Just Got On Instagram? 10 Top Tips for Newbies

If you’re not familiar with the Instagram platform, you should know a few things before getting started. Although you will find that the program is very user-friendly, it also is a good idea to read up on some tips to make sure you’re making the most out of your experience.

Here are 10 tips to help out Instagram newbies (don’t worry, we’ve all been there):

1. Choose A Username That Represents Your Brand

This is especially important if you’re using Instagram for business purposes. Your username should be reflective of what your brand is all about. Try to keep it short, sweet, and easy to remember if you can.

You can approach this decision by brainstorming around your topic and finding a word or phrase that sums up your niche. For example, if you’re a travel blogger, you might want to use something like “wanderlustgal” or “travelandleisure.” You’ll also need to factor in the name’s availability, so it can be a good idea to have a few options in mind.

2. Upload A Profile Picture

Your profile picture should be a high-quality photo that accurately represents your brand. If you’re a business, this could be your logo. If you’re an individual, it could be a headshot or picture that clearly shows your face.

Deciding on a picture can be pretty tricky, especially if you are only just deciding on the design of your Instagram. Choosing the right elements can help you make a PFP to stand out from the crowd and grab attention.

But, keep in mind that this photo is what will help people recognize and remember you, so make it a good one!

3. Connect With Others On Social Media

 If you’d like to connect or partner with other businesses on Instagram, start by following them and engaging with their content. Leave thoughtful comments, share their posts, and tag them in your own photos. If you’ve got a few options for accounts, try and build relationships with the owners and keep the most relevant and useful ones. Once you’ve developed relationships, it can be a great way to get consistent likes.

Celebrities, public figures, or industry thought leaders: These accounts can be powerful allies in helping you build your brand. Getting them to share your content with their followers will significantly boost your reach and credibility.

If you’re looking to connect with users on social media, there are countless opportunities. Organizing a way to engage with your audience and gain new followers can seem daunting, but it’ll be worth it in the long run. Once you’ve built an essential following, you can use things like surveys to get feedback from your followers and learn more about what they’re looking for.

4. Write A Compelling Bio

You only have 150 characters to make an impression, so make them count! Write a bio that accurately summarizes who you are, what you do, and why people should follow you.

Although it might be tempting to stuff in as many keywords as possible, resist the urge. Not only will it make your bio look spammy, but it won’t do you any favors in the long run. Keep it simple, clear, and concise. If you’d like to add personal flair, you can always include an emoji.

5. Find People To Follow Who Have A Connection With Your Niche

Following people who have a connection with your niche is a great way to get inspiration for your own photos, as well as engage with other users in your field.

A quick and easy way to do this is by searching Instagram hashtags related to your niche. For example, if you’re a food blogger, you might search for hashtags like “foodie,” “foodsnap,” or “foodblogger.” Once you’ve found a few users that look promising, take a look at their follower list and start following some of their followers.

6. Like And Comment On Other People’s Post For Visibility

Start engaging with their content once you have found relevant users to follow. The more you like and comment on other people’s photos, the more likely they are to do the same for you. Having a good organic strategy can be a great alternative to services you can buy.

This is a great way to get your name and face out there and make some new friends in your niche. Just remember to keep your comments genuine and avoid coming across as spammy. If you spread genuine good vibes as an Instagram page, then word of mouth can help you attract new followers without you even having to put any effort into it.

7. Use Hashtags To Reach Specific People

We always like to press the power of hashtags because they really are that powerful! Hashtags can help you to reach specific people who might be interested in your content.

For example, if you use the hashtag “#foodbloggers,” all of the users who have used that hashtag will be able to see your photo. If they’re interested in what you do, they might start following you.

You can use up to 30 hashtags on each photo, but we recommend using around 10-15. Any more than that, and your caption might start to look spammy.

8. Post Original Content

This should go without saying, but we’ll say it anyway: post original content! This is one of the most important things in your Instagram strategy to improve growth.

People want to see new and exciting things, so if you’re constantly posting rehashed versions of other people’s photos, they’re not going to stick around for long.

Find your own unique angle and stick to it. This will help you attract like-minded individuals interested in what you have to offer.

Although it’s not a problem to re-post content, ensure you credit it so that you don’t appear to be stealing credibility.

9. Research Your Niche Thoroughly

You can’t expect to be an expert on your niche overnight, but it’s essential to do your research to have an excellent foundation to work from.

The more you know about your niche, the better equipped you’ll be to produce high-quality content that will resonate with your audience. If you find any case studies that are relevant to your Instagram niche, you’ll be able to learn from the successes and failures of others. This can be one of the most financially efficient ways to gain valuable insights when starting out.

10. Join Help Communities To Get Ongoing Support

There’s no need to go it alone! There are plenty of help communities that can provide you with ongoing support as you build your Instagram following.

One of our favorites is the Rising Tide Society, a community of over 100,000 creatives from all over the world. This society hosts regular meetups and provides its members with valuable resources, such as a monthly newsletter and an online forum.

Joining a community like this is a great way to get inspired and motivated to reach your Instagram goals. Plus, it’s always nice to have a group of people to chat with when you’re feeling stuck.

Now that you know some of the best tips for newbies, it’s time to put them into action! Start by finding relevant users to follow and engaging with their content. Use hashtags to reach specific people who might be interested in your page, and post original content that is both interesting and visually appealing. You’re well on your track to no-longer being the new guy on the block so don’t worry and keep your head up!

Image Source: Giphy

Research your niche thoroughly so that you have a good foundation to work from, and join help communities to get ongoing support. Although these may be useful tips for newbies, the only real way to grow your page is by putting in the hard work and dedication. So get out there and start building your dream Instagram following! Even if you fail, you’re going to find out why and improve for the future. And that’s always a good thing.

We hope that these tips help you in your journey to Instagram success! Let us know in the comments if you have any questions or suggestions. And remember, have fun with it! After all, that’s what Instagram is all about.