“It is social media, so let’s just get on with it” – that’s how many people actually handle Social Media; get in there, do or say whatever they like and get out. Lets change that today. Learn how to get results with Instagram engagement

Since the advent of Social Media, the way we interact as humans and businesses has taken a different turn. We have access to people everywhere. We can just jump on our keypads and get comfy with people thousands of mile away. It also comes with its downside – helping you waste your precious time!

Whatever you represent, be it a personal brand, a business, a company or even a planet, you have to be intentional about your conversations on social media. Something needs to be settled in your mind while having those conversations on social media. You are talking with people somewhere in the globe, so you have to engage in those conversations meaningfully, like you would if you were in a physical meetup.

STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT

To make those engagements meaningful, you have to be strategic about it. You have to be talking to the right people for it to be meaningful. To talk to the right people, you have to find out where they hang out. You have to go there, join the conversation and share your helpful and meaningful thoughts for which you would like to be known for or associated with.

STEP 1: Find the best Hashtags to follow in your niche and related to your brand

Take your time and Identify the top 10 hashtags in your business niche on Instagram. A good example is wedding planning. You’ll have to get your hands dirty on this one, but the beautiful thing about this is the moment you find one, Instagram will help you with recommendations on related hashtags to follow. You can also have AI help you with a list. Whichever is quicker for you.

Now, take some time scrolling through the top 9 or 10 posts listed under those hashtags. You can click through and find out who those accounts are. Look out for their number of likes, comments and general interaction. Their follower count mustn’t be huge, just make sure their is good engaged audience on the page. Some of those handles, you may have to follow them.

STEP 2: Drop your 2 cents right there and make it pretty valuable.

You’ve now identified the right posts under those hashtags, go ahead and leave thoughts and provide value where you can. If some in the comment section has a question and you know the answer, go ahead and answer. If you love something about the post or admire something, just say it and make it genuine, never force it.

Comment, like, engage, just be social. You don’t have to grant a lecture, just be real and human. Dropping emojis all over the place isn’t engagement. Spamming isn’t commenting either and we all hate it, so keep it real. Take it a little further when the opportunity comes – Dms, ask for collaboration if the case is right, and every other thing in between.

STEP 3: Be Consistent with it, don’t stop commenting, liking and engaging on Instagram.

Remember your aim is to connect to real people and build awareness of your brand or business. Be consistent with this because no matter how much you do it, it is still a game of numbers. If you are able to drop the right comments in the right places at the right time, and have corresponding likes on your comments, many people will click through and visit your page organically. Some will follow if your content speaks to them and they find value in what you offer.

This takes some time to achieve, but if you are able to do this consistently for 2 months, you will start seeing results even with a pretty new account. Treat this like going for a meetup and intentionally networking to build your business.

Now, go and get those likes, follows and conversions through the door!