We’re not going to harp about being a creator and how much Instagram teaches about content creation. We’re gonna dive right into it. 

1. Short videos sell

On average, a user on Instagram will only watch for 3-10 seconds, just around their 8-second attention span. You have only a few seconds to grab someone’s attention to keep them long enough to:

  • See what you are selling
  • Learn something
  • Watch the content

So, try to  include a gist of thngs in the first few seconds. For tips on making short content, go here.

2. Not all hashtags are created equal

Hashtags are mandatory to make your posts reach a broader audience. But remember, not all hashtags are created equal. Say, #selfie has helped you reach hundreds and thousands of users on Instagram. It doesn’t mean that it will make every post discoverable. 

Also, randomly adding a hashtag to your post will generate no or “zero” outcomes. So, before typing hashtags, research them. Here’s how (click that link).

After adding hashtags to your posts, always check the posts’ insights and track how different hashtags have worked for you over time.

3. Stay up-to-date with the latest social media trends

Staying up-to-date with social media trends can help you boost engagement. And keeping an eye on other Instagram creators or influencers will give you an idea of what’s trending.

4. Be consistent and unique

Consistency is the key to better connecting and engaging with your audience on Instagram. However, it doesn’t mean clogging your audience’s feed by over-posting content.

  • Also, posting regularly doesn’t mean posting daily. Create a cycle for yourself and stick to that; this could be every day, alternate days, every third day or 5 days a week.
  • Figure out the time and day when the engagement is high, and plan your content accordingly. 6:30 PM and 10:00 PM are considered the peak traffic times, but it may vary depending upon your niche.

Besides being consistent, it’s essential to stay unique. Don’t be a copycat! Posting unique content on Instagram will help you become the go-to destination for your followers, whether for inspiration, education, or entertainment.

5. Go beyond postings every day

While being consistent on Instagram is great, you shouldn’t limit yourself to only posting content. Engaging with your followers and other users is always worth it. It will help you earn trust from your followers and establish positive relationships with them.

Keep aside your 15-20 minutes of the day to engage with your followers on social media. It will help you skyrocket your reach, followers, and engagement.

6. Question yourself

“Curiosity is the spark behind the spark of every great idea. The future belongs to the curious.” 

Don’t hesitate to learn about something, even if you are just starting.

Say you come across a creator on Instagram and find their numbers are continually increasing while yours are stuck. Curiously ask yourself, “Why am I not getting followers like him/her”? This will make you realise that you need a proper strategy to get yourself on the right track.

7. Use Instagram to find other creators

Let’s say you are a makeup artist and looking for models for a photoshoot. In that case, you can ask your users to put out their best photographs with the hashtag #makeupphotoshoot to hire the best models, for example. Believe it or not, you may get hundreds and thousands of replies.

FYI, you can even use DYT to find fellow creators for collaborations. On the tools section, go to Resources and you’ll find whole lists of editors, stylists, makeup artists and more ready for work. If you’re a DYT Pro user, you can download it for free.