This content was created years ago by us to highlight the incredible growth Instagram was experiencing. We emphasized the importance of this platform for businesses who want to reach more consumers via social media based on both the stats at the time and our successes.

Six years later, Instagram continues to thrive. Instagram images get an average of account on Instagram was.85%. Instagram launched Reels in August 2020 to counter TikTok’s massive growth. This was in addition to decreasing organic reach. We know Instagram is constantly changing so we updated this resource to make sure you are fully aware of the dos and Don’ts of using the platform.

These recommendations are not in any particular order and are based on our experiences with the platform. Kobe Digital helps businesses increase their organic visibility. However, we don’t post for our clients. Our focus is running social advertising campaigns.

Do’s and Don’ts of Instagram

1. Make your brand instantly recognizable

• Your brand must be easily identifiable.
• If you don’t want your products included in posts, be sure to include your logo.
• Your profile page can be used to link to the website of your company.
• Design elements, colors, and complementary colors can be used on your website.

Your brand should be easily identifiable on your website as well as across all social media platforms. Your posts should tell a story. Customers should be able to learn about your products and services, as well as what you stand for. BettyDesigns is a great example.

They are a brand for women that focuses on running, cycling, triathlon, swimming, and swimming. Their account highlights the role of women in these activities and reinforces this with their tagline Bad A$$ I Beautify. To stand out from the many businesses on the platform, it is important to have an identity.

2. Upload Quality Photos

• Enjoy a mixture of lifestyle images and product images, as well as inspirational quotes and messages.

• You can use the platform to offer users sneak peeks of upcoming events or product launches.

• Collaborate and highlight other brands with co-branded images.

Insta users love photos that make use of light and position in creative ways. Be creative with your posts. You can mix professional photos with fun photos that tell your story.

Let your fans also see the people behind your company’s success. Betty Designs’ owner Kristin Mayer is an athlete. To further connect with these women, you can link to her account.

3. Post on a regular schedule

• You can post daily, but you should not do so every day.

• You will need to agree on a consistent posting schedule that is flexible but not rigid.

• Limit filters and use quality content

• You can post different types of content to make things interesting.

It is important to keep your Instagram account visible, but you also want the content to be interesting and relevant. Use the filters that Instagram offers but don’t use them. Make sure to adjust your settings on your camera so you don’t have to filter the image before you post it.

Takeaway: See if Carousel images up your engagement. Social insider says that the average engagement rate is over 2% when using all 10 carousel slides. The highest engagement rates per post are for those that combine images and videos, at around 2.33%. Carousel videos get significantly more comments. The average engagement rate increases from 1.83% to 2.2% by including “swipe left” in the caption.

4. Use Hashtags!

• You can use hashtags that are specific to your company to collect brand photos.

• Encourage your followers to use the hashtags of your company in any relevant posts.

• Use trending hashtags where possible to get more attention.

You can keep track of the most popular hashtags and make sure to use them whenever possible. You can track your hashtags to see how they perform. Hashtags can be found everywhere. They will help users find you and the topics that connect them.

Vuori is an example of a brand that uses the hashtag #TheRiseTheShine often and shares what it means.

5. Followers are your friends

• Follow relevant followers back!
• Repost user-generated material
• Comment on posts made by others.
• In your stories and images, tag individuals.

90% of the nearly one billion Instagram users follow businesses. Offer a product or service that is appealing to the public to get people to follow your company. Keep your followers engaged and show them that you value their opinions.

Something Borrowed Flowers is an excellent example. To create a connection with their followers, they often post images, videos, reels, and other media. They tag brides who are using their products.

As you increase your following, this can become overwhelming. It can be hard to keep track of the number of shares, likes, and comments. Users can feel overwhelmed by the lack of engagement. This Mobile Monkey post offers resources and tools to help you keep track of your followers, conversations, and other information that is happening so you can stay organized.

6. Get together

• Find people or businesses that share your vision and goals.

• Ask for assistance from companies that align with your business plan.

You might be able to sell organic cotton socks with natural colors if you are connected with a good vegan footwear company. Ask them to recommend their products, and then ask them to suggest yours. You can reach more customers if you work together.

Vooray is a great example of this. They not only collaborate with other products but also create products together. A recent collection was a mix of their duffel bag with HydroJug sleeves and they bundled them together.

Don’t be a part of Instagram

1. Post irrelevant photos

• Post only photos that you feel are relevant to your company.

• Do not be invisible, connect the photos with your brand and design.

Your followers must always be able to recognize you. Keep your brand consistent with colors, logos, and design. Use only high-quality photos that tell a story about the company. Paul J. Zak, editor of the Harvard Business Review says that businesspeople should start every presentation with a compelling, human-scale tale. What is the point of sharing an image? What will people think about it? These are the elements that make information memorable and persuasive.

In October 2020, Figs posted a video showing a female DO flipping through a Medical Terminology For Dummies book. This caused a lot of backlash from potential and current customers. Although the post was quickly removed, many people and news outlets began to speak negatively about the company.

Figs sell high-end scrubs, which are often very expensive. The fact that they posted a video downplaying the knowledge of their customers speaks volumes about the brand’s values.

2. Overposting

• Instagram does not have an industry-wide accepted posting schedule.

• Regularly post, but don’t overwhelm your followers with content.

• You shouldn’t post irregularly.

• It should be relevant and entertaining.

Are you a fan of seeing a commercial or post so often that you get annoyed every time it appears? Sometimes, it can get to the point where you won’t even consider purchasing that product.

You can trigger the algorithm to show your posts only to a smaller audience. Instagram doesn’t like when you post repeatedly. If your followers block your content, this could make it even worse. You may be banned, blocked, or even have your account disabled.

People who unfollow you are less likely to purchase from you. Post frequently, but keep it interesting. Be consistent. Don’t post if you don’t have the content.

3. Do not follow others

• It is the best way for you to grow your account.

• As a valued customer, make them feel important.

• We are grateful for their help.

• Ask for feedback! Learn what your customers want.

Your followers should feel valued. Customers who regularly use your products or services want to feel part of your community. It is important to respond to all comments made on Instagram. While you may not be able to respond to all comments, it is important to make a habit out of responding to at least 50% of those that you receive. It is better to ignore a comment than to reply.

4. Being Spammy

• People who are mass-followed and people who are not

• Photos that you like and those you don’t

• Commenting on photos too quickly

• Third-party apps and tools can be used to auto-comment, follow, and post photos of others.

Instagram can ban your account for any of the above reasons. Instagram is for both individuals and businesses. They expect users to behave like humans when using the platform. It is not natural to do the above and it will make you appear more robotic or a bot that is automating things to spam others. These actions could lead to a message such as this:

Instagram’s Terms of Service prohibit auto-posting apps. You should avoid these apps.

Bottom line: You must spend time on the app and leave genuine comments about other content. It takes time to grow your Instagram following and build a loyal following. It is important to consider the potential benefits that the platform could bring to your business, given the effort and time you put into it.

Are you an active company on Instagram? We would love to hear about your experiences and lessons.