When the Instagram platform first became popular, creators only had to post eye-catching photos and use the right hashtags if they wanted their work to be seen. Becoming an influencer and attracting brands was something that just happened. Now, aspiring Instagram influencers have an uphill battle.
The good news is that it’s still possible to become an influencer and start making money off of social media presence. It just takes a little extra work. Find out how to get started below.
Identify a Niche
Whether aspiring Instagram influencers are starting new accounts or trying to optimize their old ones, it’s better to create an aura of authority around one or a few subjects than it is to try to appeal to everyone. Getting verified and legit likes and follows can be very hard without specializing in a particular area. Instagram users should pick subjects that reflect their passions and offer plenty of opportunities for community building.
Be Consistent
Influencers need to commit to a schedule so that their audiences know when to expect new content. When it comes to stories, that means posting every day. Otherwise, coming up with a content calendar is the best way to go. It helps to keep influencers on schedule and ensure that their followers stay engaged.
Focus on Community Building
Likes, follows, and other engagement metrics are important to track, but influencers shouldn’t get too wrapped up in the details. They should focus on cultivating community. A smaller audience that trusts an influencer and feels there’s a real connection will be more likely to engage on Instagram and follow links, buy products, and accept brand recommendations. Here are a few tips for getting started.
- Stay on Instagram for at least half an hour after posting to respond to comments.
- Use DMs as an opportunity to strike up real conversations.
- Encourage followers to engage with one another, as well.
- Spark conversations in comments.
- Use Instagram stories to post polls.
- Create surveys using a third-party platform.
Optimize Bios and Profiles
Even popular Instagram users won’t necessarily attract brands if their bios and profiles aren’t properly optimized. To start attracting sponsors, be sure to create a “creator” or “business” profile with a strong bio. A good influencer bio is like a mini-pitch that shows brands who creators are, who their communities include, and what kinds of content they create. Just be sure to keep it short.
Give Engagement a Boost
If Instagram users implement all the tips above, they should eventually start to see engagement rates trend upwards, at which point it becomes much easier to attract brand sponsors and become a paid influencer. Getting started can be tough, though, and it takes some time.
Don’t be afraid to use an Influencer growth service that provides high-quality likes, views, and followers. It can really help to hit the ground running, and as long as influencers work with reputable services that respect Instagram’s terms and conditions, there’s no risk involved.
