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Instagram Chief Outlines Content Optimisation Best Practices

Looking to fine-tune your Instagram strategy and give your content a little extra push? Instagram chief Adam Mosseri recently shared some valuable tips in his weekly Q&A session on IG Stories that could help you do just that.

While these insights might not revolutionise your reach overnight, they offer practical tweaks that can help boost your engagement and get your content in front of more eyes. Here’s a breakdown of Mosseri’s advice and Instagram’s latest creative tools to elevate your content game.

Reposting Reels to Stories: Maximise Your Content’s Reach

One of the simplest yet effective strategies Mosseri highlighted is reposting your Reels to your Stories. This practice can extend the reach of your content, making it visible to a broader audience, improving the ROI of the initial piece.

Adam Mosseri, Head of Instagram, August 2024

“Posting a Reel to your Stories will help a bit with reach. Usually, for most people, your feed posts get a lot more reach than your Stories, and this is because there’s a ton of Stories inventory, so there’s a lot more competition relative to feed. But it will just generally be additive, so it’s a good practice, as long as it’s not something that annoys your followers.”

However, it’s important to strike a balance—reposting should enhance your engagement, not irritate your followers. As Mosseri points out, the key is ensuring that your followers find value in the repost, rather than seeing it as repetitive or spammy.

Leverage Collab Posts: Let the Bigger Account Lead

Collab Posts are another area where you can optimise your strategy.

According to Mosseri, Collab Posts tend to perform better when the account with the larger following initiates the collaboration. The Instagram algorithm currently favours the original collaborator, giving a slight edge in reach and engagement.

This insight suggests that if you’re collaborating with another account, especially one with a substantial following, it’s beneficial to let them be the one to send the collab request. This small adjustment can make a difference, particularly in how your content is ranked and seen by a wider audience.

While this might not result in a massive increase in reach, it’s a valuable tactic to consider, especially if you’re looking to maximise every opportunity for growth.

Incorporating New Creative Tools: Enhance Your Visual Appeal

Instagram’s recent updates have introduced a variety of creative tools that can significantly enhance your content’s visual appeal. With new fonts, text animations, and the ability to add stickers to photos and carousels, there are more ways than ever to make your posts stand out. These features are particularly effective in drawing attention and encouraging interaction, which can lead to higher engagement rates.

Here’s how you can incorporate these tools into your content:

  • Use New Fonts and Text Animations: Experiment with the new fonts and text animations to create visually compelling Stories and Reels. These features can help you convey your message more effectively and add a dynamic element to your content. For instance, animated text can make important announcements or calls to action more eye-catching and memorable.
  • Add Stickers and Layered Images: Stickers and the ability to layer images offer additional creative freedom. Use stickers to highlight key elements of your photos or to add a fun, interactive component to your carousels. Layering images allows you to create more complex and engaging visual stories, which can captivate your audience and encourage them to engage with your content.
  • Maximise Carousel Potential: With the increased carousel limit of up to 20 photos or videos, you now have more room to explore creative storytelling. Whether it’s a step-by-step guide, a product showcase, or a behind-the-scenes look at your brand, using carousels can help you present more comprehensive narratives that keep your audience engaged for longer.

Combine Strategy with Creativity for Maximum Impact

While Mosseri’s tips offer practical ways to improve your Instagram reach, combining these with Instagram’s latest creative tools can further amplify your content’s effectiveness. Here are a few additional strategies to consider:

  • Be Consistent, But Creative: Regular posting is crucial, but so is creativity. Use Instagram’s new tools to keep your content fresh and engaging. Consistency helps build a loyal following, while creativity ensures that your posts stand out in a crowded feed.
  • Engage with Your Audience: Encourage interaction by asking questions, running polls, or using interactive stickers in your Stories. Engagement is a two-way street, and the more you interact with your followers, the more likely they are to engage with your content in return.
  • Analyse and Adapt: Regularly check your Instagram insights to see what’s working and what isn’t. Use this data to refine your strategy and experiment with different formats and creative tools to find what resonates best with your audience.

 

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