The 7 Golden Rules Of Your Instagram Presence

With over a billion monthly active users, Instagram is, without doubt, a platform to monitor if you’re going to grow your online presence. Yet, for a platform that started as a public channel to share photos, Instagram hides a complex set of unwritten rules aspiring influencers need to follow.

What are your chances to monetize your online presence on Instagram? It turns out that its diverse demographics, active user base, and high narrative engagement make the platform an ideal starting point for an online income. 

Becoming an influencer on Instagram may seem like a tricky task. But, in reality, there’s plenty of room for micro-influencers to reach out to their local brands and build a source of income. While this doesn’t mean you can replace your day-to-day job with an influencer presence, you can undoubtedly create a profitable profile.

Freelancers and creatives also choose the platform as a place to build up their individual brand, another way of monetizing your online presence. However, as mentioned, you need to understand the golden rules of Instagram to grow your presence. 

1. Create a Clear Online Style

The platform is a constant stream of photos and videos. If you’re going to get noticed, you need to create a clear and easily recognizable visual identity. Ultimately, your followers may come across your photos many times before they choose to follow your profile.

Therefore, building an online costume, such as wearing urban sportswear brands like Carhartt or choosing a romantic dandy style, can attract their attention. Most Instagram users don’t spend more than a few seconds scrolling through their feeds, which means you have only a short window of opportunity to impress and communicate your identity. 

2. Pick Your Hashtags

Hashtags are modern compasses in the online world. Instagram users are unlikely to find your profile unless you talk about the topics they are also passionate about. Sounds simple, right? The theory is that you can search for the most relevant hashtags and add them to your post. There is a reason why 88% of brand posts include at least one hashtag: it works.

As a rule of thumb, you should aim for up to 20 hashtags in a single post. Instagram allows you to use 30. It’s a good idea to keep tabs on the most popular hashtags so that you can include some into your posts. #selfie, #picoftheday, #tbt, #smile, and #instagood are among the most commonly used hashtags, and they are guaranteed to increase views on your photos. 

3. Stick to a Color Palette

Similar to your online style, your online palette also helps to establish your Instagram personality. Your color palette will bring your profile to life. It’s not uncommon for influencers and brand activists to stick to a simple color palette to build a consistent profile. Check profiles such as @creativeandcoffee to get a glimpse of a bubble pink-focused profile, for instance. 

4. Instagram is not a Blog

Should you write a long caption or a short one? Opinions are divided. It makes sense to write a long post if you’ve got a lot to share. However, what makes your captions engaging is not the length but the content.

In other words, if you can get your message across in a few lines, there’s no need for an extended essay that will bore your followers. If you’ve got a story to tell, Instagram has no restriction on the length of your content. The rule to follow is simple: Make it just as long as it needs to be. 

5. Plan Ahead

Nobody wants to see reheated content. If people are going to follow you, they expect exciting new content. Therefore, it can help create a content plan to make sure you’ve got a baseline for your posts. 

6. Don’t Post While Emotional

There’s nothing wrong with sharing your emotional struggle or joys. However, while Instagram users want to read about your emotions, they may not appreciate content posted when you are being emotional. What is the difference? When you are going through something, you are less likely to articulate your thoughts clearly. You could end up saying things you’ll regret later or creating a controversial post that might backfire. 

7. Don’t Make it Private

Protecting your privacy on Instagram is essential. You can avoid posting personal content or sharing too much about your day-to-day life. However, the last thing you want is to make your Instagram account private. Setting your profile on private means that users will not be able to see your posts unless they already follow you. 

Are you ready to build an Insta-life that will drive likes and followers alike? Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms with a ton of potential for marketing, income generating, and networking. Whether you’re building your freelancer’s presence or you want to become a famous influencer, your journey begins with the 7 golden rules of Insta-growth.