with ocean views in the background

Over time, you’ll notice that some hashtags work for you consistently. These are evergreen hashtags and they’re all but guaranteed to put your images in front of your target audience. Make sure to track and deploy them regularly.

This creator found that #earthday consistently garnered the attention of their target market:

River winding through red rock canyon with trees and mountains lit by sunrise

Find out all the best hashtags you can use to extend your reach and engage your audience on social media.
Check Out The Best Hashtags To Use In 2019

Find out all the best hashtags you can use to extend your reach and engage your audience on social media.

Last year the #YourTaxis hashtag was created to promote the Victorian cab industry in Australia. However everyone ended up using it to share their bad experiences with Taxis.

Tweet screenshot highlighting a bad taxi experience used in a YourTaxis campaign

We mentioned this in passing above, but a recent trend is for people to address organizations via social media. As many as 67% of all consumers have done so in the past – so you want to stay on top of things by following your own brand hashtag and making sure you…

A mere 2% of all brands respond to social media messages consistently. You don’t want to be one of the unresponsive brands because it’s basically wasting a P.R. opportunity as well as burning out a lead due to inactivity.

Nature Box have managed to build a rapport with their customers by staying on top of branded hashtag use and responding to users who have mentioned them, even if it’s just to say something as simple as “enjoy”.

Naturebox Responding to Branded Hashtag Mentions

Now that you know how you’ll be using hashtags, it’s time to move on to Instagram’s core function…

Instagram is limited in what you can do text-wise – but in terms of visuals the world’s your oyster. Since a person remembers 65% of the information they see, compared to only 10% of what they hear, the visual component of your content is critical.

Here’s how you can do it right.

Once something’s on the internet, it’s there forever. Always make sure to double (or triple) check anything you’re posting. You don’t want a single snafu undoing the great marketing work you’re doing.

Marc Jacobs Instagram Snafu Example

Grainy, blurry, low-res, or over and under-filtered photos have no place in the digital era.

Yes, some people feel that overexposed photos hide skin problems or that soft images look “mysterious” But from a marketing perspective, nothing’s going to beat high quality, so just keep things simple (and awesome).

If you need any proof about the power of high quality photos look no further than this awe-inspiring photo from Murad Osmann.

Murad Osmann’s #FollowMeTo photo with Nataly Osmann holding hands in front of the Golden Gate Bridge

Once in a while, you’ll slip up and post a photo that doesn’t do well or perhaps the description didn’t do it justice.

When this happens, give it a grace period of 7-14 days, then delete it. There’s no reason to have ineffective marketing messages hanging around.

Deleted Instagram Photo Example

Odds are, Instagram isn’t the only place you’re marketing – so why not re-use materials from ads and other social networks? It’s free, it saves time and it’s something you can do instantly with apps like Buffer.

Rarebeauty re-use the same images across different social platforms. When you re-use images, you should try using different messages. This is a good way to see which message works better, and keep things fresh for users who follow you across multiple channels.

Rare Beauty Post on X (Twitter)

Rare Beauty Instagram Post Example

Having guidelines for what you post is a major part of maintaining consistency. Create rules for what can and can’t be posted; this will help you build a consistent visual experience for your users.

This visual consistency will increase brand recognition and aid in the development of a consistent and dependable brand image.

Instagram profile grid layout showcasing Airbnb's consistent brand visuals

Memes don’t always have to be humorous. They simply have to be shareable, consistent and and – if possible – simple enough for fans to riff on - a proven path to higher engagements. Just be careful with this one, as you don’t want to come across as pandering to a younger audience.

For excellent meme use, check anything related to Twitch.tv #kappa

Framed parody painting of the Mona Lisa with the face of Twitch’s Kappa emote

You may not always have the time to create fresh visual content. When that happens, quotes that are relevant to your industry or audience provide a reliable, time-tested way to pique users’ curiosity and drive engagement. (Statistics and interesting facts work too).

Consider sharing quotes which embody the essence of your brand, much like Flyte Socks have done with this quote that conveys their stylish and expressive brand personality.

Man standing in front of icy cave wall with quote 'Style is a reflection of your attitude and your personality' by Shawn Ashmore

Foundr grew their Instagram account to 110k followers in just 6 months with this strategy alone.

Collages allow you to deliver multiple messages, show a timeline of events and generally engage your audience.

You can easily make collages with awesome tools like Canva's free online collage maker. It allows you to easily create and customise your own collages from designer templates and download them to any device with a few simple clicks.

If you need some collage inspiration just take a look at how YouTube sensation Zoella used a collage to highlight an array of products while personally interacting with her audience.

Collage of Zoella beauty products including body mists, lotions, and fizz bars in pastel packaging

Remember ‘Follow Me’ – the series of photographs where a girl leads her photographer boyfriend through a variety of exotic locations? It’s a great example of powerful visual storytelling – and its creator, Murad Osmann, built a long-term brand off the strength of his story. The story itself has since become a genre unto itself.

Take a page from Osmann’s book and tell a story with your images. Users will love you for it.

Woman leading man by the hand through scenic location from 'Follow Me' series >

Instagram has recently added a feature that allows you to group up to 10 photos or videos together in a single post. Much like a collage, these image carousels, or albums, allow you to group together related images, and they also serve as an excellent way to tell a story with your photos.

An early adopter of this feature is SkinnyMe Tea, who have taken full advantage of Instagram Carousels by using the feature to share recipe ideas, customer success stories and also show giveaway prizes.

Six glass carafes of detox water filled with vibrant fruit slices like kiwi, berries, lemon, and watermelon

Instagram Stories are great tools for engaging directly with your audience in real-time. Stories disappear after 24 hours, making them perfect for sharing more spontaneous, time sensitive, or candid content. Adding polls to your Stories invites viewers to interact, giving you instant feedback on questions related to your brand or products. This immediate interaction can help guide your content strategy and increase viewer engagement.

Story Highlights are a great way to keep important information or standout content visible on your Instagram profile longer than the typical 24-hour Story period. By organizing them into categories such as customer testimonials, product tutorials, or event highlights, you ensure that these valuable moments continue to engage your audience.

Story highlights on Instagram profile >

Some more creative accounts like @thesocialkat have turned all of their photos into a mosaic that spans multiple rows of images.

Creative Instagram mosaic layout

Instagram may feel like the ‘wrong’ platform for announcements. Having said that, people will pay attention to the captions and image text you post. This makes Instagram a viable platform for making announcements, which is a terrific way to get free promotion when you have something to say.

You can use Instagram to announce anything from product launches, organisational changes, or, like Starbucks, the new pistachio latte.

Starbucks pistachio latte announcement

Ask a question in the photo itself, or in comments below, and watch user responses roll in. Asking questions is an effective way to gain free promotion or conduct marketing research with your user base whilst allowing your audience to be actively involved in your brand activity.

There are many ways you can use questions to help the development of your brand. You can simply use them to engage your audience and promote discussion, or you can ask a question that will encourage tagging and spread your message. The NBA’s Instagram page has taken to asking their audience for game predictions in posts which incite discussion and captivate fans.

Promotional NBA Playoffs graphic showing matchups between POR vs GSW and OKC vs HOU with featured players

In addition to generating discussion and encouraging sharing, questions can also be used to…

Social media isn’t just a great place to answer questions – it’s also the easiest way to connect directly with your audience. All you need to do is ask them for feedback and they’ll tell you how you can improve your product and marketing going forward. This is also an excellent way to make your audience feel more invested in your brand.

For an excellent example of asking users for feedback look no further than Loot Crate. They have asked for user feedback as a means of generating ideas for future products and engaging their audience in the process.

Graphic asking 'What is your dream Loot Crate theme?' on yellow diagonal background

Collecting and sharing content produced by your fans is an outstanding way to post quality content without always creating content yourself. This type of post is a great way to engage and interact with your audience, and content can be easily collected by running contests, offering a reward, or even just asking.

Contiki excels in this regard as they constantly use #contiki to collect and share customer travel photos.

Display case filled with pizzas and doughnuts in an Amsterdam pizzeria

Realistically, most people will never be able to replicate advanced/expert results. Still, images like this one are perfect for showing people what they might achieve – and they make for great eye candy:

Close-up of an artistic green eye makeup look with lime-toned eyeshadow and textured beads across the lashes

Okay, so that’s that for effective marketing with photos. Now, let’s look at videos: a media type that Instagram’s focusing on particularly hard now that Vine’s dead.

Facebook – Instagram’s owner – is big on videos right now. As a result, they recently upped Instagram’s video length limit to 60 seconds; a 400% increase from the old 15 seconds. This means you can do stuff like…

Instagram Reels offer an exciting way to share short, engaging videos of up to 60 seconds. This feature allows brands to capture audience attention with dynamic content like behind-the-scenes glimpses, quick how-tos, or fun challenges. Reels can be a powerful tool for boosting visibility since they're prominently featured in the Explore section, helping you reach new audiences.

Businesses like Glossier use Reels effectively to showcase products, share beauty tips, and highlight customer interactions, enhancing their engagement and brand visibility.

Close-up of a person applying Glossier Strawberry Balm Dotcom to their lips with glossy pink nails

Using Instagram Live, you can connect with your audience in real-time, providing a more personal and immediate interaction. Livestreams are perfect for Q&A sessions, live tutorials, or special announcements. Engaging directly with viewers during a live session can significantly enhance your relationship with your audience and give a human face to your brand.

Black-and-white portrait of a woman holding her young daughter with text promoting a Pandora livestream for Mother's Day

If your potential customers don’t know what your offer is, they won’t buy from you. Use Instagram’s new 1-minute limit to show people exactly what you do with videos that explain or show what your product does.

The Body Shop frequently post explainer videos and step-by-step carousels, like this one detailing how to use their lip care products:

Close-up of lips and finger with text 'Pucker up with our lip care routine'

Partnering up with another brand allows you to tap into their audience (and vice versa). As a result, making a video that features you and another Instagram user (as well as the appropriate hashtags) is always a savvy move.

An example of this came when Lululemon teamed up with LoveYourBrain, a group devoted to using yoga as a means of helping those who have been affected by traumatic brain injuries. This partnership lead to the two parties producing videos together which were shared around both of their Instagram pages, giving each page additional exposure.

Close-up of hands using a Tibetan singing bowl on a soft cushion for meditation

Smiling person with glasses in a wellness video still featuring the quote 'We carry it around between our ears'

Apps like Boomerang and MSQRD allow you to add creativity to your videos, increasing their visual appeal. Use them to spruce up old content or make new recordings.

Boomerang has been adopted by some of the worlds most popular Instagram users such as Kim Kardashian West, and it’s time you got on board as well.

Just remember – images and videos are important, but you’ve also got captions to work with!

Now that you’ve got the images and videos down pat, let’s take a look at how you can turn the blurbs that accompany your content into quality marketing material.

Adding geo-locations makes you easier to find for people in your area. It has the possibility of trending for that location or attracting the attention of others browsing photos nearby.

Melbourne Cricket Ground Instagram location

Use this guide to learn how to add Instagram Locations for your business.

If you don’t tell people what you want them to do, they’ll likely do nothing. Add a mix of subtle and explicit CTAs to maximize conversions – same as you would with other marketing channels.

Nature Box incorporates calls to action into many of their captions by encouraging users to visit their website to find out more about their range of products.

Double Chocolate Brownie Cookies next to a glass of chocolate milk and dark chocolate squares

You can combine this strategy with Number 4 to rapidly grow your email list and convert Instagram users to email subscribers.

#hashtags count even if you add them in comments. A strategy that we see often is users posting an image with a description, then they comment on their own photo with up to ~20 #hashtags.

Example of hashtags used in Instagram comments

By now you should be full of ideas for your photos, videos and captions, but we still need to talk about one of the best weapons in your Instagram arsenal…

Instagram contests are an outstanding way of gaining brand awareness, growing your following and actively engaging your market.

The ease with which content can be created and shared with the help of geotags and username tags make Instagram a wonderful contest platform, so be sure to remember these next five points when crafting your Instagram contest strategy.

No matter what type of Instagram contest you decide to run, if you don’t properly announce it, chances are it won’t take off. Make sure you share a captivating post announcing the contest. Showing people the available prizes is a great way to entice entry, and don’t forget to let people know how they can enter the contest.

If you’re running a contest on your website as opposed to Instagram, remember to include a link to the contest in your bio, as Instagram won’t allow you to share a link in a caption.

A terrific example of announcing a contest comes once again from SkinnyMe Tea, who used a photo carousel to announce a contest, highlight the prizes, and refer people to their bio where a Gleam link to the contest was provided.

SkinnyMe Tea $700 Giveaway graphic in pink with bold text promoting prize entry

With this strategy they maximise their exposure on Instagram then further grow their reach via the contest app (after the user leaves Instagram).

Now that you have some ideas on how to announce a contest, let’s take a look at some of the different types of contests you have at your disposal.

Comment to enter contests are another fairly basic form of contest that require users to comment on a post to enter. Much like double tap to enter contests, comment to enter contests have low barriers to entry which will increase involvement, however, comment-based contests have the added advantage of being able to make participants think about your brand or even get others involved through tagging.

For a little bit of inspiration just take a look at this Wet Shave Club contest which gets users to think about the brand and it’s products, and for an added bonus, the post also encourages entrants to spread the message to friends.

Dapper grooming kit giveaway from Wet Shave Club featuring razors, brushes, and balms

You can easily track entries and pick winners for your Instagram comment contests with Gleam's powerful import actions.

You can even limit the comments you accept to those which contain designated #hashtags or words. This is a great way to ensure that contest entrants are following your guidelines.

Another type of contest to consider running is a UGC contest. This will involve getting users to submit photos tagged with a specific hashtag for a chance to win. These contests will not only engage your users, but also spread your message and supply you with ample user generated content to share.

Starbucks has consistently excelled at crafting content contests, with notable examples being their Red Cup and White Cup contests. The Red Cup Contest required contestants to post a photo involving one of their red Christmas cups adorned with a #redcupcontest, with winners chosen based on creative merit.

Three Starbucks red holiday cups hung on a string of fairy lights against a wall

Starbucks’ White Cup Contest was a very similar campaign, with the key difference being the White Cup Contest specifically focused on the decoration of cups.

Hand holding a Starbucks cup decorated with intricate black-and-white line art, with a matching patterned backdrop

With Gleam's Competitions app you can use our powerful templates to easily run your own Instagram Photo Contests:

  Learn More
Find out how you can run your own Instagram contests that drive engagement and generate UGC.
Learn How To Run Instagram Photo Contests

Find out how you can run your own Instagram contests that drive engagement and generate UGC.

One other type of contest that we’ll talk about here is a landing page contest. These are a little bit different, because while the other contests we’ve discussed localize participation to the Instagram app, these contests require users to leave Instagram. You can run these contests on your own site and use an array of social media platforms to promote and drive their growth.

This outstanding form of contest can be easily run through Gleam. Check out how Slyde Handboards used Gleam + Instagram to propel their brand after their appearance on Shark Tank.

Another excellent example of a landing page contest comes from Beardbrand:

Beardbrand grooming set including beard wash, utility balm, and accessories displayed with a leather backpack

When users followed the link in the bio they would be met with a widget presenting a variety of ways they can enter the contest, just like this:

  Learn More

These contests are subject to different rules and regulations, you can’t ask users to Follow your profile, comment or like a post. So you should ask for that sort of activity inside the Instagram post first.

The beauty of this type of contest is that in addition to garnering likes, comments and shares on Instagram, you can also ask for email addresses and other actions across other social media platforms which will promote much more widespread growth and engagement.

These are just some of the many ways contests can be used to promote your brand on Instagram, for our comprehensive guide to running Instagram contests click here.

And remember – you should be thinking of ways to market effectively even when you’re not creating and publishing content. Here’s why (and how).

Something old-school marketers don’t get is that Instagram is a social network. This means your success there is predicated on the actions of other people.

As a result, it pays to make an effort to ingratiate yourself with thought leaders, competitors, partners and followers via the methods below.

When you like someone else’s content, they get a notification. That’s why liking photos and following channels is the #1 way to boost Instagram visibility and (eventually) get more followers.

Liking other people's posts helps boost your Instagram visibility

When people reach out to you, reward them by replying – no matter what they said. Answering user questions is a great way to engage your audience, communicate additional brand information and provide customer service solutions.

Responding to questions boosts engagement and trust on Instagram

Aggressive and rude people detract from your channel’s value. Block their access as soon as you identify someone who is trying to be consistently destructive.

Instagram’s Weekend Hashtag project is an opportunity to get massive exposure. Chances of winning are low, but the payoff is worth it. You can find the contest rules here.

Ashley Jennet, who operates a parenting blog called ‘The Stork and the Beanstalk’ as well as an online clothing store entered and won the Weekend Hashtag Project, gaining a tonne of exposure for her brands in the process.

Child and dog looking out a window with a cozy white brick fireplace in the corner

Instagram’s always suggesting users for you to follow – and many of them are potential fans or influencers.

Instagram suggests users to follow based on your interests

Following users that follow you doesn’t cost anything and is a nice way to say “thank you”. Just make sure to unfollow any channel that’s consistently irrelevant to you.

Follow users back on Instagram to build stronger relationships

If your competition’s following someone, they may be a fan, an influencer or someone else you want to know. Keep tabs on what’s happening by following their followers.

Follow accounts that your competitors follow to find new opportunities

The above point works both ways. The people following your competitors can be of interest to you. You won’t be able to follow all of them, but doing so selectively will deliver results.

Follow people who already follow your competitors to grow your audience

Big brands are paying influencers hundreds of thousands of dollars to market their products. Why not do the same thing on a smaller scale by exchanging smaller sums of money (or favours) for features?

Target employed this strategy by partnering up with Instagram juggernaut Zach King to produce an advertisement which shared Target’s message with King’s enormous following.

Woman unloading Target bags from a red SUV in a parking lot with Zach King

Posting at optimal times can be the difference between moderate and huge success. Experiment with different posting times and see what gets you the most engagement.

A great way to figure out what posting times work for you is with the help of an analytic service. Below you can see how Iconosquare, an Instagram analytics tool, can aid you in your search for the best time to post.

Use Iconosquare to find the best times to post on Instagram

Posting at certain times can get you ignored (due to timezones) or result in poor performance.

Just think of how the media reacted to Trump’s mid-night tweets:

Mediaite tweet showing Trump's late night tweet about Kellyanne and George Conway

Use common sense, testing and analytic services to figure out what the best times and days are for your content.

At the same time don’t be afraid to test your posts at different times of the day to see what works best for your business.

Even when you’ve figured out when you should be posting, actually being online to do it can be a challenge. Use apps like Buffer and Later to schedule ahead and make sure your content always comes out when you need it to.

Here’s a look at how your post scheduling will look with Buffer:

Schedule Instagram posts easily with Buffer

If you sell a non-GMO, organic body scrub, many of your customers are likely to be vegan. If you sell a kosher food item, many of your customers might not use the internet on Saturdays. Keep details like these in mind at all times if you want to be an effective marketer.

The better you understand your Instagram target audience, the easier it becomes to craft content that drives real engagement and conversions.

Three stacked vegan ice cream cookie sandwiches covered in chocolate

Once you’ve gotten into the rhythm of consistently making high quality posts you’ll probably notice that some of your posts engage with your audience much more successfully than others.

Pay attention to the types of content your audience responds best to, and keep this in mind when generating future posts. You don’t want to waste time on images your audience has no interest in.

Analytics services can be a great way to keep on top your Instagram performance. Analytic tools can help you identify what content is working best for different segments of your following, what days and times your posts are most successful, patterns in your growth, and much more.

If you want to get high-powered tools that will greatly support your Instagram marketing efforts, consider trying out a service like Iconosquare, Crowdfire or Sprout Social.

Below you can see a quick example of Iconosquare’s dashboard from Buffer’s account:

Example of Iconosquare analytics from Buffer's account

Remember the Facebook Gallery we showed you earlier? Well you can embed that on your site too, create a curated Instagram feed (or include other sources in there) of your best products.

  view template

You can even import your Instagram stories and immortalize all your favourite posts on your website.

If you run an E-commerce store you can use #hashtags to show social proof for products. Black Milk generates a unique #hashtag for each product, then shows user generated photos on the product page.

Example of Black Milk using product-specific hashtags

Influencers can be a very cost effective way of getting your product in front of a huge audience.

There’s plenty of apps and agencies out there to help you find the right influencers, or you can reach them directly (there’s usually a business email on their Instagram bio).

Check out the engagement on this very simple, yet effective influencer post:

Woman applies skincare in natural light

And there you have it! 80+ effective ways to market using Instagram. Now you’ve got all the tools you need to drive traffic, engage users and even convert leads and customers from inside the app. Congratulations!

What Are Some Creative Instagram Marketing Ideas to Grow My Brand?

Use optimized bios, interactive Stories, creative Reels, and contests to engage and grow your audience.

How Do I Use An Instagram Business Account?

To use an Instagram business account, access insights, run ads, add contact buttons, and connect with external tools like Gleam to run giveaways or reward loyal followers.

How Can I Make My Instagram Photos Go Viral?

Use Gleam giveaways to boost photo engagement with actions like tagging, reposting, or commenting. Click to discover templates that help your posts go viral.

How Do I Get More Followers On Instagram?

To get more followers on Instagram, post consistently, use hashtags, run contests, and engage with your audience.

How to Do An Instagram Giveaway to Gain Followers

Create a post with a clear prize and entry steps like tagging friends or following your account. Use Gleam to verify actions and manage entries.