5 tips to growing your social media platform.

I am no expert by any means of the word but I have been building my social media presence on multiple platforms for almost 10 years now. Some have been more successful than others and sometimes, I care way more or way less about where and when that growth does or doesn’t happen.

There are some basic tips on how to invest into growing a social media platform and today, we are going to chat about them. I also have a full YouTube video available that goes into this topic even more and also shares how I got into this industry in the first place.

Let’s begin:

Define Your Niche: To stand out on Instagram, it's crucial to find your niche and stick to it. Whether you're passionate about travel, food, fashion, or fitness, focusing on a specific theme will help attract followers who share your interests. But also…. throw this advice out the window. There are so many things I enjoy in life and end up sharing on social media. I am multi-passionate and so alot of my content comes out in different ways + creative outlets. Because of this, I’m able to share many facets of my life within a “lifestyle” category. Basically, find what works best for you. If niching down is the ideal situation for you to find the people that want to see what you are sharing, do that. If you want to keep it broad + open and discover your honed in topics as you, rock that.
Quality Content is Key: Posting high-quality photos and videos is essential for engaging your audience. Invest in a good camera or smartphone with a quality camera to capture clear and visually appealing content. Experiment with different editing techniques to make your posts stand out. As you begin, just use the phone you have. Nothing needs to be perfect. It’s okay to be bad at something at first. And as you grow, you can upgrade and change things out. Do your best with what you have at first. The other part about quality is given in the content you are sharing. The question I always ask myself is, “Does this add value to someones life?” And if the answer is yes, whethere for educational purposes or even eventertainment purposes, then go for it. Have fun!
Engage with Your Audience: Building a community on Instagram is all about interaction. Respond to comments, like and comment on other users' posts, and use Instagram Stories and live videos to connect with your followers in real-time. Engaging with your audience will help foster loyalty and keep them coming back for more. Showing your true authenticity + genuine spirit is seen through the screen when you are actively building a community. If you want people to show up for you, show up for them. This can be a very meaningful part of growing on social media.
Consistent Posting Schedule: Consistency is key when it comes to growing your Instagram following. Create a posting schedule and stick to it to keep your audience engaged. Whether you post daily, every other day, or a few times a week, consistency will help you stay top of mind for your followers. If they know when to expect something for you, it will keep people engaged and they will be able to see your commitment as well. There is also the fact that it is an accounatability piece for you. Knowing that you made a goal/promise to yourself of how you were going to run your social media and sticking to that.
Utilize Hashtags and Captions: Hashtags are a powerful tool for increasing the visibility of your posts on Instagram. Research popular hashtags in your niche and include them in your captions to reach a larger audience. Honestly, this is something I don’t even know myself because this rule is always shifting and there are keywords that are picked up as well. However, I think when starting out, this is a valuable tool. I used to keep a hashtag notes in my phone to copy and paste for certain topics I was discussing so people could easily find me. Additionally, use captions to tell a story, ask questions, or inspire your followers to engage with your content. This should not be an overlooked area. Put some thought + heart into your captions when necessary. Let people get to know you. Even if it were only 1 person you were speaking to. They matter.

By following these tips, you'll be well on your way to growing your Instagram following and building a thriving community of engaged followers. I hope that for you! It can be a really beautiful place if more of us make it that way. Share YOU. How are you adding value into the world today?