What should I be doing on Instagram?

So. many. Rules!

Well not really actually, just lots of people shouting about what you should be doing!

One of the absolutely wonderful reasons to really embrace social media is because of the two-way dialogue it creates. Not only can you share about your business but you can learn directly about your audience too.

That doesn’t happen in any other form of advertising which is mostly passive on the part of the consumer. The brand or business provides the information and the audience listen.

On social media, the brand or business provides the information and the audience respond, directly, back to the business.

For a small business particularly, this process is fantastic. You have access to your customers in a way that you only usually would in a shop.

So how can you make the most of this opportunity?

Well for one, actually by spending time on the app that you use, talking to your audience. It sounds obvious right, but how many businesses are actually using the DMs to get to know their customers? Or creating relationships in the comments? Not as many as should be.

I talk about the importance of engagement all the time, of not just ‘posting and ghosting’ but actually spending time and being generous with your time on other people’s accounts. Leaving comments, watching Stories and actively participating in everything the social media apps have to offer.

Put it another way, you wouldn’t go to a party, walk into the room, shout out your name, business offering and then leave again would you? So why do so many people do it on social media? It’s such a wasted opportunity!

People spend a long time creating content for their audiences, sharing a part of themselves or their business, giving value and entertaining their audiences. It feels right that the appreciation for the content is shown. Obviously there is an ulterior motive, these businesses are hoping that by sharing their content with you, you are going to want to buy from them at some point. But if you’re not in a position to buy then supporting their content in other ways is a wonderful way to build up others.

Another thing you should be doing on Instagram - which everyone forgets to do every now and then, is to invite your audience to participate. Ask them questions, actively invite them to take part in the conversation. Give them a reason to engage in your content beyond the perfunctory like.

Because we use social media for personal enjoyment and business marketing, it can just be that we are in the wrong head space when it comes to spending time on the app.

Sometimes you just want to mindlessly scroll for a bit of entertainment and that’s fine. But don’t get lost in the scrolling blackhole if you are meant to be marketing your biz.

That’s why mindset is so important, if it’s 10.30am on a Tuesday and you’re spending a bit of time on Instagram for example, make sure you approach it with a business head on. Approach your tasks in this way and it will feel like you are spending your time effectively. Make sure you are commenting, sharing, liking and DMing people. Focus the time on building relationships and letting your audience get to know you better. You’ll feel so much better about your time spent on social media if you have a purpose in mind.

I have only really scratched the surface here, if you’d like more tips and advice on how to engage with others on social media and to build an engaged community, then you can download my Guide to Social Media Engagement.

I’d love to know your thoughts…are you already social on social media?