Let’s discuss how significant Instagram may be for your photography profession. If you haven’t already joined the platform, now is the moment. Instagram is one of the most effective methods you can use to market yourself and your work. It’s a popular platform with a large user base, and it’s a terrific method to meet future clients and partners.
One of the best features of Instagram is the ability to establish a virtual portfolio that anyone, anywhere in the globe, can access. It allows you to display and share your work in an easy-to-view and share format. Not only that, but it also allows you to create a community of others who share your interests and can provide essential feedback and support.
But it’s not simply about uploading photos and hoping for likes. You must be strategic in your approach. Use relevant hashtags, interact with your fans, and post at the appropriate moment, and… Many other best practices which we’re going to discuss in today’s guide! Are you ready to dive in?
I know you enjoy shooting photos, but let’s be honest: advertising ourselves on social media can be a real pain in the lens! But don’t worry, I’m here to assist you. Here are seven practical strategies to help you get the most out of Instagram in 2023.
What will we talk about? ✨
Make a theme for yourself and stick to it.
Your Instagram account should reflect your photographic aesthetic and style. Consistency is essential, so pick a color scheme and adhere to it. And if you’re feeling a bit lazy, there are numerous apps that can assist you (I’ll discuss them in one of the upcoming guides).
Hashtags are a terrific method to get your photos seen by a wider audience, but they need to be picked consciously. Stick to relevant hashtags and strive to include niche-specific hashtags. Please don’t use the same hashtags for every picture, for the love of everything that is holy. You can always research new ones for your niche with hashtag research tool – IQ Hashtags has this feature included as well.
Engage with your audience.
Because Instagram is a social media medium, don’t be scared to engage with your followers. Respond to comments, answer questions, and hold discussions. This can help you connect with your community more deeply and keep them coming back for more!
Join forces with other photographers.
Instagram is a fantastic platform for connecting with other photographers and working on projects together. This will not only help you expand your network, but it will also give you some fantastic opportunities.
Post at the appropriate moment.
On Instagram, timing is everything. Posting at the proper moment can have a significant impact on the engagement of your content. Find out when your followers are most active on Instagram and schedule your posts accordingly.
Purchase a high-quality camera and editing software.
Instagram is all about aesthetics, so make sure your photos are of great quality. An excellent camera and editing software will assist you in creating professional-looking photographs that will make followers salivate.
Have some fun with it!
Remember, Instagram is a place to share your work, but it’s also a place to have fun. Take things lightly and don’t be afraid to be inventive. Post behind-the-scenes photos, create amusing Instagram stories, and have fun with it.
Make analytics your best friend
You may be asking why you should bother tracking your Instagram post metrics. I mean, isn’t it sufficient to simply publish a picture and hope for the best? So, my buddy, checking your analytics is like having a crystal ball into the minds of your followers. It can provide you with useful information about what type of content they want to see and when they want to see it. Furthermore, it’s an excellent tool to assess the efficiency of your marketing plan, particularly if you’re a small business or influencer.
There are other apps and tools available to assist you with tracking your Instagram stats, but the one I’ve found to be the most user-friendly is IQ Hashtags. It’s quite simple to use and has a fantastic feature thanks to which you can see how your content performs over time.
But here’s the thing: analytics tracking doesn’t have to be all about statistics and data. Instead, use it to increase your engagement and connect with your audience more deeply. After all, Instagram is a social medium where relationships are formed. So go ahead, track your stats, and use that knowledge to develop material that your following will appreciate.
This way you can make adjustments to your strategy and continue to grow your presence.
To Wrap-Up!
You already know it, but I can’t stress this enough: Instagram may be a great way for photographers to market themselves and their work. You may enhance your visibility and interact with potential clients by following these recommendations and being strategic in your approach. So go ahead and photograph and Instagram away!