Hi there, acupuncture friend! Welcome back!
Since the launch of my Instagram Coaching for Acupuncturists on Monday, I’ve received a TON of questions about Instagram marketing.
So today I thought I’d share some of my best tips for growing your Instagram audience, since it’s the most popular question!
How to Grow Your Instagram Account Naturally:
First, commit 30 minutes a day to being on Instagram. Put it on your schedule. Set a timer. In that time, I want you to:
1. Follow as many new people as you can and use the 1-3-5 method:
Aim to follow 10-30 new accounts per day. Look for those who are your ideal patient and/or local businesses in your community who you might be able to collaborate with.
What’s the 1-3-5 method? For every account you follow, comment genuinely on three of their posts, and like five of their posts. (Follow 1 account, 3 comments, 5 likes = 1-3-5.)
Once you follow people and engage with their account, a certain percentage are likely to follow you back. Then you have their attention and can begin marketing to them through regular posts and Instagram stories on your account.
2. Post regularly and use all 30 hashtags every time to reach as many new followers as possible.
“Regularly” is interpretive. In a magical, perfect world, this would mean everyday. However, writing thoughtful captions on a daily basis can be pretty time-consuming! At the very least, post twice a week in your regular feed, and as often as you can in your Instagram stories.
The idea of posting on a regular basis is that your followers get used to seeing your posts in their feed. If you only post twice a month, they will honestly forget about you. You don’t want that, because your goal with Instagram marketing (or any kind of marketing, really) is to stay top of mind.
Instagram allows you 30 hashtags per post. Use them ALL! Create a note on your phone where you store your favorite 30 hashtags, and simply copy/paste them when you’re ready to post. Occasionally I recommend shaking up your hashtags and finding new ones, to reach a variety of potential followers. But don’t make your life difficult by typing out 30 hashtags every time.
3. Answer every comment and direct message within 24 hours.
This builds loyalty and trust with your followers because when you answer right away (as opposed to like, 5 days later), they feel like you care – that their comment is important and matters to you. They’re going out of their way to interact with you! You must interact in return.
The more you build trust with your followers and let them get to know you, the more likely they are to make an appointment or want to collaborate with you.
Plus, the more interaction Instagram sees on your post, the higher it ranks your post in the algorithm. So a greater number of people are likely to be exposed to the post, and have the opportunity to follow you. Win-win!
One last thing: Do you have to live on Instagram for this to work?
Great question. The answer is NO.
That’s why I ask you put a 30-minute “Instagram Marketing” block on your schedule so you can sit down and get it done.
Can you spend more than 30 mins? Of course. Some people love to be on Instagram non-stop.
But it’s entirely up to you. I believe in boundaries with social media marketing. So sometimes I’m on IG literally all day long, and other days I want nothing to do with it. In that case I just pop on for my scheduled 30 mins of IG marketing and then log out.
You choose! Marketing should fit into your life. But these tips will work even if you don’t spend your whole life on Instagram.
I hope these tips help a ton! Go forth and make new friends on Instagram!
And of course, if you want more help and specific direction individualized for your Instagram account, check out my Instagram Coaching right here.
Don’t forget to use the discount code SPRING for $50 off this week only – expires this Friday, 4/12, at midnight Eastern time.
Have a happy Wednesday!
Michelle