Engaging With The Correct Audiences On Instagram

For the last few months or so, I have been running a workshop for small business owners at Brand Ambition on Instagram. The workshop includes tips for finding and engaging new audiences. Psstt.. these workshops sell out! My favourite topic is engaging new (and ideal) audiences and I think those who come to the workshop like this topic just as much!

With my tips, I hope you can reduce the time you spend on Instagram and see more results and growth! These strategies will help you find ideal accounts/posts to engage with. By engage I mean to follow, like and comment on. By adding some strategy, you’ll see better results and growth from your time engaging.

Hashtags
Hashtags are used as a way to filter content on Instagram. Search hashtags to find people with similar interests that might be interested in what you have to offer.

• Using the search section – or by clicking through on a post you can find accounts to engage with.
• Try big hashtags and little hashtags such as #DiscoverON for something in Ontario or #OnlyInClarington for something only in Clarington. These are hashtags the tourism boards come up with.

Geo-tags/Places
Geotags allow you to find content posted in a specific area/location. Using this as a search function will allow you to find potential customers that are within an area you can serve. Use locations to find people who share similar interests. For example, if you sell bridal gowns you should engage with all the accounts who are posting during a wedding show at X location.

• Searching by Places allows you to view content that is tagged from specific locations on a map. Places include towns, businesses, etc.
• Add Locations to your post so that your content appears when clicking through to view posts by location

Commenting & Liking
Click on a post’s comments and likes and engage with those accounts. If the user is the type to engage on similar content, there is a chance they might engage with yours!

• Make sure you’re leaving a REAL comment, take in the content and comment accordingly
• Avoid just using Emojis, or generic statements like “Cool pic!” “Great tip!”
• Like three of their pictures in a row, comment on their latest post and reach new audiences.

Followers & Following
A great way to find accounts to interact with is by checking other accounts list of followers and following. Some people cringe when I say this but trust me – your competitors are doing it.

• If you find an Instagram account that posts similar content as you, chances are that their followers will be interested in your content too!

If you’re looking for help with social media, shoot me an email! I’m happy to chat.